2/52

 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Audrey: I love that she has become such a little bookworm. I love finding her in little corners throughout the house, her nose in a book. I love that she usually has at least four or five books "in progress" at a time because I have always been exactly the same way. 

Elliot: I can't wrap my mind or my heart around the idea that this sweet amazing boy is going to be SIX in just five short months. Goodness, I love him so. 

Eliza: Just waking up from her nap.I could stare into those eyes for days... 

(Linking up with the lovely Jodi for the 52 project)

1/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Audrey: She is so very, very seven years old these days. Stuck in that place between desperately wanting to grow up and still wanting to stay little. Witnessing your children grow is so bittersweet.

Elliot: He is all about LEGOS these days. 24/7. He plays them for hours, building such intricate, detailed structures and then telling us all about them in long, rambling stories.

Eliza: So smiley. I love that so much about her. 

Inspired by the lovely Jodi over at Che and Fidel, I have decided to join in her 52 project this year. I am really looking forward to the collection of pictures I will have of my little ones at the end of the year! 

july 3

Love this fortune that Elliot got in a fortune cookie today. And the funny thing is, when I asked him what he thought the happy thing was, I thought he would say "baby Eliza" and he said, "I don't know...God is coming back down?"

dear mr. elliot

Letter to my little mister written on August 11, 2011

Dear Elliot,

I love how God has given you the sweetest, tenderest heart. You have so much empathy and compassion. This morning was just an example of it.

"Mama, when are we going to go to Jared and Caleb's house?"

I stopped what I was doing and went over to you. I knelt down low and looked you right in the eyes. "Oh, Elliot," I said. "Do you remember that Jared and Caleb moved away? Far away? It will take a really long time in the car to get to their house now." Tears filled my eyes. I miss our dear friends. A lot.

"Oh, you said, your face falling. "Oh."

Then you came over to me, wrapped your little arms around my neck and hugged me tight. "You miss Jenny?" you asked me. I cried harder. Yes, I miss her, but oh, your sweet sensitive heart was what really made me cry.

"Yes, I do," I told you. "Do you miss Jared and Caleb?"

"Yes," you said. "I wish they didn't move away."

We sat there awhile longer, then you said, "I really liked their packing (moving) truck though!" I smiled. You might have a sensitive heart, but you are definitely also still a boy through and through!

I love you so much.

Love, Mama

May 23

I love walking into scenes like these. The two of them playing so happily and peacefully together. This does not happen all the time- we definitely have our fair share of fighting + arguing!  But peeking into little moments like this make my mama heart so, so happy.

January 2

  

Today was filled with catching up. Church, grocery shopping, Erik painting our playroom, me doing a little homeschool planning. But one of my very favorite moments of the day was seeing Elliot wear a painting mask as a football helmet. He thought he was so cool.