There is something so breathtaking to watch your child sit and listen intently on words of truth flowing through her heart and head. Even at the age of 3 months....and 9 years old. I put this lullaby DVD on for Gracie tonight, and sat her little "punkin" seat down in front of it so she could watch the amazing shapes and pictures. I then left to get some work done. After a few moments, I heard a sweet voice floating from the family room. Peeking in, I saw Abbie sitting beside her little sister, singing these beautiful words:

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in His hands

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and Hears me when I call

What an amazing gift. To see my Abbie teaching her sister how to praise THEIR Lord. Lessons learned:

1. Be Still and Praise My Lord. In the bustle of the day, stop and remember His sweetness.

2. Do not grow weary of well doing for in due season you shall reap! Abbie has been rough lately. Her mouth has not been uttering blessings, but harsh words. To see a fruit of all the hard work that we are putting into her...well...just encouraged me to press on.

3. Do not assume b/c Gracie is an infant, that she does not need to be reminded of the GREATNESS of her Lord. He is HER Lord, every bit as much as mine. I need to be reminding her of that more.

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Teeny Tiny

Someday, I will forget how teeny this little girl was. Someday, she will be running around...yelling her head off about how Isaac is chasing her with a bug. Someday, she will be putting on makeup and learning how to drive. When that someday comes, I want to be able to look back and remember that she was just a little Kelly Jelly Bean.

This bottle is actually a 2 oz bottle. So, think of a normal sized bottle. Cut it into 4 pieces. She is "holding" one of them. Amazing that it seems like it is the size of her head.

I love this picture because not only does it show Gracie's tininess, but it also shows her fragility. Once we got her home, we soon forgot that she was to be handled with extra care. She reminded us quickly though that she was not a normal newborn. Amazing that this child size band-aid looks like a cast on her little hand.

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St Patty's Day 2011

Trying to find the "Luckiest" coin.

It was above their heads hanging from a clothespin.

Lucky shot of Abbie without hair in her face. Growing bangs out...STINKS!

(above) Gracie's first hunt.

The Magical Loot

We love celebrating "fake" holidays. St Patty's Day is one of those. lol. Every year, we all make sure to dress in green. Most of the time we actually purchase new Irish shirts for the occasion. Some years we go to an Irish restaurant to celebrate. One year we went downtown to check out the festivities. Last year, we flew home from Florida...all dressed in our GREEN!

BUT, one thing that remains the same...year after year....we always have a "Luck Coin Hunt". Nothing super special, just a big bag of chocolate gold coins hidden throughout the house/yard. The kids can either keep their chocolate, or trade it in for real coins. Both of them traded this year. Another amazing sign that they are growing up. Isaac bought his new video game with his money and Abbie...well, Abbie is still saving hers.

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