nurturing hope, creativity, family
These three little girls were born within three months of one another. They’re cousins.
It’s been so great to see them together for a couple of days and to watch the older cousins form friendships and make memories together. A big thanks to my brother and his family for making the long drive to stay with us for a couple of days. What fun it is when extended families get to gather. Thanks everyone!
It was snowing this morning, some of the biggest, most beautiful flakes I’ve ever seen. It was a wonder to behold as they fluttered softly to the ground, so many of them swirling in the sky above that you had to pause and marvel at a God that can make water do something so amazing.
Life gets so busy, and in the busyness it’s easy to lose sight of how much beauty there is to appreciate in the mundane activities we pursue. But every once in a while I wake up to simple, everyday beauty.
The other day as I drained my pasta for dinner, it struck me how beautiful it looked next to the bright blue of my colander. Color. I am so, so thankful for color! I paused to marvel for a second and give thanks for food. It took only a minute but it changed how I felt about preparing dinner for my family. I felt more grateful when we bowed our heads to pray.
I believe that everyday beauty is a gift, always waiting for us to notice, appreciate, and give thanks for it. It reminds me that God is aware of me, for He took the time to make even simple things beautiful. I think He’s just waiting for our eyes to truly see.
What simple, everyday beauties have you noticed lately?
Hopeful Homemaker
Today my littlest one pulled herself to standing on her own.
The pictures are blurry because number 7 ran in front of me while I was taking the first one, and on the second one she was just so wobbly that her face is out of focus. Still, I’m happy that I managed to capture this first in her life and thrilled that I was able to witness it. It seems like so often they choose to try things for the first time when no one is looking at them.
Her big brother was sitting on the floor and she crawled up behind him, then held onto the back of his shirt to pull herself up. He patiently sat still and put up with her pushing and pulling on him while she tried to stand.
It lasted only a second or two before she plunged to her stomach, but she was so pleased with herself. I was impressed at her bravery in standing with only one hand on his back for support.
What a wonderful thing it is to watch them learn and grow…