Day 219...

Sunday was a productive, relaxing, and enjoyable day! We were able to get some things done around the house, we ran a few errands, had fun with Gracie outside, and had some great friends (and their adorable little ones) over for dinner! The weekends always go by too quickly, but we definitely ended this one on a high note!

Day 218...

It was a sweet Saturday. The afternoon was beautiful so we spent some time outside and just enjoyed being together. Gracie loves her little house. There have been times when getting her out of her house and back in our real house has been a challenge!

Over the past few days (it seems), Gracie has started talking more and more! She's been increasing her vocabulary for a while now, but she seemed to stay pretty quiet while anywhere other than home. That's beginning to change!

This afternoon, while out at Target, I noticed that she is also very in tune with what's going on around her, including other people's conversations. She would hear someone use a word or phrase and then start repeating it over and over. She's also started making up silly songs about random things or people. It's so fun watching her observe and learn right before my eyes! I still cannot believe I will have a two year old in a little over two months... 

There's lots of love in Gracie's house. :)

Day 217...Kindermusik!

Here are a few pictures from Kindermusik this morning! Austin and Ashley joined us. :) I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday!

Day 216...

Busy day, lots of fun, very tired. Here are a few pictures from our visit to the Natural Science Center this afternoon. :)

Day 215...The Best Decision Ever

I've been thinking, and I don't think there has ever been a time in my life when I didn't want to be a mom. As a little girl, I would make lists with the names I would give to my children. The lists included first and middle names, and there were always at least 6 children, often 3 boys and 3 girls. I have since scaled back, by at least half, on the number of children I would actually like to give birth to, but the desire to have, name, and raise babies was there.

As a teenager, there was a lot of talk about what I wanted to be when I grew up, what career path I would take, what college I would attend. I understood the importance of getting an education, and I chose a subect in college that interested me, but the only thing I ever wanted to do was be a mom. If you had asked me my plans for the future, I would have told you exactly what I thought you wanted to hear: I hoped to graduate with a Psychology degree, go on to complete my Masters, then go down a road where I could work with small children. Honestly, all I really wanted to do was marry my high school sweetheart and stay at home with our own small children.

After high school, I did attend college. During college, I got married. Then, a funny thing happened. This feeling started to creep up in me, a feeling that I just couldn't shake. The timing may not have seemed perfect, we could have used more time to prepare, but I just felt like it was time. My greatest desire was to have a baby, and my husband and I decided we were ready. Best decision ever.

Gracie just turned 21 months old, and in that short amount of time, I have experienced what it means to have a perfect love, endless joy, and more happiness and laughter than I could have imagined. My life is fuller, my smile is bigger, my laugh is louder. There are always hugs and kisses to be shared, giggly games to play, and I just "get it". This little girl, my little Grace, she is my purpose. I've known this since the first time I held her in my arms, and maybe even before that, but it overwhelms me.

Sometimes, I have to take a step back from the busy day to day "stuff", the frustrations that a stubborn almost two year old can bring, the list of things left unchecked that may never get done, the errands to run, the chores to complete, and I force myself to stop.

Look at your life.

When I look into my daughter's face, when I take in her sweet cheeks and bright eyes, her mischievous grin and those curious little hands, I know how blessed I have been. I "get it" and it brings tears to my eyes. It's an amazing thing to realize that God has entrusted me with this little life. Her well-being and future are in the hands of my husband and I. It's a big job, the biggest and most important job ever! I'm so incredibly thankful that He has lead me here, to this place where I live my life as "Mommy".

Day 214...More Snow and an Award!

First of all, I want to thank Our Country Road for presenting my blog with this:

I really appreciate it! I'm so glad there are other blogging mommas who enjoy what I post here at 365 Days of Grace! :) I thought it was a fitting award because Gracie brings sunshine to each and every day I spend with her, even days like today...

Yes, that is Gracie looking out into our snow covered backyard! It seems like it was just yesterday that we were outside, blowing bubbles, and enjoying the warmth...Hmmm...This was actually a really pretty snow. It started around lunch time and has continued on through the evening.

Day 213...A Little Sunshine Goes A Long Way

We had a little sunshine around here this afternoon, and we took advantage of it! It felt so nice to get out of the house for some outdoor playtime. I discovered that Bentley and Gracie share a love for being outdoors, and for...Bubbles. :)

(I promise he is not nearly as vicious as he looks. If I didn't know he was attacking bubbles, I might be a little concerned! Haha!)