Day 227...

The majority of our Monday was spent with Ashley and Austin. They came over in time for lunch and stayed long enough to cook and eat dinner with us! It was great! :)

Day 226...A Sunday Afternoon

Day 225...My Old Friend

I can't give you a date. I don't know the time, or even remember that first "meeting", but somewhere in my toddlerhood, I did meet her:

(K, my first ever best friend, and I as little girls)

(K and I this past Saturday)

Over 20 years later, K and I are still friends, and I have countless memories of she and I stored away, and they all make me smile. (Well, some make me cringe, but that was all me, not her.) She was sugar and spice, and everything nice. I was a little dirt and a sprinkle of good, but mostly, I was up to no good. I've locked her out of my house, at night, during sleepovers, flipped us right out of her front porch swing (we landed on our backsides-- she cried, I laughed), and was probably responsible for every time she got in trouble during those first years in elementary school (especially those times when we were supposed to be silent while waiting in line...I guess I had to drag someone into my troublesome ways).

We started out as friends at daycare, then became neighbors when her family moved into the house right behind ours. We were in the same grade, attended the same school, had some of the same teachers. I remember that we were always bouncing around between our houses. She was my very best friend, and I couldn't have realized then what a blessing she was.

K was there for me during my first big life change-- my parents' divorce. She was also a source of strength and comfort during the second-- our move, which not only took us out of the neighborhood, but out of the city. Over the years that followed, we still saw each other on a regular basis. There were birthday parties, sleepovers, and beach trips. We always had plenty to talk about, and wherever we were, laughter was sure to follow.

Once we graduated high school, things naturally got busier and it became more difficult to spend time together like we once had. Too much time would go in between visits, but we always made an effort to get together, even if it meant meeting at McDonald's as we traveled our separate ways during Gracie's first Christmas.

The funny thing about life is that there are those moments when something *clicks*, when it all comes crashing in around you and your eyes are opened. Here's the thing: I didn't realize how much I have missed K until I saw her Saturday night. How could I have not known that I've been missing her all of these years? How could I take someone so dear to me for granted for so long? For the first time in a long time, we had a chance to talk, laugh about the old times, and catch up on what's new. It was refreshing and comfortable. There are very few friendships like this one. A friendship that began before we can really remember. A friendship that has continued on from childhood, to adolescence, and on through our early adulthood. A friendship that has no end. It doesn't matter how much time has passed since seeing K face to face, we always jump right in where we left off and it just feels right.

One of the coolest parts of our adult friendship is that we now have so much more to share with each other. We're both married to incredible men, who also happen to have a lot to talk about, and I am able to share Gracie with her (and she loved both K and her husband!). It brings me so much happiness seeing her so happy, and as the older friend (by 27 days) I feel so proud of her accomplishments and decisions. K is a pretty great person in general, which makes me extra lucky to have her around. As special as our friendship has been up to this point, I believe it will only get better!

So, here's a little "thank you" to my oldest (and first!) best friend. Thank you for a lifetime of priceless memories! You've always been an incredible part of my life!

Days 223 and 224...The Little Things

It really doesn't take much to make me smile these days. In fact, just about everything Gracie says or does leaves me either completely tickled, proud, or simply happy. Of course, there are a few exceptions, like when she gets really frustrated and looks for something to throw, or when she runs wildly throughout the house, making it very difficult to get her dressed and out the door. Even then, she's pretty entertaining, even as she's testing my patience, and knows it.

No, it doesn't take much, because I'm zoning in on the little things, sitting back, and letting them make my day.

It's the little things, like...

...having Gracie say, "Good job, Mommy", and then clapping for me, when I am successful at opening the garage door, with the garage door opener.

...having a good laugh when finding my phone, after almost three days of searching, in a bag of Doritos, and knowing that I can narrow the suspects down to one beautiful girl.

...those moments when I stand back and observe, camera in hand, as Gracie has a very serious conversation on *her* cell phone.

...having Gracie tell me, "Rain helping flowers", while watching the rain. The fact that rain and sun are helping our flowers grow is something we have talked about, and she remembers. :)

...watching my toddler follow directions from other adults and feeling proud of this baby that's quickly turning into a little girl.

...listening to a made up song, mostly made of words I don't understand, but almost always with a "Mommy" or "Daddy" mixed in somewhere.

...a big hug, right around my leg, when I least expect it.

...watching Gracie dance with her Kindermusik friends. There was a time when she wouldn't leave my lap. Now, she's content to sit in her own spot on the circle.

...realizing that she's growing up right before my eyes. It hurts a little, to think about how fast everything is moving, but it's been an incredible journey.

So, while my week has seemed long, and my time asleep has seemed short, I am focusing on those little things that made each day special, and what a beautiful week it has been! I'm very much looking forward to the weekend. It will be wonderful to spend time with Gracie and Sean (and my oldest, and first, best friend who we will be visiting tomorrow...we were in diapers when we met!). Happy Friday!

Day 222...

Wow. My heart is breaking for the family of little Layla Grace, the beautiful baby girl who went on to be with our Lord yesterday. I ran across her website when a friend of mine posted a thought about her on Facebook. I started checking in daily to see how this precious little girl was doing, realizing that she had lost her battle with cancer and was waiting, in her parents' arms, for the moment she would be called home, to Heaven. For the past two days, my heart has been heavy with thoughts of her, her sisters, and her parents. This little girl, who I will never meet, who's family I will never meet, has brought me to my knees in prayer, and her story has brought tears to my eyes. Layla Grace was 6 months older than Gracie, and when I look into her little face in pictures, I can't help but think about my own daughter. As a mother, I can't help but feel pain for what she and her parents have endured during her short time on earth.

This is one of those stories that I really struggle with. As someone with a strong faith, I know that this was clearly God's plan for this little angel, but there is most definitely a part of me that finds it difficult to understand why anyone would have to go through something like this, that this baby and her family would have to suffer in this way. Then I realize that this was the plan for a reason and it is not meant for me to understand...The one thing that I do understand is that this beautiful, tiny person has touched more lives than her family will ever even know, and it is obvious, even to someone who only knew of her for the last few weeks of her life, that God used her life to reach out, inspire, and bring goodness to our world.

I held Gracie a little tighter today, and she let me! We watched more television than we should have, but being snuggled up with her on the couch was the only thing I wanted to do. We also had "library time". Gracie has started choosing books and will "read" them to herself, or to me if I ask. Every moment with her leaves me feeling so very blessed!

Day 221...Zoo Trip!

It was a gorgeous day with temperatures near 70 degrees! My sister and I took complete advantage of it and took our little ones to the zoo. It was Austin's first trip! We had a lot of fun walking, talking, and showing Gracie and Austin all there is to see at the zoo. By the end of the afternoon, we had two napping babies and two very tired mommies!

Day 220...

Gracie has a new favorite food! Blueberries! She's had them before, but she didn't care for them at that time and spit them out. She definitely loves them now, and I think it's a great fruit to love! Look how happy they make her! :)