For This Child I Prayed

these three

2012-02-08T12:49:00.002-05:00

I love these three. They truly rock my world.

Sometimes when I'm watching them together-- together just being, him clipping the bow back into her hair or him slipping the shoe back onto her foot, I think about how things could have been different. How we could have married other people, and how these three right here could be not.

My mind usually doesn't travel very far down that road.

Not because it shouldn't or because it's forbidden, but because that road-- it just... wasn't.

Detour, dead end. Whatever you want to call it.

Isn't it incredibly mind blowing to think about how paths cross?

How a young man's look in a young lady's direction, or a simple smile or wink can cause a rift in the waters of fate and slowly but surely a tidal wave of events comes crashing down and before you know it there are actual new people created as a result.

New people who will cross the paths of other new people and create new waves. And how God has control of every single bit of it, and how it is all to bring Him glory.

It hurts my head to think about how He intertwines our lives.

Lael-- a lot Kelli, a little bit Trey. I always thought this hazel eyed, dark headed, olive skinned babe looked a little funny in the arms of her daddy. No question though that their bond is tightly woven-- the father/daughter love that I had always dreamed my husband would have with my baby girl. She holds his love and affection in the very palm of her hand, and there is no one on the earth, not even me, who can fulfill her need to be cherished, adored and secured like he can.

The father of my daughters-- he was made for just that.

Ruthie-- always simply along for the ride. The typical second child. Usually has to take a back seat to her big sister, but always does it with a smile. Will sit in any lap that will have her.

She has eyes for her daddy and she has her daddy's eyes.

Trey couldn't be happier that his second daughter has ended up blue.

I couldn't be happier that when I look into them I can see him.

2011 greatest hits

2012-01-31T13:07:00.004-05:00

On this last day of January, I'm finally getting around to compiling my favorite photos from 2011. It was hard to narrow them down, but here they are! As I went through all of them I was filled with much joy and great thankfulness for such a full year of beautiful moments.

via

Ruthie girl is seven months old!

2012-01-24T12:08:00.000-05:00

that's life.

2012-01-23T13:39:00.006-05:00

This

via

is a life.

A beautiful, rapidly dividing, living, bundle of cellular life.

This

is a life.

A heart beating, toes wiggling, head bobbing life.

This

is a life.

Arms flailing, mouth puckering, up and down bouncing life.

This

is a life.

Thumb sucking, eyes opening, hair growing life.

This

is a life.

A deep breathing, loud screaming, milk drinking life.

But it did not start here.

It started here.

via

Life.

It is precious, it is to be protected,

and it is not to be taken by the hands of man.

Life.

It's what I live with, what I love, and what I will defend.

Because it's sweet, because God loves it and because He authored it.

In honor of Sanctity of Life Sunday which was held yesterday...

Read it, really read it.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my

mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16

If you love life, defend it.

Stand up for the unborn.

Be a voice for the voiceless.

Choose life.

park 'n it

2012-01-17T11:28:00.003-05:00

the inevitable.

2012-01-11T10:26:00.002-05:00

Never.

Leave.

Your two year old.

Alone.

In your bathroom.

To use the potty.

She will inevitably find.

Other things to do.

just for smiles

2012-01-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

a good ol' fashion family christmas

2012-01-09T11:20:00.001-05:00

Complete with a gift card exchange...

games galore...

and a room full of laughter with these that we love...

a christmas poem

2012-01-05T11:50:00.004-05:00

'Twas the night before Christmas and Ruthie got dressed,

in a dress that was mine and she looked the best.

She wore it on her first just like I wore it on mine.

That thing is 28 years old but it looks just fine!

The children had been nestled all snug in their beds,

but they still don't get it, so nothing danced in their heads.

Up and at 'em to church we went,

where we talked about Christmas and what it really meant.

And then, in a twinkling, I recalled this dress, too!

This one is 28 years old as well, but it looks like new!

Her eyes how they twinkled! Her dimples how merry!

But this wouldn't be true if I had eaten dairy. :(

Aunt Meg's not chubby or plump, but she's a right jolly ol' elf.

With that new camera on her face, I'd say she looks like myself! ;)

We sprang to the tree...

to hang our ornaments anew,

'cause when you get a new ornament that's just what you do.

But I heard them laughing, one of my greatest joys...

Happy Christmas to all,

now we have too many toys.

more of Christmas twenty eleven

2012-01-03T16:26:00.002-05:00

On Thursday night before Christmas we visited Mimi and Pops!

Here are the girls singing Happy Birthday to Jesus with cousin, Haley...

and reading the Christmas story with Pops.

Lovin' her new easel

toddler approved

2011-12-30T11:11:00.004-05:00

Finally, the kitchen is revealed to Lael!

She tests out all of the bells and whistles...

and whips up some...

well, I don't know...

but something. :)

Ruthie girl checks it out...

... and GramPatti and G-Daddy stock our pantry and fridge!

Aunt Meg fulfills her life long dream of playing kitchen without a bossy big sister pushing her out of the way.

Lael loves her new kitchen.

Ruthie is oblivious.

And we can now go to bed at night at a decent hour...

All is well with the world. :)

the kitchen: revealed

2011-12-29T10:33:00.000-05:00

From this:

Came this:

Links to the previous posts:

here we go!

step two: destruction

more destruction...

next up: reconstruction

hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work we go

a box-o-trouble

wet paint

downhill from here

merry christmas!

2011-12-25T15:32:00.001-05:00

Ruthie girl is SIX months old!

2011-12-24T17:17:00.004-05:00

My, how you've grown!!

a fun run and then some

2011-12-21T15:40:00.004-05:00

Saturday night we participated in the Santa Fun Run here in Greenville with the Miller family. It was a 5 miler, and I actually surprised myself and ran a good bit of it.

Ahem... um, I haven't gone running since Lael was RUTHIE's age.

I think my body thought I was trying to birth another baby.

The run was complete with lights and music as we ran through Cleveland Park, and Lael and Julianne enjoyed saying "Merry Christmas" to everyone we saw. :)

Please do notice the fabulous time we made.

I bribed Lael with an eggnog covered almond to get her to pose for some pictures with her sister.

I am filled with joy as I prepare for Christmas with both of them this year.

They are all the Christmas present I could ever want.

No car, no house, no jewelry, no kitchen appliance, handbag, electronic or vacation could ever come close to the blessing that they are to me.

Children cost money. They consume, they use, they need, and they want. Thus, as parents, we make sacrifices.

And sacrifice I will,

for I know full well how greatly undeserving I am.

downhill from here

2011-12-20T11:15:00.004-05:00

Refrigerator, freezer, microwave and oven handles and doors are functioning! Also, notice the ledge that we added above the sink to give it more of a finished look.

Plexiglass is in the oven window, knobs and microwave door are painted!

Inside of the oven is painted as well!

This is the fun part. It's all downhill from here!

Links to the previous posts:

here we go!

step two: destruction

more destruction...

next up: reconstruction

hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work we go

a box-o-trouble

wet paint

2011-12-19T11:17:00.003-05:00

Trey got the stove knobs installed in ~~two nights~~ a jiffy.

Any part of this kitchen that looks as if it probably took about 15 minutes to do...

add about 2 hours to that. ;)

Painting begins and miraculously I found a paint color that I like on the first try!!

It's Glidden paint from Home Depot in Antique Beige.

I'm a fan of little ceramic heaters.

I'm also a fan of "Friends" on Nick at Nite.

First coat of paint done...

and done!

Links to the previous posts:

here we go!

step two: destruction

more destruction...

next up: reconstruction

hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work we go

a box-o-trouble

2011-12-16T15:44:00.005-05:00

We started with this...

and arrived at this...

Oh, this box... well, a picture's worth a thousand words.

Finally, the box-o-trouble, also know as the oven, is constructed.

The microwave door has a window. :)

So now the priming begins...

Links to the previous posts:

here we go!

step two: destruction

more destruction...

next up: reconstruction

hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work we go

it has begun: take two

2011-12-14T15:29:00.004-05:00

Food, glorious food! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout. Go see take one here.

That about sums it up.

The end.

get some minerals in your life.

2011-12-13T16:03:00.003-05:00

Another one of my "favorite things" is Bare Escentuals mineral makeup. I love the way it feels on my face, it's light and airy, quick and easy, and it provides great coverage.

Ladies... I neeeeeeed my makeup. It just makes me feel better.

It wakes me up and revitalizes me.

There are many (many) days that I spend in my house. All day long. Like, inside of it from sun up til sun down. Don't judge. It's easier this way.

On those days I usually don't put a stitch of makeup on. About 15 minutes before I know hubby is going to walk through the door I go put a lil' bitta this powdery prettiness on my face, and I wish that I had done it hours ago.

The hubs comes home and thanks to these miracle minerals I don't scare him back out the door.

Getcha some minerals. You'll be glad you did.

pictured here: Medium Beige mineral foundation,

Tinted mineral veil

"Lovely" blush

"The Truth" eyeshadow compact

hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work we go

2011-12-12T15:27:00.005-05:00

I feel like singing this every night when we go down to the workshop. As soon as we get both girls down for the night, we look at each other and one of us says...

"You ready?"

Someone asked me if it's as jolly of a good time as we make it look in these pictures...

Ahem... I just laughed. My man is a pretty even tempered guy, but give him a piece of wood, a drill and some screws and that fiesty red head that's buried deep down inside rears its head. :)

Honestly though, we really have had a lot of fun. We've learned a lot, too.

Check out some more progression...

Refrigerator and freezer doors on the left, and microwave door on the right.

Counter space, sink, faucet, and knobs successfully installed.

Remember the part that was removed completely to be used later?

Here it is ready to be rebuilt!

Links to the previous posts:

here we go!

step two: destruction

more destruction...

next up: reconstruction

an advent calendar

2011-12-09T10:48:00.002-05:00

Let's carry on with "My Favorite Things"!

No rain drops on roses or whiskers on kittens here, but I wanted to share with you the advent calendar that I made for Lael this year. Obviously it's probably a little late for you to get started on something like this, but keep it in the back of your mind for next year!

I bought these little tins at A.C. Moore. They were in a box of exactly 25- how convenient!!

I also bought a pack of Christmas card stock papers, a numbers stencil and sticky tac.

Simply cut out circles, use your stencil to write your numbers and place your circles in the windows of the boxes. You can either choose to use sticky tac to stick them to a window or you can put magnets on the back to put them on your refrigerator. AND, don't forget to keep them out of reach of little fingers!

Next, think of anything and everything to put inside the little tins. So far Lael has gotten skittles, tootsie rolls, nerds, stickers, mini marshmallows, and those little capsules that grow into animals, etc. when you leave them in water. :)

She loves to get her prize every morning after she eats her breakfast!

This is something that I can bring out every year and as she begins to understand Christmas more and what it's all about, I can then each day integrate scripture pertaining to Jesus' birth.

when the dog bites, when the bee stings...

2011-12-07T16:31:00.000-05:00

when I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember my favorite things,

and then I don't feeeeeeeel soooooooo bad!

To get into the Christmas spirit here on the blog I thought I would do my own little rendition of "My Favorite Things".

Sorry... I won't be able to give you a car or a trip to Australia, but maybe, just maybe you can acquire a little inspiration for a gift for someone special as well as see some of the Christmas traditions around the Ingram home.

First up...

My Ruthie girl... yes, yes, my love, you are definitely one of my most favorite things!

But today you are simply a model. :)

I love Kissy Kissy baby clothes. LOVE them. If I could dress my babes in all Kissy Kissy clothing, I would. All of their stuff is made out of 100% pima cotton and oh so soft. Their pieces are a bit pricey, but I think they are worth every penny knowing how well they hold up. They don't pill up after hundreds of washes and they can be passed down from one child to the next. Probably even to the next generation!

All of their gowns and sleepers have simple, sweet designs on them, and I love the trim on the edges. These garments make great gifts for any new momma. That's how I've gotten most of mine, and Ruthie is pretty much living in the sleepers these days.

This ducky sleeper and matching blanket are simply presh. :)

Just another reason to kissy kissy this cuddly wuddly girly girly.

next up: reconstruction

2011-12-06T15:03:00.002-05:00

One of the cabinet doors in its new place!

Can you guess what this door will be used for??

Links to the previous posts:

here we go!

step two: destruction

more destruction...

2011-12-05T10:25:00.004-05:00

At this point you may be thinking,

"Why did you even buy this thing??"

Stay tuned...

Links to the previous posts:

here we go!

step two: destruction

beach front Thanksgiving: 2nd edition

2011-12-02T10:05:00.004-05:00

We headed to Murrell's Inlet, SC again this year for the second edition of a beach front Thanksgiving. The weather was indescribably fabulous, and we soaked up an entire weekend of it.

Thankful for a room with a view...

and for family..

Thankful for the enjoyment of food abundant...

and for these women who define southern hospitality.

Thankful for laughter...

and for these pipe smokin' men.

Thankful for tripods and self timers...

... and for these crazy folks... don't know what I would do without them in my life.

Thankful for third cousins...

and for these third cousins who have grown up way too fast.

Thankful for such a sweet, older, second cousin who is easily one of Lael's most favorite people in the world...

and for wonderful great aunts

who always provide a shoulder to ~~cry~~ sleep on.

Thankful for double strollers and wide open beaches...

and for Granddaddy and GramPatti.

Thankful for serious runs to burn off that pumpkin pie...

and for good ol' fashioned family rivalry. ;)

Thankful for God's hand painted sunsets...

and for the ability to see them.

Thankful for life and for the Giver of it.

step two: destruction

2011-12-01T10:49:00.003-05:00

Click here to see where we started.

monkey 'n around!

2011-11-29T10:11:00.003-05:00

This year we had Lael's birthday party at Monkey Joe's! Since her bestie, Julianne (aka, Julsies), turns two just three days after her, we decided to make it a joint party! So thankful for these two little monkeys!

They had a ball monkey 'n around with all of their best buds!

And here are a couple of snaps from her actual birthday with candles in her beloved peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She blew out candles pretty much all day long... in her breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Just the way it should be! :)

You can check out the pictures from her first birthday party here.

Ruthie girl is five months old!

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

This month we are appropriately calling you our little

Ruthie Toothie!

Congratulations on your first tooth that poked through on your

5 month birthday!

here we go!

2011-11-21T21:59:00.004-05:00

Last Christmas I was already thinking about this Christmas, and couldn't wait to pick out Lael's first play kitchen!

My good friend, Holly, introduced me to do-it-yourself play kitchens on Pinterest about a month ago. I was pretty much salivating over the pictures I found, but was intimidated by such a project and worried that I couldn't get it done in time for the big day. I checked out a bunch of wooden, manufactured play kitchens but just kept going back to the idea of putting one together myself with all of the sweet, personal touches. If you haven't noticed by now from reading my blog, I'm just a bit sentimental. Okay... I'm a little over the top sentimental. :)

So, I decided I would take the plunge and commit to the idea.

I've browsed and browsed and browsed some more, and I've collected lots of ideas from lots of different sources. No two kitchens are alike because most of the ones that I've found are made out of an old piece of furniture! Genius, I tell you! Here are some of my favorites just to give you an idea of what the end goal is...

via

Before

After

via

I spent basically an entire Saturday out looking at local second hand stores and antique stores, and couldn't find anything that struck me. I wanted to use a good, solid piece of furniture that would hold up and look nice and substantial. Finally, after Trey's suggestion that we go to a few more places a couple of Sundays ago after church, we came across a tiny little hole in the wall antique shop. I went in to scope it out first. I knew as soon as I saw it that this was the one...

I didn't know exactly what it was, but I knew what it was going to become!

It was originally priced at $100, but we were able to get the shop owner down to $60!

Come to find out, it was a handmade piece that was used as a secretary. Trey and I poked and prodded and brainstormed exactly what parts would be what and how we would dismantle it and put it back together to get our desired result. I really wanted something that had all of the wood parts that we needed. The thought of going out to Home Depot and buying wood, measuring it and cutting it just really stressed me out, so it helped ease my timid mind to know that all of the major structure was right here... just waiting to be rearranged.

Please know that Trey and I have absolutely no idea what we're doing.

I like to believe that my husband can pretty much fix anything, but he's no carpenter. :)

Thankfully, he knows a whole heck of a lot more than I do about drills, saws, nails, and hammers.

Nevertheless, we are both determined to make an ultra fabulous Christmas present for our girl and along the way spend some quality spouse time together in our little basement workshop. Or as he likes to call it, "The man cave". We love spending time together doing a project!

So please follow along as we create our one-of-a-kind play kitchen for Lael, and Ruthie, too!

Here we go!!

burp 'n bottom cloths

2011-11-21T15:33:00.003-05:00

More cloths for sale!

You can purchase them through my etsy store on the sidebar. :)

two

2011-11-19T00:01:00.002-05:00

a piece of my heart

2011-11-17T14:41:00.003-05:00

To our Laelie, our Laelie Bopper, our Angel Girl, THE girl, our Doodlebop girl, the Bopper, our Boo-Boo, our lil' Fruit head, our Laelie Baelie...

To a piece of my heart...

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

We love you, Angel.

discovery

2011-11-16T16:54:00.005-05:00

I love watching Ruthie discover the newness around her, watching her reach out and experiment with her hands, and watching her see.

Such a short time ago it was Lael who was discovering the excersaucer. :)

this feeling

2011-11-10T10:14:00.006-05:00

As we approach the second anniversary of the birth of our first daughter,

I have this feeling...

This feeling that I can remember as if it was last week. The leaves at their peak here in Greenville, the crispness in the air, and the great anticipation of what was to come.

There's nothing like that first baby. The excitement of it is beyond words. So much unknown and the disbelief that this day is coming. This day that you've been dreaming of for much of your life. This day that will bring the greatest amount of raw emotion that you have ever felt.

Who will she look like? Will she, indeed, be a girl? Oh, Lord, after all of this, puh-LEASE help her to be a girl. Actually, scratch that. Lord, just help it to be one or the other!

Funny the thoughts that course through the mind of a pregnant woman.

The days drag on. And on. And on. Your worst fear is that you will be one of those women who goes 3 weeks overdue, and that you will give birth to a 13 lb. baby when it's all said and done.

The falling of leaves and the cool nights used to take me back to college days. Carefree evenings that probably shouldn't have been so carefree. Nonetheless, I'm glad they were...

Now, all I can think about is November, 2009. Like catching a wiff of the shampoo you used to use in high school... you're instantly back there....

Right now I'm back there. Reliving it in the corners of my mind. Pulling out those files of memories. Remembering the hours spent working on her nursery, that green chair that I would go and sit in and imagine what it would be like. What it would be like when she got here... here in my arms.

Everything was clean. Everything was in its place. There was absolutely nothing left to do but wait. Literally, I sat around my house and drank raspberry tea.

And fyi, it doesn't work.

There was so much beauty in that time and place. Time with my husband that I cherished. There were movies and dinners out with no restraints, but realization that it would soon come to an end. In the same breath there was so much joy in knowing that with the ending of that season, a far better one would soon begin. We welcomed it with open arms.

Will I always feel this way?

This rushing flood of emotion at the drop of the first autumn leaf.

At the rainbow of colors outside of my window.

This bittersweetness that the birth of my firstborn has come and gone.

I may not.

But I hope I do.

contd.

2011-11-03T13:20:00.002-04:00

Halloween evening we went to our neighborhood block party with Julianne, the ladybug...

her little brother, the caterpillar, Kathryn and Mark.

These two boo-boos were just lil' pumpkin seeds this time last year!

Notice Lael is NOT wearing her "hat". As if I needed to point that out. That thing is like having a second pet in our house. It was a no go for the actual trick-or-treating per Lael's ~~defiance~~ request. We had to settle with the big white bow.

Aunt Meg stopped by to see us off! :)

Me with my mom on Halloween, 1985

The Annie dress was made by my aunt and was worn first by my older cousin, then me, and then Megan. It's in great condition, and it thrilled me to be able to put my girl in it.

If you didn't catch Lael in her costume last year, you can see it here.

I can hardly believe November is here. This is Lael's birthday month, and of course that brings so many bittersweet emotions for me. More sweet than bitter, of course. I'm just not ready for my baby to not be, well... a baby. More on that later.

Hope you all made lots of Happy Halloween memories with your family!

it's the hard-knock life for us

2011-11-02T00:29:00.004-04:00

It's the hard knock-life for us!

'steada treated, we get tricked!

'steada kisses, we get kicked!

It's the hard-knock life!

Got no folks to speak of, so, it's the hard-knock row we hoe!

Cotton blankets, 'steada wool

empty bellies, 'steada full!

It's the hard-knock life!

forget the chocolate...

2011-10-31T23:54:00.003-04:00

forget the crunchy peanuts...

the chewy nougat...

and the gooey caramel...

This Baby Ruth is as sweet as it gets!

Pictures of big sister tomorrow...

tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow.

You're only a day away... ;)

punkin hunt 2011

2011-10-31T00:04:00.003-04:00

You can see punkin hunt 2010 here. :)

you know it's fall when...

2011-10-26T11:17:00.005-04:00

the fair comes to town!

The past two years prior to this one I have been expecting. In 2009 I was quite ripe and in 2010 I actually had no idea I was even pregnant... I love to look at last year's picture and laugh at how absolutely clueless I was. If you look back at that post please note my long list of indulgences... unbeknownst to me I was obviously already eating for two!

An added bonus this year was being with the Ryan's!

You can always count on Aunt Jess for a impromptu science lesson :)

Check out last year's picture just like this one... same place, different bunny.

Lael LOVED the rides, but a note about taking an almost two year old to the fair: Understanding of how rides work is limited. The ride WILL end, and you MUST get off. Meltdowns will most likely occur. Thankfully, Ruthie couldn't have cared less about basically everything we did which was pretty nice. :)

This girl begged to go on the boat, and her daddy, being the great daddy that he is, and with an iron stomach I might add, took her on it.

I braved the bumble bee.

The carousel was the biggest hit by far...

especially when you have a handsome prince to ride it with.

Can't wait until next year!

ruthie girl is four months old!

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Happy four months, Ruthie! These days we like to call you our lil' kickin' chicken! :)

just because

2011-10-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Patricia Ruth Ingram...Child of the Covenant

2011-10-14T01:12:00.008-04:00

On Sunday, October 2nd, Ruthie was baptized and became a member of our church family. We baptized Ruthie as a sign and seal that she is a child of the Covenant of Grace with us. Baptism signifies not what we have done, but rather what Christ has accomplished for us. The water represents the cleansing that Ruthie's heart needs and which only Christ can accomplish in her life. Just as Ruthie was passive in her reception of this sacrament, so too are we all in receiving grace through faith in Christ. And God's promises are sealed not only for us but also for our children. He has set her apart and she is a Covenant child. Glory be to God!

You can read a more detailed explanation of infant baptism and see the pictures from Lael's baptism here.

Jess wrote a great post about Benson's baptism. Go read it here.

Ruthie wore the bonnet that she wore home from the hospital (which was mine as a baby), the baptismal gown that was worn by me, my sister, and Lael, and the cross necklace that was given to me by my parents when I was baptized and was worn by Lael for her baptism.

Rev. Brian Habig and Mark Bakker

Sweet thing slept through all of it. :)

"Patricia Ruth Ingram, Child of the Covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit."

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

We've come a long way since April! It seems unreal that both of our babes are here and getting so big! Look at Thomas... is he not the most precious lil' chunk-o-luv??!!

Here are the babes who have worn our baptismal gown...

... and we are eternally grateful to God that we were able to add another.

Ruthie girl, Jesus loves you so much.

We can't thank Him enough for blessing our lives with you and we pray daily that the Lord, even now, would begin drawing you to Himself.

a well loved dress: part II

2011-10-11T13:12:00.002-04:00

Remember that "well loved dress" made by my mom when I was little?

A few weeks ago Lael wore the larger matching one that was mine and Ruthie wore Megan's to church. Could never put a price on seeing my girls in them.

Megan and Kelli

Megan Lael and Ruthie

Be still, my heart.

until next year

2011-09-26T12:09:00.005-04:00

The sand in this summer's hour glass has run out.

Before it did though, we basked in it one last time...

until next year.

In one summer season I have seen my little girl's love for the coast come alive,

and she has grown more in a 3 month span than I thought was possible.

Her independence grows daily.

As does my urge to hold tighter.

Alas, I love to see it.

... to see the thrill in her eyes at the same thing over and over again.

To watch her all encompassing joy over the splish splash of the sea.

To watch her wonder over the small stuff.

And to hear her breathe in the balmy air and exhale in laughter.

The calm of this wave kissed shore welcomes her,

and she never tires of the simplicity of it.

Oh Lord, that you would make me more like my daughter.

That I wouldn't take your creation for granted.

How God must smile at her love of it all!

How He must desire for us all to run fearlessly down a beach and praise Him for His works!

Until next year, we'll store up some of our kisses.

When the sharpness of the winter cuts us, and we long for the sun's love...

... we'll close our eyes and remember...

until next year.

ruthie girl is three months old!

2011-09-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

the 1,254th reason...

2011-09-21T13:26:00.002-04:00

why I love this man.

two patricias

2011-09-15T12:44:00.003-04:00

My Memama with her great granddaughter, Patricia Ruth

... and my Memama with her daughter, Patricia Suzanne

a well loved dress

2011-09-09T12:00:00.004-04:00

Last Sunday Ruthie wore one of the dresses that my mom made for my sister when she was a baby. She made a larger size for me which will fit Lael perfectly once I fix the hem. I can't wait to put them in these dresses together! Here is a picture of Lael wearing it. Seems like just yesterday...

I'm starting to think that Ruthie favors my baby pictures more than Lael did.

Whatcha think?

And here's Ruthie wearing the "sweetheart" bloomers that my Aunt Nancy made for Lael.

Her bottom looks just as sweet in them. :)