Rejoicing/Mourning the Passage of Time

I think the passage of time is somehow more noticeable when you have kids. Take Alabaster, for instance. She is now 14 months and still growing. Samuel is now 3 and a half and I wonder when he will stop growing-I want him to stay just as small as he is so that one day I won't have to look up to discipline him.

When I stop to live in the moment, I am amazed at how they have changed. Allie's toddling around the house and learning how to stand on her own 2 feet, particularly when big brother knocks her down again. Samuel is learning to write and things are becoming more and more fine tuned. I just wonder what I am missing when I am not looking. I am so glad they are growing up, but it is bittersweet.

Alabaster is the beautiful little girl who has this almost-impish grin that I just love. It's one of those grins where you don't want to believe that she is capable of any mischief but has the potential to be a handful. I can't believe she has grown up to this point in her life already. She is much more vocal than Samuel was at that age. Ashley says it's because she's a girl, and I have to agree. She loves her "opp-uh" (apple), and bobs her head/whole body when she is telling you yes. With her selective tastes, one day she will love a particular snack, and the next day (after I've purchased more of the previous) she will turn her nose up at it...but she'll come back to it again eventually...or so I hope.

Samuel is a fast learner. The past few days, he has led the dinnertime prayer for us. With both kids in booster seats, we will all hold hands and he wll pray: Je-jus, thank you for our food...and for my wice (lets go of my hand to point at it and holds my hand again). In Je-jus name (looks up at me and grins), A-men!
Sometimes he'll ask, "Wight (right)?" and then he applauds for himself. It just warms my heart.

It's something I am just amazed at when I think of how precious and valuable these kids are...how their little hands are capable of building and tearing things down, for hitting each other and then for coming up and patting your face with love and giving you a big hug and sloppy wet kiss. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Nothing can really compare.