Day 29: Sing Along

Darling A's personality just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

It is so much fun.

Ask me again when she's 12--I might feel differently about it.

But, for now, it's fun.

We get this face a lot.

And so does anyone who makes the mistake of smiling, waving, or trying to engage with her lately.

But, she's also started singing to herself lately.

And I love love love it.  I've got to figure out some way to record it.

Day 28: Hm.

I mentioned that Little M has been doing some extra work on his violin practice lately.  Today that hard work came to even more fruition and he did an excellent job.

So much of my time over the last few years has been working with him and Sweet P on the violin.  So, these Moments are so special and rewarding.

Day 27: Relaying It

HH and I got to participate in a long distance relay race this morning.

Well, all day, really.

This is me just before my second leg.

I had a bit of trouble with a tight knee, but was still able to finish all three of my legs (about 12.5 miles).  And it was so much fun!  I did it last year, but this year was even better.

In part, because I didn't have to bring along my breast pump, like last year.  But, mainly because HH was on the team this year.

Everything is better when he's around.

Day 26: Cheryl Crocker

Today I got to spend several hours doing what I love--cooking and baking.

I made a batch of my very favorite homemade bread, garlic breadsticks, homemade spaghetti sauce, and apple pie.

It was kind of more effort than I anticipated.  But, it was fun and it all turned out well.  And yummy.

And then we shared it with the cute missionaries working in our area right now.

And then we got ready for tomorrow's big day!

Day 25: Pie In The Park

This is one of my good friends.  She inspires me and makes me laugh.  And I love her.

And she's moving away. :(

So, we all met up at the park to eat pie, let the kids play, and talk our faces off before she goes.

I'm not going to lie--having my (first ever attempted) key lime pie be the most favorite was a bit of a Joyful Moment for my ego.

But, spending time with my friends, and reflecting on how lucky I am to have such amazing friends (even if they sometimes leave me!) was an even greater one.

Day 24: Security Blanket

This is mainly for Grandma.  Darling A has been attached to her blankie (given to her by Grandma) since she was ridiculously small and tiny.  Which is why we bought her a second.  Just in case...
One is supposed to stay put away (and clean), while the other is in her bed.  But, you can see, she has other ideas.  She walks around like this pretty much all the time.

Well, sometimes she has clothes on.

But, it's hard to cover up all those chubs.

Anyway, it was fun watching her drag them around today.

But, the best Joyful Moment of the day came tonight at Violin Lessons.  Our favorite instructor somehow got him to try his absolute best.  And it sounded so great, I almost cried.

Seriously.

Day 23: Joy Ride

Honestly, today's most Joyful Moment was as I was driving up the road with the kids in the back, rocking out to an old CD, made for me by my little sister (Thanks, Meg!), and I just felt happy.  Free of the heavy yuckiness that's been so persistent for the past several months.  Free to just enjoy and experience the beauty of my life again.

But, picking Baby B up from his (first ever!) field trip to the pumpkin patch.  Look how excited and happy he was!  It is rare for him to have a fun experience without the excitement overwhelming him and resulting in a tantrum at some point.  But, this morning he did just that.  Which made it all the sweeter!