A mother of daughters

It is now mid-summer and we are in full-on-summer-mode. We are slow to get out of our pj's in the morning, unless we have to get to swim practice. We play more than work, just a bit. We get out the pool every other week (weather permitting). We enjoy bubbles on the porch, chalk on the driveway and sandy hands from the sandbox. Today, something happened that made me feel really important. I know that my girls and I bond all of the time for the sheer amount of time we spend together. But, interestingly, I don't realize the depth of that bond until we are separated. I'm noticing as they grow, how this bond grows so deep emotionally. Caitlin, being the eldest, is connected to me in a way that is hard to explain. I missed her when I was away for a baby shower this morning. And when she was all set to head out on a daddy-daughter movie outing, she burst into tears saying she really wanted to go see the movie with mommy and she just hadn't seen me much today. Oh, how that tugged at my heart. It made me feel so important to her. It made me realize that I remember all of the emotional highs and lows of our days much more vividly than she does. She just knows that she loves me and that sometimes we get grumpy with each other. I think moms play such an important role in nurturing emotional growth. And sometimes, you just want your mom. I won't lie, it felt so special to be wanted. And my saintly husband whisked us off and happily scooped up the baby assuring me that he'd attempt to get some dinner made by the time we were home. We came home to a great taco spread, it was wonderful. I feel so undeserving of the three sweet people in my life. They fill our home with joy and I thank God for them.

Sunday afternoon

It is the ideal moment. A sunny, Sunday afternoon with nowhere to be. We are all home. The girls are resting and Stephen and I are taking a moment to read (or blog a bit, too). I may run over to my sister-in-law's house later, but other than that we will be home today. Home together. Eating, resting and being together. I am reminded by many bloggers with older children that these days are numbered. I am tired and worn out, but I love that my babies are here under my roof, getting rest and creative, quiet time within these walls with us together. This afternoon reminds me of many from my childhood. My parents guarded the Sabbath vigilantly. There was no sports practice, no grocery shopping, limited friend gatherings and TV only in the evening when it was time for ABC family movie night or an occasional hockey or baseball game to watch. I love that I was raised that way, even though sometimes as a "tween" it felt SO SLOW MOTION. I couldn't wait for evening when I could go to youth group or turn on a movie. Now that I'm an adult I CRAVE moments like this. I want to set similar standards for our girls on Sundays. I don't think we'll ever get too into competitive sports that practice on Sundays, but who knows. I want church, rest and Sunday dinner to be priorities. We have monthly small group, the occasional food store trip if we didn't have time on Saturday, and the occasional birthday party, but those are not regular things. The only chores are kitchen related (which sits full of dishes as I type!). This photo is from a Sunday afternoon about a month ago. I love my girls. I love that they are starting to play together. I love their age gap of four years because they both have such different things to contribute. Cait is starting to read and Sam is starting to walk. These are such exciting milestones. We celebrate one year with Sam next week. I may get a blog in after the event to honor her.