saving for Target....

Today....I was reminded of how much my children have changed......It seems after this weekend and moving my "baby" into a bed has made me reflect on how fast this journey of parenting is going. I decided I needed to take some pictures for the sheer joy of trying to capture them just how they are. We had just gotten home from a church pot luck and the kids were running around having fun. I took one by one and photographed them with the sun just pouring in the window. It was a great natural lighting opportunity.

At our church we have a container at the front of the church for the children to take their offering forward and put their "gifts" for Jesus in. We sent all of our kids up with coins. However after William came back and the offering time was over, he pulls out almost all of his coins and said, "I'm saving this to buy something at Target" I was proud and ashamed all at the same time. Proud because he had given some to Jesus - And wow what a great store to choose. Ashamed that he kept what was for Jesus. After church his papa took him right back up to deposit what he was supposed to in the first place. I love how William is so transparent. I love how he loves to write and practice writting his name. I love how he follows his big brother around and loves him. I love his spontaneous hugs and kisses. I love smelling his sweet breath. I love listening to him talk and repeat big words he's learned. I love to kiss his chubby cheeks.

Suzanna loves little books right now...she often is carrying one around the house with her. I love that she loves to pretend to read. I hope that she grows up to love reading like her mama and big sister. I love her little pony tails. I love her little voice, I love her smell, I love her her hugs during church while we sing. I love how excited she gets when she sees people she loves. I love having a 1 year old.

Jack is feeling so much better and I'm so happy to have the "old" Jack back. He is so tender at times, and it almost makes me forget his very strong will. He loved the attention of getting his picture taken. I love those big blue eyes. I love how he plays with my hair. I love his dimple, and his cute smile.

Isabella has a tender side too. She is so sweet and patient with her siblings. She is also very shy. This weekend she had a breakthrough with speaking to someone she had never met...one of my friends we ran into at the store. She looked them in the eyes and said, "hello, Mrs. Mast" It was huge for her. We keep working with her to speak when spoken to and with a smile, it is so hard for her. I like that she is thoughtful before she speaks....I just wish more people could get to know her, she is such a delight. I love how she anticipates things and gets them for me before I ask. I love how she snuggles with me. I love her kisses. I love how she loves me.