Sometimes Miracles Come in Pairs

Science only goes so far... And then there's God

There are times when life puts an agonizing dream in your heart. It's so strong and so surreal you don't really know how to deal with it, you just want it--need it, rather--so bad. But it doesn't happen. It consumes your heart, you chase after it and chase after it but it's just beyond your grasp. You see it happening all around you, for other people but it's never for you. And then you have a ray of hope, it's becoming reality; this dream of yours is coming true. But when a wrecking ball of despair swings in, and this dream is once again shattered in three hundred thousand broken shards of hopelessness, you're not sure you have it in you to keep the dream alive. 

That's what it was like for a childhood friend of mine. Her and her loving husband, they just wanted a baby. Their dream was to hold and love and care for a child, to be a mom and dad to that special little someone. But maybe some dreams are just a farce. A cruel mockery of what you can not have. 

Tears, prayers, doctors, a final dose of faith and the tiniest glimmer of hope, a miracle began to shape in their lives. Not one, but two precious babies. Born very prematurely these little miracles defied all odds. Little Kensley and Westin. Beautiful, cuddly definitions of the word miraculous. 

Every day Susanna and Mabvuto look at their babies and it's all of their dreams come true over and over again. 

Let Them Play

Play is the highest form of research.

--ALBERT EINSTEIN

I love this quote, particularly as it relates to early childhood education. It has been an unprecedented discovery for me, as I provide the tools and allow my young children the freedom to simply play, that their curiosity compels them to find answers, their wonder drives them to explore, and their excitement causes them to create. In play the young mind comprehends things far more effectively than what structured desk time and educational work sheets dictate. They are but little, their minds are bright, their hearts are eager to know all there is to know. Playtime is essential for their development and is the most important basis of their education. 

"Play is often talked about as if it were a 

relief from serious learning. 

But for children, play is serious learning. 

Play is really the work of childhood." 

--FRED ROGERS

The Meaning of Life

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." 

Bubbles, Bubbles, My Bubbles!

It was the first blissfully warm day of the year. For being February, it was literal perfection. I believe it even touched 60 on the thermometer before quickly retreating back into Winter for a reprieve of the balminess of Spring. It was still February after all.

Naturally, a pair of strawberry blonde brothers spent the afternoon exploring this new muddy habitat that was emerging from beneath all of the stale white cold sloppy stuff. One of them even took a snow shovel to the yard in hopes of discarding what was left of this Old Man Winter just a little bit sooner.

Before long, little brother emerged from the garage with a highly coveted token of last Summer's leftover fun. Bubbles. I watched the longing glance of envy from the older one. He disappeared into the garage in search of another bottle for himself but to no avail. They were all empty.

Now, I have been known to resist the cultural standard of "sharing" and "taking turns" that we are to impose upon our children. It is my hope to instill a sense of ownership along with proper respect for one another. So without intervening, I just sat back and waited to see what would happen. 

Of course Colton was less than eager to give up his beloved treasure, and Jimmy knew it was a lost cause before he even thought to beg and plead. Instead he disappeared into the house for a few moments. When he returned he had his own bubble bottle, filled with a solution he created himself using dish soap and (not quite enough, but that's between you and me) water. He had found a tiny whisk in the kitchen and began to blow the biggest coolest bubbles you ever saw. Admiration seeped from the little brother (and the mother, to be sure!), and together those mud splattered brothers blew bubbles to their hearts' content.  

Creative. Problem solver. Team player. That's my boy. 

We Made a Wish and You Came True

It was a beautiful Winter day.

I'm just going to pause here for effect because that was a little bit of an emotional conundrum for me to pen such words.

I do not do Winter. Winter makes me cry. But not this day; this day was absolutely lovely. It couldn't have been more perfect considering it was February. Cassie had contacted me a few days before and it all fell together at the last minute--this quick and sweet Winter Maternity session. And by last minute, it was almost literally the very last minute because within a week this sweet couple's beautiful little girl was in their arms.

Is That Just His Last Name, or What?

"Mom? Who IS God? I mean, I know that Jesus is God but is that just his last name or what? Also, where is heaven and why haven't I ever been there? And what kind of stuff do they even have there?"

5 year-olds are the best things to have in your house. Also, this one lost his first tooth.

Gentle with Yourself

"I will be as gentle with myself as I am with other people."