Having it all!

I read an article recently on "Having it all".  What does that really mean?  Basically the article referred to peoples dramatic life events that put things in perspective for them.  Surviving cancer, suffering through tragic loss, and the list goes on.  Most people admit that they "have it all" when they have the love of their family/children and friends.

Do I feel like I "Have it all"?  Absolutely! I have the love of God, along with my amazing family, and material blessings that God has bestowed to us. 

Knowing that I have it all is the easy part. What about "Cherishing it all"? 

It's so important to cherish every moment!

Cherish the fact that I have a loving God who holds me (and my family) in His hands every day.

Cherish every smile I see when I get my 6 month old up in the morning.

Cherish every hug I receive from my 5 year old and each picture she colors.

Cherish the covenant marriage I have with my love.  

Cherish the healthy pregnancies I have had. 

Cherish my warm house in the winter, and the abundance of food in my pantry.

I am not going to wait for a dramatic life event to remember to cherish it all!

As all you more "seasoned"  adults continue to say, "it goes by so fast".  

So I will "Cherish it All!"

 

Mount Ella

Our once clear deck has transformed into Snow Mount Ella

Ella and her bestie have built a snow mountain on our deck!

Ella prefers to slide down the mountain, and Riley prefers to sit on his perch high atop of the mountain and keep watch.  

Back Eyes

Last summer I saw Ella do something, and she was surprised that I saw her. She asked "How did you see that?"  To which I replied "I have eyes in the back of my head".   This idea was instantly confirmed by Peter and our trusty neighbor.  From then on, Ella believed that all moms have eyes in the back of their heads.  She named them "Back Eyes".

There have been many references to my "back eyes" over the months.  Such as "Mommy, close your back eyes so you don't see what I'm coloring" or "Did you just see me do that with your back eyes?"

Ella also believes that she is a mother to our dog Riley, therefore she too has back eyes.  

As we were sitting down to dinner the other night, Ella was seated in her chair facing the table, with the counter behind her.  She was reiterating that she is a mom to Riley and that she has back eyes.  

She affirmed it by saying with all seriousness and confidence:

"I know I have back eyes because there is a fish swimming in a bowl behind me"

Sure enough, there is a fish swimming in a bowl behind her.  Although that fish has been swimming there for years, how can you argue with that? 

Updates

January has been another fun month!  Ella waited patiently for the snow to arrive, and when it did she became a snowman!  She loves to hang out and play in the snow!

Ty also started eating baby food. He takes his mealtimes very seriously.  There is no goofing around while he is eating.  Of the millions of smiles I see out of him, I am hard pressed to squeak one out in between bites of green beans or peaches. He is relatively clean too! I'm sure that will end soon.

We spent a weekend in the Wisconsin Dells at a hotel with a waterpark.  We were able to meet friends there and enjoy time with them.  Ella loved the waterpark, of course!  Ty even took a quick dip around the lazy river with me.  Thanks to friends for meeting us there!

 

And we celebrated a few milestones toward the end of the month.  

 

Ty turned 6 months!  He is such an amazing little man! Very content and relaxed.

 

Peter and Riley share the same birthday too!  Riley turned 1 year old and Peter turned....    Well, we don't have to mention that.  Ella is sure to tell you if you ask her :)

 

I have to admit that I am rather impressed that Riley made it to his first birthday with our family.  There were moments along the way that I thought he may have to find a new family:)  However, that is more because of me, and not as much him.  Going through the "puppy phase" with a pregnant owner, then a post-pregnant owner with a newborn,  then a pregnant owner with a baby....   Let's just say we are all happy to be past the "puppy phase" for the most part!  He really is a great dog!  He doesn't bark much, doesn't shed, takes afternoon naps while Ella is in school, and loves Papa for those weekends we go away.