Aunt Theresa and Hannah

For those of you who don't know...I am an identical twin. So the picture you see here is not of me and Hannah but of my sister and Hannah. Theresa came over to play with Hannah while Jennifer was napping and Christopher was at an after school activity. It made Hannah's day. It always astounds me how the simplest things please our children.

They do not need fancy presents and entertainment. All they really need and want from those who love them is a little time, a little listening and a little understanding. So here they are having a grand time playing with Hannah's littlest pet shop toys. The fact Theresa used your silly voices to make the little critters talk made it all the more special. I don't know if Theresa would be thrilled I put a picture up of her in a toboggan but:

Littlest pet shop toy: $14.00
time spent playing: 60 minutes
the joy she gave my Hannah: priceless.

Stroll down Memory Lane

In Honor of my 200th post, I took a stroll down memory lane. I went back and read some of my blog entries. As I stroll back in time, I see so much of God's hand. Yes, there were stormy days and hours and sorrow. But on each horizon the ever shining hope in Christ Jesus that we would make it through each storm. I read back and see the birth of my children's faith. I see love unfolding and sorrows being healed. I see so much that God has brought us through. I see so much that the enemy meant for harm but that God used for good. My children have grown so much. My family has grown stronger and closer. We may not have much in regards to the world's view of wealth but in love, in hope, in faith, and in the things of our Lord we are rich beyond description. What God is doing and has done in our lives.........astounds me. My God is ever faithful, a very present help in time of need (that scripture is so true). Today, I am thankful. Thankful for the trials, thankful for the sorrow, thankful for the blessings and thankful for the joy. I sit in utter amazement at the magnificence of my Lord and I praise my God for all that He is and all that He is doing. I praise God for a family rooted and grounded in Christ Jesus our Lord. And I look forward to all that God has in store for us.

In the pictures over the last 200 posts, I see my children growing up. They grow so fast and leave little bits of their childhood behind for mommy to treasure. In those bits of childhood are precious pieces of who God has planned them to be. They are full of hope, promise and possibility. May our Lord of all keep me always mindful that even through the trials and storms, HE is the sunrise and sunset on the horizon. He is our hope and our strength. In HIM alone can I find everything I need for the past, present and future.

My Latest Project

My latest project is to take my son's favorite bear and take pictures of him throughout the day involved in different activities or situations. I plan on making it into a book for him. I will do the same with my dd's favorite animal/cuddle toy once I finish my son's. So far, I have taken pictures of the bear "combing" his hair, brushing his teeth, watching out the window, playing on the computer, sitting in the time out chair, riding the rocking horse and will add to it later. It is a surprise for my son. I think I will do a shot of cuddles taking a "treatment" as well. I have all kinds of ideas. There are several places online I can upload pictures and pay for a book to be sent to me with those pitcures. I think I will entitle it either A Teddy Bear Day or The Life of Cuddles (which is the bear's name). This bear has been with Christopher since he was born.

I think for Hannah it will either be her doll she got for Christmas or her Mermaid doll. For Jennifer her "puppy". Each will be doing activities each child does. Like for Jennifer I can have it sit on the potty. For Hannah, the doll can "color". I hope it turns out as cute as I think it will. Regardless, I know one day, my kids will treasure it. I also plan to sneak in at night and take a picture of them asleep with their lovey as THE END shot.

I think this will be a great way to preserve part of their childhood for all of time. I am also thinking of doing books for Christmas for the grandparents "A day in the life of your grandchildren". Let's hope I can make these books happen. Life passes by far to fast and one day my children will outgrow their loveys and I want to preserve the beauty of childhood innocene for them.