Thanksgiving- Witnessing Miracles

Ten months ago, Ed and I brought home a wiggly little bundle who couldn't even move her head. It's nothing short of amazing that she is now taking a few steps. Watching her grow and change and develop a personality is a constant source of joy. Every once in a while I can get outside of the daily struggle to see how miraculous my children really are. Moments like this really help:

Thanksgiving- A fresh perspective

Today I'm thankful for the untainted perspective of a 3 year-old. To me slushy snowfall means winter is setting in. It means cabin fever is coming. It means plastic on the windows and bad driving conditions. To Hannah, it's just fun. She was delighted to see it on the ground. She pointed it out on the cars driving by. And she wanted to play in it. It turned out to be a nice afternoon to get outside. I'm thankful I got to see her enjoy it.

Thanksgiving- Living the Adventure

Let's face it. Being a parent is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It's forced me to grow and stretch, whether I want to or not. Sometimes I can be a little bit of a baby about the whole thing. So I'm going to steal an idea from my SIL and take November to talk about what I'm thankful for.

Today I am thankful for Hannah's sense of adventure. Here are some of the ways I get to share in the adventure:

• Everyone regularly gets assigned a character-sometimes more than one per day. She'll insist I call her Dora and her sister Boots, for example.


• Our car is called "Rocket." (like in Little Einsteins) so even our trips to the grocery store seem like just a stop on our way to Siberia.


• For a week or so she was intent on going to visit Cinderella. "Where does she live?" she would wonder plaintively. That's what inspired an afternoon trip to a real "castle" located in our nearby Metroparks, pictured above.

Lately, she tells me that she has to go. She's late. She has to get to the Cathedral and give a speech. Okay, so sometimes the story lines get a little crossed, but for Hannah life is an adventure, and I'm thankful to be along for the ride.

Long Overdue

The pillowcase dress was a gift to Hannah on her first birthday. We started a tradition of taking pictures each year and watching how she grows into and eventually *sniff* out of her dress.

Working the Hairbow!

Easter Dresses

Sisters

...with a little of this thrown in

This is kind of how things have been going around here...

Hannah Takes Care of Her Baby Sister

Hannah sharing tummy time with Zelie.

Hannah gave Zelie her doll's blanket and then brought over Zelie's doll for her.

Welcome to the Family

Hannah: "This is my baby sister!"


Daddy: "Isn't she beautiful?"



Mommy: "It was worth it."