Miracles

In reading one of my favorite blogs (NOTE: there is a link to it on my blog: Bring the Rain), the author had posted a wall hanging with a quote from Albert Einstein:

There are only two ways to live your life:

One is as though nothing is a miracle;

The other is as though everything is a miracle.

Yet another reminder to me that I have a choice as to how I walk through this life. In a world where so much travesty and craziness exist, over which I have no control, it is comforting to know that there is something that I do control -- myself.

The difference in my life when I keep in mind that I control the way I live each day -- the way I view each day -- is astounding. Looking at the miracles around me every day creates such a sense of peace. I develop an appreciation which brings pure joy to my soul. In turn, I have more strength to tackle the projects in front of me, and patience to endure the trials of the day. Life becomes a treasure. Oh, sometimes I lose sight of the miracles, and need to refocus. When I find my way back, though, I value the miracles even more.

This Christmas season, keep your eyes on the miracles!

Pirates and Lollipops

This morning, before I left for work, I was sitting on the couch in the living room talking to Jacob and Grace about their day at school yesterday. They had fun telling me about their activities . . . and I had fun listening.

In discussing their day, I looked through the various art projects that they had brought home. One of the projects was a Christmas Tree that Jacob had colored -- apparently, the drawing was a collaboration among three budding artists -- Jacob and two other boys. One of the other boys had drawn the outline of the Christmas tree. Jacob then was charged with the responsibility of drawing the ornaments. Jacob had drawn lots of circles, representing the traditional ornaments one typically sees on a tree this time of year . . . and one pirate! To Jacob, a Christmas tree is not complete without a pirate!

But then, a distressing event occurred . . .apparently, the third boy decided to draw a bright orange lollipop in the hand of the pirate! Jacob pointed out to me, as I was looking at the picture, that "Edgar" (whose name has been changed to protect him from the rage that is certain to ensue at the news that he would dare draw a lollipop -- a bright orange one at that! -- in the hand of a pirate!) had ruined the picture by drawing that fateful lollipop! "Pirates don't have lollipops!" Jacob told me with distress in his voice, "Mama, take it away! I don't want to look at it anymore!" he then said, covering his eyes . . .

As I thought about it, I can honestly say that I have never seen a pirate with a lollipop! There was Kojack, but that's a whole 'nother story . . .

A Portrait of Grace

My recent challenge -- taking a "nice" picture of Grace! Her heart and spirit are so full of joy and playfulness, that the moment a camera comes out, she immediately contrives some means of making a face or doing something crazy. Some recent examples:

. . . and attempt number 3 . . .

And, of course, who can forget this oldie but goodie:

So, those of you waiting for a framable picture of my little girl, we are working on it!

The Little Carpenter

This weekend, Franco and I put together a larger bookshelf for Jacob and Grace. (Is it normal for 2 four year olds to have 738 books? ahhhh, garage sales!!!) When we announced the activity of the day would include putting together this shelf, Jacob immediately -- and emphatically -- told us to "wait!" We drug the heavy box to the kids' room. Shortly thereafter, Jacob emerged with his tools . . . a tool carrier in which he had put his hammer, saw, pliers, screw driver, and an assortment of other items that he may need!

It was adorable!

Jacob was involved in hammering nails, hammering in "plugs", inserting screws -- the whole process. And he is so very precise! I see an engineering career in his future . . . He was so proud of his creation!

What a fun day!

Adventures Traveling with Two 4 Year Olds

After a little over a week away from home visiting family for the Thanksgiving holiday, we finally returned home last night. It was the first time since last Christmas that we had traveled more than a couple hours from home with Jacob and Grace. Our 425 mile trip was quite the adventure!

Fortunately, I had convinced Franco that we needed to buy a separate DVD player from the current one we had (which had 2 screens for the one player). Grace enjoys her princess movies, while Jacob watches only those movies with sword fights, battles, or other "boy stuff." However, I did catch Jacob peeking at Grace's screen one time, watching The Aristocats that she was watching!

The kids developed a new ritual on the trip during bathroom stops -- they decided that it was fun to turn off the lights in the bathrooms we stopped in! Yes, while people were in the other stalls or using the sinks . . . and most commercial bathrooms do not have windows, causing complete and utter darkness! And, of course, they would engage in this ritual when I was far enough away from the light switch to not be able to reach it . . . I challenge you to try this task: go into a public restroom with several stalls, turn out the lights, take 4 or 5 steps away from the light switch, and then try to find your way to the light switch to turn it back on in the now pitch black unfamiliar location! Not an easy task! Oh, and by the way, on those occasions that I was able to find the light switch, I noted that there were still little fingers on it holding it down as I was trying to turn on the lights!

One thing is for sure . . . my children have a playful spirit! And, for any of you who may have been traveling between Illinois and Ohio over the Thanksgiving holiday and, while using unfamiliar restrooms, found yourselves in momentary utter darkness, I'm sorry!

Pinkalicious

Grace is developing her own sense of style. Recently, she has become very opinionated on what she will be wearing each day! (Amazingly, she continues to choose tank tops to wear recently -- mind you, it is November in Northern Illinois . . . brrrr!)

We went to the mall this weekend. I had coupons that were going to expire. As we looked at the various choices for outfits, Grace would -- with a very definite and decisive tone -- tell me specifically which items I could purchase for her, and which items were absolutely unacceptable. As she instructed me on each item, I noticed a pattern . . . anything pink was a "yes," anything that was not pink -- well, there was no way.

Once I notice this pattern, I asked Grace about why she was choosing certain clothes over other clothes, to which she proudly responded, "because it's pink!" My little girl has decided that, if it's not pink, she's not wearing it!

Now I understood why daddy was so frustrated when he tried to dress the kids for preschool! And why several of the outfits that I had chosen for Grace were thrown on the side of the room, no longer folded yet apparently not worn.

Yes, Grace has decided that she will only wear pink . . . oh, and she will wear anything "Hello Kitty" also!

Missing them already

I have a trial in Chicago Wednesday, Thursday and Friday . . . of course, it doesn't make sense to drive home each night. So I will be staying in the Windy City. It will be my first time away from Jacob and Grace overnight. While I may not see them during my busy working days, being at home each night -- if only to tuck them in and give them a kiss as they are sleeping -- still makes my day. Now, I will spend 3 full days away . . . and for a reason that is not very exciting!

I am not looking forward to the time away. I will miss my kids. I am jealous that Franco gets to stay at home - watching them grow - spending every day with them. There are days that I go home, and I know Franco is wishing he could go to work (yeah, there are crazy days!). But I know that he has the better part of the deal. The sacrifices made to support our family, yet allow the kids to grow up with family, are not always easy. We are fortunate that Franco is able to stay home and care for Jacob and Grace. And it brings some sense of comfort to me when I miss time with them -- knowing that he's there with them; that they have a parent with them. But it doesn't take away my feelings of missing them.

I can't wait until this week is over! It can't come soon enough!