What have I done for someone today?

...as my kiddos grow-up, I hope I teach them to ask themselves this on a daily basis...better yet, I hope I can try to be a better example of this myself...

...I'm glad I took some time to read this article today instead of doing some household chore while Ruby took a nap...Another reminder that in a world of so much turmoil, there is a lot of good.

...Cousins...

{wait for it...}

{ATTACK!}

I came across these pictures that Hugh took Christmas Eve while I was working...I think they are hilarious. Ruby loves carter, maybe it's because they have matching hair-do's when Carter decides to go with the buzz? Ruby is quickly learning to hold her own...should little Hughie be worried?

Ruby and her playmate...

I was getting ready this morning when I realized, Ruby was being awfully quiet. I peeked into her room and found her totally content "reading" and pulling things off her bookshelf. She wasn't making a peep! This was my view from her bedroom door...love those ears and bald head! I went back into the bathroom to finish getting ready, and I hear her struggling to do something. Do you see that big yellow duck next to her? She was trying her hardest to crawl and drag the duck with her to find mom. Ducky is her favorite playmate as of late. I'm still chuckling about this.

A Good Reminder...

{Hugh captured the beautiful blue sky on a warm summer day}

My life is but a weaving

Between my Lord and me;

I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow

And I in foolish pride

Forget that He seeth the upper,

And I the under side.

Not till the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

In the Weaver's skillful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.

-Anonymous

I had to work on Sunday, therefore missing church. Hugh saved some good quotes from the sunday school lesson for me to read. This poem was one of them. I really liked it because it reminded me that my experiences in life serve a purpose in molding who I am and will become. Some good, some bad...but all worth it.

The day has come...

{Ruby in her "Ruby" Chuck Ts}

{Posing for mom, looking so old!}

{Next step, walking in her Chuck Ts....we'll keep you posted}

For awhile now, a pair of red converse all-stars sat on top of a dresser...waiting tirelessly to be worn by one darling little girl. The other day, the waiting came to an end. Ruby is now big enough to wear the Chuck Ts I picked out for her before she was born. They almost instantly transformed my baby into a kid....that's the part I'm not ready for. She will be 13 months on Sunday and I can hardly believe another month has gone by. Ruby is quite the character these days, moving around the house like she's in charge (she learned from Aunt Mal, to tell me I'm the boss, but SHE's in charge.) She is starting to use her sign language skills to communicate (favorite signs: more, milk, food, all done, dog, frog, and horse). If Ruby doesn't want to do something, she lets you know with a shake of her head....she's good at communicating NO. Jabbering is becoming a favorite activity, especially saying "da-da". When I ask her to say "ma-ma" she looks me in the eyes and says "da-da". It is as if she knows she's taunting me. My not so favorite moments are when she throws a fit about not getting something she wants...I swear she is too young to know about drama! (I will have to talk to Aunt McCall about that one, jk ;) I guess it starts at an early age, teaching your kiddos the difference between wants and needs.

Ruby has no interest in walking on her own. I catch her standing in the middle of the room all by herself, and she does just that....stand. This week we purchased a big girl car seat for Ruby, so she could pass down hers to brother Hughie. Speaking of which, the little man is kicking and moving like a maniac these days, already taking some lessons from his sis. Life is flying by so fast...just taking a minuet to document some of its substance. Be on the look out for a little baldy flying by you in her red Chuck Ts.

What a Wonderful World...

{ 2009 Family Christmas Shot}

As this Christmas week comes to an end....I feel so blessed. I love my little family and the joy being together brings into my life. I also love all the family surrounding my little family, because of you my world is wonderful. It is my conviction that a loving Heavenly Father made this all possible, and that Christ truly is the reason for this wonderful Christmas I have enjoyed. Merry Christmas, 2009!

{Almost 24 weeks!}

I also feel very blessed that little Hughie is growing....my belly is expanding at a rapid rate! April 16th will be here before I know it. Even my little man had a good Christmas...his aunt Mal and Grandma Suzi couldn't resist getting him some gifts. So special to think about Hughie wearing his tiny outfits oh so soon!

Some Mornings...

It was early Saturday morning....my alarm sounding at 5:15 am. Hugh looked so cozy laying next to me, and I would have given anything to stay in bed and spend the day ahead with my little family. Nevertheless, after pushing snooze one too many times, I rolled out of bed and started getting ready for work. Some days, I just don't want to go (which I'm sure is the case with most working people in the world :). But it seems once I get there, my day usually goes okay and the 12 hours go by pretty darn quick. This Saturday was no exception....I may even say it was a blessing. I had a really busy day, but also had the most bright, loving, and exceptional young lady as one of my patients. She taught me a lot about life in those quick 12 hours of spending some time with her. This darling girl had the ability to literally light up her room with her presence alone. She could have been grumpy about being sick and in and out of the hospital for the past year...I would have totally understood if she wanted to complain and vent to me as I went about my nursing cares. But she did just the opposite, and made my day and life brighter just having met her. She is a true example of making a choice in life...deciding to swim not sink, smile not frown, and reach out lift those around her. What a blessing.

Some mornings I may not feel like the leaving the comfort of my warm bed to go to work...but on Saturday my efforts were rewarded. Life is all about the people we meet, the relationships we build, and the love we show to all God's children (all mankind). I am fortunate to meet so many wonderful, strong children and their families. I was reminded of this on Saturday. Not to mention, it was wonderful going home to my smiling Ruby, so excited to see me! In a world where there seems to be so much bad...there is a lot of good. We just have to wake-up.