While making dinner

 Finnley is fussing at the baby gate. I can tell she is as tired and hungry as I am. I hand her a piece of the red bell pepper I had just cut for dinner. She eagerly accepts. watching me with those big brown eyes. I pick her up, holding her close. The song "Letting Go" by Paul Cardall comes on the Pandora station.(Click here to listen )

We swirl around the kitchen. I can hear her happily crunching the snack and feel her little warm body against mine. I realize that she must be getting bigger because she is getting so much heavier. By the time I put her down, we have matching pepper juice spots on our clothes.

The Tropics

 Today it snowed again. Snow has always had a special place in my heart. I remember the day I found out President Hinkley had passed away. Youth around the world wore Sunday best to school in remembrance of him. It was snowing that day. It reminded me of his life and purity.  It snowed the day I married the love of my life. The day Finnley was born it was also snowing. 

BUT I have been looking forward to warm summer days. For our date this week we used watercolor to paint a beautiful tropical mural on our fridge. The idea came from Elder Scotts talk.  (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage?lang=eng)

When I stand back and squint my eyes it looks a little like the picture. 

I wish I could see into the future. 

The memory of Spencer hanging this hen yesterday is one I already cherish. If it had gone my way, that hen would be in a box. Ready for the big move. But it is hanging in the kitchen, reminding me of 1. My husbands patient love and 2. To be happy in the now.

3 Nephi 10:4

• Book of Mormon

"...how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you." 

Mornings

Mornings are my favorite. 

The quite stillness, brings peace into my heart. Spencer is often at the gym or class, the baby will sleep until 9am. I shower, get ready for the day then cuddle up in a warm blanket and read. Time flies and soon I can hear Finn. She is awake. I wait just a little longer to get her, savoring the sweet chatter and giggles.

Baby Steps

 I always look forward to setting new goals/commitments. It combines two of my favorite things. Lists and planning. This year my commitments quickly grew into a long list. Things I wanted to do, things I wanted to change and things I wanted to work on. Quickly I became overwhelmed. 

Finnley just took her first few steps a couple days ago. It didn't happen all at once. First she had to sit up by herself, crawl, and learn balance. Accomplishments wont happen all at once, it comes in baby steps.