A Girl of Many Talents, and Wicked is Good!

I think this picture says it all; but just for kicks I'll elaborate...
Grace turned 10 months old last Friday, and overnight it seemed she developed in leaps and bounds. As you can see, she already has a nack for music (at about 8 weeks she would try and sing along to the tune: "You are my sunshine"). She also understands the ASL signs for "milk", and "more food", and screams at the top of her lungs because she can- until we give her a blueberry, cracker, or pick her up. Yes, she is the one who wears the pants in the family.
Grandpa Gary has taught her to wink... although she can't quite do it with one eye; she practices constantly. :)
Life goes by so quickly. She is teaching me to enjoy
every moment.
I am very proud of her.



Okay, now that I am done bragging (for today, that is!),
On Friday Sam took me to see the Musical "WICKED" to celebrate our 3 year anniversary. I have to say it was WICKED GOOD! Each cast member added their own unique personalities to their character, and by the end they had us in tears- well, let's not kid ourselves: they had ME in tears! :) Wanna little taste of it? Here is a video of the song "Popular". For those who are not familiar with this masterful broadway show, I highly recommend it- and I recommend buying the music CD before you see the musical. It just makes it that much more enjoyable. And for those who have the time and desire to read (a great book, I've been told) it is based on a book by Gregory Maguire.
We head to Boston this week to watch the Red Sox play the Orioles- aah, the beautiful city of Boston! We'll keep you posted! :)

To teach a new mom old tricks...

Grace broke out in a rash this morning after taking a nap. It is on her face and neck, stomach and back, but nowhere else, and doesn't seem to bother her. So after panicking slightly this morning, I am down from obsessed with worry, to a little less than overly concerned. I suppose I am just being reminded, and taught yet again, that I DO NOT know everything, and I have SO MUCH to learn. I guess one can get comfortable when our children are healthy and happy- and impatient and critical when they are not. Patience is an old trick of the trade I have never been very good at. I appreciate the opportunity to acquire such a virtue. :)

My sister in law Kim, and her three girls left for their home in Utah last night. It is quiet in this big house, but we miss them. And although Grace may enjoy being the center of attention, she sure had a good time with them while they were here:

She is a never-ending clapping machine with her cousins constantly entertaining her!

And, she loves the camera almost as much as they do!

We were both tuckered out by the end of the day. I love that!

Ah, the joys of being a mother. :)

Do you remember...

When you were fourteen? It seems like forever ago, and thankfully I look like I've grown a little since then. We were cleaning out our car the other day and I came across a copy of this picture from the summer I played football on an all-boys team because there was no girl's team around; Powder Puff came a couple of years later.

I think about all that has happend since then, and I am amazed at how much has changed, and how naturally those changes have come. I would have only dreamed at that age that one day I would marry such a wonderful, funny man who would take me places I never thought I would go; and that we would have such a great time raising such a beautiful and spirited (don't you think?) little girl, and make such wonderful friends, and have such wonderful family. Dreams DO come true... even more so because God knows better than I, what is best.

I also must give my congratulations to my sister Avery. She and her husband- as of 1:30pm today are the proud parents of a beautiful little girl whom they will name Brea Adelle Pince. Children are witnesses to us that there is a God in heaven- and he trusts us- US!- to raise HIS children and bring them back to Him. I will step down from the pulpit now. Avery this blog's for you. :)

These times, they are a changin'

We are spending time in the good ol' state of New Jersey for a few weeks before Sam begins grad school at UNC. It has only been since March that we have all been together, and yet so much has changed since then.

Grace now proudly imitates almost any sound or facial expression that is done in her line of sight. She is also known everyone here as "Bobblehead Grace". She is so rythmic; and we love every second of it.She is not the only one who is constantly growing and changing. Brittin, Virginia, Emma, and on occasion Annika, jump off the diving board like they are competing in the olympics... and swallowing pool water like it is going out of style. It is really fun to watch.

Last but not least, Carter is not left without his share of adventure ( or pool water!). He is, however, a little sensitive to Grace's company as she is constantly trying to take his binki from him, or happily screaming at him. We're hoping that he eventually gets used to her incredible amount of energy, or that his calm and casual personality rubs off on her. I doubt the latter will happen.

Life is made up of constant changes. Without them, life would be dull and void of learning. With them we find beauty and meaning in the simple opportunities we have to welcome them.