Being a mama. The most important job I will ever have. I am responsible for not only the "routine" well-being of my children (clothes, food, brushing of the teeth....flushing of the potty) but I'm also molding these little people into who they are going to be later in life, and keeping myself in check so that I am (hopefully) setting a good example. Wow...talk about some weight when you really sit down and think about it. I find it funny that a job with so much riding on it comes with no prior "training" involved. From day one as a parent you quickly adopt the phrase, "fake it to make it". Sure you may have babysat, or worked around little ones, but nothing can truly prepare you for that giant leap into parenthood.

I'll never forget the way my hubs looked when he held our oldest for the first time, the phrase "fish out of water" comes to mind. Of course now, after number 3, he's a pro at not just picking up babies, but rocking, burping, potty training, diapering, teaching, disciplining, etc. The list goes on. But every time we think we are getting it down, they throw another curve ball. Each step of the way they are growing and changing, constantly keeping us on our toes. I would be lying if I said I never sit down and wonder if I'm doing a good job at this whole mama gig.

But every now and again, God blesses me with a moment. A moment when the world around me simply stops (or at least it seems to for me) and I can just look at my little ones and I think "well, I must be doing okay". These moments are truly a gift and I treasure them in my heart. The other day I was lucky enough to not only experience such a sweet moment, but also had my camera nearby to capture it. Talk about a double blessing...that NEVER happens.

I was upstairs laying the baby down for a quick nap, and when I came down this is what I found.

Big kid, reading to his little brother. And not just any book, he was reading stories out of our Children's Bible. It touched my heart in ways I can't express in words. But at that moment I simply stopped and praised the Lord for the three little people he has blessed us with and for that moment, I felt like I must be doing something right.

Now before this beings too sound too "perfect" let me also say that approximately 5.2 seconds after story time ended they were running around the house fighting each other with plastic lightsabers - this would be more of the norm around here. And I love every second of it.

10 month-aversary

Wow - 10 months and counting. The little is growing up too fast. A year is right around the corner and I can tell you this, this mama isn't ready. My "baby" is turning into a tot and it's FLOWN by. And just as a little side, taking these pictures was nothing short of a challenge...this girl is ON THE MOVE!!

Sweet baby girl. You are now 10 months and we can hardly believe all the things you have come up with this month. You are now not only pulling up, but cruising along all the furniture and standing on your own as well. Any day now you are going to take that big "first step". You are still in size 3 diapers and 12 month clothes. Your 8th tooth popped through (finally) giving you a nice even 4 up and 4 down. You are a wonderful eater and sleeper. You're sweet and full of love and smiles.

You LOVE to explore and are into everything. Some of your favorite things to do are pull all the books off the shelves and the tupperware out of the cabinets. You also enjoy getting into your brothers room and dumping over baskets of toys. Yes little girl, you can get around faster than a blink. We are in for real trouble when you start walking. Baby gates are up and working in full force around here to keep you safe and out of trouble. But no matter where you go, you do like to know that mama isn't far off. You can find me in about 1.2 seconds no matter where I am in the house. It's amazing.

You've also learned how to play peek-a-boo, clap your hands, and blow kisses. This makes things even more interesting when you decide to do this in the middle of eating a meal. Here is what the end result looks like after a lunch that included avocado (which you love by the way).

You can sign "more" and "all done" and make the funniest noises rolling your tongue around in your mouth. You also think its quite funny to stick your tongue out at everyone!! Of course everyone thinks its adorable and does it right back.

You love being the center of attention. It doesn't matter how tired you are, you will be sweet as pie if there is someone oohing and ahhing over you. You wave hello and good bye, clap your hands, and give the sweetest hugs in town. There is nothing like your hugs, they will make anyone just melt to a puddle.

Little girl, you are growing by leaps and bounds and picking up so much along the way. We love you to the ends of the earth and as always can't wait to see what you come up with next.