Lucy got a pair of new ladybug boots to go with Bowden's caterpillar boots, and there was very little slowing down and sitting still while Momma takes a picture. I put these boots on her at least ten times tonight.

If I am guilty of something, and to be honest, I am guilty of much, but let one of those things be forcing my children to be together and teaching them to love each other. I push it like...well, this is a family blog, so just imagine. It may come off to some as fake and forced, but so far they love each other and love to be around each other.

What a shame it is to have siblings that don't love each other or keep in touch. After salvation and health, this is the prayer I make- that they will be dear to each other.
I don't think it comes as a surprise to anyone that knows me that I value family- my sister, especially, provides me with a relationship and sense of wholeness that no one but my children or husband or parents can duplicate. This is why I want to have TEN MORE CHILDREN.

So why would Lucy choose to sit on and wrap herself in my soaking wet sweater to read her book? I don't get the draw, but it was her favorite activity of yesterday.

Oh, and yesterday we ate breakfast.

Sometimes it's difficult to post such deep and thoughtful posts, but don't worry, I won't disappoint.
(Can you say, "photo-heavy?")

And she can eat books, too.

Lucy has two new "tricks" herself. The first, climbing up on the bricks, and walking on the precarious ledge of our fireplace. The second- smiling on command. One of these pictures has her true smile, and the other her posed...she often will do her fake smile without being asked- as soon as the camera is lifted to eye, out it comes, clearly causing the wearer no small joy.

Maybe you can't tell, because she's smiling, but she's really very happy.

Bowden always has a "trick." His newest is to come down the stairs head-first, and he does it quite well. It's nice to get him to let me take a picture, because many of them come out like this.


"Stop, no, Mommy."
I wanted to get him to open up his mouth and show his teeth, but I have to offer him candy, I think, to really get a good picture, and I don't think that would be right.