Goofy, Giggly Toddlers Make Me Smile

This time of year is rough for me. It's cold. I feel a bit couped up and isolated. The girls are both (knock on wood, say a prayer, turn around and spit thrice--I really shouldn't even be acknowledging this) mostly healthy, and we're trying to keep that that way for more than five minutes, which means we limit outings.

It's as if the girls knew their mama was having a bit of a rough time. They have been so full of giggles this week (1046). How can I not be both entertained and joyful with two goofy, giggly toddlers running around? Just have a look at these two!

Tights! They're just so cute! (1047)

The girls have just about the best papa in the whole world (1048)! He comes up fresh new things for them to try, and so patient with them! Yesterday he took them ouside to make and throw snowballs before all the snow melted (1049).

See their wee little snowballs in their hands?
They were running towards to the edge of the deck to throw them.

Brad also put on the girls' aprons and brought them into the kitchen with him, so they could make ham salad together (1050).

Isn't this one of the cutest things you've ever seen?!

We took the girls out to eat last night (1051). Our girls did so well! It was so encouraging to see them behave so well (1052), and fun to see them be excited about eating in a new place (1053).



I now have this on my mantle (1054):

I made it. It makes me happy. It's an important reminder for me.

I was so blessed with encouragement this week from my dear friend, Melissa, who hijacked my blog and told me just what I needed to hear (1055).

I got to go to a local bakery on Saturday to enjoy a delectable scone, hot coffee and uplifting conversation with my friend, Kelly (1056). She was so intentional about making a breakfast date with me--that blessed my heart (1057)!

Un

Friends, I am just struggling.

I feel:

unmotivated
uninspired
uncreative
unable
unworthy
unimportant

just, well, just "un".

I feel stuck in this "un" rut while my garden blooms vibrantly, my husband adores me, and our healthy girls' laughter fills our home. It's a juxtaposition that weighs on my spirit. I know I'm missing out! I know these things I feel, they aren't really the case. So, I pray that God will help me in my unbelief.

The reason I keep a gratitude journal; pour my thanks out here each week is so that I constantly search for and actively seek joy. To find the extraordinary in the everyday.

This works most of the time.

But sometimes it's a struggle for me. My soul finds dark corners, and I get stuck there. I, ashamedly, forget my many blessings.

I struggle to love well. It pains me to write that.

Sometimes it's just so hard to love well.

But---I can do hard things.

So.

I'm working on it, friends. I'm fighting to see joy! If I start sounding "un" around here---feel free to yell at me. You can even do it anonymously, if you want to.

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Tomorrow is the second year I get to celebrate this gift of motherhood. It's going to be sunny and warm, which means cute girls in rompers---I can't wait!