What am I Most Thankful for this Year?

You guessed it! My beautiful children!

I just can't believe how incredibly smart Libby is. I don't know where she gets the brain she has. She always keeps us on our toes as she comes up with something new. She learned early on in this year how to use context clues to figure out what mommy and daddy were spelling. We would even try to spell things backward and she would still be able to get it. Of course, there was one day when we were "showing off" her skills and didn't give her any context. Daddy spelled "K-R-A-P" and she sat there concentrating and talking under her breath until she finally said in her bright and bold voice, "Crap?" I think she thought we were crazy...well, maybe we are!!! I love to hear her laugh. She has such a deep laugh that is so full of joy. I couldn't imagine living without this precious little girl. I adore her and cherish her and can't wait to see what she learns in 2010. I am intimidated, but we will be beginning our "actual" (I've been working with her on and off over the past year) homeschooling year. I can't wait to just see her knowledge and imagination take off.

As for Grace, oh my goodness, is she our ham! If she doesn't have everyone's attention, she is working on it. She doesn't know what the word "fear" means and will climb just about anything. I am waiting for the day that I hear that she has climbed Mt. Everest. :) Motor skills are her specialty and although she scares the ever living daylights out of me sometimes, she is in control. Very rarely does she miss her mark. She is our wild one that wants to try ANYTHING that even ekes the word exciting. Earlier this year on a trip to Ohio she saw a bungee jumping contraption. She immediately wanted to give it a try! It wasn't quite as fun as she expected (because she couldn't fly in the air), but she still had fun for the first couple of minutes. She warmed the attendant's heart so much that her "experience" was free. She is just entering the world of "no, it's not all about you" and she isn't liking that too much, but when she is having fun...her little eyes just twinkle! I can't wait to watch as her motor skills come into sharper focus this next year and I get to watch my Little Miss Independent learn new things...although the climbing out of the crib thing is NOT cool!

As for this precious little man...I don't even have words to describe the utter joy that I have found in him. He is just so calm and so loving. I think if you were to add up the amount of time he cries...you might come to an hour a day, if that. He enjoys observing his sisters as they run and jump and play and LOVES to be cuddled. I am absolutely adoring all of his chubbiness as I have never had that before. Both of his sister's dote on him and are so good with him. I can't wait to just love on him in the upcoming year. I wish I could freeze frame him right here. He is just my little darling!