Little Friends

I spend a lot of time wondering what my kids will be like when they are older.

I wonder what they will like. Who they will love. What they'll want to be.

I daydream about 5th grade parties, 1st days of middle school, sweet 16 parties,

high school and college graduations, weddings...

dare I say I even go so far as to wonder about grandbabies?

I know lots of people don't like to go there. They say just relish the present.

Appreciate what you have now.

I do appreciate the NOW... more than I ever have. 

But when I am in the moment and I get a glimpse of their personalities shining through,

I can't help but wonder about the future.

I had one of those days recently and what I saw made me smile and warmed my heart.

We had a play date at Disneyland with a friend I've had for about 15 years or so...

She has two girls about the same age as my two girls

and to say that I hope they all 4 become and stay friends

for a really long time is definitely an understatement.

The big girls were proud to get to go on rides sitting by themselves.

I may have all these big dreams and hopes for their futures but trust me when I tell you this...

I cherish EVERY moment I get to spend cuddling with this angel face and looking at the

dimples in her elbows, and memorizing the tiny little fingers that are hers.

I am relishing in the funny, little girl who is so in LOVE with Rapunzel that she watches

the Tangled movie every day and asks for it sometimes 3 times a day.

She will wear her Rapunzel shirt and show it  to anyone who will pay attention.

She gives hugs and kisses freely and is really, as I've said since she was born, the sunshine in our home.

I can't believe that her 2nd birthday will be here before I will know it.

I've never not had a baby in my crib. For 6 years, that crib has never been put away.

It makes my heart ache that I will not need it for Ella anymore.

Ella may not need her crib right now, but we have an ADORABLE niece who happens to love it.

We babysat Ben and Isabelle the other day and when I turned to check on the older kids,
Ella just decided to hop right in there with her baby cousin.

I've definitely gotta keep on eye on that little Ella. She's my free-spirited, adventurous one.

I think it's okay to dream about what might come, as long as you throw in a

good mix of cherishing what you have now in there.