Little children, sweet and lovely Buds from Heaven sent to earth! Let us love them, teach them, guide them, Fill their lives with joy and mirth… Looking up with eyes of laughter, Holding out their tiny hands; Bless these little ones, oh, Master! Precious children of all lands! ~Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, “Little Children” We were…

Scattered, but integrated.  Distant, but united. Spread wide, we stand together. A few weeks ago, I met Jacob & Ashleigh and Ella in San Diego where we visited our Aunt and Uncle in the sunny, spectacular, soothing, Southern California.   We laughed at Ella-antics, walked the beach sharing dreams & struggles & challenges & pain &…

Comfortable in her own cozy world, just a few feet from where she had enjoyed lunch, and without any hassle of coats and car rides, Kaitlyn had a serious case of giggles. She gnawed on her fingers, tried to keep a straight face just to show off her luxurious blue eyes, and drooled all over…

I left tulle scattered around Ashleigh’s house after making two tutus, but cleaned it up while she was watching.  I rearranged Jacob’s chairs and he noticed the discrepancies, but Mom covered the faux pas with a deflective story.  I left tape on the table and wrapping paper on the floor, but threw my scarf on…

It seems only fitting that I am finishing 2014 the same way I started it: reveling in this cutie. Remember when she was just three hours old?  I do. Or what about when she was three months old?  Oh, the cuteness.  And now she is one year old. Just as cute.  Infinitely more mobile. Knows how…

What sort of crazy creature is this?! One who plays with kittens more than puppies and who comes into my house just when my New Best Friend is trying to sleep!?  Cleveland came scampering to the door to check out the stranger who was invading his territory.  She came carrying an odd assortment of bags…