The Look

This photo is Case's attempt to capture Lizzie's withering expression of indignant frustration. Before I became a parent, when I would hear others discuss how their child "just came with his personality," I always doubted how much "personality" a baby could have. Lizzie's heaps of stubbornness and willful independence are my reward for my doubt. Additionally, never would I have believed it possible for an under-one year old child to muster such a look to accompany her strong willed personality. With furrowed eyebrows, a wrinkled nose, and pouting lips, she has been carefully honing it over the course of the past month, and exercises it on a regular basis. One part of me is entertained by this, and the other part is hoping that she is simply getting it all out now, someday resulting in smooth-sailing teenage years. Either way, I look forward to watching in amazement as her incredibly independent personality becomes more defined through the years.

First Easter!

Here are some pictures from Lizzie & Carson's first Easter. Their Grandma and Grandpa Wade even had an Easter egg hunt ready for them, although Lizzie was much more interested in simply locating and triumphantly delivering the bright eggs to me than in the Teddy Grahams and marshmallows inside. As with everything else, we thoroughly enjoyed watching her delight in new things and in new traditions.

Life's Simple Pleasures

For a wedding present, I was given a small pillow that has embroidered the words, "Cherish life's simple pleasures." It has sat on our bed ever since, a reminder to look for the small joys. One simple pleasure I have enjoyed is my Better Homes & Gardens magazine. From it, I glean all kinds of home improvement ideas, some of which I try to implement now, and others I log into my dreams for the future. The following creation was inspired by the last issue:



Particularly since I'm not usually one for decorating, this centerpiece has brought immense satisfaction. Not only did I just find beautiful things around the house that had been tucked away in disuse, but having something attractive on the table has helped me keep clutter away. This in turn has snowballed to motivate me to get organized and find neat places for everything. That then has led to Case exclaiming at our lovely clean house every day, which creates a positive atmosphere in our home, which encourages us both to keep it that way... What a difference one simple thing can make!

Duck Pond

Taking Lizzie to see the ducks south of BYU campus was the kind of experience that makes everything about life worthwhile. Her innocent wonder at the little fowls, as well as her sincere desire to swim with them, were simply refreshing.





This was also a great opportunity for Lizzie to try out her new walking skills and her new shoes (which are a little big...)




Furthermore, I've always had this quaint, back-of-the-mind, and secret vision of myself one day holding my child's hand on one side, with my husband lovingly holding her other hand. That dream was fulfilled on that little walk, with Lizzie squealing her delight each time we would swing her a few feet forward. Although we have no pictures of this, of course, the precious picture will always be in my mind.

Realizations

(an old photo, but since Case is the main photographer in the family, we don't really have any other group shots)

As much as I've enjoyed looking at others' blogs for quite some time, I was always resolute in the decision to never have one myself. The reasons were numerous and scattered, and for organization's sake, I'll list a few here:
1) not enough time
2) I put updates on Facebook
3) not enough blog worthy, exciting things happen to blog about
4) for fear of confirming the opinions of blogger critics I've seen, who say bloggers presume that people are interested in the contents of their brains, thereby making them seem self-important
5) not enough TIME!

However, after another round of exploring friends' blogs, I realized:
1) If I can look at blogs once I put Lizzie to sleep, I can make one, too.
2) I can post links on Facebook.
3) Some of the most beautiful and inspiring posts I've seen are expressions of love, gratitude and hope found in the simplest daily occurrences. I would like to cultivate that kind of reflection also.
4) I just realized those blogger critics are just plain ignorant! In all the blogs I've read of dear family and friends, not one of them has ever sounded remotely self important! The stories they've been willing to share have delighted me, encouraged me, and, at times, even moved me to tears. We can learn so much from one another when we open up.
5) This wonderfully relaxing Spring Break has helped me realize this is a type of what my life will be like this summer, (just me and Lizzie hanging each day), so I should have a little more time, at least temporarily. Even if the posts are sometimes sparse, it is worthwhile to me to create a lasting family record of remembrance (illustrated with photos!) that my children can enjoy.

And so, with these realizations finally surfaced and spurring me to action, I go from a passive window shopper to an active creator. I plan to post things that are important to me: realizations, adventures, joys, sorrows--big or small, they join together to make life the rich experience that it is.


(Lizzie has always known how to enjoy the good life) :)