Where to start...

Goodness, where do I even start to catch you all up on everything Natalie and Abby have been up to over the summer and this fall? Time has flown by SO fast and I can't believe they are already approaching 4.5 years old.

They are growing up so quickly and I confess, I really, really hate it. I really just want them to stay just they way they are - forever. I love this age and every day I feel like it is slipping away too fast. Every night I go to sleep feeling like I have failed as a parent and haven't spent enough time with them or taught them enough or been gentle enough or yelled too much. Every night I pledge to do better the next day, and then at night, I start the cycle over again.


But, Natalie and Abby are joyous children. They are full of laughter and smiles. They spend hours playing and making up games. They are curious and love to explore the world. They are generous with hugs, kisses, and "I love yous". And, then, yesterday, while Ben and I were painting the shutters of our house, the girls were playing a game and Abby led Natalie to sit down on one of the tarps on the ground. She then proceeded to lead her in a prayer. "Now, first you say, Dear God", and Natalie would say, "dear God". It went on and on with Abby saying a phrase and Natalie repeating it. I don't know what all they said; some of it didn't make any sense, but they were saying thank you for something, and well, they were praying.

In the end, I guess we are doing something right after all.