Here in South Texas it is the best time of year. Not too hot, not too cold, but juuuuuust right. I love the fact that all you have to do is whisper the word "outside" and Emerson beelines it for the front door. She is eager to explore which includes showing her adoring audience (aka Mama) a leaf...
It doesn't take much to make her happy. Think shovel...
And a little dirt...
I was thankful for the opportunity to spend a little one on one time with her this week. Carter took a very grown up trip to the coast to hang out with her Grammy and Grandad. I knew this house was going to be very quiet without her and was so glad to have my little Emme to keep me company. As busy as she is lately I'm soaking up little moments like this one (don't judge my lack of makeup and contacts, Emme doesn't seem to mind if I don't get dressed up for "work")...
Thank goodness she still lets me snuggle with her every once and a while. I know it won't be long before she is headed off for exciting overnight visits just like her big sister. Carter was in hog heaven and beyond thrilled to meet her cousin and new BFF Hattie...
Together I think they gave their grandparents a run for their money! I'm so thankful for such amazing people to influence my girls. Carter is home safe from her excursion and is chatting non stop about swimming, museums, make-up, and what must have been a fabulous Alice in Wonderland-esque un-birthday party. It's going to be hard to live up to her new definition of fun after such a memorable week with the G-parents.
I headed out this afternoon to pick her up which meant a rare hour in the car all by myself. It always takes me a moment to adjust. It's like I don't quite know what to do with myself. But then instinct kicks in. I reach slowly for the dial and bump the volume up....up....up....I sing along at the top of my lungs (it's hideous but I'm alone so I forgive myself for being grossly off key). I scan through the stations searching for the songs I know by heart. Music can take you back to a place faster than anything. With each chorus I remember a different moment...and then I'm brought back to the present one. It's sappy I know but as I sing along to, "You're Gonna' Miss This" I feel so thankful that you don't have to tell me that twice.
One thing is for sure, I decided long ago I wasn't going to have to look up and hate myself later in life for wishing away all the little moments. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I'm not so crazy about my greasy hair and the PJ's I didn't seem to make it out of, but nothing lights up my world like the two little girls that spend every day in it. So here I am at 30. Doing my best to make the most of it, love hard and live each day without regrets...
(don't worry I was at a stoplight when I snapped this mom)
Do I lay down sometimes and feel like I failed, sure. But I think the thing I'm realizing is that feeling is what drives me to want to dig deeper and be better. I cherish the failures for the success it will bring me in the future. Hoping that in the end that makes me a better mom. It's a simple life but I love it...I want to live the simple life.
