Time flies...

It really does seem like yesterday when I was carrying around a little short and stubby baby boy! I can remember thinking, "WOA, this kid is going to be a big ball of energy!" (AND HE IS!!) When Mason was 2-ish, I remember saying, "uh-oh, I think he has my ocd/anxious tendencies!" (AND HE STILL DOES!) I knew he was an old soul, full of sensitivity and kindness (AND HE STILL IS!). We knew very early that he would LOVE to play all kinds of sports (HE DOES...our hint: first word was ball...haha!) and I knew that I felt a kind of love that was like nothing I had ever felt before (and it just keeps getting STRONGER!!) I can't believe how much Mason has grown and I can't believe he is about to start kindergarten! While it makes me somewhat sad, I can't wait for him to experience the world that is waiting for him - I know he will shine!!

And it really wasn't that long ago that I was by the side of the most determined, strong-willed baby girl I had ever met! What a fighter!! There was a point there at the beginning when I wasn't absolutely sure she would make it through, but the older she gets, the more I understand how she did it! She has so much determination...she sparkles with life!! From the get go, I remember thinking, "YIKES, this girl is demanding!!!" (YEP, SHE STILL IS!) I remember thinking, "daddy is in trouble - she already knows how to work those big eyes!" (AND OVER HER TWO YEARS, SHE HAS PERFECTED THE POUTY EYES AND LIPS!) I remember thinking, "do I have enough love for another child"? (YEP, MY CUP RUNNETH OVER and I have such a bond with Gracie - my heart is so full of love and gratitude for her!!) She reminds us everyday that life is full of miracles and that we should embrace every moment!!

Our job is to be the parent and yet we have learned so much from our children!! I look at these pictures and get so choked up because I can't believe how much time has gone by! Where did it go??? Gracie is not a baby anymore! She is a beautiful little girl with so much to give to this world!! And my Mason is not a toddler! He is a young man with such a BIG heart!! I am the luckiest mommy ever!!!

These pictures were taken by a good friend of mine...didn't she do a good job?? She has captured my children in a way that I cannot describe! They are priceless pictures!!! I haven't seen all of the proofs yet, but these make my heart melt! She has taken our pictures before for our Christmas cards and always does a great job, but these are definitely my favorite!!

Natalie, thank you so much for helping me make time stand still (if even just for a second)!!!