I hope I never forget...

how Sam completely melts my heart for a million different reasons.  He comes in our room almost every morning, climbs into bed, and says, "I love you and I trust you."  He tries to fight James EVERY time I am being tickled.  He stands by his sister; when she is sent to her room Sam is right behind her.  He laughs so easily and has the very best laugh.  He loves his buddy Brooks and cries sometimes because he misses him.  He will go with his Daddy and ride a tractor, work, whatever and never complain.  He listens to waht I ask him and usually does what I ask.  He tries SO hard at everything he does.  It took him hours to learn to pedal his bicycle by himself, but he never gave up.  When we are driving, he is constantly on the look out with his "spy-eyes."  He absolutely believes with his whole heart that his shoes and his underwear make him run really fast!  Of all the little boys in this whole world, I am so glad that I got Sam.

I hope I never forget...

how sweet my little Ava is.  She did something last summer that sums up her sweet little spirit.  We had a pretty large group of our friends over one day last summer for a swim party.  Ava was absolutely enamored with some bigger girls and kind of stalked them for a couple hours.  She wanted to play with them so badly, but she was so scared. 

I was playing with Sam in the water, but watching her out of the corner of my eye.  I saw these two big girls go into the house to use the restroom.  Ava stood a the door for a minute and then walked on over to a bush at the side of our house and proceeded to pick two flowers (not even really flowers - just leaves off of the bush).  She went back to the door and as soon as the girls came out she handed them the flowers and asked them to play.  I know she was so scared, and I was just dying inside at her innocence and vulnerability.  I was so proud of her in that moment.

Although I wish that I could safeguard this innocence, I am aware that when she goes to kndergarten next year she will have so many influences.  I pray that she doesn't lose this part of herself.  And I thank God that he trusted this sweet little spirit to me.