Friday Letter #6 - Through Your Eyes

Dear Liza,

They say eyes are a window to the soul, that sacred part of a person, the place where our true selves reside. Perhaps that's why eyes are my favorite feature, the one I notice first upon meeting someone new.

Bitsy, your eyes are big, expressive, and a beautiful mix of blue and green. You notice everything and take the time to really see...the clouds, the faces of those you love & those you've just met, trains & trucks & airplanes, the tiniest bug, feathers, the moon in the daytime sky. Mama's eyes have grown lazy after 33 years. I miss so much of the beauty surrounding me because I expect it, and consequently have grown numb to it. And yet, you unwrap these gifts for me day after day. You see the colors more colorfully. The details are so clearly focused in your sight. Your eyes drink in the wonder of this world in big gulps. Thank you for sharing what you see with me, encouraging me to wake up to the awesomeness of the ordinary.

Love, Mama

This post was inspired by FridayLetters.com's question #153. 

Gymnastics with Daddy

Liza and I have been taking a gymnastics class for the past few Saturdays at the local gym. Guess who escaped from work for an hour and surprised us last weekend?!? Our little gymnast was thrilled to have her Daddy join in on the fun.

Staying Cool

"Cool" happens to be her word of the moment, and it's ridiculously cute to hear her use it multiple times a day.

Friday Letter #5 - Events & Landmarks

Dear Liza,

When I was a little girl, there were three events that I looked forward to each year. Every July we had front row seats to the fire department's fireworks display. Our neighborhood was just across the street from the field where they set them off. We'd lay in the back of the station wagon and peer through the windows at the colors raining down. If we were brave enough to take the booms full strength, there were blankets laid out under the sky. Fall meant the Arts & Crafts Festival. I could smell the hay bales and hear the bluegrass long before we passed through the entrance gates. Inside were tents as far as I could see full of handmade items. My favorites were the wooden flutes, the rubber stamps, and the marble guy. Oh, and there was funnel cake doused in powdered sugar! At Christmas time Aunt Gibi and I got to go with Grandaddy to his bank's holiday decorating party. It felt strange to be there after it was closed for the day, but so much fun to help decorate the gigantic tree in the lobby. We got to stay up way past our bedtime, eat yummy treats, and open a special present picked out just for us.

Bitsy, you aren't quite old enough yet to look forward to annual events, but you sure have an affinity for a few local landmarks. Going to the park is your thing right now, especially since we have finally dipped into the low 90's. We've spent this week exploring five different parks. You've worked on your climbing skills, visited the animal fountain, and discovered this amazing thing called sand. Watching the wonder with which you meet the world is pure JOY for me.

Love, Mama

This post was inspired by FridayLetters.com's question #152. 

Fashion Evolution

Remember this?

A few weeks ago she wowed me with another unique creation...hot pink panties atop light pink onesie accessorized with multi-colored bracelets.

More recently she created this little number...butterfly sundress atop dark pink onesie, socks and a winter hat (nevermind we were still in the triple digits).

I love her sense of style and her carefree attitude and hope she'll always feel this comfortable in her own skin.

Creative Obedience

I've reminded Liza on a few occasions that Jake & Penny's water bowl is for doggies only. We talked about how we don't like them to lick our cups, so we shouldn't stick our hands in theirs. I came around the corner the other day to find her giving her stuffed dog, Spot, a drink.

Well, I guess I can't argue with that now can I?

Friday Letter #4 - Needs

Dear Liza,

I believe we are always given what we need, even if in the present moment we are unaware of those gifts. Often it's not until we've moved farther along our paths, and can stop to look back, that we realize the myriad of ways our needs were being met.

Bitsy, human beings get confused about what we think we need and what our needs truly are. We tend to lose focus (at least I do), and our vision becomes clouded by the tough parts of life. Lately I've been learning the power of conscious gratitude to refocus my heart, mind, and attitude. In trying to make thankfulness a daily habit, I'm stopping those overwhelming feelings of "if only" in their tracks, choosing instead to be grateful for how abundantly my needs are being met. 

It's the simple things, really...

the smell of your hair after a bath

a cloudy day in the desert

you & Daddy building with Legos

freshly baked bread

your laughter at the wind

Remembering to notice reminds me that, yes, I'm being given just exactly what I need.

I am so grateful.

Love, Mama

This post was inspired by FridayLetters.com's question #151.