Along the Way

I promised myself I'd slow down
because...

the colors in nature are too pretty to rush by every single day

the patterns on 'merica's freckle face are too cute to pass up

she really wanted to help push the wagon ALL the way UP the hill
she's only little once.

Here's Lookin at You, Kid

If I could only see the world through her eyes, I would imagine it's bright, colorful and full of unlimited potentials and possibilities. Sammy currently loves dogs (as established in the previous post), nature (small, smooth rocks that she can hold in her little hands are a must), swimming (polar bears, submarines and back floats) and people. And when I say people, I mean everybody. EV-RY-BU-DY. Whether she's interacting with the sales people at a store, the children playing by the water fountain or the customers waiting inside a restaurant, she really commands attention. Somewhere along the line, she picked a full-on Miss America, parade float, pageant queen wave. And she uses it on everybody. And the dancing. Well, that's new. Back & forth and back & forth to the music, but of course, never on command. I'm thankful for every moment I get to spend with her because we sure have a lot to learn from each other.

Chasing the Afternoon Light

Sammy and I wandered outside to look for the "lost" brown dogs this afternoon. Although raining this morning, the afternoon light was peaking through the clouds and the ground was fresh with "winter" rain and the temperature was just right to do a little exploring so we grabbed the camera and headed out. After hearing coyote howls in the distance and not knowing whether they were coming or going, we stopped under the tree on the way to the pond. And I set Sammy down on the unstable ground and I waited. And I watched. And I clicked. I love seeing the world through her eyes. As though everything is new. Every stick "needs" to be picked up and every rock really "should" be examined up close. And we called, "Ronald. Dog, dog!" because, quite honestly, those are the only two words she actually uses with reference and with force. And as we watched our afternoon light get lost behind the clouds those pesky brown dogs appeared. Frisky and browner than usual and dripping with pond water

Out and About Exploring the Ranch

Never under estimate what your child can do

Someone fell asleep on the job

My heart just about burst wide open when I saw this

A Precious Little Creation

I love this girl a little more every day. Each day I watch her develop I am amazed at God's handiwork.

¹³ For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

I am so thankful to God for entrusting Sean and I with this precious little life. I pray every day that she would live a life that would be pleasing to Him.

And speaking of handiwork, the adorable dress she is wearing was sewn by my wonderful mother. We tag-teamed to create a few beautiful pieces for her. I did the fun part - picking out patterns and fabrics, and left my mom to the tough part. I think the results are just perfect.

Sometimes, it's the smallest things...

...that make me happy.







Sammy snuggled safely in a cozy spot while we travel out and about on the ranch.

Our first "winter" at the ranch...

...feels more like summer. With sun-kissed skin, I work to capture the feeling the light at the ranch evokes in me.

Down by the Pond - Part II

We spotted this elusive fox while playing with the puppies down by the pond yesterday. He appeared to be having a good time in the water.

Down by the Pond

Papa dog decided to take his puppies down to his favorite spot on the ranch - down by the pond. These puppies grow a little more every day and it is fantastic to be able to watch them grow into their gangly little legs as they run, jump and play with each other and the big dogs.