Good Golly, I love these girls...

I worked at our family farm stand today from 1 pm - 6 pm - and I didn't fix dinner before I left.  So... when I got home a little after 6, I quickly tried to whip up something.  I thought veggie burgers, sweet potato fries (thanks, Deanna!), a wedge salad and apple slices sounded perfect and easy.  I got everything in the oven and on the stove - and as you can relate - right as everything was rolling - something blew up and Ian needed a bath - upstairs.  The oven was still burning and the timer started going off.  Food needed attention.

Sophie ran upstairs and told me that she got the fries out of the oven and flipped the burgers.

I was so proud and grateful.

By the time I got downstairs - with a clean Ian - Halle was setting the table and Sophie was taking out the recycling.  The oven was off, the burners were off and things were stable and good.  I did not ask them to do any of this (Josh, did you?!)

They knew I needed help, and they just did it.

They were so proud and took great ownership in what they were doing.

They knew they were blessing me - it was so precious.

When we sat down to eat - the table was set in the most imperfect and beautiful way.  The girls were in wonderful moods - because they prepared so much of the meal and table themselves.  I sat down to eat, looked around at everyone and was in a wonderful place - because I was so grateful and proud of my girls.

Sophie and Halle - you are 8 and 6.  

You are beautiful and strong and so stinkin' amazing!!  

I'm so grateful for each of you.  :)

I love you both so much.

:: This post is mostly for me - as I celebrate glimpses of growth nestled into the daily - noise, trouble and hard work - trials of raising responsible children. :) Being a mother is hard - but when I pause and capture the beauty and growth, I am filled up. There is so much beauty around us - slow down, relax and capture it.