Beauty, it is all around.

Our Lyla is quite the artist...

The other afternoon her and Landon were drawing with chalk on the patio

I looked at what Lyla had drawn, it was a whole portrait of our family!

it was perfect, and each person was different from the other for various reasons!

I adored my big happy smile (with teeth) she created

and Landon was looking cute as ever in his blue bear onesie from Alaska, care of Dana

Lyla drew us all holding hands (er um, feet) and wanted me to draw some hearts around us.

this little girl amazes me.

she then got on her bike and rode around like a little pro! She always had a difficult time keeping the pedals going non stop in a forward motion, until that day! It is always wonderful when children do something for the first time--and you get to experience their pride firsthand.  I wish I could share the video with you all! (Ps, I look at this above photo and think she looks more grown up, so hey maybe she had grown! She sure proved to me that she was a bigger girl, with her bike riding and drawing, then the day before!)

then with all the happiness I was feeling, I looked up.

and of course, I showed Chris and Landon

Landon wanted to get on Daddy's shoulders...

just to get a better look.

the sky was beautiful,

filled with fluffy white polka-dots!

I could not get enough.

I think one of the best, most lovely, things about the desert is our skies.

some days are just special because of the simple things. I love those days.

Happy Monday Friends.

4th Annual Valentines Trip to the Rail Road Park

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

beautiful baby boy

With his "Coke"

riding the carousel with Daddy

sweet Lyla

waiting in line for the train!

Love this one of me and my girl

and I love that sweet pouty face

always kisses for Butters. always.

On the "Choo Choo!"

We had a lovely time at the Rail Road park, with weather that could not have been more beautiful.

 I love my little family so much. We win. :)

a letter to Lyla...

Dearest Lyla,

When did you get so big?

God knew what he was doing when he gave me a little girl.

You are all girl.

Ruffles, pink, lace, tutu's, bows, and sparkles! 

And I love every part of it.

I think about you and Landon a lot. 

Granted I am with you everyday, but even when are fast asleep my mind revolves around you two.

Lately I have thought a lot about you Lyla.

I think about you growing up into a confidant, well adjusted, happy woman--

and it all gets a little scary for me.

I worry more for you than I do for Landon.

I worry about you loving yourself, 

I worry about you knowing that you possess inner beauty and that that beauty is always the most important thing.

I worry about the society we live in, and that it is not good for your fragile-ever shaping--self esteem.

I worry about myself and if I am doing the best job raising a little lady.

I worry about what I say and how I say it--making sure I carefully navigate around the external look topics. It is important Lyla for you to know that you are beautiful--but it is also important for you to know that beauty is not everything.

I worry about outside influences.

I worry about you one day, not too long from now, loving a boy and having your heart broken.

I worry about your heart being tugged back and forth, back and forth.

Because that hurts. 

 I worry about you never feeling good enough, pretty enough, and intelligent enough. 

I worry that there will come a time when what I think doesn't matter to you...

and I worry that in a world of unattainable perfection , you will always feel like you are fighting an uphill battle.

Lyla you are my lovely baby girl and I want so badly to protect you from the outside world, 

and even from yourself.

And from the negative internal dialogue you will surely one day have.

I hate that as your mother I will not be able to do that.

I hate that as your mother I have to set you free...

I can only pray that what we talk about, pay attention to, and teach you now, 

will inevitably be enough later.

That all the, "you are perfect the way you are's"

the, "You are smart Lyla's,"

the "God made you just how you are meant to be" 

will echo in your mind long after you flee our safe nest of home.

I pray that people treat you well 

and that you always strive to be your best.

Most importantly, I pray that you stay true to yourself.

Lyla, if you can always be your best you...than you are well beyond most!

I know you are young,

and I know that this may all go right over your head today 

but time moves so fast--

and one day you will understand.

I wish you happiness.

I wish you joy.

I wish you peace with yourself.

I wish you trust in the Lord,

and that you may feel how lovely you are through his never-ending love.

I wish you a yearning spirit and a thirst for knowledge.

May you never forget how precious you are.

May you remember that your momma thinks you are perfect,

and may that always be enough.

I am proud of you today, at 3 years 9 months old...

I can only imagine what lies ahead.

Always stay true to yourself Lyla,

and may all else fall perfectly into place...

All my love always,

Your Mama

picture taken by heather. I adore it.