these are the moments.

{exhale}.

bella is in bed. the house is quiet.

it's been a long day. actually, a long weekend. nick has been sick so it's been mama and bel most of the weekend. which, i *always* look forward to weekends with my sweet girl. but this weekend it was rainy. alllll weekend. so we couldn't walk. we couldn't go to the park. we couldn't go outside.

my pumpkin was cranky (another molar coming in), napping for only an hour (when she has spoiled me with at least one three hour nap since she was born), and into everything.

and i mean everything.

standing on her rocking horse, trying to get china out of the hutch, pushing our dining room chairs across the floor, emptying her toy baskets and book chest alllll over the living room floor. i *love* her fun and active spirit. we are just in a stage of trying to teach her boundaries and being consistent in our discipline so that she will learn obedience.

which usually results in us praying for patience.

tonight i was just so tired. she threw her spaghetti on the floor, and only ate her applesauce for dinner. she asked for more applesauce, and when i got her another helping, she refused to eat it. and there went more spaghetti over the edge of the high chair. and there went her sippy cup flying to the floor as well. aaaaaand finally, there went mama's patience. after cleaning up, i sat with her on the couch and we read books and i started singing songs to her. she looooves singing songs. after we finished up with "itsy bitsy spider", she came out with this:

how much do i love that sweet little voice?! we've been singing our abc's a lot lately... and watching lots of sesame street videos that are about the alphabet. she has been walking around the house saying "abc, abc" but this was the first time she sang it on her own.

i know i'm biased, but how adorable.

i know it may sound silly, but it was just the little pick-me-up that i needed after a long weekend. being a mama is the hardest job i have ever had... but by far the most rewarding thing i have ever done (that and being a wife to my nick). and these little moments remind me of that. after reading our usual bedtime stories, i took her into the bathroom to brush her teeth. i brushed them for a bit and then handed her the toothbrush like i always do; she is obsessed with brushing them these days, and likes to do it by herself. her tiny little fingers took it from mine, she swung her arm around my neck and pulled me in close for a hug.

my cup runneth over.

i love these little moments. these are all the simple things that make my life so full. good talks with my husband, sharing our hearts with one another. time in my kitchen baking and cooking food to share with my family. the sound of falling rain. bella's unprompted kisses. sitting on the couch with nick, holding hands as we watch bella play. the smell of homemade applesauce simmering on the stove. hearing bella say "mama, mama!" when she wakes up, and seeing her face light up when i go in to lift her from her crib.

these are the moments that reflect why i feel so truly blessed. even when life is crazy. even when i feel impatient. even when i feel exhausted. god is good, i am reminded of that in new ways every single day.

"every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

james 1:17

thank you, jesus, for being so patient and loving with me... even when i don't listen, even when i disobey. help me to do the same with my daughter. and to treasure these days.