Family Walk

Lately we have been taking a family walk every evening. We head out right before dinner or just after for a walk around the neighborhood. Rick and I thought it would be a great way to get a little fresh air, exercise and spend some time together. Tonight we took our walk before dinner with some prodding from Ricks. As usual, Maggie and Rick walked ahead while Ricks and I plodded behind.

I have been trying to stop and take notice of all the blessings in my life during the past week or so. It is so easy to get stuck in the negative, stress and fear. I don't want, nor can afford, to sit in that junk. One of the tools I have been using is the power of positive thinking and gratitude. I looked around at my family and felt the love and gratefulness rise up. We may have hit a bumpy spot but we are in it together. I am one of the luckiest women in the world!

As I observed everyone I noticed how much of my kids' personalities were shining just in this walk. Maggie was running ahead of us, stopping to yell back her latest find or telling us to hurry up. She would race back to give us a flower or freeze her body when we asked her to stop. Every once and a while Maggie would come back to hold hands with Rick and ask him a question or how something work. She is my independent, curious spark plug. Always moving and talking and learning her way through life. There is not a lot of clinging to us but she always comes back to check in.

Now her little brother is definitely a different story. Ricks rarely lets go of my finger. He walks along happily, singing and talking. He stops here and there to lean down and touch the grass or flower. In a rare moment he might let go and race to catch up to Maggie. Most of the time he holds on to my finger as tight as he cans as he smiles and sings his way through the walk. Ricks in a nutshell - happy and content. He is a Mama's Boy who doesn't care to wander to far from me. Even with that he is curious and joyful in his experiences. Finally, he does have that small dose of sibling rivalry and is pushed to keep up with is bigger and faster sister. Mainly, he just like to keep close and celebrate life.

I thank God that I have such different children. Maggie amazes me everyday and Ricks brings such joy. Today I was talking to Maggie about her goldfish because it looked like one might not make it. Her response, "Mom it is okay because they are goldfish and things like that just happen. We can get another Kate if we need" WOW! How can a 4 year old be so wise? And that gorgeous Little Man? He just loves his Mama. Okay so he can be mischievous and Dr. Destructo but he is so darn adorable. When he kisses me at the end of time outs, my heart melts.

As you can see I am pretty taken with my two angels. God has given me these amazing people to love and raise. It has been a crazy couple of weeks and I just wanted a post to remember how wonderful they are!!!!