Small and Simple Things

I'm a bit emotional these days.  I'm feeling this way for a lot of reasons, and mostly they don't need to be talked about here.  But, suffice it to say....tears have been shed for the stresses of life, and also for the goodness of others.  We are BLESSED, so blessed in our life.

BUT, the real reason I wanted to write was for the joy that really small and simple things bring me. 

Simple things like:

Holly pressing the follow buttong and bringing me up to 97 followers. Yes Holly, that DID make me really happy.

A comment from a new and or unexpected reader.

Hearing Max say "Tank you mama" all on his own.  I get him something, or pick him up and he'll just say, in his super sweet, high pitched (or well, sometimes super low and growelly) voice..."Tanks" or "Tank you mama".  Something about the "Mama" just GETS to me.

Walking in the door from the gym and having Maggie or Max or both come RUNNING with pure glee screaming my name.

When announcing that dinner is ready...having Max yell at the top of his lungs. "MAGGGGGGGIEEEEE et's EAT!"  "Eat dinner!"

Or the fact that Max can NOT do anything without wanting to share with Maggie.  If he asks for a sucker, and I hand him one, he then says in a question tone "Maggie?" "Maggie want one." He ALWAYS wants to share with her.

Watching Max "fold" his arms for prayer.  It's this half held, fold thing and he tries so hard.  It's adorable.

A morning spent with my sister Dixie, just visiting and laughing.  That doesn't happen enough.

Do NOT hate me Dixie.  This was a silly shot from a game night in Greer.

Listening to Maggie tell me "secrets."

Having max say "I DO IT.  I DO IT!"  He's nearly 2 and has hit that stage where he's gonna do it all himself dangit.  Sometimes frustrating, but mostly, SO melts my heart.

Seeing Maggie walk around with her backpack for school, and how PROUD and excited she is to be the "older sister" and going to school.

Impromptu movie parties on a Friday night with our kids.

Tonight we decided to have an impromptu movie party with the kids.  I told them that we would have a special party, popping popcorn and watching a movie.  Maggie was so excited about this, and so was Max, though he didn't really get it.  I can not tell you how adorable it was, and how happy it made me to have Maggie snuggled up next to me, eating her popcorn and giggling at the movie.  Max did a pretty good job watching for awhile and throwing eating his popcorn.  We watched "Monsters Vs. Aliens"  which is ADORABLE!!!!  I laughed so many times at this movie.  At the end we were waiting to see who the voices were and Jere said the General was the same voice as in Toy Story.  Maggie threw her arms up in the air and in total glee said "TOY STORY...THAT'S MY FAVORITE."  So great.  Then, she promptly said, "I'm really tired, I'm going to bed."  Then as we were standing by her door my three year old says "I'm super WAY tired."  It all made my heart happy.

Surprise visits at 9:30 p.m. from our cute friends that are away at college and or traveling violin rockstars. So fun and unexpected. (we love you Lies'l and Taylor)

Just a random shot of Tay tay after his recital the other night.  Sorry, no pics of lovely Lies'l

Yep....sometimes it's the small and simple things that bring the greatest joy.

Thank goodness for all these things, so that the CRAP of life doesn't get you completely down.

Sweet babies and popcorn messes,

Allyson