Gifted

I may not be the fastest runner, the craftiest artist, the most talented singer.

I was not awarded "most intellectual" or "wittiest" in my high school senior superlatives.

I never won a blue ribbon in the science fair, or a trophy in the spelling bee.

But I am gifted.

Gifted with a precious blessing I never imagined would be so perfect.

Gifted with the joy that comes from holding his tiny hands

and feeling his soft curls every time I kiss his sweet face.

Gifted with the deep appreciation for my dear friend Perspective - I couldn't make it through this journey without her. She keeps me grounded...and at the same time sets me free.

It's a beautiful relationship.

Gifted with a never-fail-to-make-me-smile miracle little boy

who never ceases to amaze, inspire, enlighten, and encourage.

Gifted with the unique, amazing love a mother feels for her child...

and a special day to celebrate it.

Gifted with a husband who upon his wife's urging will take 100 pictures

...trying to get the perfect one...

...or even better - a few to make us laugh.

Gifted with a family who will look at his sweet face and feel the same swell of pride, joy, gratitude and awe that I do...so, so thankful he is ours. I can't believe he is ours.

And above all... gifted with the knowledge that all these gifts are given to us by the ultimate Giver...He is over it all...in everything we do...and responsible for everything I love.

My God has given me so much. And today...as we celebrate Motherhood...I lift my smiling heart to Him with the deepest, most sincere "thank you" I have ever felt.

And I know He hears it.

I may not be the fastest runner...but I certainly get a lot of practice.

I may not be the craftiest artist...but I am surrounded by beauty.

I may not be the most talented singer...but my life song sings of God's goodness.

I may not be a lot of things....

(the gift from my sweet boy...a pretty ring he picked out himself...and an oh-so-sweet tradition)

But one thing is certain...

I am gifted.

Easter Weekend

This weekend was a blur of activity. Easter baskets filled with colored grass and chocolate bunnies - toys and treats for the little guy. This basket from Nina and Papi needed to be opened right away in the hallway.

The contents of which were examined very thoroughly and carefully.

The favorite item...a musical card that sang "Here comes Peter Cottontail."

Yep. There is nothing, nothing, more hilarious than a card that sings.

Am I right?

And of course there is nothing more delicious than M&M's.

His favorite treat.

The pure, honest delight of "M&M face".

Second only to the musical card...was the wind up bunny that "pooped" jellybeans.

(*Sigh*) I have a 100% boy all right.

He picked up the bunny "poop" and popped it in his mouth without a second thought.

"Jelly-bean face"...not quite as blissful as "M&M face".

But that bunny was still something to behold.

He was still chewing that jellybean (about 10 minutes later. lol.) when we went to the kitchen to add some color to some rather plain eggs.

We brought out our "one-of-kind mug/bowl collection" uniquely perfect for such occasions and %100 replaceable. ;)

And Jet was just the baby for the job.

That is until he threw the eggs across the kitchen.

And then Jet was fired from eye-dying.

But he still got to play with some of the tiny stickers that came with the kit.

Until he started to eat those. And then he was done with stickers.

But he still got to play with some pretty dye.

And the eggs turned out just perfect. Cracks and all.

And speaking of perfection...

Have you every seen anything so perfectly adorable then this little guy in a tie?

Nope. Me neither. And I couldn't have been more excited about it. It was like a mini-Christmas for me - waiting for him to wear that tiny pastel tie.

I could hardly sleep.

And it was worth the wait.

On such occasions...family pictures are a given.

And you take as many as you can get because you never know when you're going to all be dressed up and ready to go again.

And when you can't quite get a smile. Attacking your little one always helps.

That and smiling as big as you yourself possibly can in the hopes that some of your enthusiasm will reflect off your more reserved little picture partner.

But sometimes...capturing a more natural moment is just as sweet.

And certainly as memorable.

The posing is often best left to the more experienced subjects.

And they are without a doubt easier to photograph.

Until you throw that little "wild-card" in there again. Then you just have to wing it. And who knows...you may just get one of your new favorite pictures. ;)

No matter the chaos, cracked eggs or crazy kiddo - we still finished the weekend thankful, happy, and blessed. In fact, as far as happiness goes - my basket runneth over.