The Blissful Pair

What a delight it was to share my day with our little ones! Fall is still a week or two away, but the joy that a new season brings now surrounds us. The air is a bit cooler, the patio is lightly covered in a smattering of green and gold leaves, and the appeal of jeans, which we haven't worn in some time, is undeniable. A day at home just seeemed to be calling to us.

I share this in part because I want to remember the sweetness of this day, and also because I want to share it with our girls some day, and perhaps, while every day is special in its own way, the simple delights of today were just that: quite simple. Our oldest enjoyed "writing" notes to Mommy on pages from her Dora coloring book, carefully cut out with scissors. And then again, as this is one of her favorite activities, she enjoyed cutting out remnants of an empty sticker sheet for a birthday card for Daddy (though is birthday was really in March, but it was still special to her). We played a make-believe game of "Dackledoo," which, if you might be interested, would have to ask our three-year-old for its exact definition. But I will say that this included spinning around in the kitchen with a canvas cooler trailing after her. And should it be a concern, she carefully and lovingly moved her little sister, who was sitting in her Bumbo, far enough away so as not to hurt her. Nevertheless, despite her attempts, she did "hurt" herself, which, I might add, is another of her favorite activities (just for fun, of course--no real injuries). Nevertheless, one of our stuffed dog's jackets was borrowed to use as a splint. This splint later accompanied us to the local grocery store, where we made a quick stop to pick up a few items to make chili. Today marked the first of our many pots of chili this season, Lord willing, and how delightful it was.

While our chili cooked, we stepped outside for a few minutes, only to see that a beautiful vine of Morning Glory had crept up a small tree. What a joy that was to see our oldest amongst the leaves, plucking off the flowers for our hair. And how sweet to share a "first" with our youngest. The sharing of a flower, the softness of the petals, and the fragrance that is often present, seem to be as sweet as unwrapping a lovely gift when shared with her. Perhaps God's beautiful flowers were among His finest creations here on earth.

May I always remember to thank Him for the sweetness of days such as today.