i love when i find surprises on my camera.  john took these shots and as i reviewed them this morning huge tears burst right out without warning.  the realization: my children are people, albeit tiny, they are their own people with huge futures unfolding before them. and they are growing up faster than i realize.

these moments RIGHT NOW are their childhood.  and while i have my own thoughts and needs and frustrations, it's my job to cultivate  THESE moments for them.  good things to store in their memory banks that they can call on when life weathers against them. the joy that they feel feeds me as well and it deserves to be captured so that they can call on and remember these moments with their siblings.

whenever we go out i still get asked if they're all mine and how close in age they are... but it's now followed by, "good for you!  you can tell how much they love one another."  i am one lucky mama.