Song, Sunshine, and Stories: Precious Moments of 2018

All of life is filled with moments to be remembered, be they joyful, precious, or painful. It is officially the year 2019 by the Roman calendar in the Western hemisphere, and the year's beginning has always been a time of reflection, meditation, and resolve for me. I used to read through my old journals on the new year, but I don't do that anymore. The Present is so much more beautiful to me than the Past that I love to savor every minute of the deliciousness of my current life. Even when I'm coughing my lungs up from a horrible cold that me and the girls are suffering through. The three of us have huddled together on the living room sofa for a few days now, trying to fight off the Beast. We're mending slowly, and getting lots of cuddles and extra TV time in meanwhile.

Exactly four years ago I was on cloud nine, dizzy with excitement for my wedding to the man of my dreams in a week. It was such a special point in time for my 26 year old self, and our romance was both a whirlwind and a dream. Four years later I love him more than ever, and our New Year celebration was wonderful. I feel so blessed, humbled and grateful to be able to experience this kind of love! The man worked like a machine, non stop for a week getting our house ready for inspection while his wife lay dead on the sofa, and he had to take care of her too. I did help hang drywall and paint before this cold knocked me flat. But he and Uncle Glayde did most of the work, and THE HOUSE PASSED INSPECTION!!! Finally. I was beginning to think it never would! And even though it was a rush job the paint and molding sure makes it nice and homey in here.

As I said, precious moments fill my life. Today, Bella and I watched the movie "Leap!" together. It's about a little orphan girl who dreams of being a ballet dancer, and works hard to make that dream come true. Bella cuddled up next to me watched wide eyed, and at the grand finale I asked her "Honey would you like to dance like that?"
Her response was classically feminine: "But Mommy, I don't have a dress!"

Both girls play piano and sing, and the cacophony of sound is pleasing to their parents and to the angels, though it would never win prizes anywhere else. If you surprise Lizzy, she grins and plays louder. If you surprise Bella at the keys she turns shy and stops. I love their different personalities so much! Bella is all about finding solutions to problems. Lizzy is all about cozying up to someone else so they'll solve her problems for her--mainly her older sister. Their responses to everything is so different! Yesterday I had a black charcoal face mask on. Lizzy pointed her little finger and laughed at me, an adorable giggle as if to say "mommy you're so funny!" Bella sternly looked at me and said "Mommy your face is dirty, go wash it!"

My head hurts and my baby insists on sitting in my lap. Adieu for the present. Hurrah for 2019!