Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Ice Cold Milk and an Oreo Cookie!

Someone asked me the other day what the favorite age of my kids has been. So, I thought about it...

0 - 3 months: still blown away with the miracle of life.
3 - 6 months: rocking at night when their little breath meets your cheek.
6 - 9 months: smiles are turning to chuckles which are turning to laughs.
9 mo - 1 yr: rolling is turning to crawling which is turning to walking.
year 1: personality is developing, new words, new looks, new loves.
year 2 - 3: crazy about mom and dad "watch this!"
year 4 - 5: like a sponge soaking in everything.
year 6 - 7: they're turning into little people.

How do you choose a favorite from a list like that? It's like looking at a dessert menu and choosing your favorite. The problem is each plate brings something unique and fantastic to the ole' palet. Devils food chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles on top? That's what I'm talking about. Strawberry shortcake with ice cream?... Pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving with a quart of cool whip?... Hot blackberry cobbler with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream?... Turtle brownies a la mode?... Blueberry cheesecake?... Nestle chocolate chip cookies (with nuts) straight out of the oven with a glass of milk in a frozen glass?

The best dessert is the one that is sitting in front of you. So it is with your kids.

Without getting too gushy as a softy, I think each day (at least every other day) brings it's own set of unique, unbelievable moments that you can store in the memory bank as a priceless deposit. I'm not saying everyday is perfect, for there are times I understand the concept of animals eating their young; but, seriously how cool is it that we have been entrusted to raise, care for, train, love, discipline, shape these little mini-people for a few years. I guess that's why they're all favorite.





Wednesday, October 10, 2007

How Time is Flilying


If you blur through these without paying much attention you will think to yourself, "Self, all of these pictures look the same." But, if you'll take the time to really study each individual picture you will find that they capture a unique special moment in the life of Lily. Each expression, each toothless grin, each eye twinkle all communicate in their own unique way... "OU beat Texas!!!"

Life continues to roll along smoothly at the Stockstill household. The boys are doing really well in soccer, Shauna is up teaching aerobics at 5:00am everyday, I am on the downhill slope of school, and Lily is ruling the roost with authority. It's amazing how a 6 month old girl can make two boys (4 and 7) cater to her every whim, not to mention the control she has over a 34 year old woman and a 35 year old man. I don't know that I would call her strong-willed at this point, I think I'd just call her a ... girl!