Little Moments

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.

-Jean Baptiste Massieu,translated from French

The days are flying by. I look around and where there used to be a squishy itty bitty Cricket, I now see a tiny person with a big personality. A little girl who drops something and says, “Uh-oh”,one who gives pucker-faced kisses endlessly and lays socks on her feet because she knows socks that’s where they go. I asked her this morning to put her bear in the chair and she picked up her huge teddy bear (bigger than her) and plopped him in the chair like she’d been doing it her whole life. I was so proud of little Cricket baby! Proud and in awe of this little person who is becoming more independent each day. With age comes understanding. She may not snuggle as often, but when she does it is much more deliberate and affectionate. It melts my heart and confirms that every ounce of effort and thought the Mister and I put into our little one is worth it ten times over.

As fast as the days go, I want to capture the little moments. The moments that are gone in an instant but always imprinted on my heart. I want to remember the little joys forever and the struggles only long enough to be grateful.  The days are sometimes hard and long, but they all wipe away when I look at these two. My loves, my life. I thank God each and everyday for the blessings of Mr. Schalk and Cricket. I do not take lightly these gifts I have been given. I have a job I enjoy, a family I adore and a God who hears every longing in my heart and every whisper of thanks.