I'm Blessed

So, it is once again Monday and time to...I was going to say it's time to be thankful, but that certainly is not something that should be limited to once a week. :)  I am joining my friend Gretchen and others in counting and sharing our blessings.  All last week, I found myself thinking about what I would share this week, and the thing that I kept coming back to was this: four smiling faces.

Emma is always ready with a beautiful smile (along with a kiss on the cheek or forehead).  I do think she is truly beautiful on the outside, but her sweet, loving, helpful spirit makes her a true, shining beauty.  

Having just lost one of his front teeth, Timothy was a little shy about giving me a "real" smile.  (Although, he is not really all that into having his picture taken in general.  I think he is probably a little too cool for that, but he does cooperate anyway.)  :)  I think he is still pretty handsome, and his love and concern for others shines through.

Then there is Abby (aka "Beezus").  She has the best smile!  (This is not her real smile, of course.  This is her being her cheesy little self.)

This is a little closer to her real smile, although not quite.  I wish I could have caught her real, genuine smile.  She just bubbles over with joy and you can't help but smile back.  She is definitely our little entertainer and quite the social butterfly.  She also loves to snuggle, which makes any mom's day. :)

Then there is Michael.  He is almost four months old now.  I truly cannot believe how fast the time flies.  Everyone always tells you how fast time goes when you have kids, and you never quite believe it.  Even after three others, it just amazes me how short of a time they are little babies.  He also has a terrific smile.  I just love those first, sweet gummy baby smiles.  It just melts my heart.  What, you might ask, makes this little one smile?  

 

Oddly enough, it's this light fixture that hangs over the couch in the above picture.  Every time I lay him on the couch, he looks up at this light and smiles and giggles like it is the funniest thing he has ever seen.  (In his little baby world, it probably is.)  :)  And that makes me smile and giggle every time.  

I am so very blessed to be able to be home with these sweet, precious smiling faces every day, and I am doing my very best to take advantage of every smiling moment.