The Sprinkler

I remember running through the sprinkler when I was a little girl. My dad would put it in the middle of the front yard and I would run in and out of those high arches of sprinkles! Up and over the water would go; the pattern never changing. Somehow, I always found new ways to run over, under, and through the predictable spray.

Even as I've gotten older, I still feel a sense of excitement when I'm walking down a sidewalk and see that somewhere in the distance a yard is being watered by my favorite sign of summer: a sprinkler. I never ever avoid the water. Instead, I walk right through the part that will get me the most wet! There's just something about a sprinkler!

Today, we had our own sprinkler party. Our new wild and crazy sprinkler isn't quite the old fashion sprinkler from my childhood, but the fun it produces is the same! Rick and I took turns running with Gabriella through the water. After each round we'd say, "Do you want to do it again?" and she would respond, "Peeease."

When I listen closely, I can still hear our laughter as we took turns running through the sprinkler and...

I hear God.

I hope you get the chance to run through a sprinkler this summer,

Mary

Bubbles

I see God in the expression on a little girl's face as she eagerly awaits yet another new experience in life...

bubbles

Love,
Mary

One Little Dandelion

This morning, Rick and I took GG on a photo shoot to Keeneland. I love Keeneland after the Spring Meet. It's quiet, peaceful...simply beautiful! As I was looking through the morning's photos, I kept going back to the 2nd picture. After looking closely, I realized what it was.

In the bottom right corner is a single, lonely dandelion; a weed, as some people might call it. Something about that flower (or weed, I know) just adds so much to the photo. I think it looks like it was put there for the sole purpose of picking. "Hey, GG! Come pick me," it pleads. haha :)

Who would have thought you could find beauty in a weed?! Guess all I needed to do was see it from a different perspective.

In all the things in our lives that, on the surface, look like weeds...I see God.

Love,

Mary

The Notebook

Rick and I have started a notebook of "Love Notes" to each other. I found this journal and thought it would be something fun to start. We don't tell the other when we've left a note, so we just keeping checking for a surprise! Today, I checked and SURPRISE! I saw that familiar handwriting...the slant, the curves, the dots of the i's.

There are very few things we can count on to stay the same. I guess handwriting is one thing that never changes. Rick's hasn't. Since we met so many years ago in college, he's always had the same handwriting. Seems like everything else has changed since those crazy days, though! The real world has a way of doing that, switching things up on you right when you get comfortable. I like it, keeps me on my toes!

As I think about it, there is another thing that hasn't changed...

The giddy feeling of excitement I get when Rick comes through the door... You know how a puppy runs for his owner when he hears the jiggle of the door handle. I'm the exact same way! I know it's a silly comparison, but I get so excited to see my husband when he gets home! I hope it's always that way; that we never take seeing each other for granted.

I see God in the daily scribbles of love between a husband and wife.

Love,

Mary

A Belly Button? For Real?!

In a recent post, I wrote how this blog has helped me look for God in new places. Boy, has it! As I was playing with GG in her room, I never thought I'd see Him where I did! GG's belly button?!

I snapped this picture and as I looked at it, it reminded me of every little thing that I love about her.

Little toes, little nose, little fingers, little ears, little teeth, and yes, a little, itty bitty belly button! I won't turn around twice and all the things that are itty bitty won't be so itty bitty anymore! We'll be making way for bigger things like cars and college tuitions! Ha! There's a time for everything. Right now, I'm reveling in the itty bitty!

I see God in the itty bitty reminders that we have all been uniquely made.

Crafted.

Designed.

Love,

Mary

I Don't Know...Do You?

I caught this pose the other night while we were outside playing. I had asked GG a question and she threw her hands up as if to say, "I dunno!"

There's just something about this picture that I can totally relate to on this Mother's Day! What a ride motherhood is! I'm unsure, second guessing myself, always wondering if what we're doing will turn GG into the woman we hope she will be one day.

So, all that to say: GG woke up sick this morning. Wah! Looks like whatever she had Wednesday is back. Earlier, Rick went to run some Mother's Day errands and GG and I just laid in the bed together, snuggling, spending quiet time together. For all of the things I don't know when it comes to motherhood, there is one thing I do know: NOTHING is more precious than time spent together. Think about all the things that can distract you from your most prized possession: work, money, TV, etc. I want to spend the hours of my day cherishing my time with my child (and Rick, of course!) and making memories that will long outlast anything else. I'm thankful God has given me that insight.

I see God in the "I dunnos" of motherhood, but I also see Him so much more in the one thing I do. Happy Happy Mother's Day,

Mary

A Little Watering Can

GG learned how to use her new watering can tonight! It was so much fun watching her go from flower to flower, tipping the can up to see the water pour out. As you can see in the 3rd pic, she enjoyed watering so much that she kept going even when she was out of water! What a perfect Friday night! The funny thing is, Rick and I were seriously considering going to the Barnstable Brown Party this year. You only live once and we were ready to fork over the cash for an unforgettable evening! To think that if we'd gone to that party tonight, we wouldn't have experienced this special night with our daughter! In all its simplicity, this was unforgettable!

I hear God in the sprinkling of water from a little girl's watering can; a sound that trumps the glitz and glamour of any fancy party.

Love,

Mary

You Stole My Heart And Made It Your Own

Jack Johnson sings a song, "My Little Girl." I was reminded of the lyrics last night, "My little girl. You stole my heart and made it your own. You stole my heart and made it your own," when my team teacher and her hubby had a party to reveal the gender of their first child. Surprise! It's a GIRL!

I remember the joy I had when Rick and I found out we were expecting a girl. It wasn't the gender that mattered. It was the idea that the life we had created had a new identity. Baby Maldonado was not just a baby, but Gabriella Grace; a little girl. A precious little girl who has stolen our hearts and made them her own.

I see God in the hearts little Miss Harper Alan will steal from her parents and keep forever...until the end of time. Megan and Brian will be forever changed by their little girl.

Harper.

Congratulations Megan and Brian,

Mary