Weekend Reading: November 11, 2011

sisters — our four girls watching the ducks at Disney

Sometimes I take these little people for granted. Sometimes I forget about their feelings and focus only on myself. Sometimes I royally screw up and snap or yell at them for no reason other than my own personal stress. I hate that to the core of my being, and I’m trying really hard to make changes, a little bit at a time — to treasure them for the individuals they are, to celebrate their strengths and to show them what it means to be humble and ask for forgiveness when you do mess up.

Our oldest has an amazing memory, and she never fails to amaze us with the details she remembers. She is a walking encyclopedia and spits out the most random factoids (like the time she gave me the complete history of opium!).

Our second daughter is an artist through and through. She spends hours creating every day, and some of her work is truly impressive. She’s kind and loving and is definitely the “mother hen” of our brood.

Our third daughter is as quirky as they come! She lives in her own little world, and we often have to repeat something 2-3 times just to be sure she actually hears us. She also has an incredible imagination and loves to be cuddled. When she needs me in the middle of the night, she tiptoes into our room and gently lays her hand on my arm.

And the baby…oh, the baby. We call her the tyrant, and she pretty much rules the roost. She is also hysterically funny and incredibly smart, and I’m enjoying watching her personality blossom now that she’s two!

I don’t say it enough, but I truly am blessed beyond measure!

Here are some of my favorite posts from this week. As always, check out what I’m reading to see the other posts that make me stop and think. You’ll find new posts all week long!