Counting #151-165

151. watching Tinkerbell with Anna Claire
152. sipping margaritas with a dear friend
153. 31 Ways to Pray for your Children
154. a big move for my sister and her family
155. new asics

156. the first limelights of the season blooming
157. baby fingers wrapped around my pinky finger
158. 3 am feedings in the rocking chair
159. a safe flight for my niece who is attending school in Australia
160. walks with my sister

161. wisdom and advice about marriage, relationships and parenting from my sister
162. the numbers on the scale going down
163. love and laughter between aunts and cousins
164. Build-A-Bear workshop
165. Mike's ipod

It's too quiet in here...

When Molly was still sleeping in the bassinet in our room, Anna Claire was always very quick to check on her and make sure she was okay. One afternoon, it was very quiet. I went in to check on Molly, this is what I found....

Anna Claire had taken it upon herself to put one of the toys in the bassinet with Molly. While Anna Claire was proud of herself for taking care of her sister, Molly could have cared less that there was a doll on her face.

Our Little Firecrackers

We had a great 4th of July--every year our church puts on a fireworks show for the community and this year was the first time we were in town to be able to attend. It was also the first time that Anna Claire has been old enough to sit still and watch. We were a bit nervous because she doesn't like super loud noises, but once she realized the fireworks were colorful, she really enjoyed the show. Molly didn't seem to mind at all considering she fell asleep half way through it.

The countdown has begun for this coming weekend to get here. In the 12 years I have lived in Nashville, there has never been a time when my entire family has been here all at once. This weekend, my parents, my sister, her husband, my niece and nephews will make their way down here to spend the week.

My niece, Jessica, is headed to Australia for school and fortunately, for us, the less expensive flights were out of Nashville, so we are all gathering here to spend time together before she leaves.  I am beyond excited! Plus, Molly's "Papa" and cousins have yet to meet her, so she is just as excited.

who's who?

 Is it just us (you can be honest), or do these girls look alike?

Counting #136-150

136. rose bushes, a reminder of my grandmother
137. an encouraging and selfless husband
138. a visit from my mom
139. double strollers
140. late afternoon rainstorms

141. Mylicon drops for babies
142. a new phone that takes pictures
143. motivation to live a healthy lifestyle
144. Anna Claire singing along in the car to her worship CD's
145. a church family who provided meals for us for 2 weeks

146. Father's Day gifts and cards with scribbles instead of signatures
147. a day set aside to honor men and the role they play in their children's lives
148. books for all ages at McKay's
149. babies and toddlers who like to snuggle
150. my marriage

Counting #126-135

126. birth of Molly Christine on June 3, 2011
127. a (very) quick and easy delivery with nurses who cared
128. an anesthesiologist who knew what he was doing with my epidural
129. Mike's last day of school being Thursday; Molly was born on Friday
130. family and friends, phone calls and cards, meals and congratulations

131. a content newborn
132. big sisters, both mine and Molly's
133. a summer job for Mike

134. tricycles

135. clean bathrooms and a scrubbed floor throughout the house, courtesy of my husband

The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick

I requested to read The Daughter's Walk because I enjoy reading historical novels. The fact that this is a true story added to my interest. The author tells the story of a mother and daughter (Helga and Clara Estby) who journey across the United States by foot in order to receive enough money to save their family farm. After returning home to find things not as they left them, the daughter chooses to walk away from the family which leads to a 20 year separation from the people who she thought knew her best.

Jane Kirkpatrick weaves women, their fight for independence, and a story about a woman who is searching to find out for herself what her purpose in life really is throughout the book. This is a great book--one that includes fact and fiction and leaves the reader wanting to know more about the Estby family.

I received this book from Waterbrook Press as part of their Blogging for Books program.