That was fast...

I'm somehow still feeling as if it should be the middle of 2013, not the end.  This year has passed faster than any other.  I often find myself reaching for life's pause button.  Pause so I can hear tiny feet running down the hall, pause so I can hear giggles - the giggle that only children can express, pause their messy little faces and silly wonderings.  Pause this phase of our children's life, this phase of sweet emotions and innocence.  I may be in the best stage of motherhood yet.  Sadly, there is no pause button though, and each year goes faster than the one before.  And there are no more new babies to start the cycle all over again. Only movement forward, movement away from the mindset I've taken great comfort in for ten years.  And so I reach to pause!

And then to rewind... to revisit the months that have, without permission, escaped me.

2013... 

First  time  trying macarons                                     

   Monster Truck Jam - loved it!!

                                                  Cheer Season #2 - still addicted!                                                     

          Year of the pancake!    

You name it, we probably made it!

Can you hear the giggle??  The one I love!

Reef caught his first fish - yummy!             

Still gives me flowers all the time!

                            Got a big boy hair cut!                                3D movie - The Smurfs                   

Still loves her thumb and twirlin' hair 

Adorable!

                     Daddy daughter dance... and he even                      Chopped it all off!

                      came to the door to pick up his dates.

  

Love these girls!!

P * A * U * S * E !!!!!

December

... here we are, although uninvited.

Each year as my birthday approaches I like to reflect and "check in" to make sure I'm making the most out of the true gift of life itself.  I am determined to figure out how to get enough out of each day so I can accept that four little people are moving quickly forward and pausing is not an option.  I can not let this precious time escape without inhaling each moment!