Father's Day

I got up with the girls this morning. They really are a wonderful thing to wake up to on most days, and today was one of those days. On Father's Day last year, I was still in the fog of the first 6 months. This year, things are clearer and I've watched the girls grow from incredibly tiny little babies into walking, talking, climbing, running little children.

I am astounded at the speed at which the past 10 months have disappeared.

I am humbled by the gifts that my children have unknowingly given me.

I am grateful for the new perspective on living that has come with their presence.

Their wonder and laughter make me want to be like them.

My "adult" way of being is consistently assaulted by the powerful force of good that flows out of them.

And they crack me up.

Happy Father's Day to me. (and to Pops & Pappy)

Family Gathering

We drove down to New Ulm, Texas for the annual Carlisle Family Reunion (my family) this past weekend. We spent Friday and Saturday night and had a great time. A Friday night fish fry, swimming on Saturday, bingo, card games, and lots of other stuff filled the weekend with fun (mostly thanks to Mom, who organized the whole thing). The girls had a great time playing with cousins J and B and other relatives. They also had their first swimming experience. Aleah took to it well and was going under by the end, but Bella and Clara were a little more hesitant. Thanks to A for hanging out with us in the pool!

3-year-old cousin J made us laugh when knocked on a door and asked for a "Diet Coke with Splenda", and when he, holding his shoes in one hand and a package of Smarties in the other, in response to Amber's request to "have one" so she could "bite it in half and give it to the girls", said, "No, my shoes are too hard to bite in half." I've heard once they start talking they don't stop, but I'm looking forward to all the funny conversations we'll have with the girls.