Marriage is more than just a promise to be with someone.

Photo: SuperSizeMe

It is the moment-to-moment re-commitment to do what is best for both of you even if you don’t like what needs to be done because you love the other person and are willing to work to have the best relationship possible.

It is such a blessing to watch your child become engrossed in something that they love!  To watch him blossom while playing with other children and stretching himself to be the best that he can be is such a wonder.

Photo: Adriano Zanni

Our oldest son played in his first soccer game today.  It is amazing to me how much ds has grown in the short two weeks of practice.   Of course, he has a better understanding of the rules of the game.  And, yes, he now has better control of the ball.  However, his astounding growth has been in the manner in which he is interacting with the other kids and his ability to focus on the game than just messing around.  We aren’t concern with his level of play as much as him truly enjoying playing soccer and interacting well with the other kids (not just walking around hugging and tickling them – lol!).

This morning was quite magical.  The pure joy of playing a sport that he loved was radiating from him.  To see him growing up while still being little was wonderful.  There is nothing more heart-warming than to watch your little one play so intently while loving every moment of it!  Today was a blessing to all of us!

I just gave my 4-1/2 yo a hug.  The cool part?  He kind of laughed and sweetly said, “I love you, too!” as he bopped away with a smile.

Nothing could be better!

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Celebrate the finer things in your life at Finer Things Friday.

Today, more than 12 million children in the United States do not know when their next meal will come.  Unfortunately, this number continues to rise as these difficult economic times times are leaving more and more people jobless, without homes, and unable to provide food for their families.  What can you do?

1. Sign-up to host a bake sale: http://www.GreatAmericanBakeSale.org/vgabs
2. Buy the virtual Great American Bake Sale eBook: http://StolenMomentsCooking.com/virtual-gabs
3. Post a ChipIn widget or banner on your blog: http://www.GreatAmericanBakeSale.org/bloggers

Make a difference in a child’s life by signing up and purchasing a virtual cookbook today! 100% of the proceeds from this eBook will benefit Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale, which is a national effort that encourages Americans to host bake sales in their communities to help end childhood hunger.  Funds raised support summer and after-school feeding programs in your community that thousands of kids depend on.

Once you have purchased your virtual Great American Bake Sale cookbook, double your impact and use the recipes to host your own Great American Bake Sale! Hosting a Bake Sale is a fun and easy way to make a big impact!  To register your Bake Sale or for more information, please visit http://GreatAmericanBakeSale.org

For the past two weeks, our family has been blessed by the addition of small toddler to our family as I was watching a friend’s little one.  Our little visitor is only 15 months old and is a delight!  He has helped our family to grow.

• I have learned that if I get up earlier in the morning, I am able to accomplish so much more! I also was reminded that arising anytime before 7 AM is not good for my body.  (He arrives just before seven o’clock in the morning.  Unfortunately, I haven’t been very good at getting out of bed to my alarm instead awaking to the sound of the doorbell when he arrives with his mom bright and early in the morning.)  However, I will continue to get up around 7 AM – just not much earlier than that.  (I am a night person and would much prefer staying up at night and sleeping late in the morning.)

• Our boys’ ability to share has been stretched. They have found sharing their toys much easier than sharing their mommy.

• Because of the very limited time that I have to accomplish certain tasks without a tiny one in tow, I have become much better about not procrastinating and getting my chores done early.  This has also helped my mood as I don’t feel the stress of the tasks I have waiting for me to complete.

• We have been reminded of the amount of freedom that we have as a family as our almost-preschooler only takes an afternoon nap – instead of two naps daily  – which really makes scheduling errands and activities so much easier!  He even skips his nap frequently allowing us complete scheduling freedom.

We have enjoyed his weekday visits.  I hope he has learn as many positive things from us as we have from him!

Join Amy at The Finer Things in Life celebrating Finer Things Friday!

My older son (5 yo) pulling out a reader to read aloud to me in order to receive “extra” books being read to him by me in the morning.

The hugs and kisses of my little boys.

The gentle comfort of a friend reminding me that we are not alone in our walk – that others have gone before us and can help us find our way.

The knowledge that tomorrow is my day to sleep in (DH gets up with the kids on Saturday mornings).The comfort of a cat curled up in my lap purring.

My little ones sitting in my lap while listening to me read them a book.

My little ones wanting to continue reading because they truly enjoy it. I love the fact that they enjoy reading/being read to!

These are the Finer Things in my life this Friday.