My Amazing Family

Now that the girls are getting older and their personalities are developing; and now that I've been with Jason for more than 10 years, I'm looking at my family and realizing what I have.

Jason is my best friend. We're married, so we have the typical "married couple" issues: The family budget, the constant question of "are we making the right choices for our family," the lack of intimacy due to the business of everyday life, etc....it all comes into play on a daily basis. HOWEVER, we are a very good team and we don't have a problem saying "I'm so sorry" when needed. We have two very important things in common. #1, we love each other, and #2, we love our kids. What more do we need?

Evelyn is my typical first-born child. She is very shy, very sweet, very beautiful and very intelligent. Even at this early age of four, I can tell she struggles with how to interact with people, how to deal with school, how to succeed at gymnastics, etc. She's a worrier, just like her momma. When she's corrected for anything, she is crushed. When she succeeds at something and we praise her, she blows it off and instead, focuses on the negative. I worry about her because she's just like me. I want her to be self-confident and I never want her to feel insecure ... because she has no reason to feel that way. I'm too hard on her (again, because I see her turning into ME), and maybe that's why she acts the way she does. When no one's looking, she's incredible. She sings, dances, talks up a storm, asks poinient questions, is good to her sister...she just shines! She is amazing, but I feel I'm hindering her because of my own insecurities.

Evelyn has a very subtle, gentle, beautiful aura about her that makes people (especially me and daddy) fall in love with her. I sometimes forget how intelligent she is and I forget to talk to her in a logical manner instead of a "baby-ish" manner. She appreciates truth and logic and she's going to be totally pissed when she figures out that Santa doesn't exist. She's just that kind of kid.

Reagan: There is a line from the movie "Spanglish" regarding the main character's young daughter. "She will be fine. Nothing will ever crush that spirit." THAT is Reagan. She has that "something" that makes her special. However; for the first two years of her life, I literally questioned myself about my decision to have another child. She was a nightmere. She cried constantly and she wanted to be held 100% of the time. Once she turned two, it was like a switch was flipped. She didn't cry/whine as much and her true personality shined through. She has many good qualities, but her most attractive quality is her affection. She is so lovey-dovey and wants to cuddle every chance she gets. She also has a BIG smile that melts even strangers' hearts. She's very outgoing and hams it up for anyone who will watch. The best word to describe Reagan is..."charming." She MAKES people fall in love with her. Not because she's pretty (which she is), not because she's smart (which she is also), but just because she's Reagan.

I don't know what I ever did to deserve such an amazing family. I don't know why we've been blessed with such healthy, happy children. I don't know why my marriage continues to be healthy and happy. All I know is that I'm thankful...so very thankful.