Wow…it’s October…where did the year go?<\/strong><\/em> Yes, October 1st! Christmas decorations have been in stores for at least 6 weeks. I’m starting to believe what I’ve been told – that the older you get, the faster time flies. I’d choose to just believe that time flies faster the more fun you are having. And boy, are we having fun!<\/p>\n

The Littles continue to surprise and delight – and how different they all are! Fourth and third grade, each with their own personalities. All BIG<\/strong><\/em> personalities! Teaching me new things everyday – about what is important, how each needs attention, how to discipline, coach and, above all, LOVE!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Sometimes we make mistakes (who doesn’t), but we remain super close and I am so grateful for the smiles, snuggles, love and security that is our home and family.<\/p>\n

My cousin Jake, who was the cutest ring bearer a wedding could ever have (20 years ago), just got married. I know someday that we will be giving a child away to the love of his\/her life – and yet I’m so grateful I still have at least 8-10 years to enjoy my Littles before that happens.<\/p>\n

Colton<\/strong><\/em> continues to be more his Mother’s son – more interested in creative endeavors than sports. Shameless plug – he has his own YouTube channel – called “TwoTwistedKids<\/a>” – please subscribe if you have a heart – he will be so excited. He’s determined to be the next YouTube star – or actor, director, producer…Lord help me if he decides he wants to move to New York City or Hollywood someday!<\/p>\n

<\/a>Lauren<\/strong><\/em> is our little giver and lover – the most thoughtful little person I’ve\u00a0ever known. Teaches me to be mindful of being thoughtful every day – and makes me envious of how naturally it comes to her to think of the littlest things that can affect others. What a lovey little girl. Latest obsession? Unicorns, of course!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Taylor<\/strong><\/em> is my diva – need I say more? Can’t wait until she’s 13, loves taking selfies and SO careful and particular about her wardrobe. Little fashionista! Sassy as the day is long, and will surely give me a run for my money in the parenting department. She is our athlete – gymnastics her sport of choice. She is her Daddy’s daughter – I don’t have the sassiness and he does. Witty and clever…OMG may spell trouble!<\/a><\/p>\n

And then there is Trump – AKA “dumdum” – our yellow lab puppy who has brought his own kind of teaching to this already crazy family. We can’t help but love him…he is such a cutie pie. But he is also a big baby, reminding us that he will NOT be ignored! And without enough attention, he will uproot plants, chew on throw rugs, and otherwise make it impossible to pay attention to him when we need some time to relax!\u00a0Good thing he’s so cute! Just sayin’!<\/p>\n

<\/a>So what’s the point of this post (other than just a good record for my memory lane later)?<\/p>\n

It’s this:<\/p>\n

Live every moment – IN IT! Be present!<\/strong>
\nTake time to stare<\/em><\/strong>…really look at those you love…because with every day that goes by, they change.
\nTake time to talk<\/strong><\/em>…just sit quietly and find out what is on their little minds…during whatever time of day works best. Sometimes the best conversations I have with my Little ones is when it’s bedtime and during snuggle time.
\nAppreciate<\/strong><\/em> and learn<\/strong><\/em> their differences…it will make all the difference in the world – at least I hope and pray.
\nLet them teach you…every day, in the Littlest of ways. It will be worth it.<\/p>\n

Happy October!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wow…it’s October…where did the year go? Yes, October 1st! Christmas decorations have been in stores for at least 6 weeks. I’m starting to believe what I’ve been told – that the older you get, the faster time flies. I’d choose to just believe that time flies faster the more fun you are having. And boy, are we having fun! The… Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","hentry","category-mommy-nostalgia","post_format-post-format-gallery","xfolkentry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4JTq8-7d","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=447"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":457,"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447\/revisions\/457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingthelittles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}