friday favorites: a little blessed life

>> one of my favorites of the two of us

For these past 5 months, I have had the joy and privilege of watching this little babe, Ashlynn. You might remember when she was still a bump inside her momma HERE. Every Friday, I would wake up extra early to get myself over to spend the day with her. I have had plenty of experience with kids, probably more than I should because of the summers spent watching over them since I was fourteen; however, a baby was a whole new story. Through her and watching her from the time she was four months to almost nine, has been an amazing and blessed experience. One that has taught me more than just how to change a diaper with the up most efficiency (but that is pretty important too!).

This little girl has so much life and curiosity. Watching her stare out the window and into the big wide world of her backyard is one of my favorite moments with her. Her toys are laying all over the room, but they are left untouched to stare outside into the sky. Following a bird with her eyes, her grinned tooth smile is contagious. The moments where it is just she and I, and her beautiful eyes are fixated on me, is one of the most magical feelings. It is almost like she is studying my face, hopefully not to forget it. Looking through me like she has me more figured out than I do myself. That is something I think is just special about little ones.

I am sitting here, this Friday morning, my last Friday morning of watching her, with a little bit of sadness tugging at my heart. But just as the sadness is there, the happiness overwhelms it. Seeing her grow and develop and come into her own little personality is something I will always cherish. She may not be my niece through marriage just yet, but I already love her like she could be my own. This little girl with always have a place in my heart and prayers I cannot wait to see where life takes her. God has sure blessed this babe with love and I know He will continue to.