Oh, the Places She'll Go!

This evening, after a full and fun day at the lake with our fellow Harvest staff members, we stopped at our local pool to watch our sweet Miss Ashli's last home swim meet.  In between her events, as Shane and I looked on, Ashli convinced Lieren to take her first steps.

I was more than surprised!  Just yesterday I was telling my friend Michelle that I thought it would be a long time before our girl walked.  This week Lieren has been more interested in being up on her feet.  A week ago that wasn't true.  But she would only walk with both hands held in a tight grip.  

Until today.  While we were at the lake, she began walking with Miss Joanne and Miss Shelly holding only a hand.  And then right after we got to the pool, she stood for longer than she has ever stood on her own "talking" with Miss Jen and Miss Jamie.  

 And then steps.  Two the first time.  Steps that make her such a big girl.  Steps that will take her places only the Lord can dream and steps that will lead her in ways only He can fulfill.

I feel like the dad in this commercial.  I saw it yesterday (before her steps today) and got all teary.  Must be something about having a girl.

But for now I'll enjoy that her steps only take her to places close to us.  So we can share moments like these at the lake today...

 Tonight we tucked all the children into bed as early as we could.  Shane is now playing XBox with some of our students and I am quickly settling in for bed.  But just a moment ago I went back in to glance at the children sleeping.

Silas, Lion, Monkey, Elephant, Mr. Bear, and four plastic frogs.  I covered him up, but he'll kick the blankets off again before morning...

I put on Simeon and Lieren's wearable blankets after taking their pictures.  I generally let the rooms cool down a bit before putting them on.  Or maybe it's just an excuse to get to go back in and peek at them one more time.  Sim had begun holding an ear when he sleeps, slightly different but strikingly similar to his big brother (this sight prompted the pictures)...

And our littlest babe.  For tonight the places she'll go will have to wait...