Last night I went to my local library to participate in a yoga class that they have every two weeks. I went for the first time two weeks ago and really enjoyed it, so I though I would sign up to go again. When I got to the library I noticed a group of people outside, so I made my way over, and sure enough, everyone was circled up with their mats and workout clothes. Our class was being held outside.

The sun was going down casting pinks and oranges into the sky. As we were working to hold poses and balance the instructor told us to pick a focal point, my focal point was a beautiful flower in a garden straight ahead of me. The glow at the days end made the world feel still. And through our last mediation and stretching we were asked to lay on our back. I saw only one star at first, but by the time we were finished stars were scattered across the sky's dark background.

It was beautiful and peaceful. I have recently recognized the wonder of nature and my desire to spend more time in it. It fills me up and nurtures me in a way other things can not. It slows down time and helps me recognize what is truly important. I am so thankful to have been able to have a night outside, in a place of peace.

At some point every day my daughter has the opportunity to forgive me. Whether it be because I lose my patience, I misunderstand what she wants or needs, or I just have to move her along to new activities taking her away from something she has enjoyed. There are lots of things I do that frustrate her or upset her a little bit.

Yesterday we were trying to do an activity together but it was just not working. I had to take a step back and just call it quits for the day, and she did not appreciate that decision. I did my best to explain why we could not do what we had been trying to do and how we would try again another time, but it was still hard for her to understand and she was still upset. So we sat together to read some books and the frustration evaporated. She did not hold a grudge against me the rest of the day, we just moved on with vacuuming, throwing balls, and doing puzzles.

This type of true forgiveness is really hard for me and I think the older we get the harder it is. When we are hurt or don't understand the actions of others it can be easy or tempting to just stay angry with the other person. Watching my daughter let go of her little hurts that were so real to her, taught me a powerful message about daily forgiveness. Her ability to forgive allowed us to continue to build our relationship and enjoy being with each other. She is such a sweet example of an important principle.

Today we got to take a trip to the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. The building is absolutely amazing. It is grand with stunning architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. Inside an out, it was truly amazing.

When we first arrived and were walking up the stairs from the parking garage we were able to look up and see the beauty of the building. As we were walking along the sidewalk I heard my daughter say "Look at that!" I turned around expecting her to be point at the building, but she was examining an acorn that had fallen from a tree. Over and over again she repeated enthusiastically, "Look at that."
It was really something, this small acorn was so amazing to her and she wanted to share the wonder she felt from looking at it with us.

Having a child can change our perspective on so many things. The building was incredible, but truly so was the acorn. Both building and acorn were able to create wonder and awe for us. It reminded me to seek not only the obvious wonders of this world, but also the simple and beautiful wonders as well.

As a mother I have noticed that little things my daughter has learned have brought immense amounts of joy to my life. As she grasps new concepts I am proud. When she learns new words I get excited. And when she starts to string together the new words she has learned it makes my heart happy.

For a few months we have been trying to help her to learn to say I love you. She would repeat it when we said it, which we thought was adorable. A few weeks ago we started having her repeat it before bed. My husband would tell her he loved her and I would whisper in her ear "I love you too dada." She would repeat it and we would all smile and enjoy this new phrase. A week or two ago we were thrilled when my husband said "I love you," and my daughter replied "I love you too dada" without any prompting. She can also say "I love you too mama."

At the end of the day full of joy and some hard things, hearing her say "I love you too mama" really tugs at my heart. It fills my bucket and makes me want to hold on to this little two year old forever.
The glorious moments of motherhood are often found at the end of a day, cuddled close together, reading stories, and vocalizing love for each other.

Last night my husband and I were out for a walk. On our usual path we often end at the park so our daughter can hop down from her stroller and have a little fun. Last night it had rained and was getting a little late, so we decided to forgo the park. Our little girl did not forget though. The whole time we were walking she kept looking back at us and asking "be brave, be brave?"

At about 18 month the park became sort of scary for her. She loved going down slides and swinging on swings but she developed a great fear of walking on the equipment. Maybe it is all the holes that make her feel insecure, maybe it is the fact that I stopped climbing up with her and encouraged her to do it on her own, I am not sure, but since then we have been working on getting her to climb up to the slides on her own.

She has made great improvement lately, and although it is still really hard for her, she is doing it. We cheer her on and tell her she is so brave. Now when she wants to go to the park she just asks if she can "be brave?" And really how can you say no to that.

Last night on our walk she must have asked us 20 times if she could be brave. I thought about how she wanted to face her fears, how although it was still kind of scary to her to climb up on the playground, she loved the slides so much she was willing to work to overcome the fear in order to have the rewarding slide experience.

She has taught me to try again, and to be brave. I love these little lessons from my little person.

Last night, just before bed, I noticed how my daughter was looking at her hands, intently gazing as she turned them over again and again. I don't know what she was looking at, or what she was thinking, but it reminded me of me, as a child.

I was probably older than her, but I was still a young child. I have vivid memories of stopping throughout the day and looking at my hands. I would turn them over again and again and marvel at the fact that I was me. As I looked at my hands I would repeat in my head "I am me, I am Mallory." I thought it was truly incredible that out of the whole world I ended up being me. I sincerely thought I could have ended up as anyone else, but I ended up being me.

Now I look at my hands and as I think about being me I wonder, what do I have to give with my hands. They are mine, and hold unique gifts and talents. Somehow I ended up being me, so what can I do with myself, what can I add to the world, how can I give goodness with my hands.

Last night before bed my husband and I were scrolling through pictures and watching videos of our daughter. She is going to turn two this month. I feel like every day she does something new, says new words, or just amazes me with the things she knows. Although she is still toddling around being an almost two year old, sometimes she just looks and acts like a little adult.

Some of the things I love about her as a two year old.

-She loves to read longer stories. Paddington, Owl Moon, Oh the Places You'll Go and Blizzard are some of our current favorites. I love that she will sit and let me read to her.

-She helps with laundry. She know when she takes off her clothes at night they need to be gathered and taken to the laundry basket. When I am folding clothes she often takes a item out of a basket, imitates my actions, and then hands it to me.

-Words, she is learning so many. She pretty consistently says please and thank you, although her please is pretty demanding. When we are on walks and cross the street she asks to "hold my hand." She loves to talk about the library, grocery store (push the cart), park (slides and swings), pool (swimsuit, floats, nemo and dory).

-She sings. Rain Rain Go Away, I am a Child of God, Give Said the Little Stream, Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. She often starts singing so randomly it makes me laugh.

-She remembers. The other day in the car she started saying "little mouse, little mouse, BLUE car!" It took me a while to figure out what she was saying but then I remember a few days previously at the library they had an activity where a mouse was hiding under a car and they would chant "little mouse, little mouse, are you behind the blue car?" It came out of nowhere and was completely amazing to me that she could remember.

Some days I feel the weight of motherhood on me. As she is learning and growing so much I am more aware of the kinds of things I am doing. I wonder if I am doing it right, the whole motherhood thing. Am I teaching her well. Am I acting in a way I want her to mimic? She is currently so aware of everything we do, I hope that my example and what I choose to fill our days with will help her continue to grow and learn and help her to be a happy, patient, brave, confident little girl.

I love her and every phase of childhood we have passed through together. She is my little miracle and the time has gone so quickly since the day I brought her home from the hospital. I love to see her grow and learn, but taking each day slowly and simply is a blessing, I am enjoying this moment, this time.