Sometimes the Little Things Matter

I feel like since this picture, I have learned a lot and grown a lot. We were so young. We had the world at our feet. I never would have even guessed that nearly five years later that we would have buried two children, and be about to finalize an adoption on our third. With both Lilly and Ryker, they taught us a lot. A lot of what they taught us has stuck with us each day, but sometimes we need the gentle reminders of the little things. You see, little things add up to big things. I accidentally hurt someone's feelings today. I did not mean too. I hope that no one ever does. I can make excuses, but it still leaves someone hurting. I tried apologies, but the apologies did no good. It was something little, but like I said, sometimes the little things add up to big things. I hate having people upset at me. I may get mad, but I do not stay upset long. I get over it. I guess I forget people are not all the same.
The other little things that matter are family. I sometimes struggle with this. I am not always the best wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. I try, sometimes harder than other times. With Lilly and Ryker, each day, every minute, even every second we had them was miraculous.

Holding my little princess for the first time. Truly amazed at her strength.

Those small moments add up to the days, weeks, and eventually the small window of time that we had with them. I miss them. I miss them everyday. But going what we went through forced me to grow. Growth can hurt. But with that hurt, comes something bigger. We begin to do things we never thought possible. We said goodbye to Lilly.

Amazed at what out little fighter was doing. What a miracle!

One year and one month later, we said goodbye to Ryker. Saying goodbye a second time seemed like the most impossible thing we ever had to do. Collin is in our home because we stepped out of what we knew and embraced the unknown of adoption. I am stepping out of my comfort zone, pushing myself like I have never pushed myself, attempting to become something I have known in a long time: a happier healthier me (and I must say being able to find jeans that fit will be a miracle!
What I am trying to say is this: although we are told to not sweat the small stuff, isn't the small stuff what makes up the big stuff? I think that being kind in the big picture starts by being kind with the smaller things. I hope this makes sense. It might not, but that's okay.