Meriel is a year old as of June 2nd.  What a little pill..and it's always amazing to think of how much I love her.  Once you have a child, you life is never your own again.  There's always a part of you "out there" that you're vitality attached to and have a big interest in.  You also have to consider your children first over yourself ...every day.  I wouldn't change that for the world....even though I've given up some huge things that I've felt I needed for myself...very vital, integral things.  I've done this to give my children a secure, loving family environment to grow up in.  It gives me a lot of satisfaction to see that they are loved and they feel secure and confident in their scope of life and action.   But more than that, I know I'm ultimately responsible to give them a secure, healthy start in life.

Why am I writing this?  This morning, Meriel happily waved goodbye to me as I drove off to work.  She was eagerly looking forward to spending the day with her brothers and sisters pursing whatever adventures happened upon them today.  My heart is full of love for her, and I miss her even though I'm just at work.  And I get to look forward to seeing her after work and have her chubby little arms around my neck..and her head snuggling into my shoulder...and her big, cheesy smile telling me how much she loves me.  What a bargain.  :)