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What a beautiful, glorious day! I don't usually discuss purely family things, but for this issue, I wanted to share our past 36 hours. They have been the sort of time that will not be soon forgotten.

My husband, Chris, is taking his vacation this week. We can't afford to go anywhere right now, but I did have a free hotel night so we reserved last night to sleep at the local Comfort Inn. We arrived yesterday around 3:30 and played in the room for a while as the children were thrilled with our "adventure."

We went to Pizza Inn for all-you-can-eat dinner buffet and then back to the hotel for more jostling, a few games of Lucky Ducks, and a little television. We had a great evening.

Last night was difficult as Micah is coming down with something (yes, again) so he didn't sleep well. This morning we all awoke early, enjoyed a free continental breakfast, and prepared to leave our overnight vacation spot. I had told my friend I would work for her at the drop-in babysitting place for a few hours so I did that with the kids from 9:30 to 12:00, at which time we came home.

Micah had a nap first and then ate lunch. Sarah and I had a quick lunch and then had a long nap - since we didn't sleep well, I guess, and we've been having so much fun.

When we awoke, I was disappointed to have slept until almost 3:00. The weather has been so unseasonably beautiful - 74 today - I hated to miss a single moment. When Sarah woke up soon after me, we all got ready and went to the pet store and then played at the park for the rest of the afternoon.

Before the sun set, we rushed home to have the picnic that we had promised Sarah all afternoon. I felt kind of foolish, though, when I was rushing around and gave her the blanket to take outside before the sun set, to which she said, "But I wanted to have a picnic in the living room." O.K. We spread the blanket in the living room and just finished a wonderful picnic dinner with the children.

These are the kinds of times that I know will make a difference in the children as they grow up. It is so nice to be able to create sweet and fun memories with and for them. Thank you, God, for every day with them and for providing opportunities every second to mold their little lives.

Please give all feedback on this column to the author Sonya Haskins.