Warming Weather

As the weather warms, and the sun stays out longer, the days seem to be passing more quickly. I wonder why it is that summer goes by so swiftly but the days of winter drag on. I suppose it's just a matter of perspective. Summer is full of activity where as winter is a time when things slow down and there is less occupying our time.

Reflecting these truths is the fact that our past two weeks have been just packed full of activity. We've been running around to concert band contests and soccer practices and games for Emily. Unfortunately Emily has decided not to continue on with band next year and so our young trombonist will not be playing anymore :(

While at home, though, Ella and David have been making the most of their time. I came home one afternoon to find them very busy in the backyard. I'm not sure I can explain what I found or why they created it (Ella's imagination is the source of this one). So, I'll just let the picture do the talking.

It was described to me as an Animal Tree!

The past couple of weekends were very fun! We had my brother, Thom, and his girlfriend Katherine, come to visit the family here in town! Thom and Katherine (T&K) made the rounds and lodged at Mom and Dad's house but ate dinner each night with a different sister and family. We got T & K on their last night in town and the kids had a blast playing with them in the backyard. Emily, Ella and David just love their uncle Thom. Ella says it's because he plays with them so much and is fun! Katherine fit right into the mix too and was just as active playing with the kids that you would have thought they played together that way all the time!

Unfortunately our evening with T & K was cut short. We had David's preschool "graduation" to attend after dinner. Although it was very cute I'm not sure I really understand the point of having a graduation ceremony for preschoolers (thankfully they did not have to wear caps and gowns!). They marched down the isle to the Olympic theme song, sang some songs for us, watched a slide show of pictures from through the school year and then each got their "diplomas" from their teachers. David had a wonderful year and is looking forward to riding the bus to kindergarten in the fall.

Here is a video of David marching down the isle at the beginning of preschool graduation.

This past weekend we were able to spend a long Memorial day weekend at "The Land" (our little piece of land that we camp on just, about 2 hours south of here). The weekend included many good friends, family and six dogs at one point! Our activities comprised in our time were...

1. A water balloon fight

2. Playing in a sprinkler

3. Arts and crafts

4. Playing volleyball

5. David finding an "earring" (clip-on) and wearing it just like Daddy, it's in his left ear.

6. And of course s'more making over the campfire (which unfortunately I did not take photos of).

As the spring days heat up and get closer to summer, I pray that you will take time to relax and enjoy what it is that you have been blessed with by God.

Until our next post!

It's been awhile since I've posted but not having the computer up to par is really throwing me off! I've been trying to make the best of the time and so have been spending a lot of it outside in my garden. I'm excited that this year (being the fourth in our present house), my garden will be filled in. It takes several years for a perennial garden to look good and I think this is my year!

Alright, enough about me. We're in full swing of spring soccer season. Emily is our only one playing this year, which is fine with me because the running around with just one child involved in sports is enough! Here's a few photos of our superstar!

We recently celebrated Emily's birthday too! Her actual birthday was filled with running her around to soccer games and youth group activities but we were able to take some time out to spend with family and have some cake and ice cream together.

The next weekend we had eight of Emily's friend's over for a slumber party. It's great that Emily has so many nice friends that we enjoy having over to our house. I was sure though that I would be denied a good night's sleep. Thankfully the Lord saved me by taking away our electricity for one and a half hours! We had a blackout in the middle of the evening and as a result we had a change in plans. The kids got to roast marshmallows over candles and make smores and then all hunkered down in the living room with flashlights and decided to spend the night in there. Just about the time they got nice and comfortable the lights came back on! Too late though, they were happy where they were and they decided to turn on a movie and then went to sleep. No late night of giggling girls for me!!!

Believe it or not these next three photos were taken in the dark, guess my camera just has a good flash!

Reality has also set in for Jason and I. We had to go with Emily to schedule her classes for high school next year. What a shocker!! We knew it was coming but to actually look at the schedule and realize that our baby girl will be in high school just makes us feel like time has just flown by! The rest of the time we have left with her at home is just that more precious to us. This fact brought to mind a quote from Erma Bombeck that was shared with me recently.

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"I see children as kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you're both breathless...they crash...you add a long tail. You patch and comfort, adjust and teach - and assure them that someday they will fly. Finally they are airborne, but they need more string, and you keep letting it out. With each twist of the ball of twine, the kite becomes more distant. You know it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that bound you together and soar - free and alone. Only then do you know you did your job."

Even though Emily is not flying on her own yet, that day is coming, and I'm dreading it. To trust the Lord with her completely will be a big challenge and lesson. For Jason and I to step out of the way and let her make her own decision, and mistakes. It's humbling and makes our job now seem so much more important.