Think Spring!

I really love where we live because we truly get to appreciate the change in seasons. This has been an especially pleasant spring because the snow melted fairly quickly and we had nearly a month with no precipitation, so it was easy to let the kids out to play, knowing that there are no mud puddles to fall in! Up until the other day, we have been pretty scant on the bug population too, and that makes it even more enjoyable.

Faith's preschool class took a trip out to a local farm where 11 excited kids got to see bunnies, cats, goats (including babies born that morning), and cows. They experienced all of the wonderful new beginnings of spring and life and the smells that go with it.

"I feel a need...a need...for speed!"

"What in the heck is a pergola?"

Well, this is what ours looks like, and for us it's a whole new experience for our family to have time outdoors in a comfortable atmosphere. In other words, it's well worth the weekend spent to put it up. Aside from a little landscaping and some decorative accents, (oh, and a patio door in that large space where it meets the house), it's done & being fully enjoyed!

New adventures...

So, this week's been kinda crazy & the summer deems to be heading in that direction as well...but we're excited about it!

To start off, next month will begin my year-long position of being a District Director for the MN Women of Today. I basically am the link between the 6 chapters in our district and the state organization. There will be some traveling involved, but to get things kicked off, Jason & the kids and I will be going to the State convention in Alexandria next month. There is a HUGE water park at the hotel and we are going to make it our little vacation.

After we made the decision that I would be able to do this, Jason brought to the table the idea of playing for the local amateur baseball team. Being the salesman he is, he convinced me that it would be something fun that the family could do together this summer and actually the season is only 10 weeks long. I actually am looking forward to watching him play again, and hopefully it won't be as busy as I think it's going to be.

Bubbles...

This doesn't need any explanation, (well, maybe the sight of the yuk! in my tub does! That stuff just doesn't come off! I'm in the process of scraping that all out & replacing it. Eww!)

5 hours.

Yesterday was my first time during the day being away from Ian since he was born. This shouldn't seem like a big deal except that he's, or shall I say, we're moving towards weaning. This is a concept that I haven't had trouble with in the past, but as any mom knows, weaning from anything is not necessarily a fun deal. Whether it's nursing, the bottle, a pacifier, sippy cups, blankies, etc. Asking your baby to give up something it loves and something you are used to being able to have to comfort and console them, is hard to part with.

I have grown to enjoy my quiet time SITTING while I nurse him and the comfort I have just snuggling with him. My patience with nursing has grown quite a deal since the first child and I don't see it as a task that ties me down, rather as a chance to bond and reflect. Don't get me wrong, there are times that I am completely ready to be done, but there are also times that I think I will miss it. It has become such a part of my life for the last 14 months, that for once I am somewhat sad to let it go. But I know that the Lord has plans for me to be out of the home more this next year, and it is time to move on to the next phase and allow myself that time to focus on those tasks.

That time yesterday made me realize how much nursing means to me and the bond that a mother has with her child. He actually did really well while I was gone & started fussing about the time I pulled into the parking lot, so when I got in the door, Jason was relieved to know I was there to comfort Ian, and I was comforted to pull our baby into my arms and know that he missed me just as much as I did during our time apart.

Parlez-vous le français ?

Do you speak French, because now I have an even bigger excuse to learn another language! This weekend we went up north to visit my side of the family for Easter & upon visiting with my mom, I found out that I am NOT 1/2 Vietnamese! Rather, I am 1/4 Vietnamese & 1/4 French! It seems that my mom's dad was French...something I just found out at age 36.

So, our children are now (well, they always were, but I just figured it all out now) a mix of Vienamese, French, German, Norweigan, Belgian & Dutch, I believe. I better keep asking questions!! Lesson learned...you're never too old to ask about your past & you better do it while your elders can still communicate with you!

"I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow." Jer 31:13

I was saddened by the news of a 9-month old baby girl that passed away yesterday from complications from an incurable disease. Her name was Jori Ann & her family lives in our town. I never met her, but her existence and daily struggles touched my heart. I can't help but think of her when I look at little Ian running around and know how blessed we are to have such a healthy family. I can't even imagine their loss right now and I pray for their strength during this time of grieving and pain.

May God's graces pour out on them for what they have struggled with and may they know that their loss saddens Him as well. I can't help but think that today's rain is His way of saying that His tears are pouring out upon us all at the loss of such a beautiful baby, whose eyes were big and a beautiful shade of blue. May she rest in peace and intercede for all of us who need the comfort and trust to understand what is planned for us all.