Working on a Garden

I am always looking for ways to make this house run a little more smoothly.  I don't often come up with anything but I have a new laundry plan so maybe that will at least put a dent?  Somebody laughed at my plan but that's alright.  I can take it.
It seems like we've had every bug under the sun the last two weeks.  Stomach bugs, colds, fevers, and today, strep.  Lucy.  Poor baby.  She's a trooper though.  Sweet even when she's sick.
It was such a nice evening to be out.  We're really enjoying some warm, not-stormy weather.  This year we're planning a garden- so excited about that!  Brian (with some help from the kids) built two raised beds. Now we're just waiting to plant.

The guys at work.  I have to say, in my mind, Sammy and hammers probably should not mix.

Not sure what's going on here.

LOVE the sunglasses.  She reminds me of my cousin at that age.

Of course Lucy was right there in the thick of it.

Going to get some dirt from a neighbor.  

Any day you get to ride in Daddy's truck is a good day.

Remembering

For some reason, I remember the officer standing in front of his car.  Lights flashing.  I don't remember if he saluted or removed his hat.  But he stopped traffic so that we might pass by.
Family.
Friends.
I remember feeling like the world should just stop.  Even for a few moments.
Because our hurt was so great.  Our grief so real.
Papa had passed away.
Two years ago today.
I guess in a way, that officer helped at least the busyness of the road to a stop for a while.
There are other things I remember.
The food.  There was so much!  I don't know if it is tradition everywhere or not but as the news spread, the food came.  I think Papa would have gotten a kick out of it all.
People stopped by.
Flowers were delivered.
There were the men in uniform.
The flag.
I remember our tears. 
Still, I have tears sometimes when I think about my Papa.  He was so special I could not do him justice here.   Those of us who were blessed to know him-- we know.
I find myself thankful for the tears, though.  Because it means I had a Papa to love and remember.

Lucy and Dinnertime

You should have been here.

Dinnertime and still in her jammies,

feet on the table,

and finding something terribly funny!

Some Sunshine for Your Day

I don't know about you but I am needing a little sunshine coming my way- literally and figuratively.  This is about as close as I can come to holding my own ray of sunshine- well, one of them at least!

Reading her favorite book- "Wheels on the Bus"

I told her Daddy's home...

...and there she goes, most everyday, to see for herself and give daddy a big smile and a big hug.

Some days she looks at me with her little hands in the air and says, "Daddy?  Daddy?"

Wondering where that guy has been all day.

Just plain sweet.

Last Weekend

Last weekend we got to help celebrate Brian's granddad's 88th birthday.   His grandkids and great-grandkids mostly call him Big Daddy.  I like this man.  He's full of tongue-twisters, stories, loves to hand out money to the kids, and welcomed me in from the start.  I'm always so thankful that the children know at least some of their great-grandparents.  I wonder what memories they'll keep.

Big Daddy was a great sport- wearing a party hat with the kids.

Schooling Highlights

I have a pretty strong tendency to get overwhelmed by this whole homeschooling business.  That got the best of me today.  It came out of no where and I found myself thinking that this was the bigest mistake ever.  I could write a book about my insecurities with this but instead, I will share a couple of things that encouraged me and helped me decide not to throw in the towel (not that I would have done that but...)

Jack and I were taking a little extra math practice at the same time Sammy wanted to work on his new school book.  I told him I would help him soon but you know, Kayla quietly walked over to him and said "Why don't I help you Sam?"  So she helped him make a "k" and he was so proud.  So was I.

I printed out a little science test for Jack- just to see how we were doing in this area.  I confess it is a weak one for me.  I thought it would show me everything he hasn't learned but he was answering every question.  I asked him rhetorically "How do you know this stuff?"
He came back with, "Well, Mom.  I read a lot, you know, and I learn stuff in books."
I thanked God for that.
By the way, I'm not advocating not directing your kids in their learning or "unschooling" but teach a kid to read well and man, they can learn a lot.

I guess the last thing is just what we've enjoyed this week.  It's National Poetry Month so we've been reading lots of poetry.  Jack and Kayla pick a few favorites and share them with us all at meal times.  That's been lots of fun.  Look for some poems later this month!
We've also been reading A Wrinkle in Time together in the mornings.  None of us can wait for the next chapter.  I remember my mom reading this to me in the third grade.  Sweet memory.

So, all that to say, we will get up and do this all again tomorrow, believing His mercies are new every morning.

I don't remember a crazier spring!  The storms last night were something else.  It seemed like the wind would carry the house away.  The day was so warm then this morning there was sleet and snow.  What can I say??  Makes me think of Winnie the Pooh's Blustery Day and The Wizard of Oz.


The kids and I have been memorizing Isaiah 41:10 to the tune of Zippity Doo Da.  Kind of catchy.  It helps us all learn verses so quickly to put them to song.  I'm thankful for the truth in this verse today.  I'm praying it for a good friend in particular.  So much easier to pray and claim God's word during the day when we know it in our hearts.

"So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."