Last Week

Kate and Ty had their first sleep over at Erin's house Friday night. Ty packed a pair of swim trunks because there is a pool by Erin's house. He packed nothing else. The pool opens in seven weeks. There was a small battle. Of course.

When we arrived, we took a tour to see the decorating Erin's done since we left a week prior. Ty walked into "his room" and declared the floor is a little hard so Erin needs to be getting him a bed.

Rock concert to last year's VBS songs. Serious rock stars.

Don't worry about Erin being too lonely or it being too quiet. There are some little girls in the neighborhood who have taken a liking to her. Her doorbell rings often, as in every 10 minutes at first, and she is gifted with "flowers". I mentioned she may need to set a vase outside her door so they have a place to put those flowers when she's not up for company. She says they'll be tired of it about the time she is but that for now, it feels like home. Frequent visits from little people are common in our world.

Ty: Do you know what ceremony is?
Me: Yes, do you?
Ty: Yep. Cake.

Two year old Anna begged Ty for his pennies and said, "please, it's for true love". Ty grabbed the pennies and walked away saying, "true love is only on Frozen and it's boring".

Makenna decided to attend a middle school play she helped build the set for. Her teammates helpfully suggested she "look like a girl" for this show since she wasn't back stage. Apparently dedicating precisely ten minutes to her morning routine has been noted by the people who spend the most time with her.

It was too dark to photograph the final product Saturday night so here's a shot of God watering it for us Sunday morning.

Gardening by sunset? Why not? When the weekend holds one day of sunshine, you squeeze in as many chores as possible. This year promises corn and watermelon for Ty, cucumbers for Kate, kale, peppers and tomatoes for me. Until the garden produces pizza rolls, Lauren and Makenna won't be interested. Teenagers are delightful.

Some of us worked really hard.

Gymnastics

Kate and the red ninja

Tonight wrapped up gymnastics for the school year. It was parent observation night so we were able to watch our little gymnasts in action. The entire family was in the stands for the event and at times were afraid we'd be asked to leave as we cheered for our favorite little people.

Kate was as balanced and graceful as ever. She loves everything about it and it shows in her concentration.

One of the stretches he attempted had us all stifling laughter so hard, we had tears running down our faces. He embarrasses easily so we had to keep it together. There are no photos of that particular pose because because keeping composure took all the strength I had. Greg was certain we were getting kicked out.

Watching big sis on the balance beam.

Taking turns is hard.

He asked later what this was all about. He cracks us up.

We learned Ty was promoted out of the beginner class in the beginning of this session because he was fearless. He is fast and not afraid of anything. Skills may arrive someday. In the meantime, he is very entertaining and having a ball.

The community center is being remodeled in the coming weeks so we have to wait a few months to start back up again. I suspect both kiddos will be ready to return. Tonight was truly awesome.

Lauren's Senior Prom

Because we needed two major life events in one day........

Since Lauren's school is so small, their Prom event is too. Next month she gets to do this again for her boyfriend's junior prom at the local public high school.

True to themselves, Sam is barefoot, Lauren is wearing Vans with athletic socks and Sydney sparkles.

Makenna gets credit for Sydney and Lauren's hair. Greg offered Sam all of his styling expertise. He thinks he's hilarious.

All the moms were discussing how quickly time is flying during our little photo session this evening. These three spend a lot of time together but are all headed separate ways in a few short months. For this reason we all agreed it was fitting they went to prom without dates and prepared for a fun girls' night.

The Move

Kate and Ty were Erin's sidekick packers. They gleaned many prizes for their efforts. The mother in this house would have preferred to see most of it thrown away but one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Kate and Ty have also been the first to be invited to have a sleep over in Erin's new house. They have their sleeping bags ready. Ty also packed a bag for the occasion so he's ready when Erin is. The bag has a nerf gun and two masks in it. This concerns me a bit.

Ty in what he has claimed as his own room at Erin's house

The upstairs bathroom has just started receiving the "Erin touch"

Love the deck and the view....it's a pretty sweet new place

I want to make her a sign that says, "4 Privet Drive" in honor of what Erin is calling her Harry Potter 1/2 bathroom

While helping her pack, Kate was sent to retrieve trash bags. She questioned how many and Erin suggested she just bring the entire roll since she hasn't purchased any for her place yet. We will likely be restocking our supplies once we discover just how much we supported Erin. I suspect she won't need paper products for awhile but we will be running to the store tomorrow.

She's hosting a "bring your own couch" party because she still needs one. She has also lamented the price of throw pillows. And picture frames. And towels. And microwaves. And vacuum cleaners........being a grown up is expensive.

So I asked my mom if she cried when I moved out. "Yes. The river rose three inches that day." It runs in the family.

Celebrating Easter

While contemplating this season, I was reminded of how Good Friday has to occur in order for Easter to be celebrated. Pain and suffering are part of most every story on some level but there is always Easter in the end; whether it takes place on earth or in heaven. Praise God for his grace and redemption. I need it every day.

So in response to all I have read and prayed over this week, we celebrated Easter. I hope we found balance as we navigated the whimsy of the Easter bunny with biblical truth. Ty's favorite bedtime activity for the last couple of weeks has been working through the Resurrection Eggs. He knows the story by heart.

We brought out our Sunday best for church......

I wish I was kidding. His favorite rain coat and boots were worn so according to Ty, he wore his best outfit. Clothing falls under the "choose your battle" category, doesn't it?

And then this happened as Erin was heading out to celebrate Easter with Justin's family this afternoon.

It runs in the family. Happy Easter ya'll.

Porch Swing

My porch swing is my go-to place to ponder life, dreams and struggles. Sometimes I wish it was in a more secluded location because so many of my thoughts are too private to be displayed through tears and prayers. However, there's something to be said for having a perch from which to wave hello to neighbors as well.

The old porch swing has seen quite a bit of action the last couple of weeks as I have emerged from hibernation. Greg and I have already made some spring plans for the yard while parked there. The afternoon sun beating down on my vitamin D deprived face has been instrumental in leading me out of the winter blues. I have battled them once again but can report this year was easier, praise God. The fog has lifted and I am breathing more deeply once again.

We are facing some changes in our family and seeking peace and wisdom. We know God grows us during trials and in the end, this may be better than we anticipate. Isn't that the way it typically works with change?  I am drawing strength from an excerpt I found in a brief reading of Be A Circle Maker. "Sometimes the power of prayer is the  power to carry on. It doesn't always change your circumstances, but it gives you the strength to walk through them. When you pray though, the burden is taken off your shoulders and put on the shoulders of Him who carried the cross to Calvary." Amen.

On top of the unwanted changes, we are preparing our hearts for Erin to move out in the coming days. She is excited to fly and it's bittersweet as we celebrate her ability to do so but still want to hold her close.

So the swing, it's privy to my most private conversations, thoughts and emotions. Like a trusted friend it waits for me to swing through this season as we celebrate and discover what plans God has for us. The swing and God are patient. I am not.

Spring Break Wrap Up

Spring break was good, really good with the exception of the two gynecology appointments I would rather not discuss. Apparently ignoring their standards of annual visits for over five years is frowned upon. Whatever. Otherwise, we not only enjoyed a trip to St. Louis, but the kids had sleep-overs with friends, a trip to sky zone, a movie, a Lego play date, a few art classes and lots of outdoor playtime on the days it didn't rain or snow. Yes we saw snow. No one was pleased about it either. Spring has sprung anyway and our lawn is green again, Praise the Lord. Our landscape has been prepped for planting and mulch. Garden plans are in the works too. April promises to be busy in the best ways with our hands deep into God's soil.

Lauren and I took a day trip to explore a college she anticipates attending this fall. The time line for student preparation is fast paced and I felt a host of different emotions as we checked out student life on campus. She received some skeptical looks as she declared criminal justice as her major. Substance abuse counseling will be her focus but no one asked. Based on the looks she was getting from upper-class-men, I am okay with young men believing she will be carrying a gun someday. This plan to live on campus is unnerving for her mother. Lauren is currently conspiring ways she can take Brutus with her. Of course.

Erin was contacted by the head of her school and asked to speak at her upcoming college graduation ceremony. We are all pretty excited for her. She will be the only student speaker so it's quite an honor. Have I mentioned how proud we are of her?

A good book in the sunshine? Yes, please.

Greg and I had an hour to ourselves while we waited on Kate's art class. We perused Home Depot because as I already mentioned, we have some upcoming projects planned. We knocked one off the list with new front door hardware today. Anyway, as we rounded a corner, we saw rubber mallets and cracked up. While we were traveling to St. Louis last weekend, Ty picked up a rubber mallet in a gas station and declared he had to have it for vacation. Nothing says "I am on vacation" like a five year old brandishing a rubber mallet. Sweet Jesus, that boy is something else.

Makenna has been asked to be the social manager for her friend's band, No True Lies. Anticipate links to follow them in the near future as we are apparently big fans now. She's a bossy social manager.