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. 

Meet me in St. Louie

Greg, my dad, Makenna, Kate and Ty were the brave souls who ventured up into the Gateway Arch. Mom and I explored an old abandoned church and the Union Station while they got in touch with their claustrophobic sides. Mom and I have both experienced MRI tests in the past and knew better than to ride to the top. We were happy to let our favorite people tell us all about it.

The Cathedral Basilica was beyond incredible. Photos don't serve it well at all. The colors were rich, the details endless and the craftsmanship flawless. We were all blown away. I loved seeing all the original architecture throughout the city and wish I could have had the time to appreciate more of it.

 The Science Center was so awesome, we returned there on Tuesday when the weather changed our plans to visit the zoo and botanical gardens. The highlight was the real science experiments for Kate. We used forensic science to examine finger prints to solve a crime. It was fascinating.

We ate great BBQ,enjoyed a meal at The Hard Rock Cafe and grabbed snacks in museums. Through conversations around the dining tables, I learned Ty may have more of my DNA than I originally suspected. Stories about my dad's childhood sound awfully familiar. I think inviting my parents along was an excellent decision. We enjoyed each others company and shared great experiences.

 Greg and Dad took a tour of the Budweiser plant for Greg's birthday today while we spent some more time in the Science Center. They appreciated the Clydesdale horses, the architecture of the building and facts about the role Budweiser played in the prohibition. It was strictly educational. Ahem.

Someone got a new raincoat while his sisters shopped "for girl stuff". He and Makenna passed some time together while Kate worked through another experiment at the Science Center.

The weather did not fully cooperate but it wasn't bad. As result of some unplanned cooler and rainy weather, Makenna's dream of shopping in a Lush store came true. On top of that, we discovered an American Girl Place in St. Louis too. Let's just say Kate's upcoming birthday has already been well celebrated. Two months early. And her daddy has asked to remain blissfully unaware of just HOW celebrated.

Makenna has recently decided she is interested in decorating in retro/vintage style. She requested lunch in an old diner and to see The Loop area. Her diner request was well received. We all enjoyed it.

All in all, it was a great get away. We squeezed as much fun as we could into a mere 48 hours. We have more fun plans for the week ahead and would love to return to St. Louis in the future. The city has so much to offer. And the fact most of it is free, is impressive to say the least.