Tulip Time

It's that time again. The tulips have bloomed, the sun is shining, and ice-cream as big as our heads is calling our names.

Jen and Keoni came all the way from Boise to spend a week with us!

Playing hide-and-seek

Eating Flowers

Oh, what a beautiful world!

Imagine

P.S. Photos courtesy of the artist featured in the first picture in this post. That's right- these were taken by an 8 year old. No enhancements...the only thing Mom did was crop.

Jay

This angelic looking child makes me crazy. Pounding my head on the steering wheel, pull my hair out crazy. He doesn't listen, he doesn't obey, he looks at me and does the opposite of what I say...usually with a twinkle in his eye and a big grin. He throws tantrums if his socks have the slightest wrinkle or if he "feels something" in/on any of his clothing he takes it off- no matter what/where we happen to be. He's had so many near death experiences that I've lost count (darting in front of cars, running away, climbing up, climbing out etc. etc.) He has also attempted to kill his baby brother on numerous occasions...but I like to think that in his own tender hearted way he is really just trying to toughen Izaac up for the real world. But above all- Jay is FUN. He is brimming with possibility and imagination. Today he insisted that he was Spider-man. So I took Spider-man and Izaac to the gym this morning. We walked through the doors of the daycare and as the kids noticed him they began to whisper and their eyes filled with wonder. And then they followed him around and asked themselves who was Spider-man? Jay was in character and wouldn't talk under his mask. 90 minutes later when I picked him up, they were still following him around and one little boy told me adamantly that Spider-man didn't want to leave yet. Jay turns the ordinary into extra-ordinary.

Gratitude

I was feeling rather dark and dreary after Jaylon left...but luckily I'm back to my (mostly always) cheerful self. Thus the change from the black background to the happy spring background. (Ok ok, I'll admit it- I'm also superstitious enough to hope my sunny background will bring the sun and warmth back to Washington. Hopelessly optimistic, I know). Tonight I have been thinking about the amazing friends and family I've been blessed with through the years- and especially this year when I've really needed that support. There have been countless occasions over the past 8 months when my burdens have become weightless from something as simple as a phonecall or an email or a visit. I am so grateful for my friends and neighbors and family. I never would have thought that I could still be happy while missing Jaylon so much- but thanks to dear dear friends and family- I have been mostly happy all of the time. God has been so kind and merciful to me and to my family and He has surrounded us with a literal army of earthly angels. My heart is full to overflowing.