Spring Fever!

This week has been Spring Break.  I have spent a lot of it working.  I did not get to spend as much time with the kids has I would have liked.  I hope today made up for it a little bit.

In spite of the slightly chilly weather.  It was a beautiful day.  At times the sun was shining brightly.  We decided to have our first picnic of the season.  It was pure madness.  But these are the days treasured memories are made from.
 

The kids flew kites. Let me just say flying kites with 6 children four of them kindergarten age or younger is a very foolish venture indeed.





My Dearest friend who encourages and inspires me.


We picnicked on the damp-ish volley ball court because it was warmed by the bright sunshine.


 The kids ran giddy circles.




Riley stole half of Hannah's unattended sandwich right out of the baggie. Did we stop him? No, of course not. We laughed and took pictures!


Today was a blessed day. The start of spring. Here's to many, many more picnics.

Earlier in the week Jess made me this video when I was having a gray day. It certainly brought a smile and laughter.



I am so thankful for this dear friend God brought into my life! She is truly the sister of my heart.

it's a brand new day

Work last night was good.  I am feeling more confident.  I think I may just get the hang of it yet! ;P It gave me a little thrill to see my name up on the bulletin board with all the other employees.  Silly I know, but made me feel a little more like I belong.  And I got to order my two work shirts.  woo-hoo.... hahahaha....

Today I got back at my living and active challenge.  We are on the final week.  And I seem to have petered out a little bit midway through last week. But am back at it, determined to not loose to much ground!

Yesterday the kids were off school again.  We took advantage of the gorgeous fall day and met up again with the Basile's at the park for some picnicking and pumpkin painting!

 
 

Jess and I diligently painting away on our pumpkins, long after the kids had abandoned the project and headed to the playground!

7 Happy Pumpkins!

 

Happy Fall Everyone!!

picnic at the park

Today was a glorious day. The weather has been insanely gorgeous and very un~March like. But my children and I have been soaking it in.

Last night was rough. I was finding myself stressed and fretting about many things. I messaged a dear friend. She prayed. She encouraged. She reminded me I am not alone.

• #147-- having Friends like that
  

I spent a lot of time praying for the bigger thing that was causing me to fret over the little things. My soul began to quiet and still.

This morning at my kitchen table I lost myself in the Word, spent time gazing out at the beauteous morning sky. Feeling the peace continue to settle into my soul.

• #149-- new buds-- life springs new
  

This afternoon we met up with some friends at the park. We picnicked. We laughed. We giggled. We explored. We reveled in God's creation.

apples, apples, aPpLeS!!!

Monday was our annual apple picking excursion. It was a perfectly magnificent day. Blue skies, sunshine, brilliant fall foliage.

Hannah took great delight in finding and picking "baby" apples. The perfect size for her really as she often starts an apple and then decides half way through, she is finished.







We stopped on the way home for a picnic at Pratt's Falls.

~~~

It seems all my devotionals lately have been on Joy. I am also reading the book One Thousand Gifts, which talks about finding joy by continually finding things to thanks God for. Not big huge things, but simple little things. So I am trying to be more intentional about my joy. To not let the little things rock my boat and even the big thing, find God's peace and not let them consume me. ( NOT an easy task).

But there is so much to be thankful for. Like little ones like this. The past couple weeks we have been fill in baby sitters for my hubby's cousins two little girls. They are sweet and lovable and Hannah Mae is basking in being the older one for once. And she is, I had not realized how grown up she was getting until I saw her side by side with her two younger cousins.

This past weekend was positively blissful. Saturday was spent at the beach with my sister. I have caught my self on previous trips feeling slightly envious of the kidless grown ups who just got to sit and relax on the beach, book in hand. It looked like heaven. But I was quickly reminded of how fleeting childhood is in just one more short year my "baby" will be headed off to Kindergarten!! KINDERGARTEN!! I can not believe it! So I am treasuring this summer-- every hot, sticky moment of it.

Hannah's masterpiece.

Sunday our church had a picnic. It was great. I can not even express how much I love our Church. The weather was beautiful, the food was great, the fellowship was delightful.

Independence Day

What a glorious day it turned out to be!

Shortly after noon the girls and I headed over to Mom & Dad's for a picnic. I wasn't sure what time to expect the guys, I left them a note on the kitchen table explaining where we were so they could join us if they got home in time. Turns out they arrived just shortly after we did. They detoured by Mom and Dad's just in case we were there, which of course we were. I was delighted. :) They had a great time on their camping trip as well.









Dessert! I made the cake with Hannah. It is a recipe I came across on Pinterest: Firecracker Cake and Laura made a delicious frozen treat Peanut butter Rocky Road Dessert.