Spring has Sprung!

Have you ever noticed one day each year that everything turns green? It doesn't happen on the Vernal Equinox. And it's nice when the winter wheat starts greening up, followed by people's yards (those who actually have grass). Rather, this moment that I'm talking about happens a few weeks later. I noticed this year last Saturday, when we went on our hike. (see previous post) It had been rainy and then sunny for several days. It seems that the trees were still gray and brown when I went to bed, but Saturday morning they seemed to have sprouted a layer of green. They aren't leafed out yet, of course, but still appear green. It's such a wonderful sight.

I can't help but think of the way God is revealing Himself in this process...without a single word.
Every single year, the trees "die" and stand there completely dormant and ugly. This is us when we sin and lose sight of Jesus. But every spring, the trees come to life again with renewed beauty and vigor. When we repent of our sin and refocus our eyes onto Christ, we are refreshed and renewed becoming beautiful in His sight once again. I'm not at all thinking that God abandons us during those "ugly" times, but we all certainly go through them. He is ultimately displaying His faithfulness.

Now to a drastically different issue, I must go change a stinky diaper. I wonder what kind of spiritual lesson I'll get out of this????? ;)

First Hike

I guess this story begins the week before Easter when the men were on their annual campout. Jeff always enjoys these trips and I often get away as well. And we are really happy to get home when it's over. The guys hiked around Burden Falls. Jeff thought that would be a nice place to bring us, so we went last weekend. Lilian travelled really well there and back. And we had to try out that new baby backpack we bought. She did sooo well and really seemed to enjoy the change in scenery. It was a beautiful sunny day. And a terrific time spent with our little family. It really makes me look forward to more great times ahead, Lord willing... :)

At the bottom of Burden Falls.

Jeff carrying Lilian in her backpack.

Me and Lilian in front of the falls.

One STRONG baby!

Daddy is So proud of his buff baby girl! ;)

Dad Day #10

Dad day is my own personal holiday. It's the anniversary of his death, April 24, 1999. I've taken off work on most of these days. Last year I worked and it was ok. I didn't fall to pieces or anything, but this year has been different. I've been on the verge of tears at the drop of a hat for weeks now. I don't think that is entirely because of dad. Partly, for those who know me well, I'm a squall-bag. Partly stress...who knows. Anyways...this one was particularly good and needed.

This year marked 10 years since my life turned in a direction I never saw coming. I've missed him so much and so many things have happened. The first grandson, a wedding, the first granddaughter, a house built, another house built, and the second granddaughter.

Dad was terrific. Although we made fun of him so much. (Really, hasn't every kid done that? It's scary to think that is how our child will treat us.) Dad was the most sincere Christian I ever knew. He was certainly not without flaws, but was open and honest and willing to conform to Christ. Dad was an adventurer. Hiking, climbing, skydiving. I'm not sure there was anything he wouldn't try.

Naturally, some days are better than others, but there are times when I miss him so much it hurts. A strange feeling overcomes me that feels like an eternity has passed and yet at the same time, it was yesterday. I do know that we will see each other again, and I look forward to that day. Until then, I'll live in a way that hopefully he would have been proud of, and pass on his stories and lessons to my own family.

Spring Flowers

Last fall, I planted some flower bulbs. My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece Rachel helped plant 100 bulbs. It was a nice day together. Earlier this spring, I began to see life. It was so encouraging! Especially since our house has no landscaping whatsoever at this point. I even posted the pic of my first daffodil. Now, the beds are in full bloom and I thought I'd share them with you. It's a mix of daffodils and tulips (my favorite flower).

The colors were an assortment, which is cool to me.
I love flower close ups.
Can you really deny a Creator God when you look at a flower?!
The color didn't turn out here like in real life, but these orange tulips are my favorites of all!

There's a double daffodil in here but I was on the wrong side to get it. Still, a good example of my variety.

9 Mo. pics

My friend Maria has started dabbling in the world of photography, so she came over one day to take Lilian's 9 month pics. I think these turned out really good. I ordered prints of 4 pics out of the 10 she presented. (see below) Anyways, thanks Maria for a good job! Keep it up and pretty soon you'll be out of my price range. ;) Love ya!

Lilian has been crabby lately...I'm really hoping a tooth pops through today. I can see the silly thing, but not feel it. We're looking forward to a great weekend with Uncle Scott and Aunt Stacey with cousins Caleb and Rachel.

Here's a bit of my creativity. I thought it was cute.

Spring Cleaning!

Ok, for those of you who think my house is always clean...here's my dirt. It was on the mini-blinds! I washed blinds and windows today. I do feel a bit of satisfaction, even though it's just a start. But really, can you believe mini-blinds could make this much mud!?!?!?!? I was amazed. Even the windows didn't produce such grime. My mother-in-law pointed out that if it's on the blinds, it's on the walls. I guess that'll be a project for another day.

And so it starts...

opinions.

Yep, she's gettin' 'em. Lilian has learned how to scream and cry whenever she doesn't get what she wants. She also does this when she doesn't want to take her bottle. She gets frustrated because, in all her new moving abilities, she still can't get at things out of reach. Lilian is learning what "no" means. I really hate starting that word so stinkin' early, but when she's reaching for the power outlets (which are covered, BTW) you instinctively react. Especially when I turn down the hallway and she has the night light dismantled and in her mouth. YIKES!

Choose your battles, right? Yeah. *Sigh*

Visiting Friends

This weekend was really fun! We met Jill and her girls at Mo. Bap. University and travelled on to Columbia. It was really nice to travel together. The babies were certainly glad to get home I think. Lilian for one, doesn't travel well. She's just not had that much experience. Anyways, we had a good time playing. We attempted to walk to a nearby park and we quickly decided to turn around and try again later. The babies got lunch and a nap, then we drove to the park. It was nice outside, but quite breezy. Lilian and I waited in the van while finishing supper. It was just so nice to visit friends. This was my first meeting with KK and she's totally adorable! She and Lilian played together. I'm afraid Lilian was a bit overpowering since she's mobile and KK's not there yet. Thanks J for a terrific weekend!

Lilian was genuinely glad to be at home after that busy weekend. She was overjoyed to see her daddy and ended up sleeping 12 hours! I was particularly appreciative of that! Here are some shots of the babies playing. Unfortunately I didn't get any really good shots of the big girls.

Happy 9 Mo. to my Big Girl!

Yes, can you believe Lilian is 9 months old?!?!?! She has been a pure delight overall (minus the hour she screamed last night) ;)



Our sweet little 7 lb 7 oz baby girl is now 19 lbs 1 oz and a whopping 29" long! According to the Dr. and Mary Poppins, she is practically perfect in every way!



Lilian can stand up with the assistance of any semi-stable object. She can walk while holding our hands. She has finally gotten her 3rd tooth, which isn't one of the top ones, it's another one on the bottom! The Dr. told us to feed her food first and then her bottle for dessert. However, Lilian would rather eat so we have to do it the other way around in order for her to get enough nutrients. Wierd girl! :) You should see her eat a cookie! It's so funny and cute.



Jeff had a sweet time with her last night. He went in to kiss her goodnight and he nuzzled her neck and said, "I Love You" and she giggled and squirmed. He kept at it for a minute. What a sweet moment with a girl and her daddy. (I'm almost 32 and I still miss my daddy sometimes.)



This weekend, we are headed to Columbia, MO to visit my good friend Jill and her family. Her youngest is 7 weeks younger than Lilian. I'm really REALLY looking forward to the visit but I'm kinda dreading the trip. So far, Lilian doesn't travel well. We are meeting Jill in St. Louis and then riding with her back to Columbia so I don't have to make the trip alone. What a good friend! Be on the lookout for some stories and pics from the weekend.



Here's a video of my favorite new Lilian trick!