the SPRING is back in our step

[SOMETHING OLD]

= our boys!!!

What happened to our little munchkins???

[Jack is 2 1/2 and Drew is 5]

[SOMETHING NEW]

We were able to spend an afternoon with our friends trying something new this year in preparation for Easter celebration. We dyed eggs naturally, with a variety of vegetables and different onion skins (red onion skins yielded the darkest color). It was so interesting to see the variation and beautiful end result.

[SOMETHING CREATED]

Up until a few weeks ago, thinking of doing anything creative literally turned my stomach. I don't know what it was. I couldn't even stay inspired by perusing others blogs or sites because the scrolling motion made me sick. All the creative juices had left me. But with the brightening of the sunshine, I feel it starting to come back. Slowly, but I'm hopeful!

[SOMETHING BLUE]

Our first "spring" outing was to the Lake, and though there was not yet much color in the earth, the sky was a beautiful, inviting BLUE. There was much to explore and it was just so nice to be able to roam around without being cold. (ok, can you tell I had a terrible winter. I promise I won't keep complaining about it though!) I started an art journal notebook with the boys to bring along on our journey's to hopefully spur them on to drawing when surrounded by different environments and beautiful nature. It took a little bit of coaxing with all the rocks waiting to be thrown in the lake, but they eventually sat down and drew something. Jack found his first bug of the season and followed it faithfully along the rock. And we built a "woodland home" for the next critter that comes along in need of some shelter.

[SOMETHING DREW]

this kid, I tell ya!


[SOMETHING TRUE]

*yours truly* 5 months preggo

A picture is worth a thousand words...

"HE IS NOT HERE, FOR HE IS RISEN"

:sunset in Israel:

:The traditional "Golgotha" hill of Christ's crucifiction:

:entrance to the Garden Tomb:

:a tour of what is believed to be Christ's burial tomb:

:a view of the Garden:

{HAPPY EASTER & HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY. MAY YOUR HEARTS BE COMFORTED BY THE GREAT NEWS THAT WE CELEBRATE TODAY.}

The Garden Song

I sent the boys to play in their rooms so I could get some menu planning done. This is what they came up with:

The BIG Day Ahead

I don't have the energy at the moment to do a "full" post, but there is much on the "list." To say it was a rough weekend, well, it would be an understatement. An unfortunate "cut" through insurance put me on a new medicine until an early refill form went through, thus, putting me through...to put it plainly...misery. But nothing to not be overcome and I have the new meds to hold me through to what will hopefully be the ending of the worst of it since I am now 13 weeks along!!!!! 

HOWEVER, I couldn't walk by the computer tonight without at least putting up a little blurb about a VERY SPECIAL DAY occuring in our house tomorrow!!! 

DREW TURNS 5!!!!! 

He is SO EXCITED! We have only been counting down the days for...oh, 2 weeks??!!?? He has a fun-filled day full of surprises waiting and lots of family-help kicking in to make it easy on this momma (all I have to do is pick up the cake and show up to the party!) and very special for a great little boy!! More pictures to come after the special day. And hopefully some catch-up blogging, like:

1. John's Israel trip

2. Our family outing to the Eric Carle museum

3. Ultra sound picture

4. Hmmmm...well, I guess that's about all the excitement in this past month. 

At least excitement worth blogging about! 

OH, and HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY (belated)!!!!!!

*make a wish*

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout 

to my dear friend, Steph.

Today's the *BIG* one---

but I'm not mentioning any numbers,

because my days are also numbered! 

return to me

He's Home.

I am back in his arms.

And all seems as though it should.

HAS IT ONLY BEEN ONE WEEK???

This thought hit me as I pondered the reality that my husband left one week ago tomorrow for the HOLY LAND. My life, since, has been, well...interesting. As you know, or might not know, this pregnancy has pretty much treated me like a dying pigeon, with no thought or care as to how I feel. Because this month has been a blur, it's also left me without the power to complete any task efficiently, nor to conjur enough strength to even step into the realm of creativity or for that matter, prosperity. My diet has completely unravelled at the plight of my stomach(have you had McD's triple thick strawberry shake lately??? yummo) and I lie on the couch most evenings commanding direction or ideas for the boys to keep themselves busy. Before John left, I was a sight to be seen. I had enough strength to get dinner on the table, and while feeding my face all was well. But as soon as I swallowed my last bite, the battle was on. I'd shuffle over to the couch, wrap up in my warm blanket, and watch my husband take over for the night. He would successfully gather the boys to help clear the table while he washed the dishes, swept the floor and set out the breakfast dishes. All the while everyone laughing and singing and snapping dish towels at each other (John's true talent!!!). And even though I was fighting to keep my stomach inside itself (which most nights failed), I watched with glee at the happy moments that father and sons were creating at my expense.

Then, the thought hit me. What. am. I. going. to. do. once John is gone??? I know it's only 10 days, but every day already seems like 20---how I am going to hold it together?? Well, the answer came soon enough. I had my first appt. 2 days before John was flying out. All went really well...and I got great news that I am probably a few weeks further along than I anticipated! When do you EVER hear that! And I am getting an early ultra sound to get an official due date (thanks to my lack of memory). But I think the best part of the 3 hour ordeal was after my appt. as I waited in line to deliver my urine in a cup (sealed tightly...but still!!!) and get my blood work done, I was finally filled with the true JOY of having a new little one growing inside me. This sickness has heavily loomed over me preventing any excitement of adding another baby to the fam. But there I stood in line, and my eyes filled with tears because I know this terrible part is such a short season and I have such a great reward awaiting at the end that will erase any rememberance of this time. (until, I suppose, I see another stick with 2 pink lines...then it will all come back. but that...is out of the realm of possibility right now.) And the answer: the midwife gave me a nausea perscription that was truly, truly a gift from God. I would not be making it this week without it! No doubt!

SO, to say I can't wait until John comes home is an understatement. But, he'd be proud to know that even in spite of Jack coloring the fridge pink today and Drew not falling asleep until 10:30pm last night and the boys completely emptying Jack's closet onto his floor, I have been holding down the fort! He felt so bad leaving me the way I was...but there was really nothing we could do. SO I got sweet things like special treats, daddy instructions to Drew to be the man of the house while he's gone and a stack of cards to read from him every night before I pillow my head. And not just a "blurb" card...a lot of writing kind of card. Just like the good old days!!! So even in spite of the mish-mosh feeling and lack of schedule without "daddy" to anchor us, we'll all have renewed appreciation to be together again. And that is a good thing.