Signs of Life

Each spring the anticipation of something green, something new, something other-than-brown, fills my spirit.  We begin our longer walks on Mom and Dad's road where the first meadowlarks apprise us of spring's arrival, although it may not feel like it when snow is still the forecast.  While on our walks we search for signs of spring, signs of life, proof that it will not be winter forever!

New buds that will be leaves soon 

                                                       There may be frogs in the creek.....

This is totally blurry, I cropped it so much, but it was cool to see how this bluebird was looking at us while flying.

Best of friends ~

He's Cute

When random strangers, or friends for that matter, comment on how cute Max is, it is almost impossible to answer in a gracious manner.  It slips off my lips before I can even stop it, "I know."  Prior to his arrival, there were many concerns and some of those would affect his appearance.  This scared the heck out of me.  What would I think of a baby that may look less than perfect?  Would I be able to love him for the creation that he was?  Would I cry when I looked into his little face for the first time?  These thoughts tumbled through my mind for four months.

Then he arrived and his face, his eyes, his screaming lungs totally filled my heart with joy.  I was prepared to accept whatever gift God placed in our life, but Max's perfection was almost too much.  I spent the first few months of his life sitting on the couch staring at him, wondering why I had been given such a perfect miracle.
I will never know the answer to that question.
But I do know one thing.
He's pretty darn cute!

Max will stare in the mirror til "the other baby" smiles, 

then he's all friendly.

Some days there can be quite a stare-down as he watches himself.

The little prince has taken our bed over ~

He loves his little monkey Daddy bought for him ~

Easter

What a beautiful day Easter was!  Spring has definitely arrived, although we will certainly have a few more snow storms.  It was mostly sunny and definitely relaxing.

We feel so blessed to call the Cathedral our church-home.  Every single Easter when we arrive in the morning (extra early on Easter as the 7:30 Mass is moved to 7:00 and we must arrive early to get "our" pew) I feel a special closeness with the women who went to the tomb to annoint Jesus' body only to discover that He had risen.  The church is quiet and still, yet, in our heart we know that He has risen. Alleluia!

An extra special treat this year was the cantor that sang at Mass.  The girls and I heard him sing with the choir earlier this year and loved his voice.  When he approached the ambo Easter morning, it was a pure gift. His voice made me feel like singing louder than ever!  Since I typically lipsync, it didn't take much ~:o)  

Anyway ~ following Mass the Easter bunnies had arrived and hid all the baskets and eggs at Grandma & Grandpa's.  All the cousins joined in the typical crazy Easter egg hunt followed by breakfast ~ yum, yum, yum!

Dom looks a little naughty!

It was so breezy, Max didn't last long.

"And then, blah, blah, blah,

blah-blah, blah-blah-blah, blah.

And she was, like, so, I dunno. It was crazy, but fun still........"

I don't think these two looked for too many eggs~

Nickles' basket was empty by nap time. 

Sweet Kelton's basket is almost as big as him ~

Easter Preparation

Is my heart prepared for Easter?  Probably not.  Actually, no, not at all.  But Easter has arrived and there is still the wordly preparations to care for.  Food is being prepared, eggs are dyed, shoes shined, clothes ironed, kids are in the showers.  Girls are waiting to have their hair put in curlers, so a few pics then off to bed!

While others mow their lawn before Easter, Grandpa burned his field ~

It was awesome, propane gas burners and all!

Catch Up

The past weeks have been crazy. Along with our regular busy days, we're in the midst of spring cleaning.  I love having everything sparkling, walls repainted, carpets cleaned, windows polished, clutter gone, projects completed before Easter. Shannon is accusing me of losing a book he just purchased to The Great Purge of 2014. 

I kinda need to wrap up several things this week, though. Despite getting a lot accomplished, on the surface things don't look too changed. I have a horrid habit of jumping off bridges with no plan ~ so projects may be left hanging for a bit too long and Shannon may have to come to my rescue.  

More sibling rivalry ~

Max decided to graduate from the swing to the walker.  

He's movin' up in the world!

Even Nickles is sick of the snow ~

so he decided to melt it one inch at a time with warm water and a hose.

Bet that's not what Shannon intended when he plumbed hot water to our hose bibs. 

Apparently, he needed to rest his feet while drinking his breakfast smoothie ~

And Dom is the worst photo bomber!

Annie & Mike's new pup, Bria.

Nickles is smitten!

Karaoke!

This was my favorite night ever, or at least my favorite night

in the past months.  The entire house was peaceful and that's sayin' a lot!

There were games going on amongst the kiddos,

Kath was playing the piano...

And life was beautiful!

Waiting for Mom to come and finish a card game ~

For a girl that wasn't too sure about a baby brother, 

Annika sure spends a lot of time with little M.

Mmmmhmmm, this was Annika's doing too ~

A real, live baby for her cradle

Daddy is definitely Max's favorite ~

Michaela's first flower from a guy ~

I'm not sure how to feel about that considering she's only 3 years old!

Off to another dance, the last highschool dance together ~:o(

Spring running ~ oh how sweet it is.  

And the meadowlarks ~ divine!

March Funnies

Dom to Eric, "Eric, I'm never going to believe you again.  You're turning into Grandpa."

I am not going to clean my boys' drawers ever again.  While straightening Dom's I discovered a beer.  We don't drink beer.  He had grabbed an extra "pop" at a party we were at and stashed it for later.  

While taking fish oil pills I was complaining of their taste.  Shan says, "Wash them down with donuts and you won't have that problem."  Mmhmm, what's the point of taking them then?  

Nickles snuggles up to me on the couch, "Mom, will you be my friend?" 

"Of course, I'll be your friend."

"Yay! Now you can never get mad at me!"

Randomly while practicing handwriting Dom says, "Mom, did you know that Obama is leading us the wrong way?"  

Michaela discovers baby Uncle has died, "Wake up little calf, wake up!"  Katherine, of course, found this absolutely hilarious.  I'm not sure what to think........

While driving behind a bus and reading the Stops at all Railroad Crossings bumper sticker, Annika states, "Like we care where the bus stops....sheesh."  Unfortunately, my sarcasm is wearing off on her.

On a walk with Nickles and Max I asked Nickles if he was freezing.  "I'm not freezin' quite yet.  Almost, but not yet."  

The younger kids were playing cards in the living room....except Nickles.  He was playing battleship alone.  He would sink a ship on one side, looking of course, then fist-pump in celebration and turn the board around to sink another ship.  No wonder he can entertain himself for so long!

A little boy is the pool asked Nickles how old he was.  He responded, "A lot."  In other words, no matter how old the other kid was Nickles was older.

Nickles after a big sneeze, "Whew!  When my nose explodes, my mouth just does that."

"I love you, Michaela!"

Never a lack of stimulation ~

The new calf ~ little Ranger.

Shannon named this one...the Lone Ranger ~