The joy in the window…

(I kind of feel like that title should be the title of a TV show…maybe bones??  Well, probably not, not with ‘joy’)

I digress…

The other night, this little window made me happy on so many levels.  We were in those crazy hours before dinner, but after nap, and nate & abi were playing in the toy room (soon to be nursery/toy/oh my goodness room) and abi saw our neighbors outside playing.

Immediately, the window must go up so she can have a little chit-chat with her buddies.  I mean, seriously, so cute.  I love hearing what sweet littles talk about.  Makes you smile.

And then…Abi wanted to go play.  On her own.  What a big deal.  After my agreement, little lady grabbed her shoes – and out the window she went.  Yep, sweet thing hoisted the screen and exited our house a la window.  JOY.

Nate didn’t know what to do with himself.  He kept watching them in the backyard.  Half entertained, half really bummed that he hadn’t climbed out the window too.

But, then we got some sweet time together.  During the crazy hours.  When does this happen?   Unexpected JOY.

And when my little one came back in – smelling of outdoors and red-cheeked – she was just so happy.  She had so much fun and felt like such a big girl because she got to go “by herself.”  (It was the first thing she told her daddy when he got home, big deal here, folks!)  And the feeling when your heart swells because you see the JOY in someone else.  That is one of the sweetest gifts of parenthood.

Spring Break – Days 4.5.6.7

The final days to wrap up our little delayed week o’ fun!

Day 4 – Park & Walk

Poor Nate got sick!  Today was supposed to be our head to the park with friends and have a picnic lunch.  Plans change :)  But, thanks to some awesome friends; Abi still got to park it up while I stayed home with Nate.  We went on a walk – very exciting stuff.

While we waited for her ride – some sidewalk art.

one of the many things I love about our boy…he is never too sick to eat.  Even feeling crummy…snacks are in hand.

We took some toes & flowers shots along the way…

Day 5 – Arboretum

My sweet friend & I did our meals-on-wheels route alone (which was a treat for us – because although I adore doing this with Abi – selfishly I got an entire 2 hours to hang out and talk with a dear friend!)  Abi was absent because…her cousins were in town!  She decided that she would miss “seeing her friends” so that she could hit up the arboretum with Josh & Mary Claire.  I joined them after our route was over!  What a way to spend a Friday afternoon.

Nate had other things on his mind…

These next few just crack me up.  Can you get more personality??

 

Never forget to take time and smell the roses (err, tulips)…

Mommy & Daddy, courtesy of Abi…

He wouldn’t miss out on all of the action – Nate is always up for a good time.

Days(s) 6,7 – Cousins!

Did NOT document these days well at all!  Thanks, J&B, for coming up to Dallas and ending our spring break week o’ awesome with some awesome company. 

As you can see…Josh & Abi always manage to have a good ol’ time!

We hope the memories of your Spring Break weeks have made you smile much!!

Easter 2012

In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.

We had a beautiful Easter this year; it was quiet and rainy – a gentle day of remembering hope and Christ’s victory.

Sweet, sleepy Nate.  He had passed out in the car on our way home.  Too much excitement!  Don’t worry – he got in on the action later!

We had such fun preparing for Easter this year.  As Abi gets older, it is such a blessing (and often times conviction to me) on being intentional in my heart to prepare.  Discussing Holy Week with a 3 1/2 year old really showed me the mystery and awe that the Easter story contains.  It was such a treat and humbling!

Here he is!  Good morning, little Nate.

Abi’s little “Jesus is alive today!” just brought smiles to our faces – in addition to the true reason we have hope…abi also hoped for lots of yummy treats to enjoy – she was not disappointed.  However, Donald & I may have set ourselves up for failure in future years…I guess we keep going up on the silly?  We hid 65 eggs for a 3 1/2 year old (who really got it) and a 1 year old (who just thought it was funny to find a silly plastic thing and throw it on the ground!).  Next year, 100 eggs??  BUT, I must admit – my face was a big bundle of smiles and laughing the whole time we were hiding them!

 

Everyone knows my heart on this…food makes a day extra special to me.  I don’t know what it is; but I am so affected by food!  I remember moments with food, it adds to my joy…oh, and I like to eat it.  A lot.

And then the rain came…but we loved it!  We rested, enjoyed the fun treats in Easter baskets, and watched some Masters.  Happy Day – especially for the guys.

But the rain stopped!  And one of my favorite memories of late…out to the boat we went for Nate’s maiden voyage!

*Silly, but we call the canoe, the boat :)

It was so quiet and peaceful on the lake.  Right after a rainstorm is one of my favorite times to be at the lake.  The animals are super active…so minus the trash that was in abundance b/c of the storm…all was beautiful.  But, even the trash ministered to us (weird statement) – there was such evidence of how we muck this life, creation up sometimes – made the beauty of Easter hit me in another way that day.

I just think our captain is so handsome…

And our little Nate…SCREAMED at the beginning for a good 5 minutes, we definitely thought that we’d have to call our excursion early.  But by the end…he was SCREAMING that we wouldn’t let him get his whole arm in the water (remember the nasty trash?!).  And the end of the day – the boy’s a fan of the lake.  What a Wallace.

We pray that your Easter, the week prior, and this past week have been a wonderful encouragement to you!

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.

Parts of a poem by Edward Shillito (1872-1948), a Free Church minister in England during World War I

Spring Break Week o’ Awesome – Days 1,2,3

I suppose we’re still exiting the spring break mindset.  With all of this insane weather that we’ve been having (and the presence of a 3 and 1 year old who, yes, keep me busy – but still, life is still quite at our leisure!) we’re just enjoying being outside and soaking up the delightful temperatures.  Because we are not fools with no memory – we know what is right around the corner once June arrives.

But, back a few weeks ago, Abi & I derived what we thought would be a truly excellent week (Nate gave input where appropriate) and we dove in.  With friends along for the ride, the deal got even sweeter.

Day 1 – Breakfast at Hypnotic Donuts & Lunch downtown with Mercantile Coffee

What a way to kick-off Spring Break!  This place is voted the 14th best spot in the country for donuts (who knew they even ranked that?!)  It does not disappoint…

(and that was all that Abi could eat!)

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Some quality outside time while little Nate slept…we will miss the morning naps.  It is a sweet time to spend with my girl.

Check out these three awesome ladies…they were debating who got to hold the snake next (in Abi’s hand currently).  Girls after my own heart.  (Disclaimer…a totally safe snake for kiddos to hold…nothing venomous here!)

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After all of our excitement…the yummy eatery at Main Street Garden was closed!  Oh boo.  Thanks, Jason’s Deli for coming to our rescue.  Abi apparently needs a little more practice before she’s ready to be a full-blown city girl.  After about 2 blocks…”Mommy, I am really tired of walking and need to sit.”

Fun little play area that we always have a blast on…but you can tell no parent designed it.  There is no shade structure.  Sunshine + play things with metal = unhappy experience for all involved.  The trick is to get there early…

 

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Abi & I are working our way through the best coffee (and Abi’s version of chocolate milk) in Dallas as voted in D Magazine.  It’s been a blast.  She journals about it – we visit fun spots – I have a great excuse to drink lots of yummy (1/2 caff) coffee!

Day 2 – Trinity River Audubon Center

I just love this place.  The staff are great (some are former coworkers, which is always fun); the facility is fantastic; and honestly it’s just completely refreshing to see a stretch of the Trinity River which is actually pleasing to the senses.  Seriously.

Creating a river…seeing what happens when a flood happens.  The girls thought it was pretty cool!

He’s always along for a good time.  I just love him.

Sweet little sister trying to keep up with the big girls.

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 Day 3 – I worked at the Zoo 

Not much to report here…a day spent with other families' pre-schoolers :)  The Zoo always puts on a good show for Spring Break Camp…check out our African Crested Crane.

Days 4-5-6 – you’re up next!!!