We're Spring Breakin'!

I was on maternity leave last year, and forgot how enjoyable Spring Break is! Ken has taken two days off, and we've had fun doing this, that, and the other thing together. We're trying to treasure the moments, and that's easier sometimes than others in our active household. This week has been a joy.

Highlights have included:

• Sleeping in a bit (7:45 for me). Nathan was up one day at 6:00 instead of his usual 6:30. I believe he takes after Grandpa Vanderwest!
• Meijer Gardens - the daffodils, tulips, HYACINTHS, butterflies, tropical areas, etc., were beautiful. I love seeing God's designs in all the natural beauty and creativity at the gardens.
  
• Edna, our former neighbor, calling up and asking if she could come stay for the weekend...she had a ride to GR. She enjoys just being around the gang and we enjoyed seeing her.
• Making a scrumptious spiral ham dinner - complete with mashed potatoes and HAM gravy (the best kind), topped off with strawberry shortcake! It was a special treat, since I usually make a simple Sunday lunch (i.e. sandwiches). Edna helped me and it was good to have a friend in the kitchen.
  
• Worship Night at Family Night on Sunday night...and having two good friends (the Sytsma's) became members.
• Cleaning! Yes, a highlight! Things tidied, cleaned, etc. - the kids were given jobs beyond their regular chores, and they did a good job overall. I can't tell you how good a freshly scrubbed kitchen floor/entryway feels!
  
• Aunt Kelly (Ken's sister) and Leslie (our niece) coming over....dinner, chatting, Wii playing (kids AND adults) ....we sure like them. Schedules these days make our visits too far apart.
• Tuesday - Ken took today off - a new library (the kids put on a cute puppet show for me), Pizza Hut (redemption of Book It coupons), finding a new playground (Walker Charter School), Easter Egg Coloring, finished with me taking the three older kids to the KCHS pool . . . truly a great day, not just because of all the activities, but moreso because everyone got along so well and was kind to each other. We sure enjoy each other. It made me look forward to camping/vacationing this summer. Any suggestions where to go?
  
• Not a lot planned the rest of the week....hangin' out with games, puzzles, reading books, playing outdoors, etc. Ken and I plan to watch "The Passion of the Christ" to help us focus on Christ's incredible sacrifice for us. I will not be going to the Good Friday service (too difficult with our young children and no nursery), but we try to focus on the sorrow and significance of Christ's death before heading into the celebration of His resurrection. I appreciate Good Friday services.
• We're hoping for a date sometime on Saturday to celebrate my birthday...My Coldstone free birthday ice cream is calling my name!
  
• We hope to spend the day with Ken's parents and family on Easter (can we come over, Mom?) :) The kids are counting down the days to "Easter and Mom's birthday." They are sweet.

Here are some pics of our adventures:

Another bedtime prayer

Bedtime prayer tonight: "Thank you God for the good day and for the Walsh's as they tell people about God and for us to be safe, and let me, let me, let me be around for a long time because Mommy likes me."

-from my Seth

He has asked about death some lately, and I have assured him that God is in heaven, but that we love him very much and want him to be with us for a long time.

We've been the house of sickness lately...poor Nathan didn't go to school all last week. He had a fever that kept returning and a full cough. It was pleasant playing games, reading, and snuggling with him. Then Robyn came home from school and basically slept from 4 pm Monday until Tuesday at 8:30 am. She had a temp, too. So, she stayed home on Tuesday and Wednesday. I knew she was feeling better on Wednesday when she and Seth had a few spats. If you're able to argue and spat, you must be feeling better! Thankfully, now everything is healthy again.

Just five days of school left until spring break! Teachers and students are READY for a break! We're going to spend some time doing some family things together. Oh, and de-cluttering, organizing, and cleaning, too. Unfortunately, Aaron seems to enjoy following me and undoing whatever I have just done. The kids now know that all bathroom and bedroom doors are to be closed at all times....they're just too interesting for Aaron! I've told people his two favorite places in the house are the kitchen garbage can and any bathroom. He's being redirected often these days. :)

It's 10:14 pm, past my bedtime, and I can't think of much to say, so I will say nothing else.

In the tradition of Paul Harvey,


Good Day!

I Think....Could It Be?

Could it really be? Is it possible? One can never be sure....I've had snow days on my birthday before (April 12). Hopefully not this year, as April 12 is Easter, and that would be very sad.

But, could it truly be? That one word? Starts with S, 6 letters long . . .

Official definition: "A time or season of growth or development; specifically: the season between winter and summer comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of March, April, and May or as reckoned astronomically extending from the March equinox to the June solstice."

Perhaps? Maybe? The sun shone beautifully today, streaming in the windows from all directions. It lifted our already happy spirits, as Nathan turned 8 today! I haven't felt like I'm sick of winter, but when the sun peeks and I watch the kids running around outside without extra layers of everything, it reminds me how nice warm weather is! And I love the first part of Webster's definition: a time or season of growth or development. I'm going to strive to grow closer to God during this next season. Maybe I'll even sit out on my deck and soak in the rays while doing so.

Check it out!

Mid April

Temperatures for the next few days will feel more like mid April and not Mid March.

Afternoon highs will climb into the mid and upper 50s.

Today	Tomorrow	Mon	Tue	Wed
Clear	Sunny	Partly Cloudy	Partly Cloudy	Few Showers
High: 46° Low: 27°	High: 56° Low: 30°	High: 57° Low: 36°	High: 62° Low: 39°	High: 49° Low: 30°