WayfaringStrangers

Happy Birthday, Mom! Love you! It is so refreshing to go somewhere different after you've not traveled in a while. This past weekend we went to my Aunt Jeanne's house. She always makes us feel so welcome- her home is warm and beautiful and on the most beautiful property. We really missed the presence of our Uncle Jim, who went to be with Jesus last year. It was also fun (and helpful) to have my brother Aaron and his girlfriend Autumn come with us :) The boys had so much fun getting into e verything. And playing with dogs and cats and toys and tractors. Uncle Aaron is good for tractor rides: "ca-cuh" ("Tractor!") My used to be cautious son is pretty brave these days: Walking through one of the meadows: Really want these boys to have a dog soon! Love this lady! Cuties- all of them: Such fun! Must go back soon...

Let's see, what's been happening? -Graham is taking a few swim lessons through the Red Cross. He loves it! I have no pictures because I'm the one in the water with him so I'm pretty busy the whole 30 minutes we are there. -A few warm days! Spring soon? -We all had the stomach bug. Thankfully it was only for 24 hours. I had the least severe case, so I played nurse. Of course. Mama's always play nurse. I'm just grateful I was able to. And pictures: Playing "be-ball" Behn coming home at the end of a long day is so refreshing: Finally took down my Christmas "JOY" canvasses and made these paper cut little pretties to celebrate February and March (heart, clover, flower). Whether he liked it or not (he did not), someone got a haircut: More of this: Naps are becoming less and less frequent. My heart is broken. He does like these Legos a whole lot. I'm glad! This guy wants me to read to him all

It's been quiet on the blog because this month has been: rotten. I'm not kidding. Nothing really bad or tragic has happened, and for that I am grateful. It's the little things that have been adding up to wear me out, almost to a breaking point. I sometimes shudder to think what I would be like if something *really* bad (i.e. an illness, accident, great financial loss) happened since I get so shook up by the daily grind of life. Thank God for His strength and for family helping to get us through the rest of this winter. Today is Valentine's Day. Not much happens here, especially when I'm in survival mode. I can barely keep up with laundry, meals, and dishes. Forget about heart-shaped pancakes- and actual Valentine's cards? Very funny. Last thing on my long list. Here is the Valentines wreath I started 2 weeks ago. Impressed? This morning I sat down with Graham for Bible Time. We read from the Jesus Storybook Bible, and today we were at the crucifixion. As

*Warning- wordy post with lots of spiritual talk* I have a new goal this month- to work out every day. It's a short month anyway, and I'm going to give myself 4 free passes to skip if I really can't get that workout in. I haven't worked out consistently since November, so the treadmill's a bit dusty! Saturday was the 1st day of the month and I honestly don't know if I really 'worked out.' The morning started with a lot of whining from the kids. By the time I got myself together, I had to go to work. Then we ran errands as a family. The day was pretty, so later we went on a family hike, which is basically the 4 of us trudging through the mud in the woods, but we did run around some and Behn and I took turns carrying Patrick. By the time we got home and dinner on the table, I was too exhausted to get on the treadmill. I guess that the hike counts? At least we were all active! Spending time with my husband and kids walking in the woods is more valuable