WayfaringStrangers

It's been a long and cold winter. Heck, it's spring now and it snowed all day yesterday and last night. Everyone is complaining, including me. I want it to be warm, too. I'm tired of boots and sweaters and coats. So are the kids. We are over it. But in a way, the winter hasn't bugged me too much, and still isn't bugging me. Here's why. First of all, snow is still pretty. I was driving home in the snow showers last night, and the big, fluffy, swirly flakes were pretty. They are still delicate and fresh. Sure, I wish they'd visited us more in December and less in March, but I still think it's pretty. But the real  reason I don't mind the cold weather is because it's kind of been keeping us indoors. I know, I'm Little Miss Outdoorsy, right? Yes, I love to be outside. I like to take the kids to the park and on walks. But we are in a not-great stage right now where they both just take off. They basically have unlimited energy and so going outs...

It's the end of March and I wonder where the month has gone. The time got covered in snow. You can just barely see the hue of the redbuds on the trees. It will be a late spring, but it will come. We've had a few peeks into the season; days where we run out to play without jackets. Then the next day, we run back inside and sit in front of the electric fireplace. The days are bright and sunny, unless it's snowing.  The days are long; Graham doesn't nap anymore and the hours stretch before me, always feeling the boys' nearness and needs. Patrick only naps once and it's often short, so most of the time I'm swarmed. That is why the blogging is slowing down. I do enjoy it, but at the end of the day, I am fried. Trying to document life comes second to living it. Still, it's important to me to write something and add pictures. Otherwise, I will forget all of this. Behn's parents came to visit, which was lovely. Behn and I had a date night in the city...

You know how I said Patrick likes to climb? That he is always on top of the dining room table? Exhibit A: ^ Patch on a Table ^ Lord have mercy on this little boy (and his mama).

I always knew I wanted boys. Ever since I nannied 2 little boys in college, I longed for my own little man to dress in flannel shirts and blue jeans. Not being too much of a girly girl myself, I figured it would go well for me to skip princesses and tutus, at least for a while. Graham, fall 2012. Flannel and cords are a favorite on little boys. I was pretty excited about Graham being a boy. And, he was all boy, playing with balls and dirt like he was meant to. Then I found out I was pregnant again. This time I thought, "maybe I'm ready for a girl..." but the minute I found out that Patrick was a boy, I was thrilled. I was going to give Graham a brother.  Recycled clothes and toys. Rough and tumble, lifelong best buddies. They are 3 and 1 now. They play and fight. They shoot hoops together and wrestle all the time. The house is filled with every kind of ball imaginable, cars and trucks. It's a loud home, full of noise and life. I've embraced the ...

First of all, #211 why Patrick is amazing: he eats the not-sweet pineapple I cut up this afternoon. He eats anything. The baby will be 18 months old tomorrow. I am in disbelief that when Graham was 18 months old, I was 6 months pregnant with Patrick. Surreal. Patrick is sweetness. He is as sweet a child as you could imagine, except for some unfortunate hair-pulling tendencies. He's smart, smart, smart. He says lots of words (book, eat, walk, night-night, uh-oh, up, down, bath, and of course, lots of 'mama' and 'dada'). He says a lot, but understands even more. He can follow simple instructions ('go pick that up'), he folds his hands to pray, and he loves  books. He brings me books constantly and also will just sit down with a book and 'read' to himself. Patrick loves balls and cars and tractors. 100% boy. Patrick is a dream to put to bed/nap. Plop him in with 2 binkies and leave the room and he'll go to sleep. If he does wake during the nig...

I wanted to drop in to re-evaluate the goals I made in January . We've done well with some of them, and not as well with others. Drink more water- I can do better! But I have been more conscientious about it. Save money on food (through a variety of ways) . January was horrible. I was ashamed to do so poorly on this goal in the first month. But February was much better, and not just because it was a short month, but because we really are saying 'no' more often to alcohol and cheap takeout. We are throwing away less leftovers (room for improvement, though). I am hoping to do even better in March! Eat more veggies. Yep. Going well. Adopt a dog. This almost happened already, but didn't. We really feel like we need a fence first. But if the perfect dog comes along before then, we will make an exception. Build a fence. Bought the first few posts and rails this weekend! Just need winter to go away so we can put them up! Garden. Too early to do this, but really need ...

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...