Evie and "Da"

Evie loves her “da,” it’s as simple as that.

She’ll “cheese” for him…. In return, he eats sticks for her. They look just a dang like and are always so pensive (really they’re just taking you in). It’s safe to say, she’s head over heels for that ol’ man of hers.

Nostalgia has crept in a bit. Today I’m choosing not to blink (which stinks b/c the pollen is making me nuts)…… Today, a sweet friend, who I have adopted as the sister I never had, informed me she’s about to graduate and be a FOR REAL nurse. How is the school year over? How is my child knocking hard on turning 18 months? How? How? How!! Time just dang flies by!

(she sleeps sideways. Odd. Yes, her bumpers were put back in....no, she doesn't climb on them. SURPRISINGLY. I'm sure her Ped would die if she saw this picture)

Don’t blink…..

Sitting on the dock...

at the river watching EB think she’s savvy enough to drive a boat. She is coming into her own and will soon be experienced enough to be called a river rat like the rest of us (not that we have rats). I learned a few things from this short jaunt:
This child of mine, while it came as little surprise, has NO fear of water. This child of mine thinks she can climb onto a boat with no help- a boat will drift from the dock in a split second, ya know. This child of mine LOVES to go on boat rides.

(EB and her first mate aboard Capt. Pappa Ron's loyal river barge)

This child of mine NEVER came out of her life jacket-much too risky. This child of mine likes the taste of lake water (I know I know. I’ll do better).

This child of mine is quite partial to her WARM bath water as opposed to cool April lake water. This child of mine needs a haircut. Lastly, this child of mine, knows the importance of wearing her fine jewels and looking her best at all times (she didn’t get that from me, that’s for sure). Maybe she’ll be on skies next summer?!?!?!

Hi.

This girl is a boat driving, goat petting, slide riding, daddy loving (while her mom works), ear infection getting, bead wearing, fit throwing, talking up a storm chunk of love!

We're here and we're busy. We'll be back soon. Hope your weekend is GLORIOUS.

Spunky Shoester

Mere hours before the doom and gloom of strep, Spunky learned to scale brick walls. I taught her to do this, probably not wise since she's so fearless.
Spunky earned her name from Punky Brewster when we found these NEON (they are neon to me) Keds for $14. Yep! Anyway, her myriad of, shall we say, brightness just brought the one Punky Brewster to mind. Given the festiveness of her closet this summer, she may keep the name for a while. Spunky knew her new "go fasters" were fabulous because she kept twirling and twirling. Who is this child?! I shrivel and die from attention and she blossoms.

Ohhh, Spunky Shoester, I love you like mad!

Easter....or not.

Well…..HELLO! It has been four days since Easter, six days since I last updated and, well, my first day back at work since last Friday.

This is what Easter was like for us this year:
Early
Awakening
Sends
Threats of
Evie
Ralfing

UGH! That was the SLOWEST climb up my stairs [ON PURPOSE] that I’ve EVER made. The whole time praying, “Lord, please don’t let that be puking I hear…PLEASE! PLEASE PLEASE!” TOO BAD, SO SAD! Sister-girl was SICK AS A DOG. She threw her guts up well into the wee hours. Stomach virus, AGAIN?!?! Needless to say, we canceled lunch that was supposed to be at our house and we spent the day “on guard.” I’ve never worn PJs for Easter. Odd.

My pictures are NOT for the record book.

What did the Easter Bunny bring you, EB? Ohh, a virus?! LOVELY!

So, moving forward, that afternoon her fever sky rocketed. I thought that was odd, decided she couldn’t go to school Monday, but assumed she’d be fine. WRONG. SKY HIGH fever Monday and Tuesday. After visiting the doc, she tested very positive for STREP!! STREP, what?! So, there ya go! She’s had (we’ve had) lots of junk in her short little life, but this was, no doubt, the worst I’ve seen her. However, I got LOTS of good ol’ cuddling in and it was nice to just sit and hold my baby like the old days.

New life and a brick wall

For me, it isn’t ironic that spring and Easter are hand-in-hand on the calendar. This week as my little family has prepared for Easter ((and played outside EVERY day because it has been GORGEOUS)) I couldn’t help but notice all of the new life in our yard. We’re slightly obsessed with Japanese Maples in my family. Our maples last weekend had baby buds that looked like knots. Now, they are full fledged leaves- all in a few days time. Not ironically, this weekend is Easter which, for me and my family, symbolizes our new life in Christ. So, I’m just of the belief that spring and Easter are “friends” for a darn good reason. I love the Lord’s subtle reminders and have really enjoyed reflecting on that this week. I’m sure my husband’s seminary background would enjoy this simple cliché.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… 1 Peter 1:3

On a lighter note, have you ever wondered what happens when you run into a brick wall? Evie will be our model…..