Spring Has Sprung

 

I think Spring actually started at the beginning of March and really hasn't let up....it's been so beautiful! My backyard is a work in progress and I am working, little by little, on making it a beautiful, peaceful space that can also double as a fun and carefree area for my boys. Hmmmm.... Does it sound impossible?? We'll see!

 The garden planted with some seeds, my experiment wit starting seeds in the milk jugs and some plants that came up from last year: strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries, chives, spinach

I'm going to try using the area I expanded again (in the foreground with straw on it to kill the weeds) for big stuff like squash and pumpkins.

Some of the landscaping that my friend, JoAnn, did for us last summer. I can't wait to fill it in more with plants. But they have to be somewhat hardy to take a beating from the boys running through it and balls bouncing around and the Cody dog tearing around the place. Any ideas on hardy "kid-proof" flowers or bushes? Maybe just a bunch of rocks and small boulders?!?!

4 months old

Our sweet, little Ben-ja-bug was 12 lbs. 14 oz. and 24 1/4in. long at his 4 month appointment. I was hoping for more but it's ok because according to Dr. Booth, "He couldn't be more perfect."

Here are some of my favorite pics from the past couple of weeks...

This photo of Ben and Josh just makes me so happy--it captures the deep bond they already have despite their age gap. They really love each other so much! Josh is always patient with Benjamin and Benjamin lights up any time he sees Josh.

 

I had gone out one day to run some errands and left Benjamin home with Papa. When I came back they were napping so sweetly, I had to take a picture.


A few minutes later I came back in the room and saw Benjamin holding Papa's hand and was surprised to see the gummy spike bracelet on his wrist! Apparently the boys had a little too much fun while mama was away!

Excited for Spring

Our flowers are blooming and it rained this morning. I think I take and post pics of these every year. This time I thought I'd change it up with some effects on the picture. The boys were very excited to see the different stages of the buds and flowers coming out on this bush this morning with raindrops on them.

I will not win any awards...

...for sewing. But I at least got to sew a couple of little things yesterday and I hope I can get to more. Imagine how many things I could get sewn in the time it takes me to blog??? Huh.

Don't look too closely!!!

A little softy blanky for Benjamin.

I sewed a few of these little washrags that I use as cloth diaper wipes to go along with the cloth diapers. Diaper wipes are sooo expensive and wasteful so why not just add the cloth wipes in the wash with the diapers?!

Benjamin likes his little blanky! :)

We Miss Opa

This post is a long time coming. Christian's dad was really such a wonderful man and we miss him. At times I still can't believe he is gone. I asked Christian if he feels like that and he said, "No, he feels very much gone to me."

Christian is in the white coat and Josh was also one of the pall bearers.

The memorial service was very nice and went a long way to honor this man who lived such a quite, humble life yet he touched so many people in a myriad of ways around the world. His faith, generosity, brilliance, humility, and quirkiness will live on in his family and in those he has touched.

The cousins: Tomi, Wren, Kai, Finn, Evan, Zach and Josh (minus Benjamin)

The other day, Evan was writing in his private journal. I asked him what he was writing about (trying not to be too nosey!) and he said he was writing about Opa and that he missed him.

The day after the funeral and reception the immediate families got together for a brunch and time of sharing, singing and celebrating K.P.

K.P.'s kids (their spouses--minus Mike), grandkids and his wife, Annemarie

I love this pic of Christian and his sisters Anie, Monika and Irene

It's so weird to think that these four are without mother and father (their mom passed away 10 1/2 years ago). It makes my heart so very sad. But I know that God has provided people in their lives to fill some of those holes. Each of them are so wonderfully blessed to have had the amazing parents that they did. Christian and his sisters are so talented, compassionate, intelligent, joyful and loving. I am grateful to be a part of their family and count the girls as my sisters.