It's May?!?!

How did that happen already? Weren't we (sort of) celebrating New Year's just last week? Okay, maybe it was Valentine's Day instead, but I really am surprised that we have somehow leapt into May now.

May is a busy month for us, and it will be even busier this year! We have a lot of family birthdays, which reminds me that I need to wish one of my nephews a Happy Birthday. Can you hold, please ... okay, thanks to Facebook, that is done now. So, like I was saying, a lot of family birthdays are this month, including Evan's. I have been busy trying to plan a wonderfully coordinated Transformers party for him and shopping for the requisite supplies. We've had friends at Evan's party for the last couple of years, and I am wondering about the wisdom of continuing that trend. I read recently that having birthday parties every year can contribute to self-centeredness. I grew up with the opposite, however, due to a birthday that was three days after Christmas. I rarely had parties with friends (like once or twice) while growing up, so I feel the need to make up for that with my own children. While I enjoy doing the parties, I can take it to the extreme. This can quickly turn the party from "fun" to "stress" for me. Now I am wondering about the impact on the boys, too. They already think the world revolves around them; should I do more to encourage that thinking? Or is that even what the party does? Man, this parenting thing can be tough!

Along those same lines, this May will be even busier because Evan is graduating from kindergarten this year. His class is also doing a play for graduation. I keep putting off finishing his costume, because "I've still got plenty of time!" Only, my time keeps slipping away. I suppose I could stop typing right now and get the hot glue gun out, but, honestly, typing is more fun. (It's cheaper than therapy, too.) I am actually a little excited about the play, given my own interest in acting. (I was his about his age when I was in my first play.) Evan is doing great with his practicing; in fact, he will frequently ask to practice his songs and lines. I am excited to see how he does in the actual performance. I am more excited to see how his personality and talents will continue to grow as he gets older. He currently demonstrates such an interesting blend of interests and abilities that I see in Steve and myself. I can't help but wonder what will "stick" with him as he grows.

May also means the end of the school year. And that means getting ready for summer. Summer is exciting and full of possibilities, but also a little scary. I realized at the end of last summer that we probably should have used a schedule more. I am not a "schedule" person, but I think that the boys might be. I also think that it might help us all to enjoy the summer better if we have some sort of routine to follow. So, I have begun preparing the summer schedule. It will probably be tweaked a lot as we go, but I am hoping that it lessens the fights and tantrums that we had last summer.

So, it is May. And I had better get moving on all of this "stuff to do". I think that this first Saturday in May I will begin by taking shower. That's a good start, huh!

So, what have I been up to?

If someone knows, could you please tell me!

This is one of those seasons (or weeks at least) that feel like I have been really busy, but I couldn't tell you what I have been doing. One of my friends commented to me on the phone that she hoped that day had been better than the one before. That truly puzzled me for a minute, because I couldn't really remember the one before. Is anybody else there with me?

Well, I can remember a few things that have happened since I posted last and since you are all dying to hear my up-to-the-minute happenings I feel that I should oblige. :)

1. I went on an awesome women's retreat with my church! I think the word "awesome" gets overused a lot these days, and I am not overstating my feelings here. It was a weekend where I was reminded how BIG God is and how much he cares about us, even though we are so little. I got to spend time with a very dear friend from Aggie days, as well as women from my community group. I also got to make many new friends and I know that God was in the middle of it all.

2. I got allergy tested this week. And I found out I have allergies. Okay, so I knew that part already, but it does seem that what I am allergic to has changed. I am also doing some immunology testing and will go back in about a month to see about allergy shots. In the meantime I am taking my meds and hoping to not get another infection. (This fall/winter/spring it seems I have been getting infections every 6-8 weeks.) I also got a vaccine for pneumococcal and my arm is hurting like the dickens! I have new sympathy for my kids when they get vaccines now.

3. Today was the end-of-the-year brunch for my Wednesday morning Bible study group. We have had a great year, and I am sad to see this regular time with this small group come to an end. But I am excited about some new opportunities for Bible study over the summer, and about starting back up with The Amazing Collection in September!

4. The boys are continuing to "steal" sweets from our cabinets and pantries. We have tried various forms of correction, but have failed to find one that works well - at least as far as Evan is concerned. He is able to open the locks and has been caught sneaking the food more recently than Joel. Evan also lies about his involvement which is compounding the problem. I think that the sweets have all been removed from the cabinets at this point. It doesn't get to the heart of the problem, but it should give us a break for a while.

That's about it for now. It's approaching sunset and my brain feels like it is "setting" as well. Good night and sweet dreams!

He's so smart!

It seems that I have been posting more about Joel recently, so I decided to share a little of Evan's recent happenings before I leave for my much anticipated retreat today. Here are some pictures of the handsome little devil in his graduation cap and gown.

While he was playing outside yesterday, he apparently decided that we needed a "sign" on the garage door. He drew this on the door for us with a crayon. I guess that's what happens when I let him play by himself outside.

Signs of Spring

Straight from our backyard ...

Happy Easter!

He is Risen!

Today we got up early to gather with our church family and celebrate Easter. The boys seemed to be in it for the donuts provided to the early birds and the cookies awaiting us at home. We had a beautiful service at church, and have been having a lovely day at home since then. The resurrection cookies were good; we hid some (plastic) eggs in the house; the boys (all three) played with Legos; we watched "The Easter Carol" by VeggieTales; we are now playing again and waiting for some friends to come over.

We hope that you are also enjoying this day, but most importantly that you are able to rejoice in the hope of eternal life - a free gift - made available to you through Christ's death and resurrection.

He is risen indeed!!

A picture of patience

Today was the re-scheduled annual Jr. Angler Fishing Derby. It was still cold and windy, though, like last year. So, we didn't catch any fish this year either. I will try to take the boys back one day when it warms up. They put 500 pounds of catfish in the pond yesterday, so once it warms up we ought to be able to catch one - right?!?

Even though we didn't catch any fish, we still had fun, as you can see.

Sweet and sour

This morning Joel was snuggling with me in my bed when he looked up at me said, "Mommy, when can I marry you?" All those days of struggling with his strong will just faded away when I heard that. Since then, his strong will has reared it's head again, but I am trying to focus on the sweet heart that lies beneath it.

First Joel said he loved me this much (6 fingers raised). Then he said he loved me this much (10 fingers). Then he said he loved me even more, by flashing his 10 fingers a bunch of times. (It was the first time I had seen him flash his fingers like that.)