Easter Weekend

The real sign of spring: Easter Weekend!! We spent most of it with my family in Berea. It was so great to see all my brothers (and their significant others) all in one place. We got some great family photos and really enjoyed our time together.

Sunday, we went to church with my parents. It's the church I grew up in, yet now, I only know about 30 of the 100 people there. It was weird. I felt like everyone was holding back. Like no one wanted to really worship, but that a lot of people were there because that's what you do on Easter Sunday. I missed my church and my church family a lot.

Later Sunday, we spent a few hours at Matt's aunt & uncle's home with about half of his family there. We had a great time catching up with all that family and just relaxing around the house.

The Best of Today

A beautiful day for what feels like our first day of spring break.

The best of moments:
1) Christmas toys finally got used! Max and Payton each found a few things to take outside to play with.

2) We spent more time outside than inside! Those of you who know my kids, know that's amazing for Payton.

3) After spending time with my parents' dog, Quinn, I started calling Missy "Quinny". Today, when I called for Missy to stop barking and called her by the wrong name, I heard Max go to the fence and tell her "I know you Missy. You not Quinny. Silly Mommy." Yeah. That's awesome.

4) We watched Jill and Kevin's Wedding Dance. Probably 20 times today. The boys can't get enough. And we worked on our dance moves. Bonus.

5) Payton is developing a taste in music. Today, while listening to "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson, Payton told me that he liked her "singing voice".

A really nice day with my kiddos. Loving them.

A Break to Celebrate Spring

Yesterday was my last working day. That meant that today was supposed to be the start of my spring break.

However today, I chaperoned five first grade boys through an art museum. Rather than discuss what that was like, lets just say that my spring BREAK did not start today until 3pm.

I'm looking forward to great weather and activities with my boys. We're going to visit some family and spend time catching up with old friends I hope!!

Make New Friends...

As I spent the night chatting with a friend, I was thinking about the old girl scout song;

Make new friends,
But keep the old.
One is silver,
and the other gold.

The last year has been rough on my friendships. It's hard to even stay in contact with some of my best friends when I'm working so much. My schedule isn't the same as theirs anymore and when the boys finally get in bed, I have more work to be done.

My mom and I used to talk several times a day. Now, only a few times a week. Same with my oldest brother, Loren. Our conversations have been drastically cut to once a month or less. It's sad really.

I used to participate in a weekly playgroup for my boys. We had a fabulous group of four friends with all their children who were getting together weekly until this past summer. I miss them. I miss their kids. I miss our tea time and our conversations.

And my besterest friend, Tiffany. I am so grateful for our understanding friendship. We both know that just because we aren't able to talk or share or get together, we're still best friends. There is nothing that can change that. But we haven't seen each other in months and we don't get to talk all that often either. Her son, Nate, has been asking about us lately. I hope we get to see each other soon!

But one good thing has come of this year. I've made lots of new friends. For the most part, the staff at Reach has been very warm and accepting. I've made a few friends who are closer than others, and these are the friends that I know I needed in my life. Not because they replace old friends, but because they are new kinds of friends.

I'm very grateful for these people in my life and the interesting dynamic they bring. But, I still miss you, old friends. I miss you a lot.

catching up

First, my friend who needed prayers is on another antibiotic regimine. We'll see if those work. Mom's bloodwork came back ok. Keep praying for the family please.

This week has been so hard. Just so much to get done before spring break. We're trying to clear up some bills and take care of things to start setting aside more money for vacation. And "money talk" is never fun. But it's needed and at least it's out in the open.

School has been great for me...rough for the kids. No one is ready for next week. We only have Monday-Wednesday and spring break starts. I'm sure the kids are going to be BATTY! Should be interesting.

Spring made an appearance last week and then retracted it's entry. The last few days have been chilly and cloudy. But at least I can remember what Spring felt like for a few days.

AND, I'm still making it to the gym at 5:15am five days a week!! GO ME!

Prayers for a friend

One of my co-workers could use some prayers. She's going to a doctor today to have a bump looked at. She's tried several things to get the bump in the back of her neck to go away, but it's just not happening. I know she's afraid it's cancer. I'm praying it's nothing.

On top of her issues, her mom, who's been in remission for 5 years, received a phone call about her blood work this week. She's not sure what the results are and wasn't looking forward to that appointment either. She saw her doctor on Tuesday.

Please pray for my friend, Renee, please. And her family, too.