Let's Go Fly A Kite!

We headed to a local park last Saturday and the boys flew a kite for the first time. The kite only got stuck in a tree once. I love watching my boys experience new things.

Mothers Day

My boys (all four of them) made my Mothers Day very special! They picked out some beautiful flowers for me, treated me to my favorite breakfast, and reminded me all day long how much they love me. Could I be more blessed than to have such a rich life as a mother? These boys bring so much joy to my days, constantly amazing me with their uniqueness, creativity, tenderness, and goofiness. I'm also grateful to have an incredible mother & mother-in-law whose love & care for our family is unfailing. They have both taught me so much as I "figure out" how to do this mothering thing.

Happy Easter

Our friends Sandy & Joeny helped us decorate Easter eggs last week, and we spent Easter Sunday with family in St. Paul. Aunt Greta was visiting from Chicago and we enjoyed an outdoor egg hunt (last year it was snowing on Easter). Thanks, Aunt Rica, for the AMAZING desserts.....I'm still thinking about the cheesecake balls. But more importantly, I'm amazed by God's resurrecting power in my life. I'm thankful the tomb was empty!

Visit from a good friend

My friend Michele came up from Illinois a couple weeks ago. I really needed some fun girl time! We spent 6 hours wandering around MOA. It was nice to be there and not feel the magnetic pull to Lego Land or the kiddy rides. Thank God for girlfriends! (AJ took this picture, by the way. Not bad!)

Micah Lawrence

Micah turned 2 on March 19. We had a fun double party with family on Sunday (daddy's birthday is just 3 days after his). I made my first attempt at a gluten-free, dairy-free cake. Not nearly as good as the real thing, but Micah loved it, and that's the important thing.

It's strange not having a "baby" anymore, even though Micah is still my baby! More and more he is developing his own unique personality, and he's talking so much now. He is a full blown toddler. He's my early riser, and most mornings I hear him (around 6 am) calling out, "Mama, are you?" He then proceeds to devour 3 or 4 bowls of cereal. (Side note: our grocery bill is rapidly increasing with our 3 growing boys!) Micah remains the tough baby brother that he's been all along, and he has no trouble keeping up with the roughhousing his brothers engage in. My life is so rich, and I thank God every day for the family He's blessed me with. Happy birthday, Micah. Mommy loves you SO MUCH!

Imaginative Play

Here are some pictures from the past month of the boys engaged in imaginative play of one sort or another. In the course of any day, they go from being pirates to construction workers, to passengers on an airplane, to chefs, to crazy boys running in circles. They switch from being best buddies to enemies to best buddies again in a split second. As much as I'm anxious for spring to come, I must say the boys have made the most of their time couped up in the house on cold days!

I Have a 5-Year-Old!

AJ turned 5 today. I've taken some time to reflect on these past 5 amazing years as AJ's mommy. AJ was born just past midnight, on his due date, in the middle of a snowstorm. He often asks me to tell him the story of when he used to be in my tummy. Of all my boys, he was definitely the most active in-utero. And his personality has proven the same! He is always on the go, and I think we'll get him on a soccer team as soon as he's old enough.

I love AJ's zeal for life. His smile is contagious, he seeks out adventure, and his imagination has no bounds. He has a tender side, and is compassionate towards his brothers (when he's not pounding on them). He's been known to defend them when they're being disciplined and loves to give them big bear hugs. He is my pride & joy, and I thank God every day for the honor of being his mom. I cherish the sticky kisses, the big hugs every morning, the cute things he says, his curiosity about life, and the way I see God's unique mark on him.

Every parent of older children I talk to says that time will start to fly once your kid turns 5. I can't wait to see the potential in my son be fulfilled. My prayer is that he will grow to be a strong man of God, a seeker of justice, with a compassionate heart and an inner joy that can never be squelched. I love you, my sweet AJ. Happy birthday!