A little boy and his story

We got to go to Bo's classroom the other day for the kids to read the stories they've been working on in their writer's workshop. I try to be in Bo's classroom every opportunity that I can, and since this was a sibling friendly event, we were all there! Bo wrote a sweet story about learning to swim. He has a great imagination and such great writing skills. I was proud of his illustrations too. He did a great job!

The awesome and the not so awesome.

Spring is officially here! I hear the chirping birds. The sun is streaming through my windows. There's a little briskness in the air, but the warmth lies just underneath. And I have these beauties on my table...
I'm not great with yard work and gardening, but it's definitely an area where I want things to change. Our current yard situation is a little out of control. At some point, this was a beautifully landscaped and meticulously cared for yard, but I'm pretty sure it's been well over a decade since there was any sort of investment in the property. Because we're renting, I have not been motivated to make things spectacular. However, I noticed these tulips coming in outside, and I could not resist bringing them inside last weekend.

I panicked a little bit because within a couple of hours, they went from closed buds to completely open. I thought for sure there would be petals scattered all over the table by the next morning. Believe it or not, they still look as beautiful as ever, and they actually open and close throughout the day. I've never had store bought flowers do that, so it's been absolutely captivating for me! In the not so awesome category, this came in the mail...

Yes, I have the pleasure of reporting for jury duty at the end of May. What? How in the world am I going to make that happen? It definitely feels a little overwhelming. But here's the crazy part, this is the...wait for it...fifth time I've been summoned for jury duty in the last ten years!!

The summer before my senior year of college, I got a summons in Georgia. I was so upset because it was for the week before J left for Ireland for the summer [10 weeks] and instead of having my days free to spend with him, I was stuck in a courtroom listening to some contractors argue about who should have to pay for drywall. My 1-2 day case turned into five days of listening to lawyers get all riled up and then having to leave the room while the judge dealt with whatever they were heated up about.


Then, I got a summons our third year living in Virginia. I never got put on a case, but I ended up having to race back and forth between work and the courthouse. I was saving as much vacation as I could for my maternity leave, and I did not want to lose any of those precious days!

We lived in Florida for one year and I got a summons then as well. I was immediately exempted from service because we had not lived in the state long enough, but it made me shake my head to think I would get called during such a short time living there.

I got out of my Oklahoma jury duty by pleading hardship or something or other. I was pregnant at the time and had several little ones and when they heard my husband was a physician, they dismissed me since I had no other childcare help. Whew!

And I totally thought I would get out of serving here!! There was a question on the form about being a resident of the county for at least 12 months [and I have not] so I thought for sure that would be my out. I guess J's just going to have to take a day off of work so I can report for my civic duty and beg for them not to put me on a case!

Mondays=Tennis

Last fall the P.E. teacher offered tennis lessons to students after school. Bo was in the midst of soccer, so his requests for tennis lessons were denied. I told him then that if she did lessons again in the spring he would have the option to try them then. Sure enough, he came home from school a few weeks ago with the registration form. He was so excited! The lessons started last week, and it was really fun to watch. It helped that it was one of those mild and sunny afternoons that made all of us glad to have an excuse to be outside for a few hours. Listening to the instructions.

Bo's fan club.

Working on his swing.

Water break. He took his racket with him to school today, and he was so excited for lessons again!

Sixteen

I realized this morning that today is the day that I have to start saying that this little peanut is sixteen months old.


Really? How did we get here?? If I think hard enough I can still feel her rolling around in my belly or feel the heaviness of her in my arms after a surgery. She is pure sweetness wrapped up in the cutest little body you can imagine and she is awesome!

Even her little feet are precious!



It breaks my heart to wake her up every afternoon to get Bo from school. Most days it's hard to even find her under the pile of blankets and babies and animals. She loves having her face covered when she sleeps.

And she's climbing on everything these days. She's small enough that she can't get high enough to cause many problems, but it's not uncommon for me to find her on or in something.

The doctor was so encouraging at her 15 month check. Her verbal skills seem to be progressing well, and he ws pleased with the sounds she was making and the words she says. She's started an upward trend on the growth curve, and even though she is not even on the chart, the doctor feels like she's moving in the right direction. Guess she's just going to be a little peanut. I just can't believe she's a sixteen month old. I probably ought to start giving thanks that she's not a sixteen year old. Goodness, we'll be there before I know it, I'm sure!

No words...

I'm truly speechless.

After a whirlwind few days touring schools and viewing homes, I kissed J and the babes farewell and jetted back home with two of my favorite girls for a weekend away. The reality of another move is certainly looming at this point and to have a little time to refresh is beyond words.

We ate. We slept. We talked. We laughed. We shopped. We ate. It was seriously ah-mazing!

Sorry this post totally stinks! Congratulations for hanging on this long. Sarah documented some of our experiences since she actually had her camera, so I'm sure she'll do a proper post. You'd think I'd have more words, but I think I'm just anxious to hug my babies and snuggle up with my husband who should be home any minute!

Glorious

It was one of those glorious days. I woke up to the sunlight streaming in the window and the sound of children's giggles in the next room. With J out of town since Wednesday and the kids dealing with various forms of yuck throughout the week, we enjoyed just laying low and hanging out in pajamas all day.

The house is tidy. Bo's Jaguar project is completed and ready for his Monday [after spring break] presentation. The last load of laundry is spinning away. The children are quiet. I am anticipating J's arrival soon!

I just feel like my heart is absolutely overflowing in this season. I tried to articulate this to my sister earlier, but the only thing I could land on was that this season feels "easy." I laugh to even use that word because there are very few things that are easy about the day to day aspects of this life, but the kids are in relatively independent stages and I'm just enjoying them so much!


Bo gave me no less than a dozen hugs today and told me I was more special to him than his favoritest thing ever. I mean, can you really beat the small arms of a six year old wrapped around your waist?

Ella spent her outside time today leading the charge to gather me flowers. By the end of the playtime, I had a very impressive pile of stuff from throughout the yard. She brought each one to me for comment and inspection. Awesome.

Jack runs with complete abandon throughout the house and the yard. It makes me smile just to make him take off. He found an airplane that had been lost for some time, and I think the neighbors probably heard him squeal.

Sadie loves to crawl up to me and then when I pick her up, she immediately begins pointing to all the items around the room that she would like me to collect. Once she has an armful, we sit and she nuzzles her face into something and rubs her belly. I love the softness of her in my arms.


How cute are they??

Oh, that I may soak up every precious moment of these days and their sweet little faces!

Heaven

Ella was positively busting at the seams that she got to bring her ballet costume home this week. Her teacher was very clear that it was not for playing in until after the spring concert so we did one quick try on and modeling session for the whole family. Can you tell she loves the frilly stuff?

Sometimes I don't think I can really believe it!

It's official.

J has a job!!!

AND it's a great job in a city that puts us close to family.


J signing the contract.

This was a job that we just did not really think was even a real possibility. When J started talking to the group they informed him that they'd already offered the job to another individual. Because that individual was putting off making a decision, they were doing other interviews, just in case. The doctor J talked to said that he was welcome to come and interview as a networking opportunity but we did not think it was even an option for us to consider.

The interview went well and J really enjoyed the group and felt like it had the potential to be a really great professional situation for him. While the job will require him to do some things that are outside of his specific fellowship training, they are modalities that he enjoyed in residency. The interview was early in the week and when he left, the group said they would be in touch. They were expecting a final answer from the other candidate by Friday.

What do you know? They called late Thursday afternoon!

When J asked about the situation with the other candidate who had been offered the position, they told J simply that he was now their number one choice and they were pleased to offer him the position. [I burst into tears when he told me that. I am just so darn proud of him!!]

The timing was a little funny because J was actually packing to go out of town when they called to make the offer. He ended up accepting the job in the car as we drove to the airport and after a few excited tears and big hug and kiss, he jumped on a plane and left for a long weekend out of town. Crazy!

At this point, we're getting geared up for another move and trying to figure out all the details that go along with a relocation. His fellowship will end in June and he's scheduled to start working mid-July. The school decision is definitely looming, but we feel like there are lots of good options and we're excited to check some things out during Bo's spring break in a couple of weeks.

It's just incredible to see how God has been leading us here all along. It was unexpected and such a blessing all at once. We have been looking at jobs and talking about jobs for so long that it seems surreal for it to be decided! I was really just starting to be content in the waiting. I'd finally given up that push of Ijusthavetoknowsomethingsoonanythingplease!!! And after all that, it felt like it happened so fast. It's kind of funny that way.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!