Fitting right in

So as you can see from the picture below, this little rosie girl is running out of room. Apparently it's still fairly comfortable in there, though, as it seems she's content to stay for a while. Anika was two weeks early and Eben one, so we've been laughing that #3 is a little rebel--already scheming how to be different from the siblings. On the other hand, other than our kids birthdays, have any of you ever known a member of our family to be early? Ahhh, that explains it all; this little sweetie fits right in already! (We are so ready to love on her, though!)

Anika said it best the other day as I was buckling her into her car seat: "Mom, when is that little rascal going to come out?" :)

The joys of spring...

Spring is here! Besides the excitement of new life for our family (baby sis coming any day now), it is so much fun to see the columbine and hollyhock resurrect (and anticipate their unique and beautiful blossoms), the tightly-wrapped nubs of what will soon be lush hasta leaves peeking out, and the little sprouts of mixed greens emerging in the garden. Almost every morning when Eben wakes, we head outside or just stand at the window for a while and take it all in. (He hoots with excitement each time he sees a bird land on a wire or a cat mosey down a driveway. Each new blossom has to be thoroughly sniffed, whether it has a fragrance or not.)

Of course,some folks are moving right past those joys of spring and are on to the fun of summer. Despite the spring chill, this girl was not going to pass a sprinkler moment--not when the sun was out and Mom was feeling lenient.:) Can't say that I joined her, but it sure gave me a good laugh to watch her have her fun.

Eben was a little more sensible in his attire, but enjoyed the sunshine on his new lil Kawasaki all the same. (Dad picks out the best toys!) Thankfully, he's got his big sis to help steer him away from the rock wall drop-off, and to remind him that he must let go of the gas when speeding into the flower beds.

A good time for a GOOD book

Our good friends, the Morr family, gave Anika a C.S. Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, for her birthday. I wasn't sure if we should wait a bit to start reading it (thought the witch might scare her), but when she got sick a few weeks ago, a good book seemed like the perfect medicine, so out it came.



If you have not read the Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, I hope you do at some point. What a beautiful, poignant allegory. I was not prepared to be reading through teary eyes and a lump in my throat. Anika was so moved, she told me it was the saddest she has ever been in a story (not the end...just the climax). A story to make the true sacrifice, redemption, and freedom that we celebrate on Easter come alive. A story which draws your heart to love and celebrate the true Lion, one who "is not safe, but He is good."