Three Beautiful Things

I used to write Three Beautiful Things posts every now and then when I started this blog as a way to show gratitude for the little things around me that I so often don't take time to appreciate. I haven't done that in a while. So here are today's Three Beautiful Things.

1. This time every year, as I sit at my desk at work peering out of my boss's floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the park, I admire the beautiful trees full of brand new spring leaves glowing bright green in the sunshine. Which, yes, means I'm not doing a lot of work today, but sometimes that's just how I roll.


2. I got great feedback about Sam at preschool and at speech yesterday, which was so wonderful to hear and makes me so proud of him. He's working so hard. And all day Lena was singing songs and smiling and hugging and tell me how "pwetty" she looked in her new $2 headband and glittery jelly shoes from Old Navy...she is so sweet and so easy to please.


3. Yesterday when I dropped Sam off at preschool, we walked past rows and rows of lilies of the valley that were just beginning to bloom. They always remind me of Mom and our old house in Delaware. So we all stopped to smell the perfect, tiny little white bells on our way out that afternoon and Sam said that maybe fairies use them as cups...I loved that.

Lazy Days

A couple of weeks ago it rained nearly every day, so we were stuck inside, which can be trying for everyone. But the kids played together so well (most of the time), as evidenced by these cute photos.

Sam (and Miles and Woody and Lena's baby) all taking a little floor nap one afternoon.

I was in the kitchen making lunch and heard the kids giggling in the living room. I found them both in the little nook behind the couch, laying on pillows, covered up with blankets and Lena was "reading" Sam a story. I love when they do stuff like that together all on their own.


This was a couch cushion castle that Sam and I built. Princess Lena was locked in the castle and Miles was a dragon on the roof trying to get her. Luckily, Prince Sammie saved the day (though I didn't catch that part on film).

Side note: the pacifier you see in Lena's mouth in these last two shots is 100% gone now!

Hallelujah! Amen!

Last weekend we told her the Easter bunny had to give all her googoos (our word for pacifiers) to new little babies and, after a 20 minute marathon tantrum, she's done remarkably well. Remarkably. Her mood has even improved...I think those googoos were bringing her down. It made me a little sad because it means she's not a baby anymore. But I'm so proud of how she's handled it. She's such a tough little girl!

Happy Easter!

What a lovely Easter weekend!

Since Dad just had his knee replaced (and is doing GREAT!), we stayed home for Easter this year to give him and Mom some down time to recover. It felt strange not being together with them and they were missed, but it was necessary this year...so that next Easter, Dad can run the bases while playing baseball with the kids! Yeah for new knees!

Church on Easter Sunday was packed for every service and was exciting and worshipful and beautiful. Easter runs a very close second to Christmas as my favorite holiday. But it is definitely my favorite church celebration. It's just so full of hope and joy and color and life and meaning and humility.

After church Lori, Matt and the boys came over to our house and we grilled our rolled roast and had an egg hunt, as per family tradition. The kids and, let's be real, us adults all got nice and sugared up and, after a wonderful visit with the Wingers, we all crashed and took naps. I guess that was Rich and my gift from the Easter bunny.

Happy Birthday, Lori!

Yesterday was my sister's birthday.

I didn't get to see much of her, just a quick birthday hug while passing at church. But we saw a lot of each other at the hospital for Dad's knee replacement this weekend (which went really well).

It does not matter where we are or under what circumstances; I laugh more and harder with Lori than with anyone else. Lori, Mom and I were having a grand old time whooping it up in Dad's hospital room while poor Dad was trying to get some sleep after his surgery. I'm sure he's used to it, though, hearing us all laughing like that. Maybe it was even comforting to him...

All right, I'm sure it was just annoying to him, but it sure made the time pass quickly for the three of us.

Regardless, I just wanted to give a shout out to God for blessing me with my big sister, Lori. She amazes and inspires me daily. She brightens every moment I spend with her. She's at the very top of my kids' prayer lists every night and is always in my heart during my prayers.

She's simply the best.

Love you, Lori!