A Day Out...

Today, we went on a hike at Mt. Apatite. We went with the intent of looking for rocks and gems, but we found so many frogs and tadpoles we didn't end up bringing much geological treasure home with us. We had a lovely day with our friends, and the kids are already talking about returning again (with heavy duty bug spray this time).

Things I learned today: feldpar, one of the rocks that I brought home, was once used in scouring powders; bullfrog tadpoles are tadpoles for two years; my four year old can run with energy at the end of a two hour hike (oy, the energy!).

A day at Mt. Apatite

Pikistrip play

Caleb wants to begin to create comic strips with his Legos, so I've spent a lot of the most recent computer time has been researching different platforms. This is a test of pikistrip.

Bedtime

I pray that the nights like this are are clear and dear memories that stay with them until long after they have their own children.

Vacation

Anna's Rebecca doll

Last week to celebrate finishing the homeschool year, we went to Barnes and Noble to get some books. The girls ended up getting miniatures of the American Girl doll Rebecca, along with the books.

Rebecca came in a very cute, but rather wintry outfit. This concerned Anna. It is theoretically summer after all. So today, we made our first attempt at making doll clothes together.

Here sporting a radiant striped sun dress is Miss Rebecca of 1914.

Yes she does look a bit like she's ready for an outrageous worship meeting, but she is definitely cooler than she was.

And how can you beat the smile and pride on Anna's face?

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Lego Fun

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I LOVE THIS!

I have watched this several times, and it just makes me happy deep down inside. Enjoy!

Easter....

Highlights from my day:

• Kids waking us up
• Cracking an empty egg open to remember the empty tomb
• Seeing their enjoyment of small treats in their Easter baskets
• An Easter egg hunt
• Seeing my girls dress in matching dresses - they are so pretty
• Going to church - seeing good friends, singing joyful songs, getting a specific encouragement that I really needed from someone I don't really know
• Going to my parents house and eating a meal made by Mom
• Seeing my Mom enjoy hiding eggs outside for her grandkids Easter egg hunt
• Watching my kids and niece search high and low for 48 plastic colored eggs around my parents spacious property
• Watching my kids give deference to one another and sharing eggs
• Seeing my Mom decide to stage another egg hunt, inside - more candy for the four kids she didn't have to put to bed
• Flying kites with the kids
• A quiet, warm drive home (Maine is so beautiful, and it is just aching to burst out in Spring)
• Putting the kids to bed.... playing with Sofia, snuggling with Caleb, and giggling with Anna

My heart is full to overflowing with thankfulness for and anticipation of living an Easter life.

More on yesterday....

After three errands that led to frustration... I stopped at a gas station, knowing that at least I could fill up our almost empty van.

While we were waiting, a very kind looking lady came up to my window.

"What does your license plate mean?" (Since we moved to Maine our license plate has been IWILLGO).

So I told her- to remind us that we have tried to say 'yes' to God when He asks us, including our move from NY to ME.

She was blessed by that, and gave me a little Bible - she is one of the great workers of the Gideon Auxiliary.

I sat amazed in the van, that even after a frustrating and tiring morning, a stranger of grace would come to me at a gas station and invite me to rest in God's word.

Coincidence... I choose not to think so.

It was too beautiful today....

...to be as grumpy and cynical and anxious as I was. Why couldn't I be grumpy on some of the rainy days?

I am wanting to find 'the cause' of my funk, but also want to not fall into a 'rumination' cycle.

Having a bad day happens... it doesn't signal a fall into depression.

I've worked hard all week. Three days of good thinking, good working, great choices... leading my life, not my life leading me.

And the sun came out, and every corner I turned felt cloudy and heavy.

Well, maybe I feel better now that I've thrown up in my blog.