Full

A friend told me lately that when my blog posts have slowed

it's either because I'm too busy or because "somethin's up."

I'm not really any busier than the next Mama

so this blog break has more to do with my heart being awfully full.

You know how sometimes your heart is full because of lots of good stuff?

And then there's the times when your heart is full

because it's weighted down with lots of hard things.

I've been dealing with the latter.

I can't really talk about any of it on my blog,

and it's been difficult to write around it.

Hence, I haven't written anything.

I'm working my way through things

and I'm getting some pictures off the camera and onto the computer

so there will be some posts coming up.

Thanks for continuing to read--

blog breaks, 

full hearts

and all.

A Good Book

Elizabeth

This baby?

LOOOOOOOVES to be outside--

even if the flash on Mommy's camera was set a bit too bright

and even if her stripes and flowers don't match

and even if I forgot to wipe that stuff off her eye before the picture

and even if she's wearing a hand-me-down hat from eleven years ago when Linnea wore it--

yep, even then.

Facing West

sitting in the doorway

watching the evening coming on

thinking little girl thoughts

unaware of the camera

until we call her name

Outside

 We've been enjoying a balmy spring here lately.

Ivy and Ruby shared a ride on the bouncy horse.

 Elizabeth takes it all in from her perch on my back in the Ergo (a generous gift from a generous friend)

while Ruby and Ivy discuss how to use the rope swing in the background.

 Though it's a bit blurry, I thought you might like to see Ivy "helping" to boost Ruby up on to the rope.

(The attempt was unsuccessful.)

((I double-checked that no one's undies were on the clothesline in the picture.))

 My outdoor-, football-loving guy, 

Andrew.

(We totally scored at Goodwill, finding the shirt for $1.80 and the pants for $1!!)

 The Bipper 

 Ivy Joy gives the rope swing a try.

Did I mention where Elizabeth was?

I did?

'mkay.

AWANA

Our kids participate in AWANA, a Scripture memory program for kids.

They had their award ceremony the first week of May.

Bipper had just lost his tooth, remember?

Linnea was excited to be there,

but a bit sad as it was her last year.

Sixth grade is as far as this church goes with their program.

She has eagerly memorized hundreds of verses in her years of AWANA.

I know they will serve her well in the years to come.

Thy word have I hid in my heart,

that I might not sin against Thee.  Psalm 118:11

Words Escape Me