Seasons

I've come to the conclusion that no matter what time of year, it's busy.
I used to think there was a busy season, and a slower season, but ~ no.
I think there *was* a slower season . . . and that was when I had two children, and they were tiny.
But these days time seems to fly right out the window ~ full months zooming by.
I try, desperately, to hold on to the moments, but I can't.
So I embrace the busy.
It means we're healthy, happy, and moving forward.


For those who have been praying for my brother, THANK YOU!

He is doing well, Praise the Lord!

We got to spend some time with him a couple of weekends ago ~  visiting, and enjoying some great food.
 

 Kiddos got to play.
 

 

And we all got to soak up some gorgeous sunshine.

It was wonderful.




And these two . . .

 

 

 

A girl and her Gramps.
 

 

 

 They sure do have a great time together ♥

 

 ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~


In other news, did I mention that we have a calf?
Yeah, that's kind of random.
On Makenna's birthday {back in February}, a day-old calf whose mama didn't want him, came to live with us.  And this little guy has completely stolen our hearts.

We cuddled him, built him a sanctuary, bottle fed twice daily . . .

And after more than two months, little man has been moved in with his big "sisters".

And he's doing just fine.


This was the look on all our faces when we found him eating hay with the big cows:

 

 

He's like, "Yeah, I got this"

 

 

 

 Sweet little guy. He's growin' like a weed.
 

 

I guess that's the theme here, isn't it?
Everyone's growing, changing, learning new things.

No babies reside here anymore.

{Excuse me while I go have a good cry}.


And life moves on.

We're back to overcast skies, and raindrops falling.
We're all ready for Summer vacation,
sunshine,
shorts,
and a BREAK from homeschool.
Time to just BE with each other.
We're almost there.
We can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Just a few more weeks, and a day of state testing, and we're DONE!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

 

  

 

 

 

Spring Sunshine

 

 

We've really had a very nice Spring.  Or, at least, nice by Oregon standards.

 

We can always count on an abundance of rain.

That's what keeps us so green {I have to repeat this to myself over and over again when I want to cry looking at all the drizzle}.

But I think all that rain also makes me more appreciative of the sun.
 

 

 

 Because when it shines, it is the most glorious thing!
 

 

 

 It just changes a mood, doesn't it??
 

 

 

 We're all happier when we get out into the fresh air,
 

 

and can run free!

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Sunny Days at Wooden Shoe

 In between the hospital trips, we got to get out and enjoy a little bit of this glorious
sunshine God has been blessing us with.

Our first priority was making it to Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm for the annual Tulip Festival.
The girls hadn't been for a couple of years, so it was definitely time for a visit.

 

 

 

 I planned the outing carefully, choosing a Thursday morning {weekdays ~ us homeschoolers always plan our outings for weekdays so as not to run into the massive crowds}.

I knew it would be clear and sunny {not the greatest conditions for photographs, but beautiful weather to get out and enjoy the fields}.
 

 

 

 What I was *not* expecting was that everyone in Oregon would have the exact same idea!
There were, literally, thousands of people there.
You may not be able to tell from the photographs, but it was CROWDED.
 

 

 

 Take note:  Miss Taylor is *smiling*!!  That was one of the very few smiles we got that day. 
You'll see . . .
 

 

 

 The colors were gorgeous. It is such a beautiful sight to see!
 

 

 

 Oh! There it is. 
That was Miss Tay's face almost the entire day. 
Actually, that's Miss Tay's face most days.

It's rough being four.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 After a couple of hours I was ready to escape the crowds, but I was so glad we went.
What are your favorite places to visit?


And if you're dying for more tulip pics, here's some fun memories from years past:

2012

2010

2013

2011
 

 

 

 

 

Whew!

It has been a rough couple of weeks around here.

March is a difficult month for us every year. 

We lost Justin four years ago, but the wounds are still so fresh.

And then, on April 3rd, just days after the anniversary of the accident, we got news

that my brother had suffered a massive heart attack.

To the hospital we went:

 

 

There has been a lot of prayer. 
A lot of waiting.
A lot of driving {the hospital is an hour away}
A lot of hand holding.
A lot of tears.
A lot of praise.
A lot of recovery.


I won't go into all the details, but if you pray, we would love prayers.
This will be a long journey back to health.

 

 {A little view out one of the hospital balconies}

 

 

 We've had good days too.  And I'll post about those soon.

Days of sunshine, and tulips, and nature walks, and family.