Stormy Weather

This year's spring has been violent with its ups and downs, as my friend Rose once observed that Arkansas springs are, but this year more than usual. And more in the way of wet than usual. My garden plants had to wait until mid-May for me to sink their roots into real ground, because it was so rainy and we still had some freezing nights. The above is a photo of our backyard when it was pretty flooded out. We escaped the horrible flooding that was on the lot just behind ours though. The people in that neighborhood were evacuated (some by boat!), and many lost homes and vehicles. They made national news, I heard. Our mail lady said she had to be rescued when her truck washed away. Wow!

This shot is of the aftermath of a hail storm we had here on April 21st. Watching what nature can do is very exciting. As the kids watched out the window, Josie said, "This is insane!" We laugh when kids use adult phrases like that, but I've loved even more lately just hearing our kids say the neat little things they think in their own words.

Here is Kyle relaxing with Sara out front. We have the best dog for kids. Lately she has sometimes been sleeping on Simon's bed, which is fun for him.

I used food coloring to dye Easter eggs this year, and I was fairly pleased with the colors, although I don't think food dye is very colorfast.

They hunted the eggs Sunday afternoon.



Kyle was most interested in the grass.

Josie and Simon graciously differentiated between feminine and masculine colored eggs. Since then Josie has told us several times that she is "getting out of pink and into blue and black and green."


Kyle's climbing is good motivation for me to clear the table right after we eat.


On a Friday afternoon, our sweet little neighbor Tae came over and gave me a hug, announcing that she was moving the next day. She is six or seven, and has been a kind friend to our children. She has had dinner with us several times. Her manners are impeccable: she would always help pick up toys in the yard and also would pick up Kyle if he ever cried. We will really miss her.

These are some friends we swap babysitting with. Their ages fill in the gaps between ours, and they have a lot of fun!

I like looking at this picture and imagining my boys all grown up and reminiscing. I think they are so handsome and unique from each other. Since we told our kids that the new baby is a boy too, Simon has taken his big brotherhood seriously. He is becoming less selfish and more apt to teach Kyle new things and be an example for him. Kyle now folds his arms for prayer. Josie seems rather excited to be the sole princess with three guards. We rearranged bedrooms and she is happy that hers "is all princess-y."