Spring Trees

A spring take on our fall trees.

Blowing paint with straws makes for a fun project - and with surprisingly realistic results.
A little friend joined us for art afternoon this week.

If You're Local

This book sale will not disappoint.

Still Here...

... just trying to get back in a groove after our two week spring break that was oh-so-nice.

Hannah and Will visited my parents in Florida the first week - leaving me here with ONE kid that goes to preschool every morning. I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself, so I stayed home and soaked up the quiet. I love being in the house alone... every so often... by the end of the week, I'd had enough.

One of Will's favorite thing about visiting my parents - Grandpa buys him "sugar drinks"
... and I let him indulge. Well, one mini can a day. He savors every drop of it.

My husband, Peter and I headed down to join them for the second week of our break. And after the stomach bug made it's way through the whole family (bleh!), we enjoyed a week by the pool sipping sweet tea. Bliss.

The temperature here still insists we wear coats and listen to snowy forecasts, BUT the cherry blossoms are blooming and spring soccer begins this week! We are so ready to get back outside.

Glad to be home! I'll be back here later this week...

Daffodils : 1000 Gifts

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

from Daffodils by William Wordsworth

Delighting in a week of gifts, I add to my list...

0937
7 year-old boy written poetry.

0938
In a basement box of old letters, finding confetti from the night we met (and an old frame to display it). Turns out I don't throw away everything. : )


0939
Sweet moments with their grandparents.



0940
My parents' generosity. Being here so I could go to...

0941
The Apologia Live retreat. Refreshment, inspiration, and so much fun! Homeschool moms, if there is one in your area - GO!

0942
Growing with a group of friends... and encouraging one another in the journey.

0943
All of us talking late into the night.

0944
Getting stuck in Beltway traffic with a dear friend... barley noticing just how long we sat there.

0945
Wise counsel.

0946
Debra Bell's session. I love to hear her wit and wisdom!

0947
My journal now filled with notes.

0948
The first sunny daffodils.



0949
Robins and forsythia and maples trees all red with blooms.

0950
Life emerging from the mud.

Heart Rejoicing : 1000 Gifts

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6

Rejoicing in His gifts, I add to the list...

0920
Finding him sticking up for his little brother.

0921
A Tuesday afternoon walk in the woods.

0922
The outdoor classroom for our science studies.


0923
Time with my kids.

0924
Friday night dinner with friends who live in the country.

0925
The long beautiful drive to get there.

0926
The privilege to walk with another.

0927
Not getting a parking ticket when we deserved one.

0928
Poetry during lunch.

0929
A Saturday shopping trip with my girl.

0930
Finding that she added "Tyson's Corner Mall" to her gratitude list.

0931
Crayon drawings on my church bulletin.

0932
Laughing at our mistakes.

0933
The blessing it was to see this.



0934
The gift of His Word.

0935
Divine amnesia with regards to my sin. Isaiah 43:25

0936
The mystery of grace.

"From the Word to the Heidelberg"

I love this. A rap about the Heidelberg Catechism to go along with Kevin DeYoung's book, The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism.

And another rap to go with the Westminster Catechism... featuring Dr. Don Carson as you have never heard him before.

Tuesday Thanks : 1000 Gifts

Before we head out for the afternoon, I pull my little moleskine notebook out of my purse and transfer the joy list. Gifts are meant for sharing...

0902
Making his first ever game shot. Arms immediately thrown in the air. Sweet satisfaction.

0903
The sun's bright white rays streaming through dark clouds.

0904
Peter's wonder at it all.

0905
Finding sticks in my purse. And moss covered tree bark.

0906
A stand up and cheer family movie night. Secretariat on DVD.

0907
Mushrooms on my section of the pizza.

0908
Handwritten notes.

0909
Out for sushi with my love.

0910
Rocking chairs.

0911
Under eye concealer.

0912
Her gratitude journal. (Hannah adds five to her own list each night before bed.)

0913
Crocuses. Signs of life returning to the landscape.

0914
Climbing the stairs ready to fold then finding the laundry folded and put away. When this happens it always makes the list. : )

0915
Math lessons that involve chocolate chips. (The book suggested dried beans as counters but what fun is that?)

0916
Their love to look at their baby albums. (Hannah and Will that is... poor Peter's is still not finished!)

0917
Feet meeting in the middle of the couch. Sunday reading with Hannah.

0918
The sovereignty of God.

0919
Resting in that.