An Adorable Thing Happened The Other Day...

Our niece, Maycie, turned 1 on Saturday. She was sporting a dress made by her mother (she is learning to sew "sew" fast! You know I'm jealous) and a little green bow in her hair...that Paige loved taking out. The girls did lots of hugging...they were our entertainment for the day. 

 Paige was reunited with Great-Grandma Johnson...through a love of ice cream. 

Congratulations on that 1-year-old, Haylie & Kevin!

Too Cool

That's the title Matt gave this pic he e-mailed me tonight (even though we were a room away from each other...true 21st century love!). I awoke after my shift Thursday afternoon to the two of them coming into the bedroom, Paige in this outfit and Matt in shorts...indicating to me that it was plenty warm outside. Today, just 2 days later, we're in sweaters again, Maycie's birthday party is moved indoors, and I've turned on the heat. 

Nothing is more fickle than Michigan weather...or shall we say, adventurous? 

I just had to post this picture...there's something about it. It looks a bit vintage/retro, but at the same time, Paige looks so grown up, like it's the year 20-too-much-for-me-to-think-about. 

Ugh

You've probably guessed that it's been a rough week, since I haven't posted in that long. School nearly did me in...or, honestly, my procrastination. I finished a research term paper, a group term paper, and had regular assignments in both classes. Plus a midterm exam the week before. Plus work. 

But it's over, and so far, I've survived! The weather is getting beautiful, I managed to go out and run a few times, and Matt built new steps for our back door. They even have a "mini-deck" landing between door and stairs so there's a place to put down bags while unlocking the door, and put potted plants. Even more lovely is the fact that there's less risk of falling off the old steep, crumbly, cement steps. He got it done in just one weekend! I was at work, and Paige was off to Gramma & Pappa B's for a couple nights, to quell their Paige withdrawals. I'm hoping to share some pictures of her first up-close encounter with a calf (she was in the pen with a 1-day-old!) soon.

 (notice the crayon art on the door, courtesy of our own resident artist)

Now that I'm in the home stretch with school, I'm hoping to get something crafty done...spring is a great inspiration for bright and cheery colors!

Happy Monday!

Hallelujah

What a lovely day, for so many reasons...I didn't stress about petty things (like getting out the china, decorating just-so, and where to take family pics). An unexpected gift to me from the Easter bunny. Breakfast with Matt at church. A beautiful choir anthem that I'm still singing in my head (and Hymn #302). Easter dresses. Easter flowers. Frank and Carole's sermon. Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Dinner with family. Phone calls with family. Sunshine...and rain.

 But far better than all of these...the blessed assurance of God's love, grace, and salvation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Happy and Blessed Easter to you!