Spring to it

Spring has sprung at home. The flowers are blooming, the yard is getting greener, and the calendar is getting fuller. Spring is truly a phenomena. For as long as I can remember, Spring comes with a busyness like no other season. And the odd thing is....I can't possibly account for what creates all the busyness. Truly, I just know I'm one busy chic in the Spring. We celebrated Easter, went to church, lunch, then Scott was off to study. Only SEVEN more days until he leaves for New York City! Yay! It is very difficult to wrap my mind around what all these young docs have to endure to get their certifications. I'm not playing the violin or anything (this time), but there are people who look at the "life" of a doctor and think it all just fell in their lap. It has taken Scott 15 years of countless study/work hours, sleep deprivation, little social interaction and excessive federal government borrowing to get to this point. It is truly a marathon and we are proud for this "last" milestone of all his training. Hard to believe in TEN days he will no longer be handcuffed to his books. I'm thinking I need to cross the Smith County border to make sure he has an ice cold beverage to sit and enjoy when he gets home....

I love this picture of Scott and his littlest, baby girl...Molly Kate

On Saturday night, we got the kiddos ready for bed. Addy's apprehension was growing and Scott and I were a little perplexed by our "fearless" one's behavior. She asked if Mary Ella could sleep in her room and of course we said, "yes". We got to her room and she quietly climbed into her bed (again, "quietly climbing" is very out of character) and covered her head with a blanket. She wouldn't even come out for hugs and kisses! Then it hit me...she was scared the Easter bunny was going to come in her room. We assured her this was not going to happen and gave hugs and kisses to a blanketed head. Scott and I were trying to hold back the laughter as we exited the room. Addy then yelled, "Close the door!" Ok, the child NEVER wants her door closed! We granted the wish and off to a sleepy slumber they went. We awoke to a very dark sky and we realized it was almost 8AM!!!! BONUS! All the kids slept in. Usually we just hope they all make it to 7AM, but 8!?! Yes, it is the little things. As a result of the rain, the bunny had to leave the eggs in a basket instead of outside. How considerate....

Our three girls...our angels!

If this were a large picture you would see the drainage seeping from Molly's nose and the chocolate smudges on Addy's dress. I'm beginning to think our Molly suffers from some East Texas outdoor allergies. Funny how perspective has changed. I remember being down in Galveston with all my sweet friends and staying in practically ALL winter because of Mary Ella's recurring snotty nose. I was afraid to take her out in public. One instance in particular was when I was on my way to a baby shower for one of my friends at Vicki's. I heard a sneeze in the back seat and looked back to find snot all over Mary Ella's face. I ran into Vicki's house dropped off the plates and refused to stay (remember this, Vicki?). Vicki, a mother of four, looked at me and said, "I just don't think a snotty nose is that big of a deal." She did not persuade me and I left anyways. I just couldn't be that person who brings a snotty-nosed kid everywhere. Well, Vicki, NOW I GET IT! It is totally impossible to quarantine a snotty nosed child and it is, in fact, "just a snotty nose". Life can not and will not stop. So now, if you see me with all my children...chances are at least one of them will have drainage and if this is all they have, it is believe it or not...a good day. Funny, I spent all that time inside that Winter and Mary Ella still kept getting infected. I have found the same to be true for all our children, but miraculously by age 3 it is not nearly as persistent as the earlier years. Guess, they just have to build up their defenses.

All in all we had a wonderful Easter and am totally enjoying the fact that my girls are loving their church. I love watching them run up and down the hallways with the same familiarity as they have at home. It is such a blessing. God bless you and we hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter as well. We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives!