Family Adventure

Since Jason was away for the weekend he took Monday off for some family time.  Two words = blissful + refreshing.  We escaped to the bay to enjoy sunshine + gulf breezes. Micah adores Daddy. I understand his adoration completely. Pelicans + wildflowers + shells + rocks are much more exciting when viewed through the eyes of a little ones.  
Micah is SO proud of his ability to slide all by himself. Sweet Korban made a new friend with his winning smile. We walked to our favorite Mexican restaurant and then enjoyed downtown once our bellies were full with salsa +  queso + chicken + rice + beans.  
A great courtyard for dancing with the princess + prince charming.  Yes, we enjoyed a few spins around the dance floor.  Korban may or may not have been embarassed.




Love this old abandoned theater.  So much character.  Ivory was reminded of pirates + pirate treasure.
The inside view.
My studly man. And that's where Korban's winning smile comes from. My little model. All. boy. Wildflower picking -- Ivory says these flowers are just like the flower Horton has!  We had to listen carefully to hear the whos. And Daddy had to really look like a tourist and teach our kiddos to feed the seagulls.

We came home and our exhausted children napped for hours.  Yes!  Adventure + rest + family time + gorgeous weather + peaceful evening at home.  So. Refreshing.  Just what the doctor ordered!  Or something like that.  This day came at just the right time for this soul weary mother.  God is good.  Always.

Summer Maxi Dress

While visiting my parents I stole away for a little thrifting.  While out I came across this lovely vintage yellow sheet.  I hesitated as I have been trying to use up my fabric stash and not add to it.  But this fabric called to me.  And I knew it would make a soft, lovely, light summer dress.  I finally felt a longing to sew.  And the motivation that came with the longing.  My gracious husband watched the children one morning so I could steal away for a few hours at my sewing machine.    Then miraculously my children played nicely that afternoon so I could sew some more.  So, in a day + a half I actually finished this summer maxi dress complete with button straps making it nursing friendly.
I planned to wear it to church Sunday, but surprise--cold weather!  Really?  Oh well, one last chance to wear a sweater vest!  The dress will wait another week or so.

For those interested here's the pattern I used for this dress (slightly modified with the added top ruffle + detachable straps).  This is a super simple, basic pattern I use all the time for making dresses.  A very basic, simple dress pattern that can be used + adapted in tons of ways.  By far one of my favorite patterns ever purchased.
 

Dewberry Picking + Morning Snuggles

We have been enjoying picking dewberrys with the kids!  Well, more like the kids watching me pick + eating them almost as fast as I can pick.  The first trip Dad says they were picking like crazy.  Well, the excitement waned and the thorns won the second + third go around with Mom.  Oh well, berry stained fingers + berry bellies still are the best!  And we loved picking enough to share with friends.  Ivory + Korban enjoying some morning snuggles while Daddy was gone over the weekend.  Ivory + Mommy had a little girls sleepover while Daddy was away. Love these sweet, snuggly moments.  So precious + so rare at times. 
Thankfully, they were extra good while daddy was gone + so Mommy was able to maintain her sanity.  Praise God for His blessings big + small!

Church At The Park

Our church's third annual Sunday service at the park was this month!  Such *gorgeous* weather for this day of outdoor worship.  One of my favorite Sundays of the year!  Especially since Micah was perfectly content to spend the service following ants and digging in the dirt with his stick.  Do we really have to wait another whole year??

Loved the food + fellowship that followed!  We were also excited that Uncle Matt could join us this time.  We were glad to enjoy the weekend with him since he's graduating next month and will soon be headed to Texas for seminary.  Way to go, Uncle Matt!  But, why Texas?  It's too far!

How A Garden Grows

Jason's annual spring garden flourishes.  We will be eating fresh green beans in no time!  I persuaded him to grow some herbs this years.  Yay for a large variety of fresh herbs!  beans + field peas squash + lettuce roses + impatients
We have more roses this year then ever!  Great pruning job, sweetie.  Love our garden.  I tell Jason he makes me look good as I always get compliments for my beautiful garden.  Don't worry I always give credit where it's due. ;-)

Resurrection Sunday

Saturday evening we had a picnic dinner and read the story of Jesus' trial and crucifixion.  It was a precious time with our children, especially Ivory.  While Mom was reading the story she kept tearing up and Ivory kept saying, "It's okay Mom, Jesus had to so we could ask Jesus in our heart!"  So precious.  She asked such sweet questions and had such insightful comments.  One of those special times we'll always treasure.  When asked why we ask Jesus in our hearts she replies, "So we can worship Jesus!"  Wow.  Great answer.

Sunday morning the kids woke up to an empty "cave" with only a "linen cloth" at the "burial site."  We told them the rest of the story where Jesus rose from the dead! Daddy also placed beads + cord to maek a salvation bracelet + 3 nails.  Ivory guessed most of the beads and their meanings.  Has someone done this with her already??  Micah was very excited about his nails.  They wanted to take their treasures to Sunday school and show them off.  Ya, I know, there might be some uproar when they finally realize other kids actually get CANDY on Easter... 
While I don't feel the need to "compete" with society, I do want them to realize, in their childlike understanding, how exciting Resurrection Sunday is.  So, we're working on a plan for next year to make it even more exciting and memorable.

I'm a sucker for the traditional Easter fancy duds.  While I know that's totally not what the morning's about, I love it all the same.  The kids look so stinkin' *cute* in their poofy, frilly, fancy dresses + adorable ties, bowties, and khakis.  Love. it.
  The kids already had fancy unworn clothing in their wardrobes but Mommy + Korban were treated to some new clothes.  Can we say Baby GAP sale?  Extra 25% of clearance?  Yes, thank you!

Ivory + Micah wanted to pick white flowers to bring to their beloved Sunday School teacher, Cassie.

Daddy tells the kids every Sunday, "This is my favorite part of Sunday School!  Walking my kids to their Sunday School class."  Mine too.   Family pictures (at least a good one) is night impossible following the morning service.  My kids jsut want to run, eat food, and nap.
Oh well, you get the general idea.
So grateful that we can freely celebrate the resurrection of Christ with our church family.  Thinking about those who made great sacrifices to do the same around the world.  Reminded of their courage and bravery.  Challenged to be more courageous and dedicated.

Sibling Love

I cherish the way our children have welcomed Korban into the family with arms wide open.  They love and adore their little brother so. 

I pray that our kids will always have a strong sense of family and that they will always love and cherish their siblings.  This is a difficult season for this as Ivory is maturing so rapidly and Micah is fast approaching the terrible twos.  While Ivory becomes more content to play alone, create, and use her imagination, Micah becomes increasingly needy for attention, enjoys demanding his rights, yelling no, and hitting every one + every thing that crosses his path.  This proves to be especially challenging for sibling harmony, but not impossible.  I love how quick Micah is to apologize and Ivory to forgive.  When they hug and make up my heart swells. 
While some believe sibling rivalry to be the norm I don't believe it has to be.  Christ calls out Christian brothers + sisters not to quarrel, so why would I allow it within our family?  I believe kindness + love to be essential toward every person they encounter.  And what better way to prepare my children for life and marriage where they will encounter conflict + challenging people on a daily basis.

I would never claim to be an expert in creating sibling harmony, however I know the Prince of Peace and pray that He will guide our home in His love and peace.

My mom always said that most friends will come and go but siblings stay.  This has been so true for me and I'm so grateful for the friendship I have with my siblings.  I desire this same blessing for my children.

So, while we're striving for this we'll keep breaking up fights and promoting love...for as long as it takes. 

It won't be long before monkey-see-monkey-do will triple itself in our home.

all photos by debra eby photography

Take your time sweet Korban, don't grow up too fast sweet baby boy.