Spring Has Sprung!

In just the past few days, I have noticed a burst of foliage returning to the ground, bushes and trees. I always compare this time of year to the moment Dorothy arrives in Munchkin World from the black- and- white beginning, in the Wizard of Oz. The bare and colorless months of winter are brutal for me, so the beauty of spring is something that I grow increasingly more grateful for each year!

Also sprouting these days are the active schedules for our boys! Noah is about to wrap up his stint with the Springfield Middle School's Science Olympiad Team. Earlier this year, they qualified for the State Competition. He and Chris will travel to Columbus, this Saturday. It's not the type of competition that can be observed by fans and spectators, so the younger two and I have opted to save about $250 (gas and hotel) and stay home. We will be rooting for him though, and will receive frequent text updates, I'm sure! Noah is also participating in an acting workshop, still enjoys playing the trumpet, and is becoming more involved in our church youth group.

Josh's confidence is probably the heartiest spring growth we've witnessed here in the 'den'. He's playing soccer, baseball (which he LOVES), and he just began to serve with the Safety Patrol Guard, at school. With summer nearing, he is about to have only one school year left as an elementary student!! The thought of two kids in middle school is enough to make me move onto the the next paragraph. ;)

Eric is beginning his 3rd season of baseball and his 2nd season of soccer. He loves them both, equally. He's also ending his first year as a cub scout. He has sprouted in height, humor, and revenue from the tooth fairy this year!

 It's not always graceful, but we manage, somehow, to get it all done. Hanging in my dining room is a plaque that says, "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all." Together, we  say--- Happy Spring! :) 

When getting sick makes you feel great!

Eric developed the stomach flu Saturday.  By Sunday he was feeling better, but I was feeling sick. After Easter service at church, I told the boys I was going to rest for awhile in my room. As I made my way upstairs I heard Eric say, "Guys- we need to be quiet because Mom has a 'widdle' bit of my flu!" The boys agreed to comply, and I got cozy in my blankets.

Moments later, Eric came in with a cup of water and a vitamin C drop. He felt my forehead to check if I was warm, as I chuckled inside knowing he had no clue what a normal temp is supposed to feel like. I thanked him for his care and he was on his way...or, so I thought.

About five minutes later, the door began to open, in a way that alerts you that the person on the other side of the door is struggling to hold onto something. I looked up as Eric made his way into the room, barely holding onto a completely, full vaporizor!! He plugged it in and proudly smiled, as if to tell me I was just about to feel better.

As truthful as it is that a vaporizor does not make the stomach flu better, is as determined as I was to hide that truth from him. I stayed in my vaporized room long enough to make Eric feel like his 'medical care' worked. I realized that it actually did. My stomach felt the same, but my heart swelled with the love from my 7-year old. As parents, we've all witnessed the role play from our children that doesn't necessarily shed the most positive light on our behavior, disciplinary methods, etc. Eric's reaction to my 'widdle' bit of his flu was a role play that said to my soul, " They know you love them, Audrey."

I can't remember a time where feeling poorly made me feel so good!

:)