puddle jumper

 this one right here might just be the cutest little puddle jumper...

the annual ice rink thaw made for a fun chance to put on the rain boots and trek right on through all that water.  

can't wait for more spring adventures with this dear boy ❤

a little getaway

 well, it wasn't Florida quite yet. hopefully one day in the future we get back to the beautiful sunshine state, but still, getting out of town for a weekend was soooo good for all of us that went.  while it didn't go exactly as planned, Niagara Falls ticked the boxes of refreshing, well deserved fun with AJ and baby C.  we made some memories and enjoyed each other and ate out and took in lots of the hype that the Falls offers.  it was good for all of us.  super thankful it happened! i'll drop a couple photos so this weekend sticks!

this covid baby's first hotel pool swim...

he probably most enjoyed watching the kids in the pool.  he just took it all in...

see the brownie under all that ice cream?  that's what sold AJ!  

baby C's first time bowling, and turns out it was also his first strike, thanks to his awesome and handsome assistant!  for a minute there i feared he'd top my score.  thankfully i pulled it together and managed to beat the toddler.

March Break 2022, different and unexpected in ways, but still a huge gift.

ahhh, this book...

 reading an amazing book by Jamie C. Finn, called Foster the Family.  it's come out of her experience as a foster parent and advocate for kids and family and support for foster families. but my goodness, it's so much more than that.  it's absolutely rocking me as i move slowly through its chapters.  page after page points me back to God's word and promises and truth.  i'm being challenged in my role as a foster parent and even more in my role as mom to all my dear kids.  

if you are considering foster care, or already in the thick of this, or raising adopted or biological kids, consider this read. packed full of insight and encouragement.  

here's a quote of her's that i saved...

"Control is an illusion.  The illusion becomes harder to maintain the more people that you love.  Love a partner, you've given up part of your heart, given up control.  Become a parent,  your whole heart might as well be walking around- toddling and skinning its knees and darting into traffic- outside of your chest.  Become a foster parent, and well, you just lay yourself down in surrender, hands up, eyes down, giving it all up.  There's no control anymore.  

The beautiful thing about it?  No one is ever, actually in control.  Other people may get away with the illusion longer, live in the lie of control easier.  Foster parents, we're snapped right out of that and into surrender.  

Love is always a risk.  Parenting forever leaves our hearts exposed.  The fate of our kids is never in our hands.  Foster care just forces us to admit this and accept this and surrender it all to Him.  

This life of mine, it's out of control.  My control.  But it is perfectly under the control of the One who's always, only been in control, all along."

International Women's Day

a few scattered thoughts on this important day...

first, i'm so incredibly thankful for the amazing women in my life who overcame certain odds to raise me/us well. my mom and the mom of the man i gave my heart to.  beautiful ladies who did ordinary and extraordinary things each and every day to show up for their families and create a "home" and stability for their children.  it's such a monumental role they filled as our moms, and we live each day directly benefiting (even still!) from their efforts...we are so grateful and blessed.  

second, i'm thinking of the brave and resilient women in Ukraine tonight.  they so intentionally and purposefully choose to arm themselves with courage, daily, in front of their children and families. they find so many unique, creative and essential ways to support the cause of freedom, all while the relentless drain of war presses in crushingly heavy...their fierce determination to carry on is nothing short of remarkable.  God help them, i pray...

lastly, a quote from Foster the Family that i absolutely love...here it is...

"I reject the caricatured picture of a strong woman. The common conception—or misconception—of strength: a woman who always speaks her mind and prioritizes herself and pursues her interests above everything else. Making money, kicking butt, taking names, and knocking down anyone who gets in the way.

The vision of strength I value is different. Counter to this cliché. Countercultural. Counterintuitive. The strength I value lies in a life lived for others. Pursuing your dreams, speaking your mind, winning for your own good? Anyone can do that. The strong women I look to, they do hard things—for others—with very little benefit to themselves."

future chef?

 could it be?  a culinary master in the making? 

this dear child loves my messy gadget drawer. it's a "back and forth" process, lining the bench with whatever he can reach in the drawer.  and if her hears the hand mixer or salad spinner he's over asking "up!" or "help please!"  super cute.  the things that amuse him...