m.i.a.

Yep, that's me...missing in action.  No, I didn't forget I had a blog.  Sometimes I tried, but it was always there in the back of my mind begging for attention.

Let's see, I'll try to just give a quick summary of life since I last posted and *hope* to keep up better.

Life is busy now, but who's life isn't, right?  Busy, but blessed...so very, very blessed!

September and October were busy preparing for the arrival of the babe.  She made her grand arrival on Oct 28th...due date, no less!  Baby L. weighing in at 6lbs 12oz.  Just perfect!  We had a planned home birth and it was an amazing experience...we loved it!  My parents blessed us by taking care of the older three children for 2 weeks!  It was almost like having a first baby again, just 3 of us.

November was filled with visitors, recovery, adjusting to 4 children, and getting back into the swing of school again.  The day after Thanksgiving was a fun, family workday at my parents' house to tear out their landscaping.  After 40+ years it was time to get a new look!  The new landscaping just went in last week and it looks great!

December brought a visit from Eric's parents.  It was great to see them again and so fun to show off our new sweetheart :)  

December also brought my Dad's 70th birthday! Wow!  We've been blessed to have him...to be given a godly heritage.  

 The day after his birthday, my brother and his family were in a car accident.  They were t-boned by someone who ran a stop sign.  My brother is still recovering from a bad concussion/traumatic brain injury.  Life has changed dramatically for them as a family.  He is not able to work and is going to therapy multiple times per week.  We continually pray for healing.  God is faithful.  God is good.  All the time.  We cling to that in the midst of the on-going trial.

Then there was Christmas, R.'s 11th birthday, and New Years.

January brought most of our family Christmas get-togethers and a super fun visit from Eric's sister Cyndi from California!  She hadn't been out here since our wedding!  We thoroughly enjoyed the time we had with her and hope it can happen again! 

 February brought I.'s 9th birthday.  Seriously, where does the time go?!

March is typically my least favorite month due to the weather we experience here.  It usually can't decide whether it wants to be winter or spring.  This year was different.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous!  I was giddy at the sight of my tulips and daffodils popping up.  I just planted the bulbs last fall while I was hugely pregnant, so it was especially exciting to see them this spring!  (disclaimer: I planted some of the bulbs....my dear husband did most of the work!)  Photographing flowers/nature is one of my favorite things to do!

April brought one of my favorite days of the year.....Resurrection Sunday!  He's ALIVE forevermore!  And we had a good family photo op at my brother's house after services.

It also brought Eric's birthday, a broken arm for R., a weekend getaway to the Homeschool Convention, and the end of April/first week of May brought the end of our 2011-2012 school year!  Hallelujah!  I'm happy to report that we survived!




And during all this time, baby L. just grew.....

 ....and grew....

 
 ...and grew!!!  

I can't believe she's already 6 months old!







The weeks ahead hold a piano recital, bridal shower for my niece, and the World A'Fair.  Then next month will be the wedding and swimming lessons.....and it just keeps on.  

Summer will fly by and before we know it, August will arrive and it'll be time to start school again.....Nooooooooo!  I refuse to look that far ahead!  I want to live in the moment and enjoy each day.  Each hour, each minute, each breath....all gifts....gifts from God!