March proved to be a very busy month for us. We took a week-long spring break from homeschool and intended to use the time to get our four bedrooms switched around, repainted, and organized in preparation for Baby #4's arrival, but as usual, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps" (Proverbs 16:9).
In fact, the weekend before our official break we received word that Josh's Grandpa Bill was not doing at all well. He's had many physical & mental struggles over the last several years & has miraculously bounced back each time without too much lasting impairment, but this time was different... more serious, more urgent. They didn't know if he'd make it through the night. Josh was able to go down to Ottumwa with his mom & siblings to see him that same afternoon, and when he returned he confirmed that the outlook seemed to be rather grim. The next morning Grandpa Bill went to be with his Savior & King. That was a hard day. Not how we imagined we'd begin our ambitious plans for the week. It was painful. The next three days were filled with conversations with family members, traveling for the visitation & funeral... and little work at home. Truly, it was a blessing in disguise that we planned for the week to be our spring break from school because Josh already had the majority of the week off work which enabled him to be there for all those important moments in his grandfather's passing. We are thankful for that. The postponed work was just that -- postponed. It was far more pressing for us to be able to be present with the family in grief, to minister as the Lord led, and participate in the sad loss of a dearly loved family member. And though it is a difficult circumstance to endure, we can rejoice in the knowledge that dear, sweet, joyful Grandpa Bill is experiencing the absolute definitions of joy & happiness as he worships at the feet of the Creator of the Universe. He is fully whole. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually whole. He is doing what he was created to do. And I guarantee he is loving every. single. minute. Oh, how we long to join alongside him & offer our own praises to the Almighty God!
The rest of the week was a blur as we attempted to cram as much house work in as possible. Our kids were troopers! Surely, they felt brief twinges of neglect as Mommy & Daddy painted room after room after room. Two weeks later, our house is still out of sorts! Although the majority of the work is complete, we have been making slow progress almost every day as new things find their homes & well-loved things are repurposed or rearranged. We're getting there!
Of course, spring break was not the ONLY thing that happened this month, so...
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National Pancake Day at IHOP is March 4th.
Naturally, we had to celebrate! |
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Chocolate milk is a rare luxury for this chick.
And she loves it. |
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Sort of a last minute field trip...
to the Science Center of Iowa! |
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| Josiah shooting off his paper rocket. |
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| Future crane operator? |
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| Fun wall with air tubes, mazes, and plastic balls. |
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| Which tennis ball will finish first? |
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Our local TV station has a weather center in the Science
Center where they shoot live at noon on the weekdays. It's
always fun to see yourself on TV! |
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| We are early morning pirates sailing the river for crocodiles. |
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| Hope to do a post on the outcome of this little project soon! |
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| "I ready," she says... in the front seat. |
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| Night time froyo is always a welcome treat... |
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Especially when it's to celebrate Starshine's
completion of her reading curriculum.
She's a super reader! |
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| Chocolate is all that matters to this dude. |
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My big girl surprised me one morning by getting everyone's
breakfast ready for us! Oatmeal with Craisins & cinnamon/sugar. |
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Sometimes we stay in our pajamas until noon. That's how we roll.
And yep, the belly is getting bigger. No feet! |
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Spring has sprung! Well, kind of. But in Iowa we take every
advantage of the nice days while we can. |
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| Bare feet in the sand. Always. |
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The older two & I attended a performance from the
Applause Series at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines,
"We're Going on a Bear Hunt." Such fun! |
