I love...

these two...

Today...

we had fun outside in our very warm weather and I got some good shots of this little one...

So proud...

of this little one.

She is gaining so much physical strength these days it's incredible and very fun to watch. But that's not why I'm proud. Well, it is but that's not why I'm posting.

After all were in bed, Ella Jane came downstairs telling me she was scared. This is not uncommon and I told her she needed to be back upstairs in her bed. Later on when I went upstairs to check on her I heard music coming from her room.

Music? That little stinker.

Except that she'd fallen asleep. To the Backyardigans. Specifically, to a song that mentions Iowa. The big kids each have their favorites (and I do too actually; they're a catchy group of young singers) and for whatever reason this one was Ella Jane's.

But the reason I felt my pride overflow was because just this afternoon I noticed she was able to set up her music by herself. Like, push play, and REPEAT all by herself! This has always been a bit challenging for her but today she got it and when I went up to check on her, she'd self soothed. Even at age 3, she self soothed. In the form of her favorite song. Did I mention I was proud of her? My little girl was sacked out with W-IOWA (name of the song) playing over and over and over.

And the physical attributes mentioned earlier? Let me just touch on that. Ella Jane has become my runner. As you know we walk to and from school everyday. This afternoon she was putting her tennis shoes on (vs. sandles) and she told me "you know what that means don't you?" That you're going to be a runner? "yup!"

I might as well start wearing my running shoes so that I can keep up. It's not uncommon for me to hear her say "c'mon mom, let's run!" She has strong little legs. I know they'll take her far.

Life as usual...

It's just business as usual around here...umbrella forts in the rain...

Princess time outside...

Bubbles in...

Bubbles out...

Pretty much a lot of outside time, now that our weather has decided to turn the corner into spring!

Sara has decided she'd like to walk more than crawl so whenever she does decide to crawl, I stop for a moment and try to memorize the scene of what's going on. She loves to try and get away from me, usually when I'm changing her diaper, so many times she can be found crawling away at lightning speed followed by constant squeeling on her part. It's so cute to be a part of.

Matthew's world has really opened up with his new love of reading and creating. The other day after his class had field tripped to a dairy farm he came home and made a book about the different animals he saw. I'm in awe of his creatvity.

Preschool is winding down for Ella Jane and Kindergarten will end for Matthew in just a few short weeks. Then we'll be back to all three all day. We've got a few things planned and I'm looking forward to the rhythm of summer. I love spending our days OUTside!

It was today...

that I knew our lives were about to embark on a brand new journey.

It was today that I labored like a champ and then held my baby girl at 2:20pm.

It was today that I snapped one of my favorite pictures of the kids. (All three of them)

It was today that I enjoyed apple pie at midnight thanks to the well stocked fridge for new mothers. It was also today that I contemplated doing it all over again (with baby #4) so I could have another reason to stay overnight in the hospital and have apple pie at midnight.

It was one year ago today that our sweet Sara Christine was born!

And it is today that we will celebrate her special day. The big kids are excited of course and my heart is overflowing with joy as I think back on her birth and look at all she has accomplished this year. It has been a full one for each of us in this family of five and we look forward to many more.

Happy Birthday baby girl.

On my mind...

So much to say, so much to say, so much to say...

And yet, I haven't felt like saying much.

But look who's learning how to walk?

Sara turns one next week and we are all anticipating that great event! It's fun to have Matthew and Ella Jane to fuel the excitement so this week will be spent planning her little party.

Jim had his annual bbq for the student leaders today and when he had this event last year, we had just come home from the hospital. Literally, that very day. Jim was busy. I was not. I was holed up upstairs with my cutie little baby. Matthew and Ella Jane played outside with the students and I remember watching them and being glad that they were entertained.

And so here we are one year later, we just said goodbye to the students and Jim is cleaning up while Matthew is complaining of a sore tummy which is probably the result of too many hotdogs and too much lemonade.

It's been our first muggy day although not too bad really. There is a tornado watch for the night and I am quickly reminded that we are now into spring! I love the springs here, summers too actually. Our time in Maryland got me accustumed to the hot and humid. I love that you can go outside, turn on some hose water and not be cold if it gets all over you!

We had our first hot day last week and have already broken out the pool and the slip n' slide and the popsicles! I love that, for the most part, you live outside during these hot days. Play in the water, dig a hole in the dirt, jump in the pool, walk up the hill and so on.

It's life as a child, pure and simple. And I love that.

Happy Easter...

Praise the Lord, that tomb is empty!

So happy together...

We will have an egg hunt later today using the eggs we dyed earlier this morning. But, before I post pictures of that, I wanted to share a sequence of photos that I took back in February. So sweet of them together...