T-Ball!

Just Hudson

(Starting to stand up-I love his facial expression here)

(I love this.)

(sleep, my little angel)

(Where's your belly button, Hudson?)

Hudson's First Step, Step, Steps!

I Flit, I Float

Lately we've been enjoying the, shall I say, intoxicating aroma, of the lilacs

as well as the many butterflies and hummingbird moths coming to visit.

(monarch)

There are dozens of butterflies flitting and fluttering around this large bush (it's over 10 feet tall) most of the day.

(monarchs)

Sometimes we just stand there, silent and watching. Listening to the hushed sounds of the wings.

(yellow swallowtail)

(hummingbird moth-photo not ours)

Joel tried to get a picture of the hummingbird moths, but as I came back out with a camera they were gone.

The picture above is pretty close to what we saw. They look almost exactly like hummingbirds, except for the antennae and they are not scared easily. Joel was about 4 inches away from a moth as it happily suckled away at the purple flowers.

(mourning cloak)

(red admiral)

(painted lady- these are fiesty bugs! As I watch-these are the ones picking fights with the other butterflies and they don't give up either! I watched one fight last close to a minute as two painted ladies duked it out!)

As I watch all these beautiful butterflies, it's not much different when I watch our kiddos play...

(Joshua, Rachel, Hudson planting "trees")

(Rachel pausing for a photo)

Kids flutter around just like butterflies, though maybe not quite as quietly.

(Hudson in the wood shed)

Though kids and butterflies may fight, kids are by far more fun and helpful.

(Here they are- four kids, three of them helped stack wood. All the wood you see behind them...they did that!)

(Hudson of course, helped too, just in his own way)

(Joshua or monkey?)

(cute kids, dirty pajamas, hard workers!)

(Coach Janice assisting Rachel at the tee. Both Joshua and Rachel are in T-ball this year. At first base is Joshua, Madelynn and Joel.)

(Goofy Madelynn)

(The wagon has been put to good use this year. Mostly as a water holder, bathtub, and "chocolate milk" maker.)

(Madelynn has graduated to a big swing this year)

Happy Spring Everyone! 

Just A Thank You

Joel and I would like to give our readers a humble thank you. Thank you for reading the posts about Emily and thank you to those who have supported us, prayed for us, and loved us. This has been a long journey and yet it feels like it has only begun.


I must admit that holding Emily close in my heart was preventing much needed healing. To myself and to others. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to share Emily with my kids, with my dear friends, and with you.


As a result, these past few weeks I have found myself being less irritable and more calm with the kids. My heart has been lighter and I have had more energy. 


I have no regrets being open and honest with Emily and her story. I have felt only relief and peace. Like a great weight suddenly being lifted and gone. 


Our prayer is that Emily's life will encourage and point you to Jesus, just as she has for us.