We're at it again!

We have a rule in our family: If the thermometer jumps 70 and the sun is shining, get thee to the Lake.

Well, it is March--and we are not at the Lake. Funny though, many times today I thought about the coming summer months--and their promise of lemonade, painted toes, cut grass, countless games of cribbage.

How blessed I am to have such rich traditions in my family--on both sides--of how we blissfully soak up each summer moment.

Regrettably, back to reality. Today was our major Easter shopping day--and we had many stops to make in our line of hunting & gathering. We needed everything from the necessary: turkey, to the frivolous: egg cupcake liners & Easter toothpicks. Each store brought a new adventure-at Martin's a stop at Starbucks; at Target, a giggle in the Easter aisle; at TJMaxx, we picked out a 'special Easter outfit' for Daddy; and at Meijer our whole day was capped off by a watching Schaeffer's face fill with joy as she rode Sandy, the pony.

After a great day, this is the prayer of my heart for my sweet Schaeffer girl for today: "Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don't neglect her. Buy truth—don't sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight. Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents. So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!" Proverbs 23:22-25MSG

Let me take a moment to introduce myself.

I'm excited to share a few of my favorite recent photographs from the fun our family has been having. Enjoy!

Aunt Nikki, Toby, Schaeffer & Kate: jacuzzi tub

@ the condo over Christmas Break

Griffin, Kate & Schaeffer Jo: tubing

@ Shanty Creek Resort

Schaeffer Jo: Christmas morning with her

brand new skis from Santa

My beautiful bumble-bee, Halloween 2009

Big Girl!

G.G. Jean brought SJ a beautiful turquoise bracelet

home from her big train trip to Nevada!

Schaeffer Jo & Kate: Children's Museum @ Navy Pier in Chicago

Schaeffer Jo: soaked from the water experience

zone in the Children's Museum

Where have you been all my life?

Ok, so it has been a full YEAR since I last uttered even one sentence on my blog. Yes, I said year.

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic of improvement, as I now have access to my glorious new MacBook Pro, which will make blogging from any location possible.

Now that we've gotten the formalities over with, let's get on to the good stuff.

I've come to the conclusion that each parent thinks that their kid is amazing, a-rate, smart, best-thing-since-sliced-bread. With that being said, I cannot help but be over the moon for my little gal--who despite being the biggest and most consistent pain in my backside, is also the most glorious gift I could have ever been blessed with.

As little gal continues to crawl out from under the sickness that has hovered just out of health's reach, she has begun to develop some remarkable Godly character traits--prayer, dependence, peace & joy. As she experiences God's faithfulness at age 2, it is a reminder even at age 28 all you need is belief.

Our household is ramping up for Easter-we are hosting both my & Griffin's family + some stragglers this year. In the midst of the chaos, the planning & baking, I do not want to loose the overwhelming sense of great mercy and gratitude that should prevail this Holy Week.

If I don't have the opportunity before Sunday, have a blessed Easter! Spend it with the people you love, talking about the God who loves you enough to sacrifice his only son.