Spring Update

Spring has officially sprung here in North Texas and it has been so refreshing to be greeted by the cheerful, vibrant flowers budding on trees throughout our neighborhood.   The signs of the new season are everywhere and yesterday Nicole spent some quiet moments gazing out her window, completely captivated by three young squirrels scampering up and down our mighty oak tree.  Sunnier days and warmer temperatures have brought our afternoon playing outside, which has been a welcomed change of pace for everyone.

Ready to take a sunny spring walk 

Spring also brings the memories of the very long days leading up to Jonah's birth, and ultimately his arrival.  It's not hard for me to remember how challenging those final weeks of pregnancy were, or how difficult his delivery was but those memories are tempered by the eventual arrival of a precious little boy who has been good for all of us.  Jonah has an unmistakably sweet spirit and he has inherited Shawn's calm nature in every way.  He is tolerant, accepting and easy to be around.  Even though things were pretty fragile around here when we first brought him home, almost one year later that Nicole loves having a brother. 

Shawn and I at a wedding last weekend

Birthday celebrations around here are always small, and never fussy but are still filled to the brim with celebration and gratitude.  We like to celebrate mid-day so that everyone is awake enough to enjoy themselves and the sugar consumed cannot disrupt nighttime sleep.   A favorite meal, a homemade cake and a couple presents from Grandparents are all it takes to put everyone in a celebratory mood.  Jonah has no idea that his 1st birth is right around the corner, but Nicole has been filled with anticipation for the big day.  She enthusiastically chats about Jonah's birthday cake on a regular basis because her current favorite food is frosting and she is very much looking forward to eating as many forkfuls of frosting as we will allow. 

I can't help but smile when I look into the faces of my sweet, growing children.  It's certainly not easy to navigate all of the things that each new day brings but when I remember that children are a blessing, it's easier to referee with grace.  Today I'm choosing to be grateful for the many naps keeping us home, the brief windows we have to run errands in and the toys that joyfully get spilled across my living room floor each morning.  A year from now this current season will only be a memory which means that it's worth savoring while it lasts.

Happy Spring!
Love,
Erica