The magnificent purple trees you see around town right now are redbuds. Some are quite large, but most are smallish trees. And they are absolutely gorgeous this time of year.

A few years back, our friend Karma gave us a teeny tiny redbud. It looked like a weed of a tree and was so small we had to mark it in the garden so that we wouldn’t accidentally step on it or pull it up. But Karma told us that this tree would grow successfully—and she was right.

Finally our tree, now as tall as the garage, has actual red buds on it. It’s taken three years (or it is four?), but we’re seeing the trademark blossoms. And we’re enjoying them like the proud parents we are.

I love this season. Have I said that before? ; )

Credit for the first image goes to Renae. Thanks, friend, for letting me post it here!

As lovely as the previous post’s images are, I’ve decided to move on to something else.

March in Nebraska. I’ve never been so grateful for rain! Finally finally finally the air has warmed up and the snow on the ground is gone. This winter was something else. A few weeks ago I imagined myself frantically scooping all the snow out of my yard and wondered if the neighbors would think I had gone mad. We’ve had snow on the ground since early December! Something about that was demoralizing. But spring! Spring is on its way and I couldn’t be happier.

Here are a few images from last Thursday when Renae and I sought out sunny skies among the prairie grounds at Pioneers Park.

Oh my goodness, check out this precious little face!

Quinlyn is the seven-month-old daughter of my longtime beloved friend Sarah. It’s hard to live far away from your girlfriends, but I suppose that makes weekend trips that much more special. This weekend my family got to meet Quinlyn, whose round eyes and sweet checks make her look remarkably similar to her big brother Calvin.

More photos coming!

Livia’s cubby at school had a little note in it today. It read,

Livia got caught being good! Signed, [her teacher]… For helping another student!

I cheered on my daughter and she explained further that a friend’s pants were coming down and she helped her notice it. Liv has issues with falling pants, so it really was a kindness and help to her friend this afternoon.

When you are five years old and you have a hard time focusing and keeping yourself under control, it is a HUGE deal to be noticed for being good. And oh, how I love it that her teacher sees these good qualities and encourages them. I have been brought to tears more than once by the way Liv’s teachers “catch” her doing good and then praise her accordingly. There are just so many “No, don’t do thats” and “Quit touching thats” and “Move fasters” that a young child has to hear. It’s important that kids know what it is they are doing right in the midst of their days. I have to be reminded periodically to verbally rejoice and encourage my child.

In the same vein, I think it’s important that we tell our friends what it is that makes them special. Do you have a friend who listens to you drone on and on about your workday? Do you know someone who is particularly cheery when you’re not? Do you have a mom/sister/best friend who will come wash your dishes when you’re down? (Real life example with my mom last week–thank you, Mom!) Do you appreciate the way your friend sees beauty in the mundane? If so, figure out a way to send them a slip of encouragement.

There is snail mail, which I’ve particularly been craving lately. Anyone else crave a good newsy letter?

And then, there is Valentine’s Day. How cool would it be to send out notes of encouragement on a holiday that celebrates love?

I almost wrote that I’d get off my soapbox now, but ha! Who am I kidding? I’m a blogger. This is my soapbox! And I’m totally not getting off anytime soon.

Or rather, “banging” the ivories.

As long as it’s cold outside and their mothers are confined to the indoors, these three mischief-makers will be playing together. The good thing is, they enjoy one another’s company. The even better thing is, their mamas do, too.

Category: Surviving Winter 2009-2010

Our small group at Redeemer meets every other week for dinner and bible study. I’ve come to love these folks and enjoy both the dinners and the studying with equal interest.

Our kids are loud and creative and active—and our babysitter is worth every penny we pay her. In this photo Rev has a light saber, naturally. He and Liv encourage each other to new heights of commotion, I believe!

My favorite shot is this last one of Conrad and Amy. I have a perfectly lovely shot of them tucked away in my files, but I like this one better. Conrad actually held that skeptical expression so I could get my camera settings right. I have more photos of people scowling at me than you can imagine! But this one is fun-loving, so it gets posted.

The sweet babe in the following shot had just woken up from a nap. Her eyes were a bit puffy from sleep and her hair was sticking up adorably. I love this tender moment of cuddling between the little punkin and her mama. It’s a privilege to snap shots like this.

The almost-two-year old in the following photo completely cracks me up (on a regular basis). She was looking kind of funny in the pic prior to this one because her tongue, though in her mouth, was thrust under her upper lip. Next thing I know, her tongue is outside her mouth and I’ve got a perfect shot. So funny and so cute.

Oh, this one is sad! Before you feel like I’m a horrible human being for snapping this guy in his moment of distress, you’ve got to know why he was so distraught. He wanted a blue cookie, BLUE, and there was nary a blue cookie to be found. No one in his class had blue cookies, but such rational thought did nothing for the sweet lad. Life is hard sometimes. Sometimes one just needs a blue cookie, what can you say?

The last photo is self-explanatory as I have great love for this kiddo. Could someone please tell me who replaced my baby with a big kid?

We met up with the Weeks and Kirk families last night to enjoy the Lincoln Children’s Zoo Annual fundraiser, Boo at the Zoo. Livia chose to dress up as Tinker Bell for the second year running, which was fine by me. Halloween in Nebraska is almost always a cold-weather event, so my Tink is dressed in a green sweats. I think that will become my yearly challenge—how can I dress my little trick-or-treater warmly?! As you can see, I dressed up too. I love becoming someone different for one night.

It’s time to play princesses. Time to get out the beads & slippers, the tiaras & boas.
It’s time to share. To trade. To wait five minutes and then be gracious.
It’s time to learn. About bugs, about dogs, about following directions.
It’s time to snack. Slices of apples, slices of cheese. More slices of apples.
Finally, it’s time to go home. Another day, another playdate.