Journal: It's "Spring"

Out my window: Cold- in the low 20s. Ah, Wisconsin Spring. I've only been here two years but Spring is hard-fought up North here.  In Kansas- it was like BOOM! Spring! Green grass, warmer weather, flowers. Everything is a lot sloooower up here.  The melting takes a while. So even when it is 40 (or even the 50 degree day we had) there is melting, and then often a little more cold, maybe some more snow.  It is probably a lesson in patience for my impatient heart. Looks like it is supposed to warm up toward the end of the week though. That would be lovely.

Clothing myself in: Purple turtleneck, grey short-sleeved sweater. Jeans, the ankle boots Joe bought me for Christmas.

The toddler: It's often two steps forward, a step back with him.  The potty training is still going pretty excellently here.  Not one accident this weekend. I suppose when he is ready, he will do it other places.  Everything just has to be his idea.

The kiddos: Issy is growing, growing. Her birthday was lovely- we had bierocks and cake the day before her birthday and surprised her with her gift- dinner and a show with me and Joe!  I think she really loved it.

Isaac is sick :-/ Fever, sore throat. Blessedly, it wasn't strep. Sounds like several other kids at school are getting it, too :(  His fever this evening was lower than it had been, so hopefully he is on the mend.

I brought home one of the new books from work for Liam to give me his opinion on. He read it in an evening and then asked if there were more to borrow. I told him yes, I had many, many books for him to read and give his opinion on.  He seemed pretty excited about the prospect. I brought home two more for him this weekend.  I might have started something.

It is indeed looking bleak for the school. I am trying not to feel discouraged. Looking into the public school, which is literally in our backyard, right beyond the tree line.  I don't know. Adelle will be five in June, which makes her Kindergarten age. But it's all day, which has always seemed like a bit much for a five-year-old.  I don't often ask for super specific things in my prayers, but some guidance in this decision would be nice.

In the kitchen: Chef's salad with all the fixins, meatloaf, biscuits and gravy. We had a fish chowder on Friday and it was deeeelish.  Kids even loved it. Highly recommend.

Crafting: YES! I mean, it wasn't much but one of my friends from work had a baby last week, so I made the baby a receiving blanket. The fabric is adorable, if I do say so. Pictures after I give it to his Mama.

Bringing me joy: the unique personalities of my friends and how much I enjoy sharing an evening with them, standing, however briefly, in the sunshine on the back deck with Joe while the dogs romped in the yard, the promise of warmer days to come, tucking my sweet Adelle into bed with her covers over her head, Issy's hugs.

Thinking about: In the last six months (oh, it probably goes further back than that...) how God is working in my life to make me a less judgmental, more love and accepting mother and person. I might expand more on that some other time. I am such a work in progress. It is painful to times to be led places I don't want to go, but it always works out.