Come on Spring, you can do it!

I feel a cheer coming on. Give me an S!.... Just kidding. I won't put you through that. But, it is exactly how I feel. I love Spring, and all things Spring, even thunderstorms and hiding in the closet when a tornado is coming (I have lived way too much of my life in Tornado Alley). See, March is here and I can feel it down in my bones. My white legs are craving the sunlight. My fingers and toes need to thaw. I need me some Vitamin D! I could go on and on and on, so I will.

All that Springtime symbolizes and offers: life, growth, color, warmth, refreshment, breath, change, new opportunities, and good smells.

Bubble wands. Yesterday I bought some, and today we used up two whole wands. What is more fun than that? If you could see my little Maverick and his passion for bubble-chasing, you would know there is nothing better. Even Cowboy tried catching a few, although his slow-mo speed only allowed him to get the ones that came right at his face.



Swimsuits! Even though they aren't as kind to me as they used to be, I still love buying swimsuits. Once I had a dream that I won a shopping spree at a mall ($1000 if I remember correctly). I spent it all on swimsuits.

While we're on that subject, I should mention running. Cold weather gives me nothing but excuses to skip the workouts. "It's too cold," "It's too wet," "I hate treadmills," "No one can notice a few pounds under all these layers." But NOW, I want to run. It amazes me how a change in temperature can motivate me so.

This will be Elijah's first t-ball season. I'm anxious about it. I know, it's just t-ball, Danielle. But to any of you that are parents, you understand the joy from watching your child do just about anything. He's growing up. Last summer it was swimming. In the fall, he played soccer for a 2nd season, and showed major improvement. So yes, I'm anxious. Anxious to see how much he'll learn, the friends he'll make, and if he's truly ambidextrous (he's still undecided).

It's party time! March and April are two celebratory months in the Vest house. Kate's birthday is first, March 23rd. Wow, my baby girl will be 4 in less than three weeks. Big sigh.... Jason's is next, March 26th. He will be 29, such a youngin'. Yes, I robbed that cradle. ;) Then comes April 11th, our 8th wedding anniversary. And finally, April 15th, TAX DAY! Which is coincidentally Elijah's birthday. Six years old. I've been a mom for 6 years? Really?

The honorable mentions: green grass, blooming flowers, new clothes, an excuse for pedicures, and riding in the Jeep with the top down.

What can I say? I love the Spring! Thank you God for Springtime.

Valentine's Day isn't just about romance...

My kids amaze me, constantly. I even feel like- scratch that, I know that- God uses them to teach me. With the day of love approaching, my mind is on cards, candy, and whatnot, trying to cover my bases as a good wife and mom. Leave it to Elijah to remind me of the greatest love of all.

Each day when I pick him up from school I ask him about his day. Most days the answer is, "I don't want to talk about it now, Mom, maybe later." (typical male) Monday I was surprisingly relieved to see the excitement on his face when he handed me a red heart he made in class. This was a rare opportunity with him, so I better take it. I assumed the heart was made for me, as sweet little boys often do. But he had a different idea. He said, "Look what I drew, Mom. It's me, my heart, and God. I'm giving my heart to God." This is great! One, he has listened to what Jason and I have taught him, and is beginning to understand it. And two, he has just given me a wink from God to remind me that His love, the TRUE love, should be celebrated this holiday.

So, Elijah just changed my idea of what Valentine's Day symbolizes. Maybe he changed yours too. I hope so.

Here I go.

I've always thought these blogs were fun, for other people of course. I enjoy being nosey and reading about the goings-on of my friends, but in no way is my life interesting enough or my writing intelligent enough to have my own. At least that's what I've convinced myself. On the other hand, journaling has always helped me to take note of special moments and thoughts, sort through it all, and learn.

So, here it is. Here's my attempt to push myself out of my comfort zone and share my simple life. No promises that it will be exciting. No promises that I have any poetic ability. And, most certainly, no promises that I will be a diligent blogger.