Mother's Day and the Mallard Ducks

Today for Mother's Day, my husband took me out for dinner and then we all went to a park. We were enjoying throwing a frisbee, throwing a football, picking flowers, and just running around, when a family of Mallard ducks wandered across our path. The parade was led by Daddy Duck and then about four feet behind was Mommy Duck and six Ducklings (one of them is hidden in the grass, so you can only see five). The Dad was forging the path, making sure that the way he led his family was the safest possible. He turned them away from the road, avoided the people, and headed toward the lake. Every so often, he would turn around and snip at and squawk at the Mommy Duck, Mommy Duck was patiently sticking with her young ones who had shorter legs and couldn't keep up with Dad. The whole thing made me laugh. It was a good picture of how family life works...each parent has their role, established by God, and when they work together, the family is complete, safe, and happy.
Here I am, the "Mommy Duck" with my four ducklings. I am so thankful for them and for the Husband God has blessed me with.

The boys...being boys: wrestling, throwing the football & frisbee, and running around like crazy...

The girls...not interested in catching the ball or frisbee...the flowers in the field are much more interesting (and less likely to hit them in the face)...

May 2, 1998

Today marks the ten year anniversary of our wedding. I am grateful for the past 10 years, and hopeful for what God has in store for the next.

(February 2008)

P.S. Thanks for picking me, Johnny...

Flashback

Sometimes it's fun to look back at how little the kids were just a few years ago. A few years often doesn't make much difference in the life of an adult, but it is huge in the life of a kid. Here are pictures from spring of 2006...

Daniel would be2.5 and Jay would have just turned 4.

This is Hannah on her new bike on her 6th birthday.

Julia is 6 months here.

Springtime Fun!

The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately, and we have been soaking it up!
The bikes are out of the attic, the sunglasses are on, and the kids are off and running (or riding)!

Daniel and Jay spend a lot of time on their bikes...

Jay has found a love for climbing trees. I just hope he does a good time

differentiating between good and bad branches to lean on!

Julia is mimicking her older sister and trying her hand at jumping rope!

Hannah was at school when these pictures were taken. I'll have to get one of her posted, too!

Why...

Why children need parents and why parents are amused by children.

Hannah's Art Project

Here is the promised finished product of Hannah's art project. She took the picture of the crocus and then painted a picture and drew a picture of it and we mounted the three together. It will be on display at her school's art exhibit this weekend.

A Sign of Spring

Up on the mountain, we still have a few weeks to go before we see true spring, but I found these crocus flowers peeking through. Needless to say, I was a little excited.

Hannah actually took this picture. She's using it for an art project for school. I'll post a picture of the finished product when she's done.