Walking and Talking

Our weekends seem to fly by like a storm in the night.  Fortunately yesterday we had a very lovely impromptu brunch with neighbors, and then had the afternoon to chill at home.  Rick had taken Bronwyn to Boise for the state gymnastics meet.  She finished 2nd all around in her age division.  I'm still trying to figure out this whole scoring system in gymnastics, it is complicated and changes from level to level.  She isn't headed to the Olympics but she did very respectably.  Madie had her first track meet on Thursday.  She did very well for the first meet of the season.  She had a couple of mishaps, but it was all good.  She got fourth in the 100, 7th in the 400, and 3rd in the high jump.  She left herself room for improvement.  We also got report cards this week and did parent-teacher conferences.  I felt stretched a bit thin, but I made it once again.  My entire schedule is miracle after miracle, and don't think I could do any of it without God.

In the midst of the whirlwind I had the opportunity to go walking with several of the kids.  I love walking with them.  They always seem to be more comfortable chatting, and asking questions when we are strolling along outside.  Some of my kids are not talkers by nature, but they seem to do more of it when we are outside together.  I have learned to enjoy these little breaths of fresh air in our relationships.  They perk up the spirits as well as the muscles.  We talked about relationships with friends, boys, food, classes that are challenging, lent, music, all kinds of things.  There were a couple that started out rough.  I thought I was going to have to drag a few along, but once we got going the smiles appeared.  I have to remind myself that it is worth giving them (or myself) a push to get out the door.

#206-214

Road trips.  The change of scenery is lovely, and when we are stuck in the car there is more conversation.

Reading with my children.

Quiet mornings, with pink skies.

First pink buds on tree branches.

Awkward conversations that end in hugs.

Children's voices added to the choir.

Crowded churches, let's keep packing them in!

Faithful teachers that love their job.