Ah Chew... Bless You

The symphony of sneezes are in full swing in our home. The itchy nose where you just can't seem to reach, watery eyes and repeat sneezes are the first indicator things are ready to burst into color and sounds of lawn mowers becoming the normal outside back ground noises. 
It appears all of us, to some extent, have been fighting seasonal allergies and getting 
worse with every year passing. 
Even with the annoying symptoms of allergies, we still find time to play. 
The ladies have had a few days of fun together exploring Boulevard Park, feeding the ducks at Whatcom Falls, catching up on homework while the younger two burn energy off at Perch & Play, rolling down hills at the "Red Park" and meeting the needs of our taste buds with gelato and bread sticks. There's also been fitting room fashion shows which is quite comical I may add. One of those years where Addison has shot up resulting in nothing working for summer attire, Myriam not quite tall enough to fit Addi's hand-me-downs and Baylee on her own needing a few fill-in items to prepare these princesses for summer. Thank goodness not all will be teenagers at one time or we'd need to find some money tree seeds somewhere. I love watching each relationship grow, challenge and inspire the other. 
A while back, the ladies were playing together and one made the remark, "Hey, we all have a different Tummy Mommy." Hearing that made my heart stumble a bit, but also soar, knowing God knew our family dynamics long before I was ready to step into this role as Mom to all three. There are frustrations, struggles, joys and lots of laughter with each one. Each daughter has something special about themselves making them unique in their own way. Having these special girl dates makes them that much more special simply because God saw each of them needing one another. 

{ Fairhaven Explorations }

 
{ Whatcom Falls & Cornwall Neighborhood Red Park}

{ Morning running buddy. }

I'm beginning to train once more for another big race... yep, round two for the Grand Circle Trailfest. There were many intrigued in Tim's office from my experience last year that we now have a group of 13 runners and many more spectators preparing for the October event. Charlie has been showing lots of interest in running with me so I thought why not, let's go. He made it a mile to Grandma Broersma's then waited while I went a bit more and picked it back up for the mile back home. He's begging to hit the trails but I'm not sure he knows what exactly that looks like. I love having a kid join me and can't wait to see which one becomes a runner like me!

 { Daddy's time to play }

There is no denying it's been a busy season for Tim and I. For years, Tim has been the one to travel and now tables are beginning to turn when I'm traveling for ministry. There is never question of whether or not the kids are being well cared for when I'm gone. Of course there are plenty of notes to direct the days routine but then comes the play after chores are done. From trips to Edaline Ice Cream, Summit Trampoline to burn off some steam or more recently, the one-on-one trips with Charlie and Addison. Charlie was able to tag along to Florida recently for business leaving the boys to have a day to play in Disney World. There was also the 5th Grade Class Trip with Ebenezer to Rockport, WA, where the class cleaned up the trails and prepared the park grounds for summer campers. But no worries, it's not all play here. Our yard provides plenty of hard work
 to be done come Spring time. 



Addison and Tim recently flew to San Diego to watch Tim's brother Kari, graduate from the Marines Boot camp. Such an incredibly moving ceremony and ability to celebrate this accomplishment. Of course the play was present too, spending a day in Disneyland and enjoying the boardwalk with family. In June, these two travel to Cambodia together so please join this Mama in prayer as they prepare for that trip. 

{ Christ is risen! He is ALIVE! }

This Easter also happen to be on my parents 41st anniversary which meant dinner, dessert and time with family. Grandkids have made this couple incredibly smitten. Growing up we NEVER had anything resembling the Easter Bunny yet alone Easter baskets. Since grandkids entered the picture, Papa and Nana went soft and now have egg hunts in the yard. Proof you can change an old mans ways! The second hunt came hours later at Grandpa Doug's where before we left I grabbed the candy bags and returned almost all back into the big bowl making what we took home nearly nothing. Lord knows we don't need more cavities or sugar at home! Yep, Charlie in one appointment created three cavities. Unreal. I'm still sitting with zero. 

{ 14, 3, 7, 11 }

{ Trampoline hair; don't care. }

That's your spring update. The forecast is looking promising for the next few days and the grass needs another mowing. The pink dogwood tree is ready to bloom and dahlias are buried deep in soil. I need to stock up on otter pops and get the car wash bucket ready for kids to take over. Family pictures are this weekend so of course this week has been full of bumps and bruises needing bandaids and kisses. The kids have the school countdown memorized followed by Summer To Do lists beginning. We will embrace the sneezes, keep banking on our Doterra Tri-Ease to remove the itchy nose and enjoy the sunshine and tulips as they 
greet us in the morning. 
Ah chew...bless you. 

No comments