Daisy vs. Lydia

Our poor sweet Daisy has had her share of stress the past 5 years. She was our first "baby" and we joke that each time we have a baby, she moves down another notch. She really is a fantastic dog, but I admit, there are times she's on my last nerve. The kids try to give her commands, to which she totally ignores. Now, here's little Miss Lydia, getting ready to be one more bossy kid in Daisy's life. We love ya, Daisy. Really we do. Sorry for all we put you through.

Unruh Family Week

The middle of March we had a week full of family! The week began with Max and April having their sweet baby girl, Tessa Whitney Unruh (born March 16). Eric, Julie, and their girls came from Phoenix to visit. Jay, Kelli, and kiddos came too, so we were all together. It was a memorable time, and the kids played so well together. We celebrated Gran's b-day, played at the farm, went to the zoo, and celebrated Meredith's birthday a little early with a gymnastics party. Looking forward to when we are all together again.

Meredith's 3rd Birthday

Birthdays are bittersweet for this mama. I look so forward to celebrating, and am thankful for the blessing of another year, but I'm a little sad too. My kids are growing up so fast. Meredith turned three last weekend, and we had a great time celebrating. My brother and his family came for the weekend. It's always a good time with them. We started the morning with donuts. Since Meredith is always the first one out of bed in the morning, we went to Dillons to pick out her special birthday donuts before everyone else was up and around.




She helped make her princess cupcakes.



We spent the morning hiking trails and looking for wildlife at the Great Plains Nature center, then had a picnic near the center.



A delicious birthday dinner at Grammy and Pa's house.



Then, a tractor ride compliments of Pa.



I love this little girl. She brings joy and eccentricity to our family. She keeps us on our toes...in a good way. Happy Birthday, Meredith!

Swingin'

Proverbs 27:17

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.

I have been blessed, challenged, and sharpened lately by some amazing friends. I love this verse, because it is so true. This world has so many distractions and how easily my heart strays from my maker. A few friends have been like a compass pointing me back to God. Honestly, I have been struggling through a time of feeling discontent. It's not founded on truth. I have been striving for things that don't mean much eternally. It has put me on the sidelines lately. Just trying to find my way back into the game. It's time for a perspective shift. God in his graciousness is helping redirect my heart. I'm thankful for an all-knowing God and for honest and loving friends. Glad God created us to live in community, and that I don't have to go it alone.

Love

Update

I have been a negligent blogger lately. Alex has been traveling a lot, and I am pretty tired in the evenings (usually when I think about blogging). We've gotten more snow this season than I can remember in a long time. Beautiful and fun to play in...and cause for a bit of cabin fever.


Playing in the snow


In the afternoon when Meredith is supposed to be "napping," she is usually putting together some kind of a unique outfit. Sometimes those rainbow striped leg warmers end up on her arms.


The three amigos


Each child seems to grow up quicker than the last. Lydia is almost 7 months. She's sitting up and playing. Her personality is really coming out, and she's quick to smile. She wants to be in the middle of the action. She's always moving, and she managed to escape her Bumbo seat the other day. Yikes!