Whirlwind Recap

Spring is always such a busy but beautiful time of the year around here.  I took tons of photos, but didn't have time to ever post them.  So, here is a whirlwind recap of the menagerie of memories we made this Spring...

Seeing the first bulbs silently burst out of the ground in the Spring made my heart burst for joy 

(and run for my camera) :)

Each new leaf budding from branches that appeared dead days before 

was like a declaration of hope and survival.

These raspberry leaves prove that darkness and ice cannot prevent the promise of new life.

I planted tulips last Fall to remind me of my holy Grandma from Holland :)

I was so happy when they actually came up after a long, cold winter.

Tulips can't help but make me happy.

I think I need to plant more of them :)

Spring also brought trips to the carousel for rides and ice cream for our Spring birthday boy.

Oh how happy my boys were to finally play at parks again!

Our silly monkey hanging from monkey bars :)

Got chicks?

We do.  16 to be exact.

We kept them indoors for a couple of weeks, 

which was fun to hear the "peeps" throughout the day... 

But soon they were moved outside,

growing faster than our grass.

It was fun to watch their new feathers and true colors emerge.

We bought all Americanas which lay the pretty blue-green eggs,

so we were surprised to see so many different color variations of their feathers.

Chicks are just fun.  Period.

Other big Spring news:  Nathanael learned how to ride a bike!

Boy he is cute on a bike.

Boy was he proud of himself,

and we were so proud of him too!

Spring also brought turkeys back into our yard.

This male turkey was sure trying to impress this hen 

(or protect her from the crazy camera lady).

He puffed up extra big, hoping she wouldn't notice his missing tail feather.

(how embarrassing) :)

The variety of colors is sure impressive.

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin proposed that the wild turkey be our national bird instead of the bald eagle?  Now that I can see them up close, I understand why.

Michael graduated into high school this Spring and even had to give a speech.

He did awesome, and we are so proud of him.

Memorial Day is always bittersweet for our family.

We remember our 3 sweet babies in heaven,

as well as Paul's dad and other family members who have gone before us.

The boys picked wildflowers to honor their siblings in heaven.

We are grateful for our 3 baby intercessors who are praying for our family,

and someday it will be such a joy to see their faces and hold them in our arms.

Divine Mercy Sunday happens every Spring.

One of my favorite feast days for a variety of reasons.

A reminder that no sin is greater than God's mercy.

Our first fishing trip once the weather got nice.

Michael caught a nice arctic greyling.

Our second fishing trip of the Spring,

Michael caught a bunch of brook trout.

This boy was born to fish.

We catch these at a stream near our house.  So much fun, not so much meat.

Good thing I'm a catch and release gal anyway :)

A sweet moment of Daddy bonding with his little boy in the sun.

Oh how I love those precious little fingers!

These are the memories that Spring is made of.

Now, on to Summer memories!!!

A Grand Slam Season of Baseball

This year's baseball season for Joseph and Michael was certainly a GRAND SLAM!  Here's a few reasons why:

1.)  These best-buddy-brothers got to be on the same team for the second (and probably last) year! That meant less running around to different practices and games for mom and dad, as well as more memories and bonding moments for our teenage boys--WIN, WIN!  I loved watching my sons encourage each other on the field and laugh with each other in the dugout.  They were numbers 1 and 2 in the batting order, so it seemed like they were never too far apart :)  I don't think they will ever forget their year playing ball together for team Car Wash!

Joseph playing 3rd base and Michael playing short-stop---two brothers racing to the ball

2.)  Both boys got to play their favorite positions.  Joseph was his team's primary pitcher, but the rules only allow him to play 3 or 4 innings per game, which meant he also got to play his other favorite positions--catcher and 3rd base.  He loved every minute of every game and excelled at every position he played.  He still dreams of being an MLB pitcher someday, and he sure had a wicked curveball, fastball and knuckle ball...so we shall see (but I told him he better have a plan B) :}

Michael played perpetual short-stop---except for a few times when the coach needed him to pitch when Joseph had already done his maximum innings of pitching.  He was often called in as the closing pitcher in high stress situations, like bases loaded with no outs, and somehow he always managed to get his team out of a tight squeeze and come out with a win.  Michael is a great pitcher, but anyone who watches him play would agree that he is an impeccable short-stop.  His coach aptly  nicknamed him "the baseball vacuum." :)

Here is Michael reaching into his pocket for some more dill pickle sunflower seeds.

He never played a game without them!  :)

A Catholic mother's dream come true:  her son choosing to wear a scapular!  :)

3.)  Individually, and as a team, these boys played awesome this year... So awesome, in fact, that their team WON THE CITY TOURNAMENT!!!  Both boys were big sluggers during the tournament, often crushing the ball far into the outfield and earning many RBIs.  Some of the games were real nail-biters, but I was so proud of how the boys handled the tense moments with calm confidence and positive attitudes.  Joseph was named the MVP of the championship game, but what warmed this mother's heart most of all though, was seeing Joseph point to heaven at the end of the championship game, giving all the glory to God.  Thank you, Jesus, for these talented, holy and humble young men that you have blessed us with!   May they always place you first in their lives and give you the glory in all they do.

Indeed, this year was a grand slam season for this great group of boys.  May each of them continue to grow as athletes and as young men of virtue.  I am so eager to see what next year holds for each of my boys, for I know Who lovingly holds their future!  Thank you, Lord, for the gift of this baseball season, the gift of my boys, and all gifts you so generously give (even the ones I don't notice)!