I'm Dreaming of a White Easter. . . Oh Wait It Was!

Lily in her Easter outfit with sparkly white shoes

The family before church. I don't have any pictures of the snow, but I was bundled up!

Cousin Logan and Lily focusing hard on some legos. We spent the afternoon at my sister's house

Lily, Cousin Logan and Mamo

Lily after Aunt Kristy had given her some real oreo cookies

Thankful Monday

Great Grandma and Grandpa Dieterle toasting to 65 years of marriage.

Lily helping Grandma Heimbuck play the piano

Lily with her new tricycle and Great Grandma and Grandpa Dieterle

. . . family celebrations this weekend in Denver-A wonderful long marriage, a Great Grandfather's birthday and the love of Grandparents, Aunt and cousin.

. . . the safe arrival of my parents today who are staying with my sister for the next week to visit.

. . . the way Lily says Amen, "Uh-Main!".

. . . friends that care for others in such tangible ways like with Christy's baby shower on Saturday and having a cup of coffee with Joanne Huddleson on Friday.

. . . how my husband prays in hushed tones at night, with such awe and thankfulness.

. . . how Lily's grandparents delight in her. I treasure every moment in my heart.

. . . that even though I was in a lot of physical pain this last week, I was still able to play and walk and enjoy everyday with Lily and Greg. My heart felt good even if the body was a bit broken.

Thankful Monday

. . . for having fun with Lily in the snow.

. . . for being able to go to a beautiful wedding with my husband and hearing a toast by the bride's father that moved Greg and myself. I love a happy wedding.

. . . for the spontaneous laughter and kisses of my husband this week.

. . . for the relationship between Bob and Lily. I am grateful for the gentleness they have for one another.

. . . for good neighbors.

. . . for a wonderful cozy home.

Thankful Monday

. . . trying out a new way of parenting through Love and Logic.

. . . my daughter's love of books, shoes and being outside.

. . . honest and loving devotional/prayer times with my husband.

. . . a beautiful bikeride and time at the park on Sunday with Greg and Lily.

. . . remembering how fun it is to go downhill on a bike.

Thankful Monday

. . . on March 11th, getting to celebrate three years being married to my wonderful husband who suprised me with a card and flowers.
. . . that Lily was a lot more comfortable in the water at her swim lesson on Saturday.
. . . celebrating St. Patrick's Day early with our home group. It's wonderful to be surrounded by friends.
. . . a cozy home and food.

For all these things, I feel very blessed.

Thankful Monday

Lily looking at the big kid's slide

As I was thinking about one of the exercises in Lily's swim class, I can't help but feel how it sums up some Mondays: Jump in and reach for the side. Today I have been hearing a lot of Daddy's name from Lily: Waking up this morning, when she fell off a toy at Focus on the Family and at various other points. I can't fault her for it, she is a Daddy's girl and if anyone can fix anything it's Daddy. I am grateful for the relationship Greg and Lily have, how inseparable they are on the weekends and evenings. I am grateful for being able to take Lily to Whit's End at Focus on the Family, where she just ran and longed to be old enough to go down the giant slide that frightens a lot of kids bigger than her (she loves speed). Even when she was throwing a tantrum because she was getting tired and frustrated that she couldn't play on some of the toys/rides like she wanted because they were just out of reach of her size, I just thought of how far she has come in walking and how much further she will grow. Monday's like these make me grateful that I have a God that I can reach for, who is already there, ready to teach me and grow me this week. Monday's like these make me grateful that I don't have to reach for what I already have.Lily with Cousin Logan getting ready to go to Focus on the Family

Lily's First Swim Lesson

Today Greg and I took Lily to her first swim lesson at the YMCA. At first she was clinging to both of us in the water for the first ten minutes of the lesson, but soon she was smiling and enjoying just bobbing up and down. We learned a lot of things that we can practice in her bath, but for now I think she was content to watch the other kids do the exercises and just get used to being in such a huge amount of water.

Her favorite thing to do was sit on the edge of the pool while we counted "1,2,3. . ." and on the word "bubbles" we lifted her into the pool. She also liked "Humpty Dumpty", where we sang "Humpty Dumpty" and on the word fall she would fall into the water and then we would say "Reach!" and have her grab for the side of the pool. She took to that exercise very well which is a relief to Greg and I. The teacher said that when her daughter was 23 months old she fell into the pool and reached for the side like she was taught until she was found 45 minutes later!

We all had such a wonderful time, I just could not stop smiling. I think it helped Lily to have both Greg and I there with her. We even stayed a few minutes after class to practice certain things and just get used to the water when she started to smile. I can't wait for next week!