"Earth laughs in flowers"

As we wrap up another schoolyear, and another season, I am reminded of God's faithfulness.

Spring's been really packed, and with hubby away often enough, I feel the strain after full days of driving to and fro, and trying to juggle taking care of the children and home on my own. At Ben's soccer game, Kait does a pretty good imitation of this flat-out mommy... 

I am getting a bit too good at rolling over the chores, what I can't do to the next day and next. But hooray for one-pot meals, a sanity saver ;p!

Thank God for His amazing grace that gets us through day by day!

And the hubby for being there as much as his busy work and worktrips allow him to.

As the children grow, there are the growing challenges. I am learning every day still to focus on the ups in the growing up.

And remembering to stop and gaze... God is good!

"Earth laughs in flowers" 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am also grateful for friendships old and new. Friends who care, listen, and pray with us about our worries and more weighing on our hearts. Those precious friends so far away, your being here means so much to me always! 

Pretty peonies... 

bloomed for you and me! 

Do you *SEE* the ♥, feel the luuurve? 

Bless a newer friend K, she watched Kait while hubby and I attended our eldest's promotion event. Jon looked smart with a tie, and in the shirt we went and shopped for, and also new jeans because he'd grown *a bit* taller! I teared up, I did, a little!

It is only elementary school, my ever pragmatic better half reminded me. I know, I know, still... *sniffle*, oh, how time flies! 

Praise God! He is faithful!!!

"Not to us, Lord, not to us 

but to your name be the glory, 

because of your love and 

faithfulness." 

- Psalm 115:1

The big boy's concerts are a culmination of the different afterschool activities, his sibs have been supportive, they'd hang out/run around with me to wait for him to finish later several days a week. Between him and his younger brother, they have their scouting and cubscouting activities also. Kait is a trooper, going with me to visit oldest's next school also. I was glad to be there for her preschool's early celebration of summer birthdays and then a yearend picnic. 
(completed later).

Irresistible Irises

These irises are so gorgeous, how can I not pause in the daily rush for a closer look?

JUST BECAUSE 

I love how they hold up in the cold and rain also -- pretty well, don't you think?! :D

RAIN-KISSED

TGIF!

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
- Isaiah 26:3-4

This week, temperature lows hover in the 40's (under 10C); my nose is confused over cold/allergy. Thankfully Meimei is better after a puking episode, *phew*! Hubby will be returning from his worktrip. And the sons are eager to tell me if there are 10 or 5 days of school and activities left -- much more than they'll admit there's still homework to do and some additional testing! When the sun comes out again, I may just be able to stow away our winter coats. Soon, soon!

Spring songs

At the Band and Strings Spectacular the other night...

it's hard not to go WOW the moment you step into the Arena!

OK, this time I won't ask you to spot Jon among the 2,900 public school students, playing familiar tunes from "Over the Rainbow" to "Ode de Joy"! :D

Meimei looked like she was conducting, restless in my lap! With more full days like that, it sure was nice to put my tired feet up. But not like how her other brother did it to "chope" a seat for their papa, kinda, he didn't need to ;p.

I did feed us a second round of dinner after that: beefed up instant noodles! And then it was Shoo, off to bed you go, because of the tests and testing going on. So much easier said than done though; more days than not I've had to also drag my kids out of bed, literally, still! ;p.

The season is chock-full of activities, from school events and concerts to projects and still more there is to school going on, it is not over yet.

Asparagus is so spring, so yum... 
I like to fry it with shrimp. But when hungry kids want you to spring into action and feed them right away, never mind you've been on your feet all day, you roast it! I've already tossed the pork in the oven, anyway. 


Faster, no pot to wash, and the best part is drizzling the same soya saucish sauce over everything, rice, too, but of course! :D 


This is a TOP request from Jon! Yes, he's the one with the bangs over his eyes. And it is music to my ears when he finally thinks, "I need a haircut!"! LOL!