losing patience...wanting spring!

We definitely had a great mild winter, but enough already. We want spring! It has been incredibly windy lately and pretty chilly so it was great timing when my mom showed me an article about 

planting indoor veggies with your kids! 

TJ and I decided to try it and planted them yesterday so that we can watch the roots of carrots and radishes growing. It was so much fun to do and we covered the glass jars with black stockings so that the roots aren't "shy". We're supposed to peek at each jar after a specified amount 

of time. We can't wait! 

In other news, the larger of our hermit crabs has gone on to that great sandbar in the sky. Hermie will certainly be missed, but TJ pointed out that at least we still have Wormie. (Please pray that if Wormie has to go too, he holds on a little while longer!) We buried shy Hermie in the front flower bed. Unfortunately for me, he fell out of his shell when I was bending down to put him in the little hole. Have you ever seen a naked hermit crab? Let's just say I nearly peed my pants. They aren't pretty looking creatures. Especially when they're dead and they fall out of their shell - stunning you! Anyhow, TJ excitedly asked if we could put Hermie's shell back in the cage in case Wormie wants to choose it for a new home someday. (Neither of our crabs switched shells during their life at our house. Kind of disappointing.) I agreed that it was a terrific idea. T smiled and then said, "Can you wash it though? I don't want Wormie to get any "dead germs" on him." Oh yeah. I split my sides laughing. Then I cleaned it.

TJ had a great conference on Monday. He's ready for kindergarten. I'm not.

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TJ's Hulk in a Comic!!!

TJ has been in love with the library lately...and we go several times a week. Lately, he has been extremely interested in the human body systems and how things work on your insides. He has also been in love with Scooby Doo comics and super hero comics. He discovered some kids comic books at the library and we've brought several home over the past month or two. 

One day last month, he pointed out a page near the back of the comic that showed some drawings done by kids. I read on there that you can submit your drawing to be printed in an upcoming issue. TJ went right to work on a picture of Hulk and I said that I'd send it in. Well, I admit that the picture sat on the desk for about 2 weeks before I scanned it. But I did eventually get to it about 10 days ago. Yesterday, I received an email reply from the editor saying that TJ's drawing of Hulk was selected to be published in the May issue! So...May 9th, we'll be storming the stores for a few copies. We are SO EXCITED!

I'm not sure if I should post his drawing...or wait until it comes out so that I can show it in print. I think I'll wait....

Let me just say that this picture is very anatomically correct...especially in the chest/pectoral muscle area. 

Have a great day!

Hannah 

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Joy, Joy, Joy

Forget basketball...having a March with weather consistently hot is total madness and I am loving it up! It is amazing how much the weather can make amazing days even better!

If you don't feel like reading a ridiculously happy and overly lovey blog post, do not continue. I can imagine several of you gagging when you read on...so consider yourselves forewarned. : ) 

I am so in love with my incredible family and am wishing our life could move on in slow motion. Truly, truly. I am loving every moment too much. I'm still giddy over this cozy home and my favorite little things about it. It is magnified by each second of memories we make here. My husband and my son overwhelm me every day with their crazy silliness and true love. I have starlight bursting from my eyeballs and it has everything to do with family. 

I am not saying that we are without worry or sorrow. I wish I could say that. What I am saying is that I appreciate every piece of joy I have right now. And am so very grateful for it. And for those sorrowful times...well, I am not alone. I am definitely not alone.

Tim came home from a trip today and as he read books in TJ's room before bed, I wanted to freeze that moment in time. Twinkly lights hanging in the room, two sweet dudes all snuggled up with me, peeper frogs chirping outside and a warm breeze from the fan making my hair tickle all of our faces. TJ's same comments about the same books over and over...his hair twirling while humming songs he learned in church....and Tim's side glances and chuckles...**sigh**...I just love those moments. I am lucky to have so many. 

TJ, if you are reading this when you are older, I want you to know how proud of you I am. Insanely proud of you. And your heart. I am so lucky to get to be with you...just you and me...so much. And I'm so glad to know you one-on-one better than almost anybody! In lots of ways, you are a normal 5-year old, active and crazy little man. But you are also a genuine sweet soul -- and we can't take credit in raising you that way. You ARE that way. You care about the feelings of others and building them up. You think of other people in a way that I wish I could. And you take care of me. And build me up too. That's a pretty cool thing to say about a 5-year old. 

Your humor is incredible and you make us laugh more with surprise than anything. You are smart. And a good thinker. You love Jesus, you love your family, and you care about people. 

In life, TJ, those things will make you unstoppable. 

I love you like crazy. 

Thank you for the nickel you gave me today. And for your prayers for a brother or sister. And for telling me, "I just love your chubby cheeks." You are my joy, joy, joy.

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