A month in pictures

I found this note in Kole's backpack today. We've had to talk with the boys about the blessing of Daddy's work because he's so tired and in pain so much of the time and it's been hard for them. We've explained (well, I have) that it's Dad's way of loving us and providing for us and that we're so thankful God provided Dad a job even though it's really hard some days. We have prayed that God's faithfulness would be so clear to the boys in this season, and He sure has been showing Himself faithful. I thought this note was so precious.

I was laying peacefully with Selah on the couch after supper one night when in typical boy fashion, they all wanted to pile on top of us. Selah wasn't thrilled, but I thought it was a special moment and called from underneath the pile for Karl to record the memory.

This is one of the times a nice camera would come in SO handy. We have made quite a switch in our food eating. Thanks to Mom's example, I have always striven (is that a word?!?) to provide well-balanced meals and follow the most mainstream info--and some not-so-mainstream--as far as what's healthy and what's not (e.g. No to high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Yes to whole grains.) However, more recently, I've also been thinking of our food choices as an issue of conscience/faith. Directly related to that, our biggest change has been to swear off all meat not raised locally (NO CAFOs!), which in our current financial situation means no meat very often period. So far, so good. Especially when you have meals as good as this! It looked incredible and tasted even better. Positive elements: lots of colors, in-season produce (strawberries/asparagus/spinach sort of), some organics, two veggies and a fruit...and...my first time making pesto! Thanks, Sarah, for the great recipe.
Anyone intersted, watch the documentary Food Inc. Talk about powerfully convincing...and convicting!
Mother's Day. The boys got up at 6 a.m. before church to make this amazing meal for me: coffee, milk, toast, eggs, pineapple, and kiwi. I felt so loved.
Owen enjoying one of these mildly wonderful Spring days at the playground with his best buddy Kovan. Grandma Pat brought his shirt back from her recent trip to Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Me talking with my friend Kelsi at the church we've recently been attending called Hope. The sanctuary is amazing as they are a church who takes their "call to the nations" very seriously. All around the perimeter are the flags of the countries where they've taken ministry trips.

So, you can see, life is very full. And wonderful. And painful. And joyful. And....life.