Lost Pets

Today we sadly said goodbye to all of our fish, Nibbly, Big Daddy, and Shiny.  We recently cleaned out their algae-covered tank and something must have gone wrong with the chemicals, or maybe it was the transition that caused too much stress, but after 9 long weeks of life they passed on.  We didn't make it to Sunday School this morning as we were frantically trying to save Nibbly and Big Daddy, but they were both gone by the time we left for church.  We thought Shiny was fine, she was swimming around happily when we left for church, but she didn't last much longer.  There were plenty of tears shed and 3 separate burials (they all died hours apart), but the kids were happy to have had them for so long and we hope to get some new fish soon!

Saying Goodbye

This is one of my favorite families in the world.  I met Sheena and Garret in WalMart over 6 years ago, I knew they went to our church but I had never actually talked to them.  It took awhile to get our friendship going, but after a few babies apiece we started hanging out all of the time.  One thing I love about Sheena is how down-to-earth she is, she does not pretend to be something she's not.  And she is an amazing encourager!  She has the gift of encouragement and she uses it often.  

From the time we met I knew that the Flaggs wouldn't stay in Blacksburg forever, but we did have many years with them.  Garret stayed at VT until he couldn't go any further with his education!  And by last fall we knew that they were heading to Houston, TX for his job.

I had a lot of time to prepare to say goodbye.  But it didn't make it any easier.  You kind of get used to the transient nature of Blacksburg after awhile, people usually arrive here on the 2 or 3 year plan, and then they move on.  I think that makes it even harder when long-term friends move, because you have had so much more time together.  The one thing that makes it easier is knowing that one day we will have all of eternity together in heaven.

I've never been to Houston, but I can't wait to visit! And I really hope the kids will still call me "Aunt Julie".  

Future Post: Saying goodbye to the McKnights.  This summer is killing me.  What is it about Houston???

Spring Poem

During church on Sunday, Emma wrote a poem:

Spring

Spring is the time of year

for some happy cheer.

Spring is the season

that's here for a special reason.

It makes the flowers grow,

it makes the sunshine show.

Yes, spring is very beautiful you see,

it's the season just for me!

Now picture lots of flowers, hearts, and suns drawn in red ink on the sides of the page.  

Back from the Bahamas

We are back from our 4 day cruise to the Bahamas!  Here is a list of my favorite things about our vacation:

1. cabin stewards (I loved not making my bed OR cleaning the bathroom)
2. no cooking!
3. no laundry
4. warm weather on the deck while reading relaxing books and listening to music
5. chocolate melting cake available every night for dessert
6. my first pina colada which someone brought to me while I was reading in the warm sunshine!
7. uninterrupted time with my husband
8. gentle swaying of the boat while sleeping
9. waking up to new scenery
10. no driving, traffic, or highways

I could go on and on about everything we enjoyed on our vacation.  Instead, here are a few pictures.

Joel on the island of Nassau, awaiting his massage on the beach :)

Freeport

Frank's ice cream!  Of course we had to try it.

Nassau before the rain came

My favorite spot on the ship, Serenity, adults-only.

All of the cruise ships in the port at Nassau

We think this towel animal is a dog?  Rasheed (or Rashawn?  Ramon?) did these for us every night with chocolates on our pillow.  We actually did save the chocolates for the kids.

Joel eating yummy chocolate amaretto cake

Joel and I after finishing our last dinner on the ship, it's a good thing I took lots of stretchy clothes to wear.

The Carnival Fascination, our ship.  If we cruise on Carnival again, I will definitely consider getting a tattoo first so I can fit in better.  It is the party ship!  I did enjoy the evening "Showtimes" during dinner when the wait staff danced/sang for us.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day

A few days before Mother's Day the kids surprised me with breakfast in bed.  They told me to stay in bed (it was easy to comply) and they made me instant oatmeal, jelly toast, hot tea, and a muffin.  I was so impressed that they made it all themselves and brought it upstairs without spilling anything!  So I wasn't expecting anything on Mother's Day, we had planned ahead of time to go to Gillie's for breakfast.  Amelia apparently got up first, went downstairs, and started making me more oatmeal and hot tea. She didn't know about our restaurant plans.  It was so sweet to see the oatmeal in the microwave and tea on the counter :)

We did attempt to go to Gillie's but it was very crowded because of VT graduation and Mother's Day combined.  We headed to Panera instead and got yummy bagels and coffee.  The kids also surprised me with a Starbucks gift card, more tea, a fancy cup, and bath soap.  In the afternoon I was able to take a long nap while Joel mowed the lawn!  Then we had a family movie night while folding piles of laundry.  It was a great Mother's Day, one where I definitely felt loved.  Oh, and Luke told me that morning, "I love you on every day Mommy, not just on Mother's Day".  Sweet.

New Shoes

Everyone got new shoes this week!  Luke chose Star Wars sneakers that surprise, surprise, light up when he walks.  Amelia wanted comfy sandals and Emma wanted some canvas sneakers.

Our first rose of the year!  It amazes me when flowers come back each year, since I know absolutely nothing about growing roses.  The woman who lived in our house before us was an amazing gardener and planted such great flowers.

I had to include this picture for blackmail purposes when they are 16.  Amelia and Luke found it infinitely funny to take blankets and tuck them into their shorts/skirts this morning and run around.  They did this for close to an hour.  I also took a rear shot but I won't publicize that one :)

John Deere Green

"John Deere Green"

As part of our home school lessons this week the kids learned the lyrics to the song "John Deere Green" by Joe Diffie. This was one of my favorite country songs in college and for some unknown reason it popped into my head the other day.  The kids already know and love "Big Green Tractor" so I knew they would enjoy another tune about tractors.  In the song, Billy Bob climbs a water tower to write, "Billy Bob loves Sharlene" in John Deere Green paint.  The kids wanted to see an actual water tower, so we drove past one this afternoon.  Luke kept saying that he didn't see it. So I turned around to show it to him again, wondering how in the world he couldn't see the huge water tower in front of him!  Then I realized.  He couldn't see the writing.  He was looking for "Billy Bob loves Sharlene".  I tried to explain but we all ended up laughing.

The kids enjoying their first popsicles of the spring!

This weekend we went to Sevierville, TN to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of Joel's parents.  Joel's sister and her husband also came and we had a fun time staying near a lake.  The kids skipped stones, swam in the lake, and played games.  

There was also a hot tub!  The kids were each given 5 minutes in the very warm water :)

Today the girls had a tea party at a friend's house.  They had fun dressing up and even putting on lipstick.

Luke did not go to the tea party, but he still wanted his picture taken near the flowers.

The girls before the tea party.

Luke had a friend come over to play while the girls were at the party.  This was his first playdate without his sisters.  The boys played very well together, and of course they used their affectionate nickname for each other, "Harry Head".