Happy Birthday Luke and Hannah!

Hannah
Funny, strong willed, serious, reflective, hearty chuckle, blond, red and brown hair, creative, silent, runner, illustrator, writer, daughter, sister and friend

Luke
Flexible, relaxed, compassionate, visionary, builder, illustrator, bouncy, glasses, reader of nonfiction, big picture, chatty, son, brother and friend

Eleven years ago today our lives changed forever. Hannah and Luke graced our world. We have learned so much from our children. They are gifts from God to us. We are thankful.

In the garden

I found these little flowers growing in my front garden. I am looking forward to working outside and turning soil. Thomas and I have a lot of work to do this spring and summer. We just moved here last July so we waited to see what all was in the yard; before starting our major overhaul. We need to simplify the garden as we while we love to spend some time there... we also enjoy sitting in the garden and reflecting upon it. We look forward to inviting our friends to sit and visit with us this summer. But, the snow has hampered our progress. I am thrilled to be able to grow lettuce again this summer...

Great Lent

The Lenten spring has come!
the light of repentance;
Let us, brothers, cleanse ourselves from all evil,
crying out to the Giver of Light:
Glory to Thee, O Lover of man.

Marjorie Corbman

I picked up this book to read before I start Great Lent.

Marjorie writes "When I was eleven, maybe twelve, during the unhappiest period in my life, I remember being turned speechless by a painting of Christ. It's all blurry now, surreal almost, and the only thing I remember is His eyes. They were so grave, so deep, so loving; they shook me to the core."

As my children are about to leave the age of ten behind... I worry - will these be unhappy years fraught with confusion and unknowing. How can I help them navigate adolsecence in this world? My own heart aches.