Field Day

Emily had her field day at school last week. Here are two pics from the festivities. She had a blast & it was fun watching her & her classmates too!

Bittersweet

Clara Lou Byrd
October 28, 1928 - May 8, 2011

My grandma just passed away Sunday. She told me on several occasions how she liked to follow my blog. It's only appropriate that I include one now of her. Grandma was the kind of woman with a great smile and laugh who was not afraid to tell you how it was. Not in a mean spirit, just how it was. I really liked that about her. Growing up all my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins lived right here and Grandma always made sure we stayed close as a family. She organized family birthday dinner celebrations, camp outs, even group family vacations. She was even brave enough to let all the girl cousins have a sleep over at her house - all 5 of us at once! She set a great example to me of what a matriarch should be and she will be missed.

She was always there for any accomplishment, dance recital or school function. I remember as a child making cookies with her in her green kitchen and playing Yahtzee to practice math skills. There is something magical about a granparent's house. It's not your home, but it feels almost that way. It was sad when my granparent's moved out of the house I knew as a child & again when my other grandma passed away & her house was gone as well. This occasion feels similar to me. Grandma's passing marks the last of my grandparents here on Earth. It feels very heavy in a way - that that generation has moved on.

But, I do know this: that I will one day see her again and that she is very content where she's at up in heaven right now. I remember at Grandpa's funeral a letter was read that Grandma wrote. In it she said how she looked forward to the day when Grandpa would take her on long leisurely drives in the country again. Well, now she has that opportunity. So, I'll see you again one day Grandma. Thanks so much for the example you set & for loving us all so well.

Grandma & Grandpa on their wedding day

Playing Yahtzee with Grandma

With Emily...

Jonathan...

and Katherine

Easter

Easter this year was a bit more low key. We had a nice day at Grandma and Grandpa's house Saturday. The kids got to hunt eggs, which they loved.
And Sunday we went to church. Nana got a suit for Jonathan to wear so we all dressed up to match him. He looked pretty darn handsome. We also got a great family photo out of it - everyone is even smiling!

Scientist of the Day

Emily had her first science project to present at school this week. Joel came up with the idea. They took pictures of one of her toys with different kinds of light aimed at it & as a result, produced different looking pictures. She loved working with her Daddy to get this done and was smiling through the whole process. After they got it all ready to go on the poster board she practiced her presentation for us. The first thing she said to me the morning of her presentation was, "Mom, I'm Scientist of the Day today!" She came home from school very proud of how she was able to tell the class about her project & how much they liked it. Good job Emily & Daddy!

Train Ride

Before Jonathan was potty trained Grandpa told him once he was going in the potty all the time he would take him on a real train ride. So Saturday we got to ride a real 2 story train. As you can see by the first picture Jon was in little boy heaven! We rode it to Dallas, had lunch in a little park with a cool water fountain & and rode it back to the stop near our house. Thanks Grandpa for a fun experience!

Baby Benjamin

Our nephew & cousin has entered the world. Welcome, Benjamin! We look forward to watching you grow. You are already one very blessed little man - 2 great parents & surrounded by tons of people who have loved you since they knew you were on your way. I know you're my nephew & I'm partial, but you are one seriously cute baby!

Benjamin Ewan Harrison
born April 10, 2011

Preacher Man

Joel had the opportunity to preach at our church a few Sundays ago. It was something Joel had wanted to do for a while & was really excited about, but also very nervous - understandably. He did fantastic and received much positive feedback from it. I joked with him leading up to it by calling him "preacher man" and referring to myself as the preacher's wife for a week. If you'd like to listen to it here's a link to our church's archive of sermons: Passion for the Climb sermon.