Motherhood and Loneliness...

Motherhood can be a lonely place.  On top of that if you move to a different area- it can be hard and even take time to form these friendships that we feel are lasting and deep.  My dear hubby during a week when I felt like I had no friends and was feeling lonely- sent me this article!  It is a great read and good reminders of the importance of needing the Body of Christ and sisters in Christ to journey together!  We need each other and it can be hard to be intentional in the midst of chaos of children and the mess around us.  So we need a balance between being intentional with others and also at times pulling back and focusing on our household and children!  Our family has just been through an intense season in our lives- at times I felt lonely as my husband was very busy with his studies.  The Lord did provide great friends that did encourage just when I needed them.  I was also reminded at times, that I needed to pull back from activities and focus on my children and family and maintaining order in the midst of a stressful time.  It is a hard balance- my gut feeling was to jump at any outing or opportunity- but my body would say- slow down, focus on your family and help your husband during this season.  We are constantly trying to balance these two things.  

http://cbmw.org/women/motherhood/loneliness-and-the-pursuit-of-friendships-in-motherhood/

 The girls in their Easter dresses which are matching and we didn't even try it!

Zoo Trip With Pop-Pop & Mom-Mom over Easter...

Zoo Trip With Samads

 We love our Friday trips with the Samads- we have enjoyed going to the zoo this Spring and doing various things.  Love our dear friends!  So this is a picture from a month or so ago when the tulips were in bloom!  Rain or shine- we def. have been enjoying our zoo trips!  :)

Butterflies...

 A few weeks ago we went to a butterfly exhibit where kids can touch butterflies.  They were in a huge greenhouse and were flying around!  We took our wonderful friend Nicole with us and she was really helpful with catching butterflies!  She would catch them and give them to Jeremiah to hold!  Now we look for butterflies everywhere we go!  A butterfly landed on Lydia's head but she didn't know it.  We love butterflies!

Recovery...

We are in recovery mode here!

We were so thankful that on Friday- Michael surprisingly learned he had passed all of his exams!!!  

He was so surprised to know that so early!  We are rejoicing and so thankful!  :)  

So this weekend- we have been resting somewhat and trying to recover but we both still feel tired. 

Guess this has been a long year!  Here's to more recovery- glad Michael is home now with us more!  

It is a blessing!

Happy Birthday to Michael!!!!

Happy Birthday to Michael!!!!
You did it!  We are praying for you right now as you are taking your final Hebrew Bible exam- on your birthday!  Praying that God would recall all that you have diligently studied!
Here are a few things we admire about you:
*  You are such a diligent, disciplined worker- this whole year you have set your own pace and studied so hard!
*  You love your kids and take time for them even in the midst of stress!
*  You have always been good about putting people over tasks- even studies like comprehensive exams!
*You persevere and keep going even when it gets tough!
*  You rely on God and He is your treasure in your day to day life!
*As we watched Captain America this weekend- you have what it takes-  you are a man that is not afraid to do the hard things for God's glory!  And I know you will teach Jeremiah what it means to be bold and courageous, to be a man for the cause of Christ!
* You love the church and the people of God and I love how you teach Jeremiah about the blessing of worshipping in the church with the people of God!
* You are so happy and just always have such a positive perspective!

Your Family Loves You!  We are definitely glad to celebrate with you tonight even though you will be tired!  To the park with some LaRosas pizza- here we come!  We are glad to have you back!
Love, Erin & Jeremiah & Lydia too :)
  

Lydia says- Daddy- I love that you play with me and make me laugh and tickle me!  You are so fun!  When you come in the door- I love to scoot on my  bottom and yell, "DADDA!"

Jeremiah says- Daddy- I love wrestling with you!  When you come home from your test tonight- can we play "T-REX" and can I eat you tonight!  :)  I love to wrestle and read with you- those are my favorite things to do!  

The end is near...

 Found these little monkeys jumping on the bed...  glad we didn't have to call the doctor. :)
The end is near!  Tomorrow Michael takes his last exam- we are praising the Lord and still praying for him! He is beyond tired and still feeling stressed!  We are all feeling a little worn- stress has been high, the kids have felt our weakness and instead of telling us to lie on the couch and bring us cold lemonade- they have seized the opportunity to make it crazy around here!  We have been struggling with Jeremiah big time- I sense he can tell we are stressed and that Daddy has not been around too much!  But God's grace abounds!  In times like these, we are reminded that we are weak- we need God's grace!  I have been reading the book Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman and she reminds me that one of our family traditions should be that we rely on God's grace as a family!  I need God's grace for this moment, this day and so do they.  May I be quick to acknowledge my need for God's grace and be quick to repent when I blow it and think only of "Me."  Praise God that the end of this "season" is near.  We know there will be more- we know we need some recovery after this season but the end is near. :)  Pray for Michael tomorrow as he takes the biggest exam yet- his Hebrew Bible exam that could be 10 hours long- and it is birthday- poor guy!

Mother's Day Pics...