New Family Pics

We finally got our family pictures done.  It was a rainy, windy, chilly day so I'm feeling pretty lucky that we didn't get drenched, just drizzled as we tried to rush through before the rain picked up!  Happy to have them just in time for Mother's Day thanks to my friend Melonie. who still managed to get some great pics despite the weather.
Looking at the picture of the church in the background is going to be especially nostalgic for me once me move.  I feel like my heart is torn between two places. Each week I go to church and become overcome with emotions when I look into the faces of so many people who have brought great meaning into my life.  And yet, I'm also ready to stop living in limbo land and ready to move on to our new home and new friends.  Our family has doubled in size since we first moved here.

 We found out I was expecting Emily the week that we moved into our home.

I feel so grateful that despite the changes and challenges ahead, I get to go through them with my best friend.

 And I'm hopeful that with the change it will forge the relationships between my children to be even closer because they will have rely on each other before they have a chance to make new friends.

Hoopsters

Daniel's basketball team won the local tournament.  I really enjoyed watching his game.  I have to admit that I have a love/hate relationship with sports.  I love how they engage my boys in meaningful physical activity and they learn from working as a team. The travel, $ and time commitment that it requires is so hard for me to swallow.  But hearing my son give genuine compliments  and encouragement to others on his team really makes my day. 
Jared asked the kids at dinner the other night about what they had done that week to reach out and lift others up.  Daniel shared an incident where a boy at school wanted to join the group playing a sport.  Some other kids didn't want to him to interrupt the game or join their team because he was less skilled, but Dan said "You can be on my team," even though he realized this would make it a lot more challenging for his team to do well.  It touched my heart when I heard this.  I hope my kids can always see sports in proper perspective.  It certainly feels good to be #1, but it feels even better when you can put being #1 aside in order to build up someone else. 

Piano Lasts

This month is full of a lot of firsts and lasts for me and I find myself getting emotional over and over again.  Today I'm prepping for my last piano group lesson here, getting ready to end another chapter and move on to new adventures when we relocate.  I have thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to teach piano to a lot of great students and my own children. 

Rhythm Telephone

Piano Ice Cream Party

  I got an iPad for Christmas so I could use the Piano Maestro app in my studio.  I love how motivating it is to get my kids practicing more.  Alyssa's favorite feature is the "selfies" she gets to take when she masters a song.  She likes to pick emojis to add to the comments and then match their faces in her pic!  One of my favorite parts of being a parent is making music with my children.

Family Pic Prep

We finally got our family pictures taken yesterday after 3 years of procrastination.  Coordinating outfits and schedules is not easy for me and I remember each time I do it why I've waited so long!

I snapped a few shots  before the photographer came.

 I'm certainly going to miss the beauty of my spring flowers and budding trees when we move. 

The rain threatened above but I was glad to get a super speedy session in at this convenient backdrop just a few steps away from home. We have made so many memories here.  When my boys were just little they loved watching the entire construction process of our church take place next door. 

Beautiful "popcorn popping"on the apple tree.

L'il Kangaroo

 Josh loved this cute kangaroo costume so much while playing at the neighbors that they gave it to him.

 His best attempt at a sad face.

Color Run Fun

 Becca decided to join up with her friends to do a color run 5K and had a great time.  I love how she's willing to try new things.

Sunshine Flower Race

These girls had a great time racing to fill up their buckets with sunshine flower heads (dandelions) all over our yard today.  I've never seen kids so excited to pull weeds before!  Then they celebrated with some ice cream and water games.  I love this summer weather :)