Our Aweful Beautiful Life

I think I've started posts like that before. Have I? I mean, the kid is sweet. Like when he comes BARRELING across the room when I walk into Pam's in the evening, or how he dashes for me first thing in the morning. Surefire lover, that kid is. And he still snuggles at nearly 22 months, which is a feat compared to his siblings. Perhaps though, our dear Keaton is a smart one. He knows that in order to save his life, he has to be a lover. For, if it weren't for those sweet snuggles, kisses and neck hugs.....his trouble making would WAY outdo his love. (If it doesn't already....) Grace. Thank the good Lord for grace! In a short 24 hours with Keaton....two catastrophes happened. The first, was actually pretty innocent. We're blaming Dad. He's the chief "trash removal officer" in our house, and he had overslept Wednesday. So therefore, our trash can was FULL. And Keaton was just trying to throw something away. Until the trash can LANDED on him...and spew...

As a proud College of Agriculture graduate from Purdue, I feel like it's my duty to return there, year after year, for Springfest. However, Saturday was just too nice to fight a crowd with three small kids. I'm glad we waited......kind of. By mid-morning Sunday, the rain was holding off, and Jenna & I made plans to head down to take the kids. They do enjoy it, and we knew that early in the morning, there owuldn't be much of a crowd. We were right, which is good, but we weren't there 15 minutes before the rain set in. We still had a bit of fun. The kids ate pumpkin bread with mealworms in it. They watched some fencing. We saw the barnyard animals and Emmalyn & Sawyer even got to milk a cow with my cousin Laura as the "student assistant"! A fun treat indeed! Sawyer & Laura Emmy did great! Rain & hungry babies!  We ditched Springfest after a quick tour an about an hours stay....to head for lunch. Hungry kiddos and ...

I realized we are insanely blessed to have a beautiful small creek running through the woods behind our house. Ours kids will hopefully make many memories there through the years. We already have, as they've each dipped their toes in the water and even done a little swimming from time to time, but there seems to me to be nothing more peaceful on a warm, early spring afternoon than that first dip in the water. This weekend proved that true, once again. This time, I was lucky to have my camera around my neck to capture some great pictures. Love the little mud-slinging, rock throwing rednecks!

This Spring, we decided to embark on finding a new camper. We got lucky, and found a great new camper on Craigslist! It ended up being sold by the guy who delivers UPS to Jason's work...which made us feel a bit better about the deal. Regardless, once we sold our camper, and bought the new one...we couldn't wait to hit the road. So, earlier than we've ever camped before, we spent April 11-12th at Prophetstown State Park camping with Seth & Jenna and kids. We had an awesome weekend, despite the chilly nights. The kids rode bikes, played well together, ate more hot dogs and bologna sandwiches than I care to honestly admit to, took several bike trail rides, and played at the park. We nearly escaped the weekend unscathed, until we took a final walk to the park, and we met at the gates by Colton's new found friend Sheldon, telling us that Colton had fallen. He then came around the corner, covered in blood with his hands in his face. My heart broke for him and I quickly ...

What a fun time we had this past weekend!! I took a long weekend from work as Friday/Good Friday was my birthday. Come to find out, the kiddos had Friday/Monday off too-- but they were good sports and played with their friends at Pam's all day Friday while Momma and I took to the mall. It's been a GOOD. LONG. TIME. since she and I spent a solid 8 hours shopping, and it was FABULOUS!! I got several new outfits for myself, as well as attire for the whole family for Easter, and I didn't break the bank! Great sales, great memories, great Mom!! We capped off a perfect Birthday date with dinner at Oakdale with Dad, Jason and the kiddos! Saturday we piddled around home, then made a few last minute Easter outfit returns in Lafayette (me and the kids, while Jason worked)...then home to prep for the Stockment Easter party! Sunday was up early to see if the Easter Bunny came by our house, then church, then Hall Easter, then off to Aunt Dee's for ...