Sweet and sour February to March madness

I gotta say, last week was one of the STRANGEST weeks of weather I've ever experienced! Last Sunday (the first day of March) it started snowing and snowed a good 5 inches or so (and as you can see, the squirrels found our bird feeder and took advantage of some free food!). We were in snow boots and winter jackets. Schools were cancelled, roads were covered in ice, and there was a snowman around every corner.

Throughout the week it has steadily gotten warmer. And then this weekend the temps topped out to almost 80 degrees!!! Toby and I were at the park yesterday in short sleeves, and I got sunburned. We have been wearing shorts around the house with every window open. Does it seem right for the weather to change THAT drastically in 5 days?!?!?!?

I'm not complaining though. The snow was so peaceful to watch, and the kiddos really enjoyed playing in it (it was wet snow, good for building stuff). Then it melted quickly, and I have loved feeling the warm sun, and having the fresh air blow through the house. I know it will get cold again, but it's been nice to have a taste of early spring :) In college I once told Anton (in response to his persistent and loving way of checking in on my walk with Christ) that I tend to feel closer to God when the sun is shining. Like I can FEEL His mercy and goodness being poured out on me. That's what it has felt like this weekend. A physical manifestation of God's continual flow of grace and blessing.

The month of February was pretty uneventful, and yet somehow seemed to pass so quickly! I have worked a lot the last few weeks (Mon-Fri the last two weeks). It's been great to feel more comfortable there, and get to know my co-workers better. It's also great to have a couple of good paychecks! I have continued to enjoy the work, and feel thankful for it.

I've missed spending as much time with Toby though. And I think he's even missed me too. Although he has had a great time at the babysitter's, he and her three year old daughter are practically like siblings now! I'm looking forward to enjoying outings together again, spending time with friends and watching him learn and grow as we share life together. I am SO blessed to be able to be home with him as much as I am. And being apart has made me realize how good I have it!

I think last time I wrote that Toby was going through a bit of a rough phase behaviorally. I'm glad to report that there has been improvement! He's still an active four year old who loves to have things his way right now, and push the boundaries. But he has responded to my guidance and discipline much better lately (probably in part due to me showing greater patience and consistency with him- after MUCH prayer). And he has been working hard on using his powerful words to communicate calmly, instead of complete breakdown about everything.


Valentine's day was a fun day for us. We made a few Valentines for friends and family. Toby got a few little things from me, including a homemade Valentine! And I was blown away when Toby took it upon himself to make ME a Valentine!!! Telling me things like he's glad I'm his mom, and he loves me no matter what. What a sweet and tender little boy I have (he definitely takes after his dad in the "showing affection" department)!



And actually, Toby showing me much love on Valentine's day was more of a blessing than you can imagine. Because the week before Valentine's day was one of the roughest for me emotionally in quite some time. I was SERIOUSLY missing Anton, and as my mom said "had the blues". There were several things which built up to it, but it all lead me to want to withdraw from life, and just curl up in a ball. But once I took time to process a little of what I was feeling, and take it to the One who could carry my burdens, I felt lighter almost immediately. Pray that I would make time and take the effort to regularly check in on my heart, and let God comfort, heal, can grow me.

So, here's something not-very-important-in-the-eternal-realm that could use some help too...I am TERRIBLE about keeping up with sports, even Carolina basketball. I am ashamed to admit that I didn't even KNOW that Carolina was playing Duke when it happened in February. Usually I at LEAST watch that game!!! Fortunately my dad reminded me yesterday that they were playing again today. So we wore our Carolina blue, talked about rooting for the Heels, made our Tarheel cookies,
and had my dad and step mom over to watch the game (which Carolina won, WOO-HOO!!!). But the thing is, that Toby didn't want to watch it at all! As soon as the TV came on he said "I want to watch one of my shows!" or "I want someone to play with me!" pretty much the whole way through!! One time he even said (this is going to make you shudder in horror) "Is that football game over yet?"!! Anton's son doesn't like watching sports, and doesn't even care that Carolina is playing Duke!!! How could I have let this happen?????!!!!! I'm just so not into sports, it really takes work for me to watch a game, or even know when a game is coming on. And if we don't have sports on at home, how will Toby ever know about them? He's got the "I'm a Tarheel born" thing down pat, it's the "I'm a Tarheel bred" that needs some help!!! Anybody got any bright ideas for me? :)

Alright, that's enough silliness and seriousness for this month. Thanks for keeping up with us on this Blog! Happy early Spring!!