Down payment

We're overdue on posting pictures of fun with visitors, of Easter, and of life since. As many of you know, it has been a rough several months around here, and unfortunately the way doesn't yet look much easier or clearer. Tom and I have spent much of our marriage assuring ourselves that we were in the middle of the hard part (professionally and logistically, not romantically) and the easier stage was around the corner, but so far it seems only to be going the other way. We would give a great deal for a bit of stability, despite everything we know about that being an unrealistic wish in this world.

But lest we overlook the better parts of this spring, I wanted to start getting up a few of the overdue photos as a down payment on the whole bunch. So today, the church shots:

(1)

 Edith's spring choir concert. We were amazed at the jump in musical ability and performance behavior from the kindergarten choir to the first/second-grade choir. These kids have grown up in a year! The music education at this church has been incredible, and we will miss it wherever we land next. How many churches can say they have a graduated series of five youth choirs, each with its own professional music educator as director, its own accompanist, and its own set of 3 full-time parent assistants? Then add the overarching director for children's choirs, and director of music for the church as a whole, playing a role in coordinating the curriculum. It's an amazing organization that provides excellent musical and spiritual teaching--and Edith is very proud of the new beads she earned for her choir necklace by her participation this year.

(2) Easter.

For the first time in many years we didn't manage to get a family photo. Instead, we got some photos with a lovely family of four kids at church who are friends of the girls and who surprised E and A with baskets full of Easter presents. Random acts of kindness, as well as the more intentional and sustained kind, are a large part of their homeschool curriculum, and it is an inspiration.

Finding her basket in the dryer

Not the proper shot on which to end an Easter post, but rather than let this linger another week while I upload and sort through more, we'll go to press as is. Best to all.