May 9, 2009 | Mama Smith

where we've been...

Despite the recent round of storms we’ve seen lately, April brought us some beautiful sunny, warm days, which we fully took advantage of. Hence the silence around here and cobwebs growing on minismith.

So these are the places we’ve been the past few weeks…

Exploring the parks via our old school bike trailer.

Finding more caterpillars than I cared to hold for B. Since I am the Keeper of the Bugs, while he runs off to find more.

Feeding the baby ducks, who bravely fought for their food from the aggressive, disgusting pigeons. I almost hate city pigeons as much as city squirrels.

Enjoying an empty Fall’s Park in the early morning hours…

...and exploring the many, MANY stone steps

Celebrating little sister Em completing her first year at Clemson and bidding our faithful babysitter farewell for the summer as she manages the stables at Camp Desoto for the summer :(

Breakfast on the front porch together

Faithfully watching our Mama Robin tend to her eggs. That is until some animal ate them, which was unexpectedly really sad to me. B had randomly named her “Mirabelle Fire”. We miss seeing her around.

And speaking of fire, B’s Sunday School, “Holy Spirit” hat, which I loved so much, it’s on our mantle. He ran to show it to me and said, “I’m a FIRE carrier, Mom!”

And most recently, attempting to maintain a sense of humor when one kid or another has been sick for the past 3 weeks and the rain has drenched us for almost 8 straight days. That takes SERIOUS work, people. But faces like this help… (yes, Levi IS whining in the background, that was the non-stop noise of the week…ahhhh)

Since my posts are few and far between lately, I should probably go ahead and wish all you fellow mothers out there a sweet, restful Mother’s Day tomorrow.

Especially to my mom who endured years of whining, vacuum-breaking, drama, tears, pestering, more drama, lying, sister fights, and yup, how bout some more drama? That’s what you get with three daughters. And a poor son who had to endure all that with no brother to commiserate with.

Even after surviving those crazy years with us, her mothering only grows richer and more winsome. Always encouraging me to get outside of myself and remember Whose I am.

I love you, Mom. The woman who constantly reminds me to “ring the bells” and points me to the One who IS worth my gaze, even in the midst of dish-washing, diaper-changing, and screaming, snotty-nosed children :)