The days ahead...

are full of sunshine, visits to the local parks, family walks & bike rides, camping trips, swimming in the backyard pool and more & more time spend outside!  Here's to spring and being on the cusp of warmer weather!

April Fools

Seriously?

How does one fail to pick up on this classic prank immediately?

Especially after growing up with my jokester siblings?!

Supper prep was hilarious for the boys.

There were two major soakings,

two major shrieks,

two shirt changes

and giggles and giggles and giggles and giggles and giggles.

Finally I learned my lesson and took off the hair band.

Regardless, laughter is good for the soul

even if you are dripping wet yet again.

A's Weekend Adventure

Anthony is so fortunate to have a creative and loving uncle who takes him on fun adventures whenever the opportunity exists.  No matter what the season is you can typically find them outdoors together.  They've spent lots of time in the gardens, cutting boughs, making wreaths, having bonfires, finding edibles in the wild, and so much more.  This past weekend their big adventure was making a fort behind Grandma and Papa Johnson's house.  To say that A had a good time would be an understatement.  He LOVED that he was a "big boy" who helped construct the greatest lean-to fort that has ever been made!

Thank you, 

Uncle Airwick, 

for loving our little guy, 

teaching him about the great outdoors 

and being an important part of his life.  

You are an amazing uncle!

Anthony adores you.

(And he's already looking forward to the next adventure...)

A's Mardi Gras Party

Aaron Lewis

Walker Casino

A 4:00 o'clock concert

with

Aaron Lewis

WHO?!

At one time Aaron Lewis was the lead singer of Staind.

(It's Been A While...Outside...Epiphany....)

Now he's gone out on his own doing acoustic shows in places like

the Walker Casino.

As soon as Mark and I saw this upcoming performance 

we knew we needed to be there. 

Mark had fallen in love with his voice and got me addicted too.

It didn't matter that we were going up to Walker,

that it was a 4:00 o'clock show

or that none of our friends knew of Lewis.

We knew it would be a great show,

but we weren't prepared for how awesome it truly would be.

 

Aaron Lewis is amazing!

Up to this point my favorite live concert was Dave Matthews Band,

which we saw in Houston, Texas.

Saturday's concert blew that out of the water.

The crowd was totally into it.

The show was small and intimate.

The banter back and forth with the crowd made you feel 

like he wanted everyone to be there.

Lewis is clearly passionate about his music 

and new solo career path.

His voice and range is unbelievable.

Jokingly, he broke out into a Cyndi Lauper's song

 as well as Jessie's Girl and Purple Rain.

It may have been a joke, but it sounded GREAT!

Seriously.

Throughout his performance he sang classic Staind songs, 

covers from other bands as well as 

songs from his debut solo, country, album, Town Line,

that was just released on March 1st.

(Country Boy...Massachusetts...The Story Never Ends...)

After almost two hours it all came to an end with thunderous 

applause, shrieking whistles and a wanting for more.

Lewis came back onto the stage,

moved the mic and 

positioned his stool closer to the front of the stage

and then, without speaking, shushed us all to silence.

Then he sang his final song.

We

were

mesmerized,

hooked,

our hearts were pumping,

and we knew when all the lights were turned on that we 

needed

more.

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

from Anthony and Baby Bear.

Basking in the Good

This morning another I love you came out of A's mouth,

which caused us both to smile.

Then when picking up from daycare
he came running when he saw our spaceship

and gave me a huge hug and kiss.
That never happens...

Again, my heart is filled with HOPE.
RAD, SPD, ODD...
None of that matters when there's
love,
understanding,
stability,
consistency
and the constant support of a family.
Right?!

“Love comes to those who still hope

even though they've been disappointed,

to those who still believe

even though they've been betrayed,

to those who still love

even though they've been hurt before.”