He's Home!!

So the ultra-adorable picture that I took of Travis and Adalynn at the airport was not SaveD, mostly because I was not SmarT and didn't have the card in the camera. Oops. But Travis and Ed arrived home safely from the wilds of South Beach, FL after a loooong 5 days away. (He was worried that Adalynn would forget him, but there was No way. She knew exactly who her daddy was and was all smiles and giggles, chatting him up as soon as she saw him). So what did I do? Put him to work. Right away. He fed Adalynn some carrots while I made peas for her dinner tomorrow.

He's a little pink. And has some fabulous tan lines.

Why is our daughter wearing glasses? "Because her future is soooo bright" in my husband's words. Actually, because we were trying on her new sunglasses. Aren't they super-cute?! Can't wait until the sun reappears so she can actually use them.

Adios. Just wanted you to know, Travis has arrived home safely.

Love to y'all. (just getting the draaaawwwllll ready for TN)

HaHaHa HaHaHa

Wanna cheer-me-up? Watch this... laughing baby. Gauranteed to crack you a smile. Adalynn liked it, we think you will too. :)

It's ThaT Saturday Again

The one where us girls congregate for some nummy food and to chat, chat, chat. We ate, I *ConQueRed* Monkey Bread today. I beat it down-town and into the underground. It was hardcore. They entertained the baby girl (who went through 3 outfits in 4 hours). And we Wii'ed it up. It was grand.

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Thank God for Sunshine!

Finally, today, could we go outside and not freeze our tushes! Adalynn and I (the dogs were NoT helping with this chore) cleaned up the yard (just as glam as it sounds). Then we roasted on a blanket, soaking up the sun.

I'm. much cooler than this hat.

What hat?

This hat. oh yeah....

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So I not only discovered my child's inner model today, but my mom came over and we took a walk upon which we also discovered this:

A little hidden treasure on Green Lake (for resident's only, don't get any ideas sneaky people). Sweetness....neighbors told us about it last summer, but we didn't know the exact coordinates. But now we do. And we will use it...good thing we got the bike trailer for Adalynn last week.

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**News Flash**

Intriguing (or not so much) update on Adalynn's expanding toy usage:

1. Exersaucer: She is now turning herself around and purposefully hitting the sound maker to hear a "moo", "roar", "quack", "wuf", or the names of the animals (it takes a lot of concentration)..every once in a while she gets lucky and it spouts out a song, then she gets really excited.

2. Talking Ring Stacker: She is pulling off the rings. It's genious, people. Pure genious.

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It's gotta be the Vit D + sleep deprivation. I am wierd. or quirky?

Expectations

I seriously need to take a lesson from my daughter. Here she is happily playing this morning, after a crappy night. She woke at least 3 times with the stuffies. I listened to the pattern over the monitor: 1. Sticking her thumb in her mouth, 2. Crackles of her trying to breath, and 3. a short Cry when she couldn't and had to pull her thumb out. Then she'd sit for a minute, and try it again. -tear- She's such a tolerant child. We only have God to thank for that, she did NoT learn that from her father or I.

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I'm feeling a bit down today...1/3 sick and feeling bad about Adalynn being sick, 1/3 missing Travis, and 1/3 "ugh" because I haven't gotten done what I wanted to while he's been gone. And I had to cancel on running with my sister today because I feel "ugh" and Adalynn has taken long naps - I so just want her to get better. My guilt starts easy and runs deep. But, looking upon this day is Not anything Life Threatening and I think I just need a nap to put things in perspective again. Or at least it's a good excuse, right?

Easter

Holiday Traditions. Each one has it's own, don't they?

Growing up, we'd make crazy cards for my dad for Father's Day (and yes, we were in the paper more than once for these cards. twice, actually).

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For Easter, it's fond memories of coloring eggs and attending the Sunday Sunrise Service at church. And generally wearing matching dresses with my sister. Some even home-sewn.

How's this? Cute, matchy-matchy dresses AnD a "Humungus" Card!

There's more matching dresses where these came from. However, de Madre has been keeping them hidden away. I will unearth them and put them on display sometime.

I am not *that* much like Susie Homemaker yet, to where I am crafting cute dresses for my daughter (although I did get a cute pattern for Adalynn clothes from Rennae that I may have to try soon...), and Adalynn and I haven't made Travis any crazy cards, but traditions have an important role. They tie generations together and definately make for memorable memories. We're slow to start, but here's some that will last for a while.

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Some traditions are new...

One thing I love about my husband, he makes the most mundane tasks fun. Sunday mornings are No exceptions. Here's what happened when Trav dressed Adalynn for Easter. No, that is not a hat. Or a Cabbage Patch doll. It is Adalynn with her briefs on her head. And she's lovin it.

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Us. We're so sweet. (looks are decieving, aren't they?) I want to begin to take holiday pictures of us as a family. I enjoy looking back on where we were, and reflecting on where we are now.

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Some Traditions are set in stone...

A Borck Tradition.

Naps after dinner.

It's mandatory, and oh, so refreshing.

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Easter baskets...

Of course! Where would we be without Easter Baskets?

Thanks Nana and Papa for the toys, stuffed animal, clothes and pinwheel. (The pinwheel is seriously cool. Adalynn is enthralled.) Thanks Papa and Mama Linda for the super soft Cow and book (and candy, Travis and I give 2 thumbs up). Thanks Grandma for the sleeper, I can't wait till she fits in it! (won't be long with the way she's growing!)

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Easter Egg Hunts.

Grandma Borck had an Easter Egg Hunt each year for us, whether in Reed City or at her home. We'd find little candies, a quarter, and if we were lucky even a dollar in a big special egg with our name on it. Adalynn is not quite ambulatory enough yet. But next year we'll have to add this to the list.

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Sunday morning Church.

We used to make a point to attend an Easter Morning Sunrise Service. Like at Christmas. when it is ritual to be at a midnight candlelight service, the Easter sunrise service is a sacred time of year. This year we couldn't make it to our church service...Sunday school only for Travis while I worked in the nursery. Adalynn is a bit talkative to sit through the service and still too young for the nursery. But, this will be a strong and solid part of our Easter mornings in the future.

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At the heart of these rituals are our backstories, reminders of where we came from and clarifying where we are now. With each new Holiday and within each day, we use these traditions to help us deeply celebrate God's handiwork in our lives, for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do in the future.