It is the beginning of a new week, it's SPRING... and it's my birthday week! I received two gifts from my sweet hubby already - the first season of Downton Abbey on DVD and a very nice camcorder to capture sweet baby smiles, giggles and sighs. Friday we travel to Williamsburg, VA to deliver our Civic to its new owner. Maybe we'll have time to stroll around Colonial Williamsburg and the Yorktown Waterfront before heading back. I'm voting for Baker's Crust or Red Robin if we get to eat lunch out.

Last week was quite challenging and gave me an opportunity to try and live by one of my new favorite verses (the one posted just under the main title of this blog). Thanks to my friend Anna for bringing it to my attention. Tuesday, Jonathan was just down for a nap when the realtor called. Show time! Fortunately I was given two hours to let him nap, during which I blazed through here and made everything as presentable as possible. I was a sweaty mess when we showed up on my neighbor's doorstep to wait out the showing, but we had a nice visit with Ms. Brenda and Hannah (her puppy dog). Thank goodness for Brenda!

Mid-week, the ice maker on our fridge went out during the night and we literally waded into the kitchen Thursday morning. Jason missed the first half of the work day. We had wet molding, wet sheet rock, ruined food... the whole bit. Our appliances remained in the middle of the kitchen most of the day. Later that evening, Jason checked in the crawl space under the house and found a nice little pond just under the kitchen area. That had to be soaked up, the sub floor dried and the insulation replaced. Thankfully - no calls from realtors that day!

Our Wednesday had been nice, but hectic. Jonathan and I got to visit with his friend Austin for the morning and Miss Cassie came for her first piano lesson. I got to spend some Mommy time with my sweet friends, Melissa and Lorrie and that evening I got to sing with the choir during our revival service. Maybe the fact that Wednesday was such a nice day allowed us to manage a difficult Thursday and Friday with a bit more grace.

If it wasn't already hard enough to cook for Jason (He's not a cheese eater.), I am now trying to find recipes that are easier on a guy with GERD. He was officially diagnosed last week and Wednesday morning he goes in for an Upper GI. I am worried and hoping he can be treated with as little medication as possible. Unfortunately Jason married a Texan. I like it spicy and that's the way I cook it. It's time to expand the repertoire. If you're reading this, pray for Jason. Not only is his food getting to him, but I think he's dealing with some pretty major stress at work, not to mention his job as brand new daddy. He's been in a lot of pain... so much so that he hasn't eaten much this week.

Yesterday, Jason and I were both on the roster to teach Sunday School as our youth leader was out for a youth function in Western NC. Jason teaches every week and I fill in when our youth minister is out. Our lesson covered chapters 5-8 of Genesis... a genealogy of the descendants of Adam, and the story of Noah (a guy who certainly knew the meaning of extreme obedience). I was impressed to find three of the youth (young men in our church) studying the lesson having already prayed and completed the roll. Sundays are always hectic for us, but it turned out to be a really nice day and Jonathan enjoyed being in the nursery with little Caroline.

That brings me to today. We are enjoying a beautiful day complete with all the trappings of spring. This morning, thunderclouds rolled through creating a nice cozy backdrop for some nap time on the recliner (Mommy has dispensed with trying to lay little boy in his crib for his morning nap on Mondays.). All the green that has appeared seemed all the more

green. The clouds rolled away just as nap time was ending, some laundry went in the wash and the windows were opened. We had some play time in the floor and enjoyed watching Little Bear together. We also visited Stanley's daffodils... in full bloom. We sure miss that little guy and will miss the yearly show at his grave. I hope the folks that buy our home take care of his "spot" and care for his daffodils. At some point today I will need to do some major house cleaning and a lot more laundry, but for now, we're just enjoying the day.

Jonathan is loving his yogurt and apricots this week. He cut a tooth on St. Patty's Day and is drooling and chewing like never before. He is on the move and getting around faster and faster. He is crawling backwards but still trying to figure out how to move forward. I can hardly believe this boy is now over 9 months old. He is a joy and a blessing.