Day 230: Swing again

Zaria finally allowed us to put her in the swing today. She's been reluctant to go in any swing so far this spring, which I've been sad about since she loved to go in the swings last summer and fall. So after looking at it for two days and only wanting to push it, she finally decided it was OK to sit in and swing. We were then able to have all three girls swing since there's a baby swing on the bigger set as well. I turned the one Zaria's in 180 degrees so she could see her cousins.

We also had a chance to visit Renee and Kurt's new church and hear a great message about forgiveness. I didn't realize it until later, but it was also Passover today, but nothing was mentioned about that at church. They did have a great kids' program, so I could see why they chose as they did.

Day 62: Early Christmas

We celebrated an early Christmas and birthday for Becca after a nice shopping trip with all us girls. Renee bought a few things she needed and a bunch of clothes for Zaria for her birthday and for Christmas (both Becca and Zaria have December birthdays). Mom and I had fun watching the girls open presents. Tricia had the most fun trying to eat the wrapping. She was getting a head start in this photo.

Day 61: Visiting a cousin once removed

This is my cousin-once-removed Carol, in front of her newly sided house. Her tree was so bright and gorgeous, I told her I had to get a picture of it. We had a discussion about how cousins get to be seconds and removeds, and I explained how she was my cousin-once-removed because she is my mom's cousin. We stayed overnight at Carol and Tom's place and then drove through the morning to arrive at Renee and Kurt's.

Day 60: Dinner in Chicago

My mom, Zaria and I piled into the car today to go visit my sister and her family in Michigan. We took this journey last February and visited my friend Anne (pictured above), but this time she was in a new place and had a roommate and a residency student living with her. It was a very cute place, and we enjoyed getting to know her temporary resident, Natalie (in the background). We came a bit early, but were fortunate enough to have Natalie be home when we arrived, so she let us in and welcomed us while we waited for Anne to get home. Anne's been working as a regular physician's assistant for just over a year or two now in Chicago, at one of the clinics where she did a residency training.

I've known Anne since junior high, and the fact that we're still friends after living through those years is a true blessing from God. Anne also knows my sister Renee and her husband and has even seen the house that we're on the way to see in Michigan.