A Spring of Joy

Yes, it’s that time of year again when we pack up the kids and head down the road to watch the Fireman’s Parade and the Tractor Parade on Friday and Saturday nights. The streets are lined with chairs and local color is everywhere. Asher remembered the barrage of candy from last year, so he was adamant that we find the best vantage point for watching and collecting the flying drops of sugar. Micah found the trucks and tractors much too loud and Audrey just enjoyed wandering from person to person to make friends. It’s always fun to bring friends along, like Mrs. Lookabill or run into friends there, like Lyric & Anna and the Butler family. Saturday night we got to babysit sweet Maddie Oates for 6 1/2 hours. She was a trooper and made having four very easy, although Audrey wasn’t too sure Mommy should be holding another baby.

It’s been a sad day in our home today. We said good-bye to our kitties of 10 years. My heart ached so badly as I watched each of my boys hug Miles and Meelah and say their goodbyes. Audrey, of course, had no clue what was going on. She was just happy to scream at the cats in delight. We piled Meelah in his carrier and Bri took him and Miles out to the Jeep.

The boys and I sat for a long time today and watched it rain. We had so much fun just snuggling on the floor and talking, watching the rain, listening to quiet peals of thunder, and having Audrey crawl all over us giving random hugs and kisses. We kept waiting for the thunder to stop so we could go run around in the rain (something which the boys are dying to do), but they grew impatient and went to play in their room.