sweetheart

A surprise note Lydia left for me.

During the last five and a half years Lydia and I have had our moments. She's strong willed by nature and that nature may have been inherited from me. This school year, however, we have had a lot of time together just the two of us and it's been wonderful. I have loved Lydia from before she was born simply because she's my daughter. I also love Lydia for the person she is. I love how her mind is always questioning things, how she's creative, that she's a little learning sponge, how she loves to help me in the kitchen, that she's caring, and it makes me smile when she states that when she grows up she wants to be "just a momma like you." Next year she goes to kindergarten and, while I know that she's more than ready, I also know I'm going to miss her.

A Preschool Zoo

Lydia's end of the year field trip was to the Special Memories Zoo in Greenville. It is a small zoo, but it has an impressive collection of animals including lions, tigers, bears, lots of monkeys, birds, many local native animals, and a large petting area. We spent considerable time in the petting area holding and petting baby animals. Lydia's favorite were the goats and mine were the lambs. She'd make a pretty good farm girl the way she walks up and picks up the animals with no fear at all. This, however, does not mean we're getting a goat anytime soon. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch and some playground time before heading back home for the day.

Graduated

Us along with (l to r) Jon, James, Jason, & Joel

With the lovely Kelly Jae

This weekend we had the privilege of attending three graduation services in one weekend. Friday we headed to Mequon to attend Joel's graduation from Wisconsin Luther Seminary. The day before he was assigned to be the pastor at a congregation in New Lisbon, WI. Joel has been blessed with a multitude of gifts and will be a blessing to the congregation he'll serve. The day was warm and the visit with our SD family was most enjoyable.

Saturday we headed to Watertown for Kelly's graduation from Luther Prep. Kelly was a student of Nate's (and an art student of mine) as well as the daughter of dear friends. She and Lydia have a special bond as they share a birthday. Kelly is headed back to SD to study art in college. While our visit was brief it was wonderful to share the day with this branch of our SD family as well.

Sunday the kids all sang for the closing service and eighth grade graduation for our school. While the graduates are all ready for the next step in their education, we were happy to be one step closer to summer.

Madison Trip

Symphony Soup by the MSO

Second Grade

The whole group in the rotunda

First Grade lunching on the lawn.

It's a tradition at our school for each class to have a big end of the year field trip. This year the first through third graders took a trip to Madison. I was lucky enough to get to chaperon. Our first stop was the Madison Symphony Orchestra where we enjoyed a children's performance, Symphony Soup. I snuck one illegal picture, shh, don't tell. After the performance we immediately walked to the Capitol building. Here we were able to tour most of the building (the Senate and Assembly were both in session so we didn't get to see those rooms) and learn about the building. After our tour we lunched on the lawn before heading back to school. The kids loved the entire trip and the teachers hope to make repeat trips in years to come.

Mother's Day 2011

This year, along with handmade cards, hugs, some child selected body wash & lotion, and the appreciation of my family, I received four figurines from Nate and the kids. Nate went looking for the three of the kids that I'd mentioned liking previously and not only found them but also one to represent us as well. From top and then left to right we have: Together, Inquisitive, Caring, and Spirited. My Willow Tree Family.

Confirmed

Cassey with her godparents, my parents and I

Uncle Rob, Cassey, Aunt Colleen, Kyle

The first Sunday in May my oldest goddaughter, Cassey, was confirmed. Lydia and I made the trip back to stay with my parents to attend the confirmation. I remember the day that Cassey was baptized as I held her in my arms and, when her pastor poured water on her head and spoke simple words, her faith was planted in her heart. On this Sunday she confrmed that faith in our Savior Jesus. She is a lovely young lady and it is my prayer that she continues to walk with Jesus her whole life through.