The Russell's Daily Blessings

…a beautiful Spring morning beckons children to come outdoors. The fresh scents and bright colors all so much to celebrate. The voice of an overjoyed little girl as she rushes back into the house bearing gifts for her mommy. “Mommy!, mommy! I got you some sunflowers from my garden!”

A huge smile on her face, her arms stretched out with four of the most perfect little dandelions just for me! You cannot help but scoop up such a little angel to hug and kiss her! I hurried to find the perfect little ‘vase’ for my very special flowers

Hayden’s first Spring Break has been plagued with the boredom blues.? Unfortunately, Hayden’s mom has not been feeling so well. For the that last two days we have missed out on some Zoo trips and play dates.? Mom has been feeling guilty and prays that the rest of the week she could make it up to them. “If only we could play with our friends, mommy” or “do something fun”.? How can you look into their sad little faces and not feel bad or guilty?

Have you ever noticed what you do when it is too quiet, or you are alone or doing something for the first time?? Well for as long as I can remember, I hum when I am in these situations and it appears that my kids do the same thing.? I love it!

Today both of my kids were singing Hymns that they have been learning in Sunday school and when I started singing with them they both looked at me and said “hey! how do you know that song?”? It is actually an Amy Grant song that Hayden loved as a baby and is one of mine and Kip’s favorites.
It is just a little things kind of day.

A friend of mine whose daughter goes to PreK with Hayden told me of a good deed that made me feel like I am doing something right.? Hayden has always been a very kindhearted kid and today he reached out to a classmate in need of a friend.? I heard that a friend of his was all alone on the play ground and he walked up to her and said “Hi S, looks like you need someone to play with.”? and? together they had fun!? This made my day, and my prayer is that he will always have the ability to make people feel special.?

A chance to catch my breath and recap the past couple of weeks. A few of the fun things going on in our lives and some that are just plain noteworthy.

1. Kip and I got a weekend away from it all to reconnect. We were at a Couples Retreat up at Horn Creek. We reconnected with each other and with our love of the great outdoors. Not only was the fellowship fun and the teaching great but, we also got to snowshoe!! It was simply amazing. Oh, we also got to experience log fights, I need to track down digital photos of this, what fun!

2. Lots of birthday’s this month! We had four birthday parties in four days! One was a surprise party for a dear friend, that was lots of fun, then the kids each had a party to attend on Saturday and then my mom’s birthday dinner was Monday. Lots of fun.

3. Hayden had been wanting to test drive a few cars, so Kip took Hayden on a field trip to Motor City last Saturday. They had so much fun driving a few cars. They left around 8:00 am and I got a call at 11:30, they had found a car that Kip liked, however we needed to get to a birthday party at the mall at 1:00PM. So they drove this car home to “show” me. During the party, we decided it was a good price and Kip would go back w/ Hayden and do paperwork, for his Nissan Pathfinder. Well, that evening Kip was out with some friends and Hayden tells me, “Mom, isn’t it funny how we just went to drive some cars and we bring the Pathfinder home to show you and take a picture of it and then dad buys it?” I had to laugh, “yeah pretty funny!” I am seeing a little premeditation here!

4. I now firmly believe we never lose the passion for the hobbies we do. After a five year sabbatical from stamping I am now back into it. It is so fun to have so many friends who share this passion too. Now, I just need to find a way to play and not stay up so late!

Dr. Seuss would be proud! The WUMC PreK class just finished up a couple of weeks devoted to Dr. Seuss.

During these two weeks the kids got to wear funny socks, their favorite hats, they also got to wear their pj’s to school and each child took their favorite Dr. Seuss book to be read.

One other mom and I got the privilege of preparing Green Eggs and Ham for their snack time. They do so many fun things, I just love this school and the teachers.