March Madness

The saying is really quite relative, this whole concept of "March Madness"--I get it. I once welcomed it. I lived and breathed basketball for nearly 5 months every year during high school. Now however, having children, the 'madness' is quite different but rings it's highest peak right around this time of year. I blame the weather. That transition from winter to....sprummer? Our short 'activity break' is over and the calendar of scheduled events begins to fill up again this month, leading us right up to that last day of school. *sigh* Only 9 weeks left....

Madness is a rather harsh term used to depict what has been happening as of lately and I use it solely as a way of a 'title'.  In actuality we've had quite a few, um, pleasantries come our way. Surprises, if you will. Joyous times and moments. Blessings in a variety of forms. Oh, there is the 'madness' that comes with the day-to-day parenting of lovingly disciplining 3 rambunctious boys , those frustrations that fester and eventually bubble to the surface, days when there simply aren't enough hours in them...and then there's the humbleness of getting beat 7 straight times in UNO by your 6-year old. Ha!! But I'll take the 'madness' if it comes in the form of these 3 young gents and one amazing father-figure of a hubby. Alright, enough gush. I'll get to the showcase of pictures.

What's this my eyes are beholding?! It's green!!! ;)

more bubbles! I love the way Mason is arching his back :)

He was trying to blow a super big one...

...success! sorta.

Austin came home from school earlier this month with a note from his teacher saying he would be receiving an award at the next school assembly...little did I know it was the best award you can receive! (in this mom's book anyway...I'll take awesome behavior/being an example to others over straight A's any day!) He was chosen out of all the second graders! Pretty proud of my Austie!! :)

high five from Mr. Connors!! (principal)

God has a way of tying things together just perfectly--I always say His timing is just that, perfect. And it most definitely is, even down to the little details of visits from MN friends, who just happen to be on the west coast! It was a simple dinner with a few hours of rich conversation and laughs. Thanks for coming Newtons!

The anticipation of baby Lucy finally arrived on March 16th--my dear friend Becky Egbert gave birth to her beautiful baby girl, Lucy Juliana!  I've logged a little snuggle time but there is much more to come!! :)

love ya Becky! :)

Birthday time!!!

Taste-testing the frosting!! (Carson and Aven)

Love my boys!!!!

But I REALLY love my hottie-hubby :) Out to dinner we go...

Mason blowing out the candles---they would re-light and he couldn't get enough!

YUM!!!!! The hubby did good! :)

Other random March moments.....

my mini-man and his tractors :)

Jovi and Carson

movie night with Jovi and Aven

wheelbarrow ride!

planting some spring flowers/bulbs!

chatting with Austin :)

planting flowers/bulbs with Austin

game night! :)

Mason ridin' in style!

family bike ride to visit some friends!

Austin and lil' Lucy

This final week of March brings us another round of parent/teacher conferences, along with setting our sights on this coming Easter/Resurrection Sunday. We get to enjoy the latter half of the week with half days at school (not for Andy, but for the other two!) due to these conferences...and as we make our way through this week with all it's variety of activities and even the slow winding down to our spring break next week, it's a reflective one at best. Reading through the gospel accounts of the week leading up to Jesus' death on the cross, in the past I've tried to place myself in that setting. It's hard. It's nearly impossible. I can't even fathom the height of emotion, the depth of confusion for some, the sights and sounds of an innocent man willingly placing Himself to a death like none other...(and to say that He "doesn't understand" when we go through pain or hurts or life's 'trials' is, well..............wrong!) This week will probably be no different as I thumb through the pages of Scripture taking in every word I read to the core of my heart. It's not too difficult to cry tears of sorrow and grief, but PRAISE JESUS SUNDAY IS COMING, bringing with it an overwhelming rejoicing of joyous tears!! My Savior lives and some day, "O Glorious Day", He's coming back to take us Home!!!!

Student Art Show 2013

Once again, the Humboldt County Student Art Show was a big success!! Give me just a second to praise my amazing hubby who puts in countless hours, behind the scenes mainly, to make sure this thing goes off without a hiccup--perfection of showcasing these students' artworks at it's finest. Nice job Mr. A!! Walking around the museum, it was apparent that this town has some highly talented students and I was in awe at what they could create. Mind-boggling. 

 As I mentioned previously, we were pleasantly surprised to hear our boys both had artworks that would be on display; their watercolor paintings! Enjoy!

love Austin's facial expression when he saw the 2nd place ribbon

nice job Carson!! :)

my 3 little budding artists :)

Just livin' life....

I realize that once again time has elapsed and I can't quite fault an overly busy schedule for my lack of updating, but chalk it up to the simple fact that we've been livin' life and taking each day as it comes. Drinking in the blessings of family time, alone time, sweet times of fellowship, and time in God's Word have been woven into our days in which God has carried us through. Today, I'm thankful for what the Lord continues to bring us through to draw us ever closer to Him, thankful for the refreshing drops of rain, thankful for my faithful boys who always serve up a smile with a side of laughter, thankful that HE is my constant and has given us another day to serve Him and be a family of five!!!

Mason never says no to playing with his farm toys!

Can you tell the boy loves his tractors?!

Alphabet puzzle time!

A few weeks ago, the older two boys were treated to their first weekend of ice fishing "with the guys." It's an annual trek the Anderson men make to spend a weekend together catching fish, enjoying the outdoors, catching up on life, and just being guys. This year was a little different as only Andy and his dad were able to go, but the four of them had a fantastic 3-day weekend together---Austin and Carson coming home begging the question of "when can we go again??" I'm so thankful for the memorable time they had with their dad and pappy!!!

ready to do some fishing!!

riding "Pappy style" :)

a little sledding hill

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work

of his hands." (Psalm 19:1)

AWANA Grand Prix!

Carson's Rocket

Austin's Tow Truck

 Carson won 2nd and Austin won 3rd place for their car designs!!!

Winners of the Sparky Grand Prix Design category!

thanks for helping Pappy!!

daddy and sons

Austin and Carson with their friends, Jayden and Easten!

The weather has been playing in our favor the past few days for getting outside to ride the bikes, play in the dirt, put on the catcher's glove, swing the bat, blow some bubbles, and explore after begin cooped up inside for the last few months! That first taste of spring always brings about a certain giddyness, a similar type of giddyness that comes with that first snowfall ever fall/winter. It's refreshing. It's cheery. It's soothing. It's just another touch of our Creator's handiwork as He changes each season.

gotta love doing homework reading outside!!

Jovi and Mason

the outdoor artwork begins once again!! :)

Sidewalk chalk time

Celebrating a little Dr. Seuss with green eggs for breakfast! (I didn't have any ham...but they didn't seem to mind. We supplemented with the toast and cereal instead....)

Do I dare.....

.....I dare!!! And I liked it a lot! :)

colored bubbles!! (thanks Grandma!)

altogether now....

Carson cruisin down the driveway!

nice throw Mason :)

Austin's hit!

Carson's hit!

The many faces of Mason while holding a baseball bat....forgive the blurriness as I was laughing too hard while taking the pictures and failed to change the setting. ;)

A little rainy-day laziness.....love it!!

Next up is the K-12 student art show Monday night--we were pleasantly surprised when  both of the boys came home with these invitations in their backpacks!! Stay tuned.....