Better Late Than Never . . . Right?

Easter is definitely my favorite holiday. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior is the only reason we have hope in the future. Death has no sting. What could not hold my Jesus in the grave cannot have any grip on me either!! Praise Him!
What's more, Easter holds the promise of spring. I love spring, who doesn't? New growth, green grass, birds, bunnies and the promise of summer!! We hope your spring is bringing new promises your way, promises of better things.

We found these sweet little bunnies by our house over the weekend. Ok, so to be more honest, the dogs found the little bunnies. Andrew sure thought this was special. (Unfortunately, they have since found their demise, something Andrew doesn't know. Darn dogs anyway!) Gotta love baby bunnies!
Andrew really got into the egg hunting. He found ones we didn't think he would. He loved finding the coins and treats hidden inside. This boy wants to be outside so badly. Now that the weather is warming up, its so nice not to have to tell him no!! We were blessed with a beautiful day!

Always a smile, Marianne looked like spring itself in her new dress that Mommy made. I love making things for my kids! Can't wait to create more!

Taking a picture of four kids who really just wanted to eat and hunt eggs proved difficult. The all looked like a million bucks though, don't you think?Andrew is potty training! He is doing very well. We are excited to enter this new phase of our lives...one diaper size!! He loves getting M&M's and taking money from Daddy! Hopefully we'll be done with the training part soon and can move on to more fun things!

Just Fun and Hope for a Contract.

This is Andrew one night before bed. I asked him to go get some jammies and he did. All by his big self!! He also wanted socks, two pairs. Silly boy!! He just loves to read. He would read all day if he could find someone to tell him what the words say!

Andrew and Marianne have a new ball pit. We had a small one that has been destroyed so we bought an inflatable swimming pool and it works great!! There are over 300 balls! It is fun to just let them play around together!

Andrew loves to wear our shoes! This time he put them on and begged Daddy to take pictures!

Our happy little girl. She is such a blessing!! Now if only we could get that hair of hers under control......

Well, life is good here at the Bush house. We have surpassed 22 miles but haven't gotten any in this week as the wind has been so bitter!!! We are waiting for global warming to kick in so we can go back outside!
Paul is now waiting from the word from CWA that they are on Strike against AT&T as a new contract has yet to be signed. If he does go out, we will definitely enjoy having him home, but will certainly be thankful when he can go back to work. Please pray with us that the union and company can come to a good agreement VERY soon!!

Spring has Sprung

Welcome to spring! I am so excited to see the new flowers starting to grow outside my window. (Now if only I was a good gardener, I would clean out my flower beds...) I also feel a smile cross my face every time I see a robin. An even larger smile finds its way out when I see two robins flying around together, but that's just my romantic side coming through. I have some really wonderful pictures to share with you, but I can't find the card reader, so they'll come later.

I have started a new adventure. I am officially training for a 5K run. I know, most of you who know me don't believe it, but its true! I actually figured out that running won't kill me. Scary, I know. I'm hoping to run this race in May. So, we'll see.

For those of you who care, which probably aren't many besides myself, the stroller now has a good 14 miles on it for the last week. At this rate, my kids will be professional stroller riders in no time!

Speaking of kids. Marianne is now 5 months old. *tear* I know, sad huh? She has so many wonderful talents. They include spitting, drooling, chewing more than a puppy would, smiling, laughing and wrapping little old men around her finger. What can I say, a talented young lady she is!
Andrew is a laugh a minute. He loves the library and asks to go often. He has many of his own books memorized to the point where we can stop anywhere in the story and he'll complete the sentence. Last night we were reading a book from the library. At the end of it is a verse. It starts: For you are a people, holy to the Lord your.... Andrew finished it by saying.... Chocolate milk. Usually he says the right things, but apparently he was thirsty.

So, now you have been enlightened. Enjoy your day.

F.Y.I.

Just so you all know....tomorrow is a wonderful day. It will be the first picnic of the year!!! Its supposed to be 70 degrees here in Michigan. Andrew is excited to go the park. We have put about 8 miles on the stroller in the past three days and can't wait to keep adding to it. I'm planning on keeping a log for the spring and summer to see how far we walk. So, I'll keep ya'll posted! Have a great St. Patty's day and look for that green grass...it's coming soon!!!

L.O.V.E.

Here it is...the definition of Love. 65 years of marriage. These are two of our favorite people in the world. Fondly known as Bum Papa and Great Grammy by Andrew. When we were in Montana we were happy to celebrate this milestone with my Grandparents. Wes and Wayve were married on March 10, 1944. They met at a dance 3 years earlier when Grandma was 15 and Grandpa was 18. They were married when Grandpa was home on leave from the army. This war hero and his wife are beautiful aren't they?


Here are the "sibs." All 5 of these wonderful people are very special to our family. What a fun day we had visiting and just being family. Three of my cousins and their families were also there. Five of the 6 great-grandkids were together on this rare occasion also.
This picture will always be special to me. Nothing makes me smile more than my kids being held by these precious people!Well, our trip to Montana was wonderful. Lots of time spent with family. We enjoyed every minute of it. Andrew thinks that Bum Papa hung the moon. Marianne performed very nicely for Great Grammy (who she shares her middle name with). Nana and Papa had a great time with the kids and Paul and I enjoyed the blessing of some downtime.

Who Told??

Here it is, short, sweet and to the point...

Who Told Andrew He is 2???


That is the only explanation I can find for the "behavior" that has been happening in my house. Someone told Andrew that he's two, and when you're two, you're supposed to act like a wild animal.

Trust me, whoever did this will be hunted, captured and tortured. Just so you know. Here is a short list of things he has done in the past few weeks: (this list is not inclusive as I have chosen to forget many things)

"NO" yes, he tells me "no". Not like "no mommy I don't want more macaroni." I'm talking "No. I won't, I don't want to, No way."
Standing on the same table that he's been told not to stand on more times than I can count.
Hitting.
Biting.
Yelling.
Spitting. Yes spitting, this is definitely one of my least favorite new habits.
Taken to calling me Marc. As if Marcie wasn't bad enough. I don't get it. I'm his MOMMY!!! This he is reminded of many times a day, but he. doesn't. care.
Taking his sister's pacifier and chucking it across the room simply "cuz". Yes he also now says "cuz" when you ask why he does things.

I'll stop here so that my description earlier of "wild animal" can be more imaginable to you than monster.
Oh, don't get me wrong though. He also is becoming so very sweet in his own little way:

"Peeeeeese. Mommy. I have it."
Kisses and hugs for all.
Drawing pictures on his aquadoodle for me. (When they dry, he assures me not to worry, he'll make another one some day.)
Singing to Marianne when she cries. (My personal favorite is Rock the Baby.)
Sharing his dinner....when he's done of course.
Wanting to be held. (This I try not to turn down as I know these days are ending soon.)

All in all, I just want to say, I'm the luckiest Mommy!

Fun things kids do.

It is official...we have a thumb sucker. I think it is so sweet, we'll see in a few years. She also loves her snuggle blankie!
Andrew thought Marianne looked like a princess when I got her dressed for church this week, so he wanted to be a prince. What a better time for a picture?

Meet Pete, Andrew's monkey. He loves his little friend but on this day he was having a great time playing with him. He wanted a snack for him and for Pete....I caved. He loved it! On this particular day he also gave Pete a piggy back ride, followed by Pete returning the favor. He is really getting an imagination. So much fun!

Here it is...the moment Mommy has waited for.....Marianne's first piggy!! So cute. I know!

As a side note, Lisa is doing VERY well. Also, my Grandpa is home from the hospital after a minor stroke caused by a broken "flap" in his heart.