can't stop them growing up (not that you'd want to)

Yesterday we dropped Elisabeth off for her first sleep-away camp experience. Last night I dreamt again and again that we went and picked her up. I miss her! Fortunately she'll only be gone a week. 

They grow up too fast. Everyone always says that, but it's true! It really does not feel very long ago at all that she was just a tiny newborn in my arms. 

I was planning to make her a new toiletry bag and various other things before she left for camp, but alas, did not get around to the projects I had in mind. But oh well, she is off and I know she's having a marvelous time, even without some mama-made gear. 

But I can't wait to see her.

Springtime

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Spring is such a short season where I live, just a brief transition between winter and summer. This year has been an especially lovely (if short, as always) spring, with so many trees showing off their best fragrant blossoms. We were fortunate this year not to have a late-enough, cold-enough, heavy-enough snow to ruin all the blossoms before they had the chance to bloom. With Easter being late this year, spring has felt especially delightful, almost like an indulgence! 

{Silly faces on Easter morning.}

With it, spring has brought piano recitals, and baseball, and fairy houses, and outdoor meals (as many of those as we can manage!), and my graduation and Mother's Day this coming weekend. Every season has its own sweetness, doesn't it? 

Water without price

“And he who sat upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life. He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son.’

Come, Lord Jesus!”

— Revelation 21:5-7, 22:20

Today instead of bringing our customary May Day baskets to family and friends, I had the final class of my four-year biblical school. We closed our study with the close of scripture, the final chapters of the Book of Revelation. When we got to the passage I've quoted above, the floodgates opened and tears began to flow freely. It was as though, at least for a moment, all the questions in my life had been answered and all of scripture was opened up for me in these verses. It was such a beautiful moment for me, and such a moving way for my four years to end. I will officially graduate next week, but today was really the culmination of our study. It was such a big accomplishment, and it was difficult for me at times, but I'm so grateful that I've completed it. 

This spring is a big one for our family, with my graduation next week, and James's First Holy Communion last week. He was so sweet, and earnest, and reverent that day. It was such a blessing to us all. 

I made him a boutonniere using ranunculus and some little white flowers (chamomile? I don't know), as well as apple blossoms from our tree which is blooming more beautifully this year than in the last two that we've been acquainted with this house. It has all seemed so very auspicious.