If you're gonna have to work outside, in the rain and mud...

...then you should probably get yourself a pair of fun rain boots to work in.

I have never bought such a crazy pair of shoes, but I love these! They fit my wide calves and they just make me smile. 

Thumbs up from 3 males here, but the 4th, my straight-laced firstborn, literally face-palmed when he saw these.  Haha!!

Logan's newest game

His brothers are playing, "The Game of Survival" with him, this morning.  It includes food, wool, coal, money, silk and wood.  I don't really understand what they're doing with all of it, but they seem to know exactly what's going on.  Love my creative boy, and love that his brothers join in on his fun. 

Happy April 9th.

Dear flip flops,

I miss you.

You also know you live in New England when...

The yard looks like this, by evening, on April 8th (sigh). 

You know you live in New England when...

...the yard is too soaked, muddy and snowy for a wheelbarrow, but you really need to start yard work, so you opt for a different method. 

New

Easter has been a holiday that I have loved, in years' past.  Its symbolism of new life and grace, by way of Christ's death and resurrection, always had me feeling thankful and renewed in faith.

This year was different.  I still am not speaking to God and really don't know where I'm at with my faith, or if I even have any.  I just can't shake off what He's allowed, and I just can't let it go.  I went to church with the family, because they wanted me to, but I couldn't bring myself to sing the songs(or even stand during them), and I certainly didn't take communion. I'm all set.  So- this Easter was "new" for me but not in the usual way.  I wonder if this is a one-time life phase (it's been pretty long, if so), or if this is the new normal.  Either way, Easter Sunday was a nice day- I like seeing happy families out together, and I love time with my family, and enjoy going to visit the extended family.  

Another new thing was that the boys didn't want baskets this year~ some candy and $5 per kid made them happy campers, and I can dig this new tradition!

Memories

It was rotting, and splintered, and time to be taken down, after 11-12years.  All three boys have swung here on baby swings and bucket swings, and all three learned how to pump on a "big boy swing" here.

Bittersweet to see it gone.  A couple of the boys' friends were over and said goodbye to a long-time friend: our swingset.