Spring Break in Kansas City, Part 2

Aaron and I tend to be "early to bed, early to rise", unlike our young adults. So while the rest of the house slept, we snuck out to explore Swope Park.

The weather was absolutely perfect for a hike! We just kept on going and going, until the rest of the family started texting us and asking when we were coming back :-) We might have taken a turn we didn't intend to take! But this trail system is lovely, and I hope to go back again the next time we are in Kansas City.

A build-your-own breakfast burrito bar was waiting for us when we returned to the house, including Shaky K farm's famous candied jalapeños. 

We spent the day playing games (with an extra adopted kid) and laughing a lot.

When the time zones aligned, we enjoyed a video call with Sarah, who was 17 hours ahead of us.

We sampled one of Benjamin and Hannah's favorite coffee shops downtown, 

attended church together,

took Percy (the best dog ever) on a long walk in the historical Cave Spring Park,

and took a tour of UMKC where Benjamin is working towards his MFA.

Spring Break in Kansas City, Part 1

With our young adults spread all over the world, we have to be intentional about spending time together. Spring Break offered the perfect opportunity to gather in Kansas City with Benjamin and Hannah.

I no longer ride in a vehicle very well, so we stop often to stretch our legs. The George Washington Carver National Monument provided a fascinating and educational pause on our roadtrip.

We had no idea what to expect at the park, but we were pleasantly surprised by all of the new-to-us information about all of the incredible things he accomplished.

A trail wound through the area where George grew up, and his quotes were scattered along the path. In our homeschool journey, we read books like "A Weed is a Flower" by Aliki, but in the bookstore we discovered a new, beautifully illustrated book, "The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver".

The exhibit also focused on Carver's walk with the Lord, which was new information to us!

 

Spring and Bird's Nests

 I borrowed my favorite two- and four-year-old siblings to celebrate Spring with bird's nest cookies and some beautiful picture books.

Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Storybook by Martin Jenkins

Cradles in the Trees: The Story of Bird Nests by Patricia Brennan Demuth

Have You Heard the Nesting Bird? by Rita Gray

Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest: Where Birds Begin by Irene Kelly

Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward

My Spring Robin by Anne Rockwell

Exploring God's creation and learning together has never been so delicious!

Adventure Buddy

Katherine and I gratefully picked up Aaron from the airport on a Thursday morning, and by Saturday he was ready to join me on another adventure.

We have wanted to visit the Oark General Store and Cafe for a long time, and this was the weekend! The weather was beautiful, and the hamburgers were worth the wait.

Since we visited on March 14, also known as Pi Day, we also had to try a piece of their famous pie!

After we fueled our bodies, we hit the Ozark Highlands Trail to hike to Train Trestle Falls.

We had so much fun exploring the area and imagining when a train could actually drive over this beautiful waterfall. 

Super thankful to have my adventure buddy back again!

March in Arkansas

While Aaron finished his time in the Solomon Islands, Katherine and I walked to our nearest poll

and placed our votes in the election. This was her first time to vote!

The bulbs continued to make our lives more beautiful,

local farmers continued to nurture us,

and school continued to march quickly toward the finish line for our last young adult.

Spring Sabbath

"We are to garden creation as lovers of God and neighbor. That call to garden includes the gardening of our bodies and the cultivation of the world as a whole.

This means that at heart, all of our work is to cultivate the earth for the sake of love, not for the sake of our name. 

But that implies we're supposed to respect our God-given limits in the process, not ignore them."

~Justin Whitmel Early, "The Body Teaches the Soul"

 

March Health Update

As March rolled around, that signaled my next round of scans and bloodwork.

When I went in for my weekly volunteer slot at CARTI, I also had my CT scan scheduled. The technician was thoughtful enough to give me a bandage that matched my dress! Everything continues to look good, and I don't have to go back again until June.

March in the Solomon Islands

After SITAG's Conference, Aaron made a trip out to Marulaon to work with the translation team.

With Starlink in place, we can now stay in touch with phone calls and emails, which feels wild. 

We're so grateful for the donor who provided the system of communication.

Aaron kept sending me beautiful pictures, like this one of a sunrise from our porch in the village.

And this one, of our friends sending him off from the beach.

And this one, as he rode in the motor boat back to Honiara.

One of the bonuses of his trips back? He gets to interact with our incredible and faithful colleagues.

Our favorite colleague, Sarah, dropped him at the airport to begin his long journey home.

Finishing February

With Aaron overseas, Katherine and I busied ourselves with all sorts of good things. 

We pruned the crape myrtles,

watched the first signs of Spring as the peonies began popping,

began to anticipate Alice's arrival,

reveled in the fragrant flowers that filled our yard,

rejoiced in the opportunity to serve as the attendance mom for the youth symphony,

found whole fish at an Asian market and recreated a favorite recipe,

hit the gym together,

and taught lots of cello lessons to some amazing students.

 

Puppy Chow Power

One of my cello students suggested I replace the powdered sugar in puppy chow with my favorite chocolate protein powder.

Game changer. More flavor and protein, less sweet. Exactly right.