Spring is Peeking Out

Well we got what we asked for. . .a winter with lots of snow.  And while it was fun, we are pretty much done with it now.  And spring is done with it too.  She has waited patiently but now she is pushing her way out.

This is our maple tree out front.  See those buds at the end of the branches and those stringy looking things hanging off?  Yep, she is starting to bud out.  I am so excited.  I love spring.  Spring is really the start of the new year for me.  Forget about January.  March is the start of 'what are we going to do this year'.  Seeds get planted and wait for the ground to be just right so they can be transplanted.  Garden plans are started, summer vacation looks close and kids are lining up what they want to do this summer, festivals are starting, the world just starts to wake up and is happy to be alive again.

It is also the start of increased spiritual activity.  March has four of our household auxiliary pioneering this month.  We also have our Circuit Overseer visit this month.  This will be the second visit with our new CO and his wife.  We love them!  We get to attend the entire pioneer meeting this Saturday.  We are all excited for that.  And it will be good motivation for the kids to auxiliary with me this summer.

Mom and Dad are returning to us in a matter of days now.  We are all looking forward to having them back.  We are trying to hurry and finish some last minute things around the house.  Almost everything on our list has been checked off as completed.  ALMOST, things never go exactly as you plan them.  But we are nice and saved some things for Mom and Dad to help with.

We miss you all bunches!  You should come visit this summer or this fall or NOW!

Another Year

This post is long overdue!  If you remember on our one year anniversary of being in Michigan I posted the 52 things we miss about Arizona.  My plan was to then post a year later the 52 things we love about Michigan.  Yep, missed that date.  But I have been trying to get to it.  I promise.

So it has been just over two years now since we moved to Michigan.  Two years, and five months to be exact.  Things haven't changed much since that last post.  It is still hard, busy, crazy, stressful, fun, and wonderful.  We are still learning so much about living here, it seems like it is going to be an ongoing theme to our life.

Tree in spring bloom from last year.

So in honor of another year in the greath north, I bring you another list.  Another year means another 52 things.  This list will be things we love about Michigan combined with phrases we never thought we would hear ourselves say.  Enjoy!

1. Green  2. Spring  3. Summer  4. Fall  5. Winter  6. Trees  7. Lakes  8. Rivers  9. Ponds  10. "We need to plan the garden."  11. Birds  12. Family  13. Congregation  14. "Better bundle up for service today, it is 0º out this morning!"  15. Flowers  16. Wild vegetables  17. Grass  18. "No school today, it's a SNOW DAY!!!!"  19. Friends  20. Farms  21. Backyard wildlife  22. Small Towns  23. "We need to plan a trip. . .to ARIZONA!"  21. Fall colors  22. Homecooked Goodness  23. Not ever reading 110º on the thermometer  24. "It's raining" (again, or still, or period!!!)  25. Snow  26. "I live in Michigan"  27. Wildflowers  28. Weather  29. Bald Eagles  30. Forests  31. "We need to shovel the driveway today"  32. Homecooked Goodness  33. Garden  34. Wild Berries  35. Strawberry picking  36. Snowmobiling  37. Pick-Your-Own Farms  38. "We need to weed in the garden."  39. Aunts and Uncles  40. Space  41. Deer  42. "The kids are down swimming in the lake."  43. "Sorry I missed your call, I was out stacking wood."  44. Four - yep, four DIFFERENT seasons  45. Grandma  46. Dinners consisting of only what we picked from the garden that day  47. Sledding parties  48. Lakes as big as oceans  49. Fireplaces that get used  50. GREEN - have I mentioned this!?!?!  51. Festivals  52. The Scenery!!!!

Potato fields just a few minutes from our house.

Needless to say, we love, love, love it here.  This third year is already almost half over.  Each year brings its own challenges and we are working through them.  Each passing year also makes the missing of or friends and family back in Arizona so much worse.  We miss you all so much.  I can't believe it has been almost a year since we have seen you last.

It truely is beautiful here, you really must see it for yourself.  Our door is always open and we would love to see you.

Squash Blossom from our garden last year.