There was about six to eight weeks this winter that seemed to drag on and on, but I knew even then that it would never last for too long.

Now we are back to being as busy as ever!

I think I really enjoy both seasons, and they both serve their purpose as well!

March has been flying by!

Unless something changes, March and September will be our two months full of doctor appointments for Tate and Eliza.

As I say that, I remembered that Eliza will be back at Shriner’s in May as well.

We spent the afternoon of Eliza’s birthday at the local hospital for two renal ultrasounds.

Even though these are imaging appointments, and we do them both at the same time, they are pretty quick!

We are usually in and out of there in one hour.

Tate and Eliza love this waiting room, and they do not have any problem hopping up on the bed to have their ultrasounds done.

SO thankful!

I am trying to be very, very consistent in stretching twice a day every day.

I am sure you can see my dilemma though!

I get very distracted when two cuties try to do back extensions with me!

We are still working hard with Eliza to teach her ways to cope with her severe sensory needs.

We see HUGE strides in this area when we are consistent with essential oils – and we are teaching Eliza how to realize she should reach for those oil bottles as well.

Lavender oil in Eliza’s bath water takes bath time, towel drying, changing into pjs, and combing and drying Eliza’s hair from a huge melt down to her singing and smiling through the entire process!

She is my hero.

Really.

She has come SO FAR.

Our other Chinese cutie still needs to know before bed every night and after each meal what will be served at the next meal.

His security in knowing there will always be food has grown SO MUCH – so I don’t wonder sometimes if these questions are just a habit now!

He sure loves when his Mama will make him an egg in the hole!

With cheese, of course!

I have been working on another goal too – making sure the bites I take for the snacks I eat are worth taking.

I am finding all kinds of yummy AND nutritious things!

There is a tablespoon of decaf coffee beans in this smoothie – but the rest of its health made up for that fact!

I love, love making food for my good eaters too – and I have been purposing to find new things for us to try.

Rice cakes were a hit!

Wraps for lunch are not new – but they still love them very much.

We will mix things up with different veggies, meats and hummus to make them different each time!

The four youngest and I eat at Kay’s for lunch once a week.

Guess what I took over for lunch this day?

YEP! Favorite all around.

Soup!

These guys work out together several times a week.

Nothing better than hearing them out there before the sun comes up – usually listening to a sermon while they work out.

Now you know why I am in the kitchen all the day long!

Good thing I have such cute helpers.

There was one helper this day that was eating more than he was cutting.

Ahem.

Addie Mae still blesses me by running errands whenever she can.

These two love, love, love it when she picks up all of the books I have ordered from the library!

Speaking of our beautiful daughter, while Blake and I were gone Addie had planned many fun things for the kiddos to keep them busy.

They had such a blast!!

Library day with big sis Kayla and her crew –

The park on another beautiful day with our same favorites –

They all LOVE to help, really they do.

The littles made a fruit salad together!

There was a drive around bingo game one morning.

SO cute!!

Tate and Eliza painted with some of the craft gifts Eliza was given for her birthday.

Sundays are very hard for Eliza still – so Addie sent Blake and I a text and photo to show how great Eliza was doing on Sunday morning.

Made my heart so happy!!

Addie also sent me photos of the sunrises and sunsets at Twin Oaks because she knows they are my favorite thing!

I usually get texts from Addie on Wednesdays too – when she is at Kayla’s helping her!

OH. MY. HEART.

Chad had an orthodontist appointment this past Monday.

His teeth have changed so much already!

I took a special helper with us to town.

Eliza was very distracted by the TV screens they have above all of the patients heads!

Can we talk about this squat though?

Super cute!

Games.

It’s an afternoon thing.

And a winter thing.

Hopefully we will be outside more than we are now very soon!

We had lunch at River’s place on Thursday.

I took root beer floats!

That’s what NaiNai’s do.

We also had loaded baked yams for dinner on Wednesday night and I took the leftovers to River’s place for lunch.

I wish you could have seen all those kiddos enjoy all this yumminess!!

Guitar practice and guitar lessons are happening in a new spot now.

Chad sings as he plays his guitar – and it makes my heart SO full.

The business of spring has made for some sleepy kiddos.

Eliza is our late one!

I love that our home school life can allow the kiddos the sleep they need!

Eliza misses breakfast most days….and this day her Mama gave her what she asked for instead of reheating what had been made earlier.

Bad Mama.

In a good way!

Part of my morning routine is to run a k-cup coffee and set it in the fridge for an iced coffee in the afternoon!

Speaking of that – I better get after this beautiful day!!

Happy Monday, everyone!!!

Hope it is sunny, bright, and spring like where you are too!!