I could go for three day weekends all of the time. As long as they didn't come with the devestation we saw this weekend. Just thinking about the EF5 tornado that destroyed much of the town of Parkersburg turns my heart inside out.

At work we have three employees that lost their homes and most of their possessions. Beth and her family were visiting in Minnesota when they received news of the tornado. They came home to find only the basement of their home somewhat intact. She has a daughter in first grade and a baby.

Adam and his family also lost their home and most of their possessions. They have two little girls that are about 3 and 1 1/2, and they have a premie currently in the hospital in Waterloo.

Kari also lost her home and most of her possessions.

The school in Parkersburg had a lot of damage, and school is cancelled indefinitely for them.

I just can't begin to imagine. There is no way to wrap my mind around all of it. The bits and pieces alone are devestating. I'm not all that into "things". It's the people that are irreplaceable, but that being said - my home, the physical structure, gives me comfort. To have all of your "things" and your home swept away is unfathomable. To have the normalcy that school provides for the kids taken away too. To see trees with great roots ripped from the ground. To face starting over, completely over, when it's not your plan, when you were satisfied with what you had. To have your life change completely in the blink of an eye.

The hard part right now is wanting to do something, but not really being able to do a lot to help. We have started an earned time drive at work to donate time to the affected employees. As they are able to identify their needs, we will do more for them. Please keep them, and all the families in Parkersburg, New Hartford, Dunkerton and other impacted areas in your thoughts and prayers. And hug your kids, your husband, your wife - and enjoy what you have.

A milestone...
Olivia embarked on her first solo bike journey to the post office and the library yesterday. I was cleaning the kitchen, thinking about how grown-up my little girl is getting to be, feeling proud. I heard the back door open, and in she walked. "Now which way is it to the post office?"
She's growing up, but she's still my Olivia!!!

A sign of the times we live in...
Whenever the topic of conversation moves to something unknown or question provoking, Elliott is the first one to suggest with enthusiasm that "we should goo-goo it".

We had a splendid spring weekend. Those of you who live in the Midwest can appreciate our enjoyment. It was a VERY long winter.

What I love about spring...

**Going barefoot.

**Mowing the lawn (yes, I won't be saying that in July).

**Having energy. It's nice to come home and want to do things other than eat dinner and go to bed.

**Playing outside with my girls

**Having the windows open. Fresh air, chilly nights, birds singing.

**Watching things grow.

**Sunshine.

**My windchimes from Jackie that Chris moved outside.

**Attacking the creeping charlie (yes, I could be a little OCD with the weeds - our yard would keep me occupied for a very long time!).

**Walks to the park - watching the dog dig in the mud at the edge of the river. Watching the girls put their feet in the water and throw sticks for the dog.

**Grilling - Chris made the most fantastic pork chops and corn on the cob tonight.

Spring is good.

Elliott and I walked in the Heart Walk on Saturday in honor of our friend Drew Steffen (who is now a year old!) and Papa Roger - who we miss while he's in Colorado visiting Aunt Donna & Uncle Ron (we miss you too Grandma!). They had a GREAT crowd, and it was the most beautiful day for it.

Today we went to a birthday party for our friend Asher. He turned four. He and Elliott are the best of friends. It's so much fun to watch them together. The party was at Chuck E. Cheese - so a good time was had by all. Then we stopped by to see Great Grandma and take her for a walk, but she was already out and about - which is great! We did go for a walk anyway - and were able to feed one duck and walk through the sculpture garden.

In other news, Elliott has really mastered putting puzzles together - and she is so proud of herself!

Elliott speaking: Hey Daddy, we know your real name.
But we like to call you Daddy.

Happy Mother's Day to mothers everywhere!!!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Random thoughts
Some things, perhaps I say too much... So Elliott's telling me about her day in preschool. She knows what the bears do during the spring and summer. During the winter they hibernate. During the spring and summer they have their kids. Then she proceeds to tell me that she was in my tummy when she was a baby. Yes, that's right. And then she says, aren't you glad that I wasn't born in a barn like Olivia?

She's my short haired girl!!!

You're my brown-eyed girl... Do you remember when...