Memorial Day

We decided to honor our fallen heroes with a trip to Ft. Snelling National Cemetary today.  It was a beautiful spring day and the scene of thousands of people paying their respects to service members was a powerful sight.  The sea of white tombstones is a solemn reminder of the cost of our freedom,  and I was honored to walk along the ground where so many soldiers, sailors and airmen have been laid to rest.  We paid a special visit to the graves of Nikki's grandma and grandpa Landon, both of whom served during WWII.  Her grandpa Les was a tough Marine who fought in the south Pacific, an experience that impacted his life and those around him long after he returned from the front lines.  Her Grandma Suzanne served as a Naval Nurse as well.  I was honored to pay my respects to them today, and I am grateful for the service and sacrifice of our armed forces, past and present.  

May God bless the families of those who have lost loved ones in battle.    

Nikki's grandparents both served in World War II.  

We observed this woman praying in front of a grave with who appeared to be her son, perhaps visiting her husband and his father.  I noticed the year he died as we walked past, 1983, and imagined her returning to visit him each Memorial Day for the past 30+ years.  I suspect she'll be seeing him again one day soon.

Pottery Tour

We had a beautiful weekend for the annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour.  We look forward every year to this event.

Spring

For lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth,

The time of singing has come.

Song of Solomon 2: 11-12 

Kind of a big deal

I Heart Mom

Look at these two!  What an honor to have these boys.  I love them from the top of their heads to the tips of their toes.  I couldn't be more grateful.

And here's my mom.  She's strong, encouraging, selfless, optimistic, positive, caring, loving, kind and is basically my rock.  If you know her, you know how amazing she is.  Can't even tell you how thankful I am for all she has done for us.  Thanks, Mom, for being you.  I love you!

The other important Mom in my life is Lin.  I am thankful to have such a wonderful mother in law.  She loves deeply, gives the best hugs, and has offered me grace & patience for as long as I have known her son.  She is wise and is one of the best prayer warriors I know.  I always appreciate her encouragement and passion for people.

Spring has sprung

Best bubbles ever!

Nothing like a beautiful Easter morning.

Sinclair Easter 2014

Attempt #1

Attempt #2 (We got Lydia)

Attempt #3 (Hmm…)

Attempt #4 (we're out) 

Nathan's adventures up north

Plenty of sand

Plenty of snow

Celebrating Grandma's birthday dinner

Cruising

Swinging

Digging

Contemplating

Helping

Home!

Hi friends!  Whew, it's been awhile.  My life the last several weeks have been completely occupied by my back injury.   Let me personally thank all of our friends, family and church family for the continued prayers, visits, phone calls, support, meals, encouragement, care for our kids, love and concern that you have shown Scott, myself and the boys.  We are so thankful for you all.  

I am also thankful for healing!  I've definitely turned a corner and making progress each and every day.  l have a lot of Physical Therapy on the books and need to take it easy, but the pain has subsided.   Thank the good Lord.

My parents stayed with us and then took Nathan home for a couple of weeks.  I'm still not quite ready to take him on by myself during the day so my mom is here this week as well.  Again thankful!  Obviously with Jacob being quite self sufficient - he's easier to manage.

While most moms are counting down the days until school ends and transitioning into summer mode, I'm doing the opposite and getting ready for Nathan to start day care for a few weeks.  For a stay at home mom this is definitely a new one for me.  Thankfully the day care where Jacob goes to school has space and they are SO flexible!  What a blessing in making this transition a bit easier.

Jacob has already started baseball practice.  Scott is coaching again.  Their team is the Cincinnati Reds and they are looking good!  Weather has turned nice and we are loving the chance to play outside in the afternoons.

It feels like it's been a long time since we've seen summer and we're welcoming it with open arms!

Have a great week friends and thanks for checking in.