Most of May

I think the two pictures of Sarah are actually from April...First is when Grandpa Freeman visited her at Calvin over her birthday weekend! So great for them to see each other again!

Below is a picture a track friend took when Sarah ran at the legendary Hillsdale meet. I so miss watching her run, but at least she always texts me to tell me how it goes!

Bethany ran track also and her last meet was technically in April because she was a counselor for 6th grade outdoor education over the last regular season meet, which was in the beginning of May. 

It was teacher appreciation week at the beginning of May and the parents outdid themselves this year! All the doors were decorated (SO CUTE!) and we had tons of goodies and treats and gifts and flowers and food and coffee and notes and cards. It was great.

The end of April/beginning of May always brings GEMS Sunday. We had several girls involved in the service this year, including Becca's guitar debut on "His Love Never Fails."

I asked my dad to build me some cedar planter boxes for the sides of my garage. He's the best. And I love my new planters.

Ed's Dad came for a visit over a long weekend! It wasn't the best weather, but it turned out better than expected and we were able to see and do a lot and had a great time! Hopefully he can visit again sooner rather than later.

Visiting Canada without actually visiting Canada at the Peace Arch...

And we celebrated Mother's Day!

Becca had one last meet - the FINALS! She got to run on a relay team and they did great! Love the friends she has made through trying out school sports!

This year both our choir director & orchestra director will be leaving our school (they're married) and moving to Iowa. We will miss them a lot - especially the Mrs...Bethany has had her as a teacher since first grade! It's pretty sad to lose her right before Bethany's Senior year. Her last orchestra concert was wonderful and fun...and also emotional. Goodbyes are not easy. 

Becca & her friend were the "MC's" for the concert and they were super cute!

The orchestra director always lets them do fun things like wear pirate hats when they play the theme from "Pirates of the Caribbean"...and tie balloons to their instruments when they play the theme from "Willy Wonka." She's great like that.

Orchestra means friends!

And then Sarah came home!!!!!!

And Becca and six other youth from our church made Profession of Faith. Best days of a mama's life are when their children take the step to proclaim Jesus as their Lord.

My garden finally started blooming...everything is about 3 weeks behind schedule this year due to a cold and wet spring.

Becca had a voice recital and she was amazing! Her teacher is just a fantastic voice teacher, not to mention beautiful woman of God. We are privileged to have her pouring into our lives and Becca's life.

We had to celebrate Elise's birthday a little early since my parents went to CA and soon Sarah & Bethany & I are off to Zambia!

A very special friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Her aunt made her this beautiful prayer quilt and a bunch of us got together one morning to tie knots and pray together. Please join us in praying for her healing.

We finally got some warm temperatures and we even had to water the lawn!! The girls were having fun getting wet, too.