Absent

Absent (as described by Dictionary.com)

1. not in a certain place at a given time; away, missing (opposed to present): absent from...

I can't believe I have been absent from my blog for TWO weeks.  Is that really possible?  I mean I know life has picked up the pace but TWO WHOLE WEEKS?  I suppose I ought to give a few highlights in order to catch up. 

My mom and I planted a garden in my backyard which is a big adventure for me.  I tried tomatoes last year and decided if I could keep them alive I would add a few other plants too.  As a result, we planted 4 types of tomatoes this year and I've started several herbs and beans from seeds as well.  We had hoped to have a giant pumpkin, squash, zucchini, jaclolantern pumpkins and cucumbers in the ground at the same time but we realized the back sprinklers weren't working in the garden.  Just as I managed to get them fixed the weather turned rainy.  I can't begin to tell you how exciting it is for me to see something I planted coming up and remaining alive.  I pray I can keep it up til everything is ready to be harvested.   

We checked out a Strawberry festival and had a blast.  At the last minute I asked if Yaya's buddy could join us which worked out perfect.  These two had a blast together on the rides and couldn't have been any more excited to see and talk to Strawberry Shortcake.

Bird and Yaya spoiled me rotten for Mother's Day.  It all began with Yaya's class celebrating Mother's Day at their Spring Sing event.  What a way to touch a momma's heart.  I cried like a baby at how much my little girl has grown up over the last year.  All the kids did such great job.

Can you tell she's soaking up the spotlight?  She was posing like she thought she was a Super Model.  NO JOKE!

In addition, they brought me chocolates, homemade gifts and we spent the day hiking with my parents along the river.  As always the only thing missing was my brother and nephews to share in the fun. 

Since then we've been busy entertaining.  A friend I hadn't seen since our wedding came to stay with us and it was so nice having him here.  He and Bird made me laugh so much it hurt.  I'll have to make a mental note here of how much trouble these two are when they're together.  It was fun playing tour guide for JD around San Fran and a few other places here and there.  We also took him to see his first Cirque du Soleil show.  He liked it and was amazed by some of the strange acts and stunts.    

Of course these things are all in addition to our normal routines, end of school fieldtrips

and preparations for Yaya's upcoming ballet recital.   

Unfortunately, there is nothing to report on the adoption front for us.  However, I'm excited to tell you our friends became proud parents to their daughter Grace last weekend.  We couldn't be more happy for them!  They've been waiting as long as we have so it meant a lot to see their dream of becoming parents come true.  

After looking back over the past two weeks I realize it's impossible that I've been absent from anything!  I know many of you are feeling and experiencing the same end of the year flourish of activities.  I pray we all take time and soak each of these precious moments up no matter how crazy or frazzled we feel.  Each and every one of them is a precious gift from God.