Signs of Spring

Have we not been having the craziest weather this year? I took these pictures on Saturday, and we were in sandals and shorts. Then this morning, two days later, I drove to work in the snow! That's why I titled this post "Signs of Spring" and not "Spring has Sprung", because it seems to be more interested in playing peek-a-boo.

We took advantage of the sunny weather to try on some new spring clothes and shoes. We also visited the Easter bunny! I haven't scanned that picture yet, sorry!





While at the mall, Grace and DJ picked out a new hat for her to wear this summer. It's the cutest thing!





Come on, Spring! We've had enough snow and ice and cold! We need a reason to wear our cute new shoes, clothes, and hats!

Whitney and Cole's Wedding

On March 13, the Donaldson family grew to include the Kristynik family, when DJ's younger sister Whitney married Cole in one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended. DJ was a groomsman and Grace was a flower girl, and I was just along for the ride. :)

The rehearsal went well and dinner was a highly entertaining meal, with everyone giving speeches and toasts with lots of love and laughter.

This is Grace, Cole Mac (Cole's nephew), and Ellie (Grace's cousin)






The day of the wedding was perfectly sunny, and everyone, with the exception of the grumpy child my daughter had morphed in to, was excited! We ate breakfast and started getting ready at the hotel, then everyone moved to the Chateau, where the festivities really began. Grace has her hair curled, against her wishes, then got to wear her dress, which she loved.






The girls and I played freeze dance while waiting for their turn in pictures. They looked so sweet in their matching dresses and curls.




Grace and Ellie enjoyed the landscaping. They decided to pick their own bouquets for the wedding, haha!


The bride, bridesmaids, and flower girls




When we got to the church, we stayed in the bride's room for a few minutes.




This is DJ's grandmother, with Grace and Ellie.



After the wedding, of course, were more pictures. So, Grace and DJ had to amuse themselves for a little while.




Once we got to the reception, we waited during the cocktail hour, then had some dinner, and then the dancing started. Darrell and Whitney danced first, to a touching song dedicated to Darrell's father.









And then everyone else danced! And danced! And danced! I eventually had to drag Grace and DJ off the dance floor at the end of the reception!






We had a wonderful time with all of the family, and truly enjoyed the wedding. Thanks Whitney and Cole!

Thank you, Dr. Seuss

Grace has always had an avid interest in everything related to words. As a baby, she was entranced by flashcards. Once she began sitting up, I would just prop books in front of her, and turn the page occasionally.



She would talk anyone into reading with her!






Or be content reading alone...




She has books in every room of the house, and even in our car!


Due to her strong interest in reading, it's no surprise that she talked well before she walked. At eleven months old, she knew about a dozen words, including the all important "no" and "mama", as well as "ball", "go", and "cookie". From there, it was a flurry of speech improvement, phrases and sentences at an early age, basic reading concept understandings, and finally, sight words. She is flying through the Kindergarten sight word list, and reading more and more everyday.

Tonight, she brought me her favorite book, Dr. Seuss 's The Cat in the Hat. She asked me to read it, and I did. Then she calmly took the book, told me, "Let me find my favorite page", then read me this page out of the book. She put such vehemence and strength into the reading, because she was speaking from the fish's point of view. It cracked me up! This is one of the first times I've heard her read independently. Her intelligence and curiosity are sources of endless pleasure for me. May she always love learning as she does now!

The Look of Love

As time continues to move forward in our relationship, my love for DJ astonishingly grows. We only spend a few precious days together each month, which in some ways strengthens our bond (the whole absence makes the heart grow fonder idea) and in other ways makes our lives exceedingly frustrating. In all the chaos of working, taking classes, raising Grace, housework, and planning our wedding, it is easy for me to lose sight of just how thankful I should be for DJ. God, who always provides for me, even when I think I know what's best for my life (I am often wrong!), knew EXACTLY what He was doing when He sent DJ into my life. DJ is not the man I would have initially chosen for myself, so God chose for me. And what a perfect choice He made!

So, to DJ, my darling love, I am so grateful that our Father knows our hearts better than we do, and that He designed this wonderful plan for us both, because now I truly know the look of love...I see it reflected on your face every time we're together.