Day by day...

The days have passed so quickly!

Of course, this month's been full of exciting events, which passess the time faster than I'd expect. We celebrated our fifth anniversary with dinner at our favorite seafood restaurant, followed by a wine-tasting at a local wine bar, where we discovered a new favorite white, and my Sohl-mate found a new red he loves. I look forward to trying the Moscato D'Asti at some point, which promises to be within my realm of sweetness.

My Sohl-son also ended his first year of "school," complete with an end-of-the-year program. While he didn't sing along, he fully enjoyed the stage, and danced his little heart out.

My Sohl-gal and I left early the next morning for my parents' home, where we helped my younger sister complete last minute details for her wedding. From picking up rings to laundry to cleaning to table decorating, my little Sohl-gal was a trooper. I had a wonderful time meeting my sister's friends, learning more first-hand information about my new brother, and spending some "unaccompanied" time being myself. Though my Sohl-mate and I were none to anxious to depart, we pray for strength for my sister and her new husband, and pray for peace and love to abound in their new home.

We're also praying for God's will for our future to become clear. We greatly miss the love and closeness of our family, and this trip made the distance, both physical and emotional, so much more real. While we love the Navy, love the opportunities it offers, love the benefits, love the idea of experiencing new places and people, and we love our church friends and family, who have become closer to us than I ever could have imagined, we both terribly miss the familiarity of our family. There's nothing else like that sense of belonging when someone completely gets you without even trying. So we're praying. Praying for signs, praying for peace. We're giving it to God, and trying to leave it there.

Once home, we enjoyed our mini-vacation from life's little distractions for a few days. We took the opportunity to do a little yard work, house work, and mostly soaked in some family time.

Last week we enjoyed a playdate at our friend Ethan's house, and while the boys didn't play together much, it seems they learned from each other nonetheless. Carter learned the sign for thank you, and Ethan said, "No thank you." His mom swears that Carter taught him, but I think the reinforcement that someone his age actually says something like that let him show the language he already had. I look forward to more playdates with Ethan, and with other friends from church and school this summer, as I know my son does. Playdate, anyone?

A friend's recent birthday saw my little Sohls and me at the local athletic club, enjoying their gymnastic equipment. I must say that this was the most enjoyable child's birthday party I've ever attended, as there were plenty of opportunities for children and adults alike to jump, swing, and flip off of all sorts of surfaces. While this Sohl doesn't do flips (nor did I ever), I enjoyed watching my friends cut loose, and cherished seeing my Sohl son tearing around a place completely designed for just such a purpose. (We even left completely unscathed!!) And, as a remarkable change, my Sohl-son was NOT the first to sample the cake! Hooray! (Sidenote, at each of his birthdays, and 3 others, he's sample the cake well before the birthday song had even been considered, so this is HUGE for us!)

Tomorrow he starts swim lessons, so we're praying for pictures to post. He's excited to finally get to see that particular pool. He loved the water on our trip, (our hotel had the best hotel pool I've ever seen) and has enjoyed the ocean so far this year, so I'm expecting that he'll be up for whatever his instructor asks of him.

Today I started a web-based bible study which was started by a friend. I am absolutely loving it. I like the freedom to complete it as I'm able, while still having the opportunity to read what others think about the content. This is my first bible study, and I so glad to be participating with this group of ladies. With their strong faith and knowledge, I know I'll learn much from them, and that God will reach my heart in ways I never expected.