“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” -Margaret Atwood
March brought in some pretty amazing weather and we gladly soaked it up! The weather was so nice that I begged an ouutdoor bell from Ge so that I could call the kids when they have adventures up on the hill. May starts snake season and they don’t like to venture up there during those times. So, the bell will have to wait to be used until the fall.
Football…
with dad… 
is awesome!
Mark had jury duty a week before Emmie got the halo off. He had called and explained our situation to the court person and she assured him that nothing big was coming up and he needed to come on in. He had to go in on Tuesday, got called back and then promptly sent home. He was home by 11 and we got bonus time with dad. The kids introduced him to our picnics on the front lawn. We have been doing these even before we moved in to this house. 
Emmie decided she needed to take daddy on a walk and show him the place.
Emmie loves her little red wagon. One day, she decided that she didn’t want to be pushed anymore. Instead, she wanted to pull me. She showed me right where to sit and promptly walked to the handle and grunted and heaved trying to pull me in it. Imagine how upset she was when she realized it wouldn’t budge.
The girls pick out the fabric for their spring dresses. I wanted a coral and blue but they wanted blue, green and yellow. Blue and green for NF colors. Yellow and blue for Y the Brave’s home country. Then, the girls get to pick out the pattern they either want to try (for Zoe) or that I get to tackle. I’ve used the pattern for Ceili Rain’s dress before and I completely forgot about how much fabric it took. It was a lot ya’ll! Zoe’s skirt was from 
Look at those boys! I can’t wait to see six silly boys in that picture.
Emmie was napping on the first go round. So, we had to wait until later in the afternoon to include her (then it started raining). I made two dresses for her so that she could match her sisters before the halo and after the halo.
Emmie says, “This IS my silly face!”
This was a birthday of awesome faces too. Ya’ll, he’s just too cute for words.
Okay, one picture of our special Frodo the Cat. He got sick after we returned and unfortunately, passed away. It was a very tough time for us.
Park play day. After a series of cold day, well, sort of cold, it’s the South after all, we like to venture out to the park. Warm February days are the best too because the pollen hasn’t arrived.
First time giving blood. It just took our Super Ems to motivate me. We were able to bank my blood and Grandmere’s for Emmie’s surgery. She did need some. So, we were both grateful we could give (and through a big miracle for Grandmere) to help her and I learned that it’s not as scary as I thought. 
Any Trim Healthy Mama will know this yogurt. And will also know the sadness in having it consumed by a cute toddler. She likes it so much, I have to sneak it before she can see me or she’ll eat the whole cup.
Frodo loved to nap with Emmie. He tried several times to cuddle next to her but she would squeal and get excited and he’d settle for sleeping near by.
What’s better than one bow? Two!
Liam is learning sme better distraction techniques so he can finish school.
See the yogurt face. 
Sour cream doughnut hearts for Valentine’s day! Oh yeah.
Climbing stairs (with lots of help) after being discharged. She had to have help and rest half way but she was thrilled to walk up.
She tested it out to make sure it would work.
And helped pick out a couple of outfits.
Meet Super Bear. She has been through surgery and will head in next week with us for the CT scan.
The beautiful weather meant a trip outside. 
Where she lifted up her leg for the blood pressure cuff and stuck out her finger for the pulse ox. Not a single whimper or cry. That was a first. She knows the drill now. We’re so excited that the stresses of a normal vital check are over but so sad to know that she has gotten used to this and it’s just a part of her life.
A sweet blessing at the American Girl store came as we spoke with one of the sales clerks. She wanted to know all about Emmie. I mentioned she was having surgery the next day and we wanted to do something special before then. Emmie spent the whole time playing with the babies and the play food. I talked Mark in to getting a diaper bag for her (it came with goodies, ya’ll). As we were picking out stuff for it, the store manager came over with a bag of stickers, coloring sheets and all sorts of prizes. I felt bad because all Emmie wanted to do was play with the babies at the time. She definitely has enjoyed those goodies since then and American Girl made sure to win us over even more with their sweet sales staff!
Papa and Grandmere made a super early morning trek to be there before surgery.
In our personal surgery room just waiting. She did good again with the blood pressure cuff and pulse ox. 
After her happy juice. She was as good as can be.
The anesthesiologist came by and talked with Super Bear.
Meanwhile back home…The kids had gotten the shirts in on Tuesday and were ready to show their support on surgery date. Aunt Tracy came by to get her shirt as well.
That right there is a good friend. Braving my children, her children and a few extra while unknowingly preparing to deal with a stomach bug after she left (three of her kids and herself got it…only one of ours did).
to this: 
in a matter of hours.
