Sunshine On My Shoulders....

Ahhhhhh. The first taste of spring is always SO refreshing- the tulip bulbs, the GREEN blades of grass, and even the mudpuddles (better than ice patches!). We have taken every opportunity to soak up the glorious sun this week-- in the evenings after I get home from work, in the front yard exploring tree bark with Daddy, on a walk-run Saturday morning, at the playground this weekend... It's been a long winter, weather-ly and emotionally speaking, and we are more than ready to delight in the sunshine and new life that accompanies spring. Also, perhaps it's coincidental, but Isabelle seems spunkier than ever recently... she now struts down the sidewalk with glee, exploring each blade of grass, tree trunk, and twig. She still insists on holding on to somebody's finger while walking, but I have a feeling that, with all the new things to explore outdoors, she'll be on her own any day. Craziness.

Speaking of change, we've had an abrupt shift, well, acceleration in our plans this weekend. Reg got a call last night asking if he could come interview for a management position in Fort Collins this week. After some thought, prayer, and a lot of discussion, we decided it would make sense for him to drive out there this week, and spend some time interviewing and networking. Isabelle and I look forward to joining him as soon as possible... In the meantime, I will continue to work, and Izzy will make her entrance into the world of preschool. Again, CRAZINESS. How is our little girl ready to march off to school by herself every day? (Okay okay, it's just the one-year-old room at daycare, but it feels like she's getting on the school bus with her lunchbox, or- GULP- walking into her freshman dorm. I need to go get a tissue!).

Thankfully, it won't be EVERY day, as Saint- I mean Uncle- John has volunteered to spend 1-2 days a week with his niece here at our house. Hopefully this will ease the transition for her, although it will still be a HUGE change, as she's been with her dad almost every week day for the last 10 months. Hopefully she'll be more adaptable than her mother. My Grandma Shirley says the Norwegian in us hates change. I have found this to be comically and painfully true in my own life... Norwegian though I may be, it's one trait I am not proud of! But, I read a quote recently that said, “Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." So onward we march, and I will try to pry my heels up out of the dirt and put one foot in front of the other as we enter this new phase. And I know that no matter what time zone we are in, tomorrow the sun will rise just like it did today, and we will be blessed with love, and emerging tulips, and God's grace.