Where has the spring gone? How time has flown by . . . oh, since . . . mid-March when I last put a post out there in cyber space!  Time to get life back on track and continue on this adventure that I felt God prodding me to do.  Well, let’s just say, I pray it was God’s prompting and not just my flesh 🙂

Here’s the update on my life since mid-March (I’ll understand if this bores some of you … but this is a blog and I get to write in it what I want):

In March my husband took a ‘buck-list’ type trip out to Idaho to snowmobile in the mountains with his brother, some friends and his cousin who lives out there.  It was a wonderful time for him . . . . not so much for me.  I live in Northeastern Wisconsin . . . where weather is totally unpredictable!  And, well . . this spring ~ March specifically ~ was that kind of spring.

We heat our home by a wood burning furnace out back behind our shed (or some call it a ‘pull barn’ because of its size).  While he was gone it was my job to ‘keep the fire burning’ at home.  It is a difficult task to say the least.  I won’t go into too many details . . . but near the end, before he came home, I’d cry just putting on the warm clothes to head out and fill the stove.

On top of the wood situation, was the daunting task of shoveling snow.  He thought we’d be good and there would be no snow . . . but of course, he was wrong.  We had quite a bit of snow . . .which added to my love of winter (not-so-much!).  This along with a trip down to Chicago to take my mom to an infusion appointment . . .well, by the end of the two weeks . . I was so exhausted I didn’t even know how exhausted I was.

Now mid- to end of March brings with it the anticipation of my youngest daughter’s one sport she still does (and loves!) ~ Soccer!! So, the schedule changes a bit in our home as the soccer season of try-outs, practice and games begin.   I knew it was coming . . but its always different when you are living it.

A little more stretching was happening.

Then April brought with it more interesting twists and turns.  Our winter would not let go . . . so soccer games kept getting canceled or rescheduled.  My husband turned 50 years old mid-April . . and thankfully my oldest daughter has spurred and pushed me to throw a surprise party for him.  It was a success!  But . . . .

A little more stretching was happening.

During this time, while being exhausted but not able to put my finger on it, my youngest daughter (yes, same one that was in soccer) was quickly approaching the end of her High School years ~ cramming for test, finishing papers & projects, working on the Senior slide show for graduation, soccer practice, etc!  She also began, appropriately, encouraging me to get working on her scrapbook.  Grateful for her gentle, yet firm, prodding, but . . . .

More stretching.

Which I was now beginning to realize because . . . .well, there comes a point when your body does tell you that you are stretched to the max and you are very stressed!!

Just keeping up with normal tasks around the home and responsibilities within the two ministries I volunteer with . . .well, were very tough.  My patience was not very patient.  I would like to say so much of my stress / being stretched to the max . . our my hormones fault (which have been causing me much distress!) . . but that would not be the biblically responsible thing to do.  (Though, my hormones have been CRAZY!)

All in all . . . through this spring of ‘stress’ and stretching . . . I’ve neglected my desire to blog.  But now . . .

Soccer is over.  Daughter has finished high school and graduated.  We have had her graduation open house party.  I’ve caught up (somewhat) on counseling appointments and am working to settling into a routine for the summer ~ a routine that includes being still and in Jesus presence, counseling & developing the counseling ministry, reading, blogging, being with my girls before they head to college, enjoying whatever warm weather (by walking with my hubby) that Northeastern Wisconsin will bring to us . . and generally slowing down a bit.

I hope to this month blog on the topic of marriage . . as it seems so many weddings and thus, anniversaries happen in June.

But, truthfully . . . we will see where God takes me.

I do need to find out what He was trying to teach me as I was stretched to the max this spring!

Happy Summer everyone!