Weep or rejoice?

We’ve owned our 15 acres for several months now, so we have seen it go from snow to buds to fully-leaved trees. Once things started growing we saw that our land has a lot of low-lying cactus plants growing. And I mean a lot.

It bummed me out, because I want my kids to race around freely through the property while growing up. I don’t want them to have to look where they are going so much.

We drove out there on Sunday to look around and make a couple decisions about the frontage. As soon as we drove in I shouted, “Look! Look at the cacti!” (To be honest, I think I said cactuses. Even a person who makes a living correcting grammar lets some mistakes fly occasionally.)

The cactus plants, which I haven’t liked at all, are in full bloom. They are beautiful.

When I was growing up my mom gave me a poster with a long stemmed rose on it. Alongside the rose it said, “I can weep because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

My sister has mentioned several times in her blog that she is a “glass half empty” kind of girl. I think it’s in our genes. Heck, even my mom knew it when she gave me that poster back when I was a grumpy teen.

So, as I work to dig myself out of the hole of the past year, I think the cacti were there for a reason. A smack-in-the-face reminder that everything has thorns, but there is also beauty abounding. It’s all about seeking it out, and appreciating the good. The bad just makes the good that much better.

So here’s to the good! The beauty among the thorns!I pick to rejoice.
And some more flowers on our property.I asked Kyle and Erin to hold their arms out while I took their picture......and Kyle said, "No, I want one like this." Love that boy!

Movin' On Up!

Kyle is done! He is no longer a Pre-K kid, but he is a Kindergartner!! And he is excited! What a fabulous year my little guy had. I think back to a year ago when I struggled with deciding whether to send him to Kindergarten -- which he barely met the deadline for -- or send him to Pre-Kindergarten. I decided I didn't want him spending the first couple of months as a four year old in Kindergarten, I didn't want him to always be a year younger than many kids, smaller on sports teams down the line, the last to drive, etc. I wanted to make sure he started with a firm footing.

I am so glad of the decision I made. Kyle had a wonderful teacher. She was great with him. He learned so much, and I have seen so much evidence of his knowledge. And he LOVED school. I have no doubt that he will head to Kindergarten next year as ready as anyone can be, and he will have gotten the strong foundation this year that will allow him to excel next year and beyond. Great job, Kyle.

Now on to the fun... Kyle ended his school year with a bang. His class had a picnic lunch trip planned to Kids Corner. They were going to ride the bus, play and eat. FUN! Fortunately, it rained. And then poured. And then lightening and thundered. Fortunately, you say?

Well, the *first* attempt at the trip led to activities being planned at school. They had a great indoor picnic and fun time. The parachute was brought out, there were bean bag songs -- you name it.

But the teachers felt bad they missed their trip, so they still got to go the next week! So Kyle's day of fun turned into two days of fun. :) And then, of course, there was the final end of the year picnic for the whole school. What a great way to end things!

Here are pictures from all three events.

Kyle and his teacher, Mrs. Flower.

Kyle and Granny Betty, the classroom grandma that helped each day.