Our Week Off, Goodbyes and Hellos

It's been a special week for us. Patrick finished his semester last week and we were looking forward to spending some quality time as a family and hoping for some good weather. I feel we accomplished our goals.

Gloria turned 5 months decided she doesn't like food. This is the look she gave me when I put the tiniest piece if poptart crust in her mouth.

We gained a greater appreciation for our past by visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential library.


Our visit was made complete by a stop at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall and Twisty Cone. Gloria was especially skeptical of the Harley Davidson Giant. I love that she is forming these opinions so early.

We enjoyed the beauty of Spring at the Botanical Gardens with our friends.





In addition, we learned more about life by attending an infant funeral. A friend of ours, Shante, lost her baby when she went into unstoppable labor at 5 1/2 months.

I've learned a lot about myself from this experience and for this reason I am grateful for it. Every soul is precious and God is mindful of each one. I believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ which makes this experience no less painful but eternally more hopeful. I am learning how to feel things differently. Maybe it has to do with being a Mom, maybe it's just how life is, but I find myself recognizing the value of emotion in a way I have not appreciated before.

Patrick begins class again on Monday and I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited to get back to a regular schedule. I think Gloria also misses the rhythm of non-vacation weeks. Everyday she shows us a little bit more of her sparkling, happy personality. She is so fun.