What do you think of this quote below?

Rachael Janokovic wrote a profound post over at Desiring God Ministries about motherhood – here’s an excerpt:

Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.

Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another represents the gospel.

Sigh.

Remember what I said about Spring kicking Winter to the curb?

Yeah.  Spoke too soon.

The next several days in my life:

A perfect day:

Today was THE day.  The day Spring kicked Winter's ass.  :) 

It was fantastic.

I asked Layla to show me her beautiful pink shoes with flowers on them.  She can't stop looking at them.  :)

So of course Finn wanted to show me his shoes too.  :)

Who says a princess can't get dirty and do real work?

Jonas put up one small piece of the play-set while waiting for Greg to arrive for help.

Finn was a little unsure about the speed of the slide at first.  

THEN Aunt Andrea and Uncle Greg showed up with Nym, and boy was Layla thrilled!!  She spend about 30 minutes trying to get the dog to eat and drink and calling her from all corners of the yard.  :)

The play-set, beginning stages.  

A princess and her aunt.  

A prince and his aunt.  

Going up the ladder for the first time.  

Finn loves the wheel.  

"Mama, I in a house!!!"

Tightening the wheel.  

Dreaming.  

It was hard for her to climb in the dress.  :)

A twisted swing ride from Aunt Andrea.  

Admiring the work of his hands.  

The final product.  We put it on the dead grass patch for now... ;)

NOW we're just waiting to add a little wading pool and a sand box to the mix, and our back yard will be THE destination this summer for all things cook, kids, and fun!  Hooray for owning a home!  Hooray for back yards!  Hooray for a fence to keep the kids IN said backyard! :)

What a guy!

I came home very late last night, and Jonas surprised me with having our back 3-season porch all set up.  Candles were lit, plants were potted everywhere, decorations were in place, etc.  It looked so calm and peaceful.  :)

Here he is this afternoon enjoying lunch on the porch.  

Layla was zoning in the chair from Uncle Greg and Aunt Andrea.  She found them again in the garage today and has been bringing them everywhere with here.  She is currently upstairs in her room for rest time...IN the chair.  :)

MR. CRANKY PANTS.  He has had a rough 3 days.

But tickles from Papa can always make things better!

Layla decided to join the action at the table...or, under the table.  

The corner by the door.  I ruined it by putting some boxes out for recycling.  ;)

A day spent outside:

Okay, it was a super sunny day, and clearly I did not have the camera on the right setting...but you still get the picture, right? 

 This was yesterday.  I had 2 hours to kill in between picking up the kids from Renee's house at noon, and a meeting BACK at Renee's house at 2:00.  We did several errands, then went to two different parks to run.them.TIRED.  ;)  

The first park was one we used to go to all the time in our old neighborhood.  It was just a block from our apartment.  I think Layla remembered it, but Finn surely didn't.  Their favorite thing to do is stand on the cement block, have me say "Ready, set, GO!" and then run to me.  :)

Finn found a group of boys to say "Hi, guys!" to.

 These pictures are from Newell park.  I really love this park.  It is just COVERED with trees, as I feel parks should be, and it's hilly and so interesting to the eyes.  Plus, what sort of trees are these?  Oaks?  I love them.  Their branches are always so cool, twisted, and unique looking.  Love 'em!

Isn't it great?  Imagine it covered with buds now, or fall colors!