Things on my camera that have not been blogged about...

We have been busy bees as usual, and I thought I'd take some time and unload some pictures from my camera and update the blog a bit.

So, in some semblance of chronological order (sans pic #1 which was yesterday)...here is what we've been up to in the past several months.

Madeline played Upward soccer.

Sometimes Timothy would play a bit too.Sometimes when Madeline played....
....Timothy hid under his jacket and played DS on the sideline.
The kids have been working hard at school. Here are a few pictures from the end of the last school year...

Madeline at her booth on Upper El Museum Day. (Yes, as a matter of fact, the yellow pipe cleaner creation hanging off the table IS in fact a heme....isn't she brilliant?)
Some of the violin students went and played in the local Montessori preschools...
We went to King's Island with Grandma and Poppy....
Madeline and Daddy got wet, while Timothy and I stayed dry...


Alas, my son had another birthday....this makes 8!He loved his stuffed turtle from Mimi and Papa. =)
Madeline went to summer camp....
She got the second most "bunk notes" of anyone in the camp! Thanks to everyone who wrote her! She felt very loved. =)
She was quick to make friends during her time there....
We enjoyed some fireworks with some of our favorite curly haired sisters on the 4th of July.

Speaking of sisters....my baby sis came up to visit me....
OK, maybe some of the visitors were here to take in an ND game weekend too, but we love our visitors whatever their motivation!
Can you believe my little girl is 11?!? She and her friends thought the roof of the shed was the best place to enjoy their pizza....
Then off to Splash Universe to enjoy some fun in the water and to meet up with more friends and family!
We surprised our birthday girl with kittens!
Who love to sleep in brother's room....
The kiddos went to a costume party at the dojang where we take taekwondo. (Yes, I did say we....our whole family is now getting ready to test for our orange belts....I know....aren't we precious?) Here they are with Master Sponseller. Timothy is dressed up as a Jedi, and Madeline is wearing the dress Grandma Elaine made for her. She is a pioneer girl, like Kirsten. P.S. She made the ragdoll she is holding...

And finally....a video finale! Timothy playing "Over the Rainbow":

Spring Recital
The kids had their recital yesterday afternoon. This was Timothy's very first, and Madeline's second. Timothy has been playing piano for a few months now, and Madeline the violin for a year. They both enjoy playing....though we do have to prompt practicing most days. It has paid off though!

They are pictured here with their teacher, and she has done an excellent job with each of them. They are so very different...as you probably know, and can see from the picture...but she has found a way to get the best from both of them, without taking the joy out of it. We are grateful that it has been a positive experience for each of them, and look forward to many more recitals. =)

Easter

Well, here is the picture of my little sweethearts in their Easter best, as promised to my family. We had a sweet day together celebrating what Christ has done for us. I am always overwhelmed when I try to comprehend the magnitude of what He gave up for someone as undeserving as me.

The past couple of years have been tough ones...Mike and I were talking with someone this morning about all of my training, and during the conversation, I made the statement, "It's not about becoming a doctor, it's about being obedient." It really is. When I think about the sacrifice that Christ made on my behalf, and all of the blessings he's bestowed in addition, obedience is such a small offering. So I keep pressing on...only by His grace.

I recorded a bit of the kids' music this afternoon. Because it is late, and I have a very full week coming, I will close with these and call it a night.

Happy and blessed, shannon

Some life that's happened since last I blogged:
I know this has become a barren wasteland of a blog. I have so many pictures and stories, but life is so full right now; there is seldom time to publish our adventures...many of mine seem to be survival quests! Ah, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. On June 1st I start my third year of medical school, which will begin my more purely clinical years of training....yes, years. Still far to go, but we are making it, and growing on the journey.

We do manage to find the time to carve out moments in our hectic schedule, and we've shared time and made memories with many loved ones that will not be forgotten.

Before my spring break, I made it over to Ohio with the kids to spend some time with my grandparents. We had some dinner with my dad's parents. The kids shared their music, Madeline on the violin and Timothy the piano. They played outside in Grandma's playhouse. Then when Grandma and Grandpa dashed off to root on the girls' basket ball team ;), we made our way over to my great grandma's house. The kids did puzzles and made some magnetic creations. Their favorite game by far, however, required only a ping pong ball, a cleared table, and a 98 year old great-great grandma with a strong set of lungs! They put the ball in the middle of the table and then tried to blow it off the other side without letting it fall off their own side. It was too fun! As much fun as this was for everyone, I think Grandma was even more delighted to hear how far the kids have come with their music lessons.

I was also able to shadow my papaw's oncologist while we were there. I would certainly love to be able to go my whole life without being able to write a sentence with the words "my papaw's oncologist" in it. My papaw does have an oncologist though, and in all circumstances, God is good. So I will rejoice in the fact that I have been blessed with a wonderful papaw, and I will report, with gratitude, that I am thrilled with the medical home that the Lord has provided for him. They have a family doctor whom they trust, and he has referred them to a wonderful oncologist. I had the honor of spending some time with her in her practice, and I found her to be an encouragement and an inspiration. In this time when there is so much conflict and frustration in the field of medicine, it is refreshing to see someone practice it so well. To see patients and doctors really connecting and enjoying that relationship in the face of tough circumstances. I needed to see that right now.


So...about spring break. It was exhausting in a completely wonderful way! I made a facebook album of pictures, and you can click the link and see the album, even if you don't have facebook. Here are a few of our pictures:


Here is a link to more: Disney Album


Worn out, but very happy and blessed, shannon