in the sand box

Joa + Katya

Katya sings a song that goes "Joachim, Joachim, Joachim Jones" but this version actually goes "Joachim, Joachim, Joachim - don't"

Squirrel

I met this somewhat domesticated squirrel in Colorado Springs. I know one woman who has a squirrel she named "Stubs" because of a truncated tail. I've seen Stubs come right up to the back door and ask for a peanut. I don't know the story of this squirrel.

house work

The house remodel continues. Last week Ben and I rota tilled our garden plot (and last night we had yet another frost, so still no plants have gone in). Nonetheless we are hard at work. Below Joachim digs in his flowerbed.
Ben and I scraped the popcorn texture off of the ceiling, Ben's mom produced these irresistibly attractive safety glasses for my protection.Joachim has always had a passion for the dishwasher, but in the last months he's become adept at climbing up on it and emptying the top drawer.
I cut these lilacs on my mom's birthday, the fact they are displayed on the fireplace is evidence I've said goodbye to winter (despite the chilly, frosty mornings).

Colorado Springs weekend

Last week we traveled back to Colorado Springs as a whole family for the first time since Thanksgiving. A few months ago my dear roommate, from the year I lived in Russia, wrote me to tell me she would be in Colorado Springs the first week in May for a wedding. The last time I saw her was 4 years ago and I had no idea I would ever see her again.

I wish I could fully express how wonderful it was to introduce her to my family and to feel the beat of her life in Russia. Saying goodbye again was so hard that my mind still hasn't let go because she's been in my dreams at least three times since she left. Everyone who knows Christiana knows that she is a dedicated educator, a wise and Godly and a friend to treasure. Living abroad is a challenging experience that unites people through struggles and sometimes downright absurd situations and I'm grateful God chose her for me for that time.
Below is a picture of us as roommates and us today.
Also pictured below is Mary Louis, Christiana's roommate the year before and a friend to me, and Ira our Russian friend in Colorado who hostessed us all.Ben and I went out on a much appreciated dinner and movie "date" while my parents watched Joa. We went to one of our favorite restaurants from when we lived downtown and we joked a lot about the difference between being a married couple on a date and a dating couple on a date as we reminisced about our earlier visits to the restaurant. Joachim & grandparents
Stopped in a mountain town for lunch on our way back to Delta.

Rubber Duckies

Joachim really liked Seraphim's rubber duckies.