Pretending...

This week Joshua Gebeyehu has been telling all sorts stories. They all start the same was, "One time in Ethiopia..." and then he preceeds to tell wild, crazy tales. Tales of things that could not have possibly happened. Funny stories, silly stories, fanciful stories fill our vehicle as we drive places.

Here are a couple of examples:

• One time Joshua Ethiopia daddy take you Joshua to circus. Fun! Crazy! Joshua laughing! Joshua I see clowns, eat cotton candy.
• One time Joshua Ethiopia daddy have a BIG boat. Go fishing. Drive big boat really, really fast. Joshua catch BIG fish. Joshua eat it all gone.
• One time Ethiopia Joshua jump and jump until Joshua I touch ceiling! Yeah! Really cool, Joshua do that!

These tall tales come up when Joshua's siblings are in the car telling about the exciting things that happened at school, or during a play date. They are Joshua's way of contributing adventures to our conversations. (There is also an element of trying to get the most attention and control the conversation going on!)

When he starts telling these stories, I always listen. When they are clearly imagined events, I respond with something like "it sure is fun to pretend" or "wow! you are really good at telling make-believe stories!"

Joshua responds with a big smile or laughter.

I have to admit, I like these stories. I am so very happy that the very mention of Ethiopia is no longer scary! I am thrilled that he knows he can talk about his Ethiopian parents any time. I do, of course want him to realize that he did not really eat cotton candy at the circus in Ethiopia. (That story is the funniest because he HATES cotton candy!) I want him to know his real story - and that will come. For today, I am thrilled to hear him processing and pretending out loud. I am thrilled he has incorporated the country of his birth in his everyday thoughts. I love that he points to Africa on my necklace and says, "Mommy I love it Ethiopia because Joshua born there!" with pride and confidence.

Personal Records

It has been a fun and busy track meet week. On Tuesday, Joshua and I drove to watch Jamison run at an out of town meet. The weather was awful... cold, windy, and rainy. However, I still totally enjoyed a day with my boys. Jamison kindly sat with Joshua and I a lot. It was really fun to have him tell me more about his teammates. Joshua was a total champ, braving the elements with more grace than his momma. He loves rain, so sitting in the rain was FUN to him! And because I love to run, I love to watch runners... especially My runner. Jamison did a wonderful job. Despite the cold, rainy day he either improved his times or held them steady.

Today we enjoyed a local meet. The sun was shining. The wind was silent! It was 70*! It was so perfectly, perfect that I pulled the girls out of school to enjoy the meet. I was very glad I did when Jamison set personal records in each of his events!

Jamison and team won the 3200 relay. His 800 split was his fastest ever. It was a great way to start a meet!

Jamison's cheering section

Proof that Krissy was there.

(She tried to refuse a picture, but I reminded her that I DID let her skip an afternoon of school.)

Daddy, entertaining a 3 year old in need of a nap!

Track meets equal NO NAP! Although Joshua is most definitely still a napper, he has done fairly well this week with 2 very off-schedule days. That could no have happened even 2 months ago. I am so very thankful to see this adaptability developing!

Jamison ran a personal best time in the 800 of 2:36.

He also ran a personal best mile of 5:49.

Last Sunday afternoon I ran 3 miles with Jamison and Sierra. It was really a dream come true for me. I have been running (sometimes more than others and never as fast as my son) for the past 11 years. I have been looking forward to running with my kids all those years. Unfortunately, I had envisioned being able to keep up with my kids. Well, my Jamison can leave me in the dust! Luckily I was well aware of that before we set out for our run and I made him promise to take it easy on his old mom! He was gracious, kind, and bored running with me - but I got in the most challenging run I have had in a while. And let me tell you Sierra has grit! She is not in good enough shape to have handled the run we did, but she pushed through it like a champion. I was amazed! Running with them, I discovered I have gotten a bit lazy. I have my comfortable pace and just coast along. It felt horrible YET wonderful to be pushed. We all had a lot of fun, and I have been inspired to push myself a bit more!

I am proud of you Jay! Thanks for inspiring me to push hard and do my best, just like my son does.

Sierra's Spaghetti Pie

Sierra has invited her BFFs, Tishina and Sydney, to come with us to Wednesday evening church activities this winter. They are super girls and I have loved having them around!

Wednesday nights are really busy as Krissy has piano, Jamison has had one sports practice or another, and we need to be to leave for church by 5:55. Planning meals has been tricky! I have needed food that can be prepared early, yet 7 kids will eat!

Sierra, Tishina, and Sydney's favorite has been spaghetti pie. So I have thrown one together for our last evening as a "family" of 9.

Here is our family size recipe:

1 lb spaghetti noodles

1-2 lbs hamburger

45 oz spaghetti sauce

2 eggs

3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

8 oz mozzarella cheese

a handful of pepperoni

Brown the hamburger with your favorite spices. I add garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Drain fat from meat and add spaghetti sauce. Meanwhile, boil spaghetti noodles. Drain and toss in eggs and Parmesan cheese. Place noodle mixture in the bottom of a sprayed 9X13 in. dish. Cover with meat and sauce mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Either bake immediately at 350* for about 30-45 minutes OR refrigerate and later bake for 1 hour or so. I bake at varying temps depending on how long I need it to be in the oven. At 300* it takes about 1.5 hours, at 350* it will be ready in an hour. This is one super simple recipe that I have never had a kid refuse!

Motivation

"If you want to take it to the next level;

you need to get comfortable being uncomfortable."

I read those words recently and they have really challenged me. I really like being comfortable, but I realize that I grow most when I allow myself to be in situations where I am uncomfortable. "It" can be so many different things. At the moment the top two in my "it" list include faith and fitness.

What about you?

Easter Weekend 2011

Our Easter weekend festivities began when the kids dyed eggs with Grammy on Thursday after school.

With crummy weather outside part of the weekend, our crew came up with some creative ways to burn off excess energy...

They filled the trampoline with balloons and then did their best to keep them all in the air at the same time.

They also had a few wrestling matches. They love WWE and have a lot of fun making up their own moves.

On Friday, I left Joshua in the capable hands of his biggest sister and went to my office ALONE for the first time since Joshua has been home. Wow! I can get a lot done in a short time when I work solo. It was wonderful, especially when my boss took me our for lunch, however I am still totally thrilled to be able to work mostly from home. It might take me longer to do the same work with potty and play breaks - but I love being home with Joshua all the time!

Saturday Daddy and Brenna went on a long anticipated date! Brenna had asked her daddy to take her to the movie "African Cats" after seeing previews weeks ago. She picked the date, guessing that it would be too full opening night on the 21st - but by the 23rd it would be just right. Then she counted the days down until her movie date with daddy. They both really liked the movie.

We celebrated Easter a day early with Chad's side of the family, so on Saturday night we went to Uncle Jim and Aunt Darcy's for supper and an egg hunt. We all had a really nice time.

This is the kids peaking out the window, sneaking a peak at where their eggs are being hidden.

ALL my kids got into the action!

Yep... still some snow for Easter this year. Yucky!

All of us!

Brenna, Joshua, and Cousin Addisyn had a lot of fun playing in Aunt Darcy's basement.

This is Lacey the dog. When we first arrived, Joshua would not leave my hip because he was scared of Lacey. By the time we left, he was in love. She was so patient since Joshua's favorite thing to do with a dog is be bossy! In the above picture he is "protecting" cousins Addi and Ainsley who were not as sure about Lacey as he became. He made sure she did not get too close.

Uncle Jim "blessed" Joshua with a HUGE stuffed Scooby Doo. Joshua loves, loves, loves it. In fact last night he was so excited about his big puppy that he could hardly sleep. He did not fall asleep until after 10:00 and he was up by 6:15. He tried to snuggle with me but after a few minutes he said, "Mommy pleasie get up! Joshua needie play with my big puppy!"

When Joshua saw me dressed in a dress for church he gasped and said, "Mommy so pretty! Mommy like an angel!"

Krissy was in charge of prizes during the egg hunt at Grandma Donna's house today. Grandma is a really good hider! Grandpa, Daddy, Jamison and I all searched for Jay's eggs and failed to find them all!

After lunch we went out to see the new baby horse. Joshua really wanted to touch him, but Baby Banjo was too shy.

He did get to pet Sally though. Joshua has been waiting and waiting to try riding a horse. Mommy said he had to wait until all the snow melted (because I do not like cold!)! So one weekend very soon we will have to talk Grandpa into that long awaited ride. Brenna is his inspiration in animal love. He is not an animal lover by nature, but he would walk on glass if Brenna did - so since Brenna LOVES animals, Joshua does now, too.

Sierra with the only cat in the whole world she loves, Mittens.

With ALL My Might

I have been reading about David these past weeks as I continue to read through the Bible. My mind has been lingering on this verse this week.

"David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating

with all their might before the Lord."

2 Samuel 6:5

The words WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT keep echoing in my head and heart. Have I ever celebrated before the Lord with all my might?

I don't think so.

Later the text reads,

"David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with

all his might, while he and the entire house of the Israel

brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the

sound of trumpets."

2 Samuel 6:14-15

He did what?

He danced before the Lord (and all of Israel) with all his might. Can you imagine what that looked like? Crazy! Wild! Passionate! A total spectacle!

While most of the crowd joined along with shouts and trumpets, his wife Michal, was totally horrified. In her eyes his behavior was totally undignified, an embarrassment.

Now when I read about her chastising King David, who is a Biblical hero, my first reaction is "how dare she!" But as those verses have lingered in my mind and heart I realize that I am a lot more like Michal than David. Ouch!

Have I ever worshiped with ALL MY MIGHT? No.

Why not? Is it because God is not deserving? Is it because He has never earned my worship? Is it because He does not care about worship in modern times? No, no, no!

In all reality it is because I am either too busy running onto the next step in the "plan" instead of taking the time to worship and celebrate before God OR because I do not want to be noticed, looked at, or to "lose control" as King David was willing to in worship. In my church we are much more stoic than that. We may clap... a little. Some may raise a hand in praise. We do tap our toes. We do smile. Our hearts do rejoice, but we are not too passionate, never out of control.

I realize that much of this is cultural. We are a quiet stoic people here way up north. We are who we are and because we are not dancing up a storm does NOT mean we are not passionately in love with our Savior. However there are moments I would love to see and experience David's passion. I would love to be free of my insecurities and celebrate Jesus with all my might. I would love to be surrounded by a congregation that joins me with shouts and the sounds of trumpets all of us overwhelmed with our desire to worship the Lord.

I would love to respond to nay-sayers just like David responded to his nagging wife.

"I will celebrate before the Lord.

I will become even more undignified than this.

I will become humiliated in my own eyes"

2 Samuel 6:21-22

And in all honesty at the same time, I would not love it! I hate conflict. I hate sticking out from the crowd! I like to feel safe, to fit in, to remain unnoticed!

So why then do these verses about celebrating and worshiping WITH ALL MY MIGHT nag at me? Because He deserves so much more than I give, because He is constantly drawing me out, because He loves to stretch me. OH, does He love to stretch me!

And in reality, in my heart of heart, I want to live ALL of my life WITH ALL MY MIGHT for HIM! I want to die exhausted, having done my very best to serve Him, worship Him, honor Him, love Him, praise Him, and celebrate Him with all my might!

I pray that we will each take a moment and listen to where He is leading us, how He is stretching us this Easter weekend. How can we better serve the One who died to set us free?

"Papi's" Boy?!

Joshua has taken to calling his daddy, "MY PAPI!" (just like Dora) It is totally hilarious, and it might drive Chad bonkers expect that when Joshua calls him "my papi" his eyes absolutely dance with love, joy, and admiration. So instead of being annoying, it is the sweetest thing ever.

A couple nights ago Joshua insisted I take some pictures of him and HIS PAPI!

It is so very fun to watch him falling head-over-heels for his papi! It has been a long slow road. Joshua was polite, yet distant for a long time. While he never totally rejected daddy, his daddy would also be the last one he would greet or choose to sit near. Being left with daddy was NOT fun! Daddy could NOT put him to bed. Even as he really began to enjoy and trust his daddy, Joshua would still seem more excited to see Grandpa and several other special guys than his daddy. That was hard. It is hard to be ignored, hard to watch the little guy - the son - you adore interact with other guys in more "special" way than you. It is hard to go to lift your son from his carseat and have him push you away, insisting mommy help him. It is hard to keep loving, to keep offering, to continue trying. But "Chad" means warrior, and daddy chose to persevere, to be patient, loving, kind, and silly for as long as it took.
NOW Joshua runs to be the first to the door to greet his papi after work. He asks to call daddy and see when he will be home to eatie supper. He chooses to climb up on his papi's lap to snuggle. He asks to sit between mommy and papi so he can be by both of us. When he sees his daddy from afar he points and yells, "There MY PAPI!"

It is a thing of beauty to be Joshua's papi!

Other BIG and EXCITING news in our household is that Brenna has lost both front teeth. I think toothless kids are so cute! So, perhaps, in Brenna's case the song should go "all I want for Easter is my two front teeth?"

God Made it that Way

One year ago, life was REALLY, REALLY, REALLY HARD!

Work was horrible. At the very worst moment we had 1 million dollars on our receivables, and as of 2:00 on a payday Friday we did not have any cash to pay our employees. Can you imaging the stress of being rightfully owed that amount of money and wondering how we would pay our men? It was beyond bad. God came through, as He always does, and a customer delivered a payment at 2:45. Chad rushed it to the bank and we were able to hand our employees their checks right on time.

This gridlock at work was fairly unrelenting. It went on and on for months. We had so very much work, our men were doing a super job, Chad was billing promptly - everything should have been peachy, except that it wasn't. It was the darkest, most confusing, most frustrating season we have ever had as business owners.

"Adoption land" was equally dark and dreary. We had been scheduled twice for court and had not passed either time. Our agency had promised to go directly to MOWA and ask for our letter, but between weekends, holidays, and poor internet we heard NOTHING about our case for 6 days. I know 6 days does not seem like much, but in those moments it was FOREVER.

My heart was heavy all the time. My only source of strength and hope came from God and God alone.

I relive those dreary days, weeks, months today because 1 year ago TODAY the sun shone a little brighter. One year ago today we received the call that we had (finally) passed court and Gebeyehu was officially (Joshua) Gebeyehu Chad Dietrich our SON!

It was without a doubt the BEST phone call I have ever received. To relive that day with me you can click here. Joshua and I have watched the video of his siblings hearing the news about 15 times. He yells and cheers right along with them, while mommy sniffles!

Over the weekend, Chad and I were telling Joshua how sad we were last year as we were waiting for him. I snuggled him in close and told him that I was so sad! I could hardly think of anything but him! I just wanted to be with him!

He told me, "Joshua waiting Ethiopia mommy come. Joshua want mommy. Joshua need you."

"I know." I told him. "I wanted to come Joshua. I wanted to hold you and love you and be your mommy so much. We all wanted you home. We needed you too."

"Why?" my son responded. "Why you need me?"

Chad and I just looked at each other for a minute, thinking, remembering. I sighed and said, "I don't know why Gubs. We just needed you."

He snuggled into his daddy's chest and said, "God made it that way."

"You are so right Joshua. God just made it that way." I whispered into his hair while Daddy held us both tight for a long time.

Thank you God for making it that way. Thank you for knitting our family together in a miraculous and beautiful way. Thank you for walking the dreary days with us, for being our strength and hope. Thank you that although some things in our life remain very trying, life is much better today than a year ago. I praise you God for from You all blessings flow.

My Daddy is 'ucky!

Recently Joshua paused while playing with his skidsteer and said, "Mommy, my daddy is 'ucky!"

I thought he called his daddy yucky, so in a concerned voice I asked, "What did you say?"

"my daddy is 'ucky! Really 'ucky!"

"Why is daddy yucky?" I asked.

"No! Daddy no is yucky! Daddy is 'ucky! Daddy havie skidsteer. Daddy no have to usie shovel!" Joshua told me quite seriously.

"Joshua," I said. "You are so right Daddy is very Lucky."

"Daddy no like shovels, right momma? Daddy, I like skiddiesteers, backhoe, payloader!"

"That's right, Joshua. Daddy DOES NOT like shovels. He really, really does not like shovels!"

"Daddy's at workers usie shovels?" Joshua wondered. (Joshua calls Chad's employees his "at workers.")

"Not very much. Usually Daddy's at workers use the backhoe or skidsteer."

"That good!" Joshua agreed. "Shovel too much work. Too heavy! Daddy's at workers 'ucky too!"

This conversation with our very wise son reminded me of the photos below.

Instead of a skidsteer, or other such equipment, these hard working Ethiopian construction workers were leveling their job site with shovels. It was an incredibly slow, tedious, and labor intensive process - one we would never consider using with our employees.

You are so right, Joshua. Daddy and his "at workers" are very LUCKY! Thank you for reminding us about this "simple" blessing.

Momma's Favorite - French Dip Sandwiches

I figure if it is still cold and snowing, I might as well make one of my favorite winter meals.

French Dip Sandwiches:

4 to 6 lb beef roast

1 can beef consomme

1 can water

1 pkg. Italian dressing mix (dry)

1 pkg. au jus mix (dry)

Place everything in a crockpot and cook all day (8 to 10 hours) on low. Pull cooked meat apart and place on hoagie buns, dip in juice.

While this is MY favorite shredded beef sandwich recipe, some of my family prefers barbecue beef. The best and worst thing about having a family of 7 is that someone likes each meal I prepare, and someone else does not! I have decided that we do not have favorite family meals, we are each far too original to agree on a single favorite meal!

For the record, it is April 18 and we still have snow covering our yard. There is more snow in the forecast. It has been a very long winter. We are ALL ready to grill burgers instead of having crockpot sandwiches for supper!

Weekend in Review

The highlight of my weekend was a totally relaxing date with my hubs.

Chad and I left home in time to hit a Saturday afternoon matinee. We went to

"Soul Surfer." I HIGHLY recommend it. It was a fabulous movie. It was inspirational on many levels. It also portrayed walking a faithful life, in the midst of really tough stuff, in a non-preachy way. It spoke of faith, of God's plan for our life, of searching, of questioning, of finding The Way... beautifully. It really is a must see

After the movie we went to my favorite restaurant, Johnny Carinos.

We returned to a clean, calm, and happy home - thanks to super-sister Krissy!

It really was wonderful!

So... the ticket to our Joshua's heart, and the bribe that keeps him happy when mommy and daddy are away in (drum roll, please) COSMIC BROWNIES!

Joshua Gebeyehu LOVES "sparkly brownies!" Mommy and daddy always get big hugs when we come home with a box full of them!

It was truly the first time we have gone out since Joshua joined our family that went perfectly smoothly. He was fine before we left, while we were gone, and when we got home. Aaaaaaahhhhh, it was wonderful!

Tonight we used Family Life's Resurrection Eggs with our Family Worship. They are a simple way to remember the details of the Easter story.

Our verse for the week:

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is

Lord and believe in your heart that God raised

Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is

by believing in your heart that you are made

right with God, and it is by confessing with

your mouth that you are saved."

Romans 10:9-10

Our prayer of blessing:

"May the blessing of the Lord

be on you ____________;

we bless you _______________

in the name of the Lord."

Psalm 129:8

Now... go back up and reread that blessing.

Slow down. Put your name in the blank.

Allow the blessed love of the Lord fill your heart with love and peace.

Sit back a minute. Relax in His blessing. Feel His love.

May the blessing of the Lord be on you this Easter week.

"Sunshine" in my heart

I have a grumbling heart this morning. I could go on and on about all the really good reasons I have to be grumpy. However, that would only make me grumpier.

Instead I have decided to challenge myself to remember some the moments this week that have brought "sunshine" to my heart.

• Joshua insists on pronouncing kitchen "chicken." He knows it is really kitchen, just likes chicken better.
• I have had the honor and privilege to have officed from our home this year, keeping Joshua with me instead of at daycare. I am very thankful.
• Joshua and I take a nap together every day. If the fact that I get a nap was not wonderful enough, I get to take my nap with the world's best snuggler. Joshua likes to share my pillow with me. We lay nose to nose. He puts his right hand under my bottom cheek. He sucks his left thumb, but the fingers on his left hand rest my top cheek - holding my whole face close to his. Those naps are pure bliss. (Just so you are not too jealous, my nap is only 15 minutes. Then I get up and work, but those 15 minutes are perfection!)
• When Joshua gives me BIG SMOOCHY kisses, he reminds me to rub them in. That way my heart gets all his love. (Can you tell I have told him a thousand times that his kisses make my heart happy?)
• Joshua has requested the last several nights that we sell his bedroom. He would much rather share with mommy. It is "no fair daddy share mommy! Joshua want share bedroom mommy too!" (Daddy says, "Sorry buddy! You can have mommy at naptime ONLY!" Mommy agrees.)
• Krissy drove with me this week and never scared me once!
• Sierra told me that she has a pair of jeans that she feels "totally hot in! like you mom!" My bubble was quickly broken when Krissy told her how not hot I am - but I still had my moment!
• I went for a run this week with Joshua in the jogging stroller, Riley on his leash, Sierra running with me, and Brenna on her bike. At the end of our 2 mile, very hilly route, I was the trailer! Gone are the days when I have to slow down for my daughters!
• I took Jamison shopping for some cold weather track gear and he thanked me. Jamison always remembers to thank me for everything, clean laundry, supper, lunch money... I appreciate that!
• A friend sent me an "I hope you have a great week" email.

My heart is much sunnier now.

Thank you God for all the "sunshine" You provide in the midst of storms.

Seriously???

We woke up to 5 inches of wet heavy SNOW!!!

And it is still snowing...

Seriously?!?

We have some BAD attitudes this morning!

Where, oh where, oh where is SPRING????

Jumping off the BED!

"Did you see that?"

What does it mean to "provide for" our kids?

I have been thinking the past few days about what it means to provide for our children. How much "stuff" do we need to provide? How many outfits do they need? How many activities do they need to participate in? What about cars, braces, college, prom dresses... who pays? What is truly necessary and what is culturally necessary? How important is it to me to follow my perception of the cultural necessities? How important is it to my kids?

All these questions rattle around my head in part because of the change of seasons. I have five kids that all "need" summer wardrobes. I have five kids that "need" to get signed up for summer camps, swimming lessons, behind the wheel, voice lessons, gymnastics, etc... I have five kids that "need" to go on a summer vacation.

I also have five kids that talk each and every week about adding more children to our family. There is seriously not a week that goes by in which one of our kids does not ask when we will add another child to our family. They offer suggestions about what age and gender would be the best fit in our family. They make suggestions about where this possible sibling would sleep. They are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that our home should house, love, and nurture more children.

I love their hearts; and if I did not have to balance the checkbook, I might be just as determined to continue adding to our family as they are. But I do have to balance the checkbook. I (really we) do have to decide what it means to provide for my kids.

I struggle with what the answer is to that question. I am SO VERY AWARE of the millions of orphans in the world. I am SO VERY AWARE that there are millions of children that are not getting their basic needs met. I am also SO VERY AWARE that my very American (though open-hearted and fairly undemanding) kids have a lot of "needs."

So...what does it mean to provide for our kids in America?

(This confusing swirl of a post probably has you thinking we are seriously considering another adoption. That is both true and false. The very real need of millions of children to have a family is always on our minds and hearts. Discerning what God would have us do in response to their need is always central in our prayers. So, considering if we could possibly provide for more children is constantly in our thoughts as well. However, at the moment we do not have further adoption plans. Our only plan at the moment is to seek His will for our family each and every day and to do our best to follow where He leads. In reality, this confusing swirl of thoughts is the result of simply trying to plan our summer wardrobes and activities! A woman's brain is a crazy thing!)

Laundry X 7

Laundry is the one chore that people ask me about all the time! There is rarely a week that goes by that someone does not comment (with sympathy) about the ENORMOUS amount of laundry that my family must produce.

It always makes me smile, because in truth doing the laundry is so incredibly easy.

You see, while my laundry pile does look like this every 4 days or so...

my washing machine and dryer look like this,

instead of ...

like this.

Laundry for my 7 is really no work at all.

I am so grateful for my many "simple" blessings.

Are you?

Joshua NO Crazy!

This morning while putting on Joshua's shoes I noticed they were getting pretty tight. I told him that we would need to get him new faster-faster shoes.

Brenna overheard this conversation and chimed in, "Joshua, you are just growing like crazy!"

Joshua was highly insulted by her remark. He whimpered, "Joshua NO crazy! Joshua only GROWING. Joshua growing bigger and bigger!"

Here he is modeling his new faster-faster shoes! He did make sure to tell the clerk at the store that he was not growing crazy, but growing bigger!

After school we tried out his new shoes at the park.

It was the warmest day of the year thus far... 70*! We only have one tiny pile of snow left on our boulevard. I think spring has sprung at last!