Growing Through Life: Growth

We've been away from home for the past three weeks . . . more on that in a minute.

In the meantime, my garden has exploded:

My sugar and snap peas.

My onions.

My beets.

Some cosmos.

Nasturtiums.

And lupine.

The weather here has been pretty yucky, mostly grey and rainy, but these garden champions have done well in spite of it all. (And because our son, Ryan, kept up on watering and watching after them.) Oh, and the weeds have done well, also. That's where you'll find me, out in the garden, weeding.

Where we were, there was another thing growing:

Meet Annie Opal!

Our daughter and son-in-law brought new joy to their family (and ours) on June 10th. Annie weighed 6 lb. 4 oz. and measured 19" long. We were able to stay with them for about 3 weeks, to help out and allow Katie to heal from her C-section. It was a joy to be a part of the first couple of weeks of Annie's life, listening to her cute little baby noises, watching her turn toward her mommy and daddy's voices, and holding that sweet little pea pod close to our heart. And . . . it was sheer torture to leave! Oh, for the good ole' days, when families weren't spread out across the country.

We left their home last Saturday morning, both parents were recovering from colds . . . and Monday night Jared broke his leg sliding into base during a softball game. He now has a cast on his right leg (driving leg, and they have a stick shift car), is supposed to keep his leg elevated, and Katie isn't supposed to drive for another three weeks, or lift anything heavier than the baby. Thank goodness for Jared's parents living close by! I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger . . . . ?!

The two sons we left at home during those three weeks away were kind enough to have the house cleaned up and in good shape for when we returned home. Love them! And now it's back to our regular life, and whatever else is put in our path to grow from.

But first, more pictures of little Annie O.: