The rewards of a winter well spent....

March...it's that month where HOPE starts creeping back in to the days in the PNW...and while I hate to act like LIGHT makes all the difference, it truly does for me. 

I see the longer days as opportunity...

I see the hope of new beginnings in the flowers blooming...

I see people emerging from a long winters rest to reunite....

and while there is lots of hope in the season, there is only one place where my hope resides and this year we got to celebrate Easter early in March too.

So in a year that continues to grow us in ways we didn't see...I am so grateful for the continued HOPE we have and the opportunity to grow and change each day.

A little recap from a wild month...

This little sparkplug challenged mom to run another 5K...so with minimal training, we went out and did it.  We ran the whole time, but more importantly we found something we enjoy together and we can chat and connect in ways that are greater than the steps we take.

As a FULL preteen, she is challenging me in ways, but I love seeing her blossom and being the safe place for her to land.

March also brought the start to TRACK season...with a few meets under our belts, it's amazing to see the community grow, the fun the kids have and truly enough track as a family.  It's like a big family BBQ each meet.  

Not to be forgotten...the 30 miles of MARCH for the Von's reward!!!

Some days you just need a walk to the Woods with the hubs!

Millie competed in the 6th grade spelling bee and made it to the spell off...placing 2nd overall.  Way to go MEME!

And with track comes records...

the Girls 4x100 relay to start the season!

Blessed with kiddos who love school as much as everything else...and pour into their studies (sometimes....sometimes, it just comes easy).

National Junior Honor Society Re-commitment and Commitment Ceremony.  This is Griffin's 2nd year and Millicent's 1st year!  Way to go Meyers!

Our crafty craftmans creating all the time!

A little date night...rare, but captured!

More track!

Pretend Pups while the real Pups was at Bird camp....and real pup before he left!

While Dad is away...my littlest snuggle bug.

And we have another kiddo on Worship team...this time at school!

Precious signs of spring....and surprise selfies on my phone.

Griffin's 2nd time on worship...still seems unreal that it's only been a little over a year since he started playing guitar.

And then the crew had their 1st MEXICO Mission meeting.

Running with my girl <3.

Walking with my people...I can almost taste the Von's now.

Saturday mornings are for GUITAR.

A scheduled no school day that came with snow....WINNING!!!

Worship Academy...the spark that light his desire to pick up an instrument.

Monkey time with LJ!

Walking...walking...walking....

More walking....

And running with my girl....

And another Saturday with G and guitar!

Random Date night...freezing his xoxox off!

Pie day celebrates...

One of these was CRAZY day and the other is HAWAIIAN day...you decide which is which?!?!

A special friend's 50th!

Easter came early with travels scheduled for the real day...the cousins came over and Leighton even made sure the Easter bunny could come a week early.  I truly loved this early celebration as we got to have fun and also keep Jesus the reason for Easter!!!!

Seeing these 2 compete is SOOOO fun!

Special projects with Daddy. 

Leighton had a very Special friend join her this year at school...so great to see their relationship shine and be able to love on LJ for this special day (and more).

What do you do when your Idaho besties comes into town on a school day....I taught LJ what "playing hookie" is.  We had a blast with our friends and decided sometimes it's ok to break the rules (a little bit)!

 We wrapped up March and early April with pedicures before vacay and a special Easter chapel at school  It is NEVER lost on me how special that day is.

We made it....

30 miles in March as a family and the reward was dirty sodas and a yummy dinner out!

So goodbye March...you were GREAT to us and helped us see things more clearly along the way.  Each day is a new opportunity and a new challenge...and I wouldn't change any lesson that we have learned to got me to this exact moment.