What I Learned in April

Of all the writing and learning rhythms, remembering what we learned each month is at the top of my list. Sometimes my lessons are an “Oh wow, cool!” and other times they are more– “Oh yeahhhhh. I remember that now.” This month was mostly the latter of being gently reminded of things I knew.

I’m REALLY ready for summer and sunscreen and the pool and popsicles. In beginning to compile my Summer Reading List, I’ve noticed I’ve chosen books that are either blue or having to do with water. I’m still working on it and waiting on the list from Modern Mrs. Darcy to tell me what to add– but YAY for summer reads.

This Paleo Granola (Hold on there, don’t run. If you don’t eat Paleo– neither do we.) is the perfect spring breakfast with berries and yogurt. It’s basically spiced, roasted nuts with honey and coconut oil– we even sprinkled a little on salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

I love a good then & now photo. We took a picture of the girls with our puppy Dickens back in December on my parent’s porch swing and then had the chance to take another last month. I knew he had grown, but whoa. Like with much else, change happens when we aren’t looking and I love taking time to notice it.

I was reminded that Struggle isn’t where we stop. Adversity is not the same thing as failure. Opposition is not an off-ramp from what we know we should be doing. I wrote this post entitled, On Being Good Listeners. I know I am not the only one who feels adversity and misinterprets it completely. Not accomplishing what we feel we should, for whatever reason– often just plain feels bad. But. I believe that on the other side of the wall we’re pressing against– is something good. Even if it’s only the knowledge that we were sustained as we waited, and pushed ahead– a quarter inch at a time.

Our Family will not be out-growing Disney World any time soon. Our little foursome knows how to have fun. The stage we are in as a family is a great big party of fun. We are post-mandatory-nap, post-sippy cups, and just entering into the wide world of board games and Uno Cards. They still think we’re the coolest people in the world. We have fun wherever we go. BUT. There is no fun like we have at Disney fun. Each time we go, I pay attention to how our kids have grown. I know the time will come when they prefer the thrill rides to the carousel– but I’m not sure we will ever outgrow having fun as a family anywhere, let alone at Disney World. (For goodness sakes, no– they aren’t paying me to say this. We just love Walt Disney World.) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until the Dole Whip runs out– Disney knows how to provide a sweet backdrop for families who love to be together.

Want to see what others learned in April? Hop over to Emily’s to join us.