Evidences That Spring Is Truly Upon Us!!!!

Well lookie here---spring really is coming! Following is a nice list of evidences that I saw today that mean that spring is returning as a reality in our lives!

1~ This morning some workers came to put our internet cable underground---which means that the ground must be soft and thawed enough!

2~ When I took a walk around the yard I saw a good amount of the sod that was turning from brown to green, several spots in the backyard in the hay where there were little handfuls of grass starting to come up (like three blades here and five there and a patch or two that were the size of your hand),...

...as well as many little buds starting to grow on all of the trees!

I really like this picture as you can even see a bit of color in the bud.

This may or may not interest you, but since you probably can't see it, I will inform you that on the bud that I have circled there was a fly. You don't see very many of them in the winter (at least, I don't), and it was just sitting there. I thought it was kind of nice of it to pose for its picture - too bad I couldn't get a little closer up (actually, I did try, but he decided to fly away). Anyway, just another evidence!

3~ The children enjoyed being able to go out for a while and roller skate. They have been practicing in the basement all winter. They have all gotten to be quite good skaters!

They enjoy skating on and around the island in the "court".

When they saw me taking pictures they all came running!!! (or I should say, skating)

We even had our first wound from playing outside for the year! Lisa was the special person! It's okay, she just skinned her knee and, though she came inside crying, she went right back out, told me that she could barely feel it anymore, and went skating off again!

4~ We were able to go back outside after dinner! The sunset and clouds were beautiful this evening! Here are a few pictures--they really don't do it justice, but I thought I'd give it a try. Also, though I did mess with the settings a bit, I couldn't seem to figure out why it darkened the pictures from the reality. So, it's not really as dark out as it appears in the pictures. Later, the sun turned a deeper, even more beautiful red and was just this awesome red ball on the horizon. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of it.

Oh, how wonderful our God is! He created all of this, yet He cares for me!

I am excited to see all of the new life that is popping up out of the ground and off the trees! It reminds me of when I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and was given a new life! I don't know who all is reading this blog, but if you don't understand what I'm talking about when I speak of this new life that we can have in Christ, please contact me-I would absolutely love to have an opportunity to share it with you!

I am also reminded, as I see the new growth, especially on the trees and bushes, of the fact that there should always be new growth showing up and evidencing itself in my Christian life. For those of you who know Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him, do you have new growth in your life? Can/Do others see that new growth and get excited about their God and how He is working in your life? Plants have to get lots of sunlight in order to carry out photosynthesis, in order to grow. Are you spending lots of time in the Light, the Word of God ("Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"), and with the Son of God ("I am the Light of the world"), in order that you may grow spiritually?

Let me close with a few verses from Scripture as food for thought.

Genesis 1:11-12 ~ "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

Isaiah 40:8 ~ "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

Matthew 6:25-34 ~ "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Some Easter Blessings!

We had the blessing this year of having Becca, Jared, and Willie with us for Easter. Joe's spring break from college also coincided with Easter so we had the entire family together for the weekend! Here are some pictures from our fun times together.

Admiring Willie! First priority of course!

Our family colors Easter eggs each year for two reasons. Some of the kids really get into the artistic side of it. Others of us just like to eat them later!

Each year we bring dessert to the family get together with the Mueller clan. This year one of the things we made were "bird nests" (Rice Krispie treats) with "eggs" (jellybeans) inside. Very yummy!

"Look at all those crazy kids coloring eggs. Who wants to do that when you just have to smile and everyone adores you and gives you attention?"
Jared was the inexperienced Easter egg colorer. It's not something his family did much growing up. I think he had fun doing it though! He got daring trying some different color combos and layering. Quite artistic!

The big kids all enjoyed singing together again. It's been quite awhile!

We always have an Easter egg hunt. Our cousin Ashley proudly displays her eggs.

Aunt Kathleen has not lost her touch! She had Willie comfortable and sleeping in no time at all.

Mueller Rescue Team!

Well, we got to try out the Mueller Emergency Response yesterday! We have had a bit more sun and a bit less precipitation the last little while, which caused all the straw all over the backyard to be rather dry-which makes it light and easy to move. Yesterday, Mom hurried outside and sent a little one to fetch Dad and tell him we needed his help to keep our "yard" from blowing away! By the way, it was quite windy! Almost everybody got out there and tried to help hold the straw down---this was attempted through standing on it, moving some of the ground staples, and using flags, logs, and anything else to hold it down. Daddy had to go out and get more staples so we could try and fix it up. Unfortunately, it was such an emergency that we failed to think of taking pictures-but it was quite the sight. :-)

Today, we went out and touched up what didn't get done really well yesterday. It is far less windy today. I didn't get any pictures of the workers (because I was out there helping this time), but after I came in I decided that I could at least take a few pictures of the yard so you might be able to understand how our "yard" could possibly be blowing away.

This is looking toward the North.

This is straight back (NE).

This is just a little farther over.

This is the sign that is just off our property in the very back corner.

This is the field that is on one side of our property line.

This is the view right across the street. It is called the Dickson-Murst Farm.

Our Dear Aunt Lucille

Lucille M. McKillop, RSM

September 28, 1924 - February 29, 2008

Some reflections of a Grand lady.

My earliest memory of Aunt Lucille goes back to about the age of 6 or 7 as we walked hand in hand down the alley of Lexington to meet with the man whom we had accidentally spilled paint on his car that he parked under our tree fort. I was scared but Aunt Lucille was the essence of a calm and gentle spirit assuring me that she would stick with me all the way to the police station if necessary. When the gentleman saw Aunt Lucille and I coming…her in full habit at the time, he just kept saying I can’t send a “sister” to the police and Lucille in her ever so gentle way was able to calmly resolve the situation.

Throughout our youth Aunt Lucille always encouraged our studies and even helped get us into some summer school classes at St Xaviers. One piece of education she enjoyed keeping us abreast of was our Irish heritage. She had a love for Ireland, the land, the people, the family and heritage. If there was ever an awkward or quiet moment, you could just ask about Ireland or the family history and her face would light up and you were in for an enlightening and good time.

Aunt Lucille had also been looked upon as the wise matriarch of the family and that allowed her to have a life changing impact on me. In my late teens I had asked Sandy to be my bride. Mom and Dad felt I was too young among other religious conflicts. They sent me out to Rhode Island to spend a week with Aunt Lucille and see if she could get me to think straight. After several late nights, or shall we say into the wee hours of the morning, of tea, cookies and those probing and exploring questions, she called back home to advise Mom and Dad that I actually did have my head on straight and that they should get behind me and support me in my decision. Aunt Lucille’s wisdom and humility have helped mold and shape me to be who I am. After almost 30 years of marriage, 10 children and 1 grandchild, I still recall our time together and am grateful for her influence on this decision of my life.

As I have matured, I have watched and sought council from Aunt Lucille on a number of occasions. She always had time for family and was patient and loving, even when she needed to tell you that you were wrong and what she would suggest for making the situation right. But she wisely always left the final decisions up to you, she never took ownership for our directions or problems.

Aunt Lucille has always been that strong, elegant, stately lady that would just turn heads when she walked into a room, her stunning white hair, confident posture and those blue eyes that would just reach out and touch your inner being. When she spoke, people listened and learned. Yet with all the prestige and position she may have had she was probably the most humble lady I have ever known. She cared for people, not people with position and power, just plain ordinary people, whether they were the gardeners at Salve, members of the maintenance and janitorial crews, students or Admirals and Governors.

That was her life, caring for people from the toughest class she ever taught (3rd grade) to the high school student that has become her life long friend, to those college students that she envisioned with so much potential, to her fellow Sisters of Mercy that she loved and served with for over 60 years and we cannot forget her friends and family that she loved with an unconditional love and guided our steps of growth along the way. When our parents passed away at a fairly young age Aunt Lucille and Aunt Rose became our second mothers and we love them as such. Even during these final weeks and days she would ask about the family. She wanted to know what each was doing and as you would share she would respond “that’s wonderful” or “isn’t it wonderful”. When she met her newest great-grand nephew Willie just the other day, her response was consistent “he’s wonderful, just wonderful” then she closed her eyes and went back to sleep. I will always remember those words and Aunt Lucille, she is a wonderful lady, just wonderful. We will greatly miss her presence but our memory of her and the impact she had on our lives will remain with us forever.

We Love you Aunt Lucille.

Pictures of Willie

Well, we are more than enjoying having a nephew/grandson! I thought I would post a few more pictures of him, but it's so hard to pick just a few.

He loves to smile, but even when he's not smiling, he has a very sweet and pleasant expression on his face.

He has to have his hands outside his blanket or he doesn't like it at all. I wonder if that means he will talk with his hands a lot? Hmmmm...we'll have to wait and see! Our entire family has now been able to see him. Uncle Joe was blessed with a day off from college which allowed him to get out to Iowa. Uncle Zach and Aunt Lisa were the cutest when they got to hold him. Their expressions of awe were priceless!

Willie has been an exceptionally good baby and loves to snuggle and sleep! Mommy and Daddy have enjoyed snuggling.

Becca is getting better slowly, but surely. Nana Mouse is still out in Iowa making sure Becca behaves herself (and enjoying her grandson!). But then, who wouldn't think of an excuse to stay with this little cutie?