Spring: a recap in pictures

Since today is officially the last day of spring, here are some pics of what we have been up to the past few months. 

As you can tell we spend most of our time outside, in the sun & water, our favorite things :).

The Man Behind the Camera

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DADA!

I have been looking through the past year of pictures in order to find pics of Matt and Addie to post for Father's Day. And there are shockingly few of them. like maybe a dozen. from a whole year. Why? Because Matt loves to take pictures; he doesn't love to be in them.

Matt takes BEAUTIFUL pictures. He really has an artistic flair when he is holding a camera. It's a talent that I am very thankful for. Matt took Addie's newborn pics, her 6 month pics, her one year pics. And we have some amazing shots. Of Ads. Of Ads and me. But pics of Ads and Matt? Not so much.

And that reflects Matt's personality. While Matt is gregarious, outgoing and can talk to a brick-wall (literally), he is also an amazing servant, content to serve behind the scenes. He is remarkably talented, in many ways, far beyond just excelling in his chosen profession. He is a genius at fixing anything and everything, from the computer to the car to the dishwasher. He takes beautiful pictures (and is great at editing them!). He is going to be a fabulous doctor. He is really funny. And the list could go on and on...

But my favorite thing about Matt, what will make him a great doctor, but more importantly, what makes him a great husband and dad, is that he cares about people. And not just those he loves. He cares about everyone he comes in contact with. But the really great thing is that he ESPECIALLY cares about those he loves. He is good at loving Addie (and me!). And that's a rare quality. Seeing that my dad is good at that as well, I am doubly blessed.

Matt, you are the most selfless, kind, caring person I know. Ads and I are SO THANKFUL for you and LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH.

Happy Father's Day!

Didn't Addie do a good job cooperating for our Father's Day photo shoot???

Perspective

Matt has been on a really intensive rotation this month: pediatric surgery. The hours are looong, his days are busy, and he has 2 thirty-hour shifts every week, with only one day off each week. I would imagine he is working around 90 hour weeks and is studying on top of that. We really miss him around here. It's also really easy for me to get mopey and whiny and eat a lot of cookies (don't you do that when you are depressed???).

 And then one evening after work Matt and I have this conversation:

Matt: How was your day?

Me:  Long, we missed you so much. I am so ready to see you. Ads and I had fun though, we...yada, yada, yada. But still, when is this rotation going to be over? Its not fair that we don't get to see you very often (followed by more complaining)...
...anyway, how was your day?

Matt: Long, we had a car wreck with three kids that were badly injured. And we lost a little baby that was born at 27 weeks gestation.

Oh.

Thank you, Lord, that my little one is sleeping safely in her crib. Thank you that my husband is at the hospital because he is being your hands and feet, not because he is sick or injured. 

It is easy to read blogs or talk to friends and think that their life must be easy while yours is hard. But everyone has the easy, and everyone has the hard.

Right now, for us, for me, being a parent, a mom, is pretty easy. Spending time with Addie energizes me, encourages me, blesses me. I know it won't always be so easy. But I am thankful for now.

Right now, for us, for me (&for Matt), Matt's career is really hard. I also know, it won't always be this hard. But I am thankful for this too...it is teaching us, refining us.

With the hard parts of life, it is tempting to lose perspective. But the Lord calls us to look up. Up over our circumstances, up over whatever may be hard, up to Him. And to rest...knowing He has a purpose. To be content in His path for us. To remember that their are those that need your prayers. To be thankful for the blessings He has given us. And, at least for me, to try to have a little perspective...

Everything Birthday

The last of the birthday posts...a recap in pictures.

Celebrating at home, just the three of us...

Celebrating at the park with Mila, Pops & Beks...

Celebrating with all of the Altman clan...

And finally, celebrating with a jungle-themed pool party...

Thanks so much to everyone who celebrated with us!


And thanks for driving in, Aunt Christina, Uncle Will and Gema (and for helping make the cupcakes!...you too Aunt Beks!)