Manifest the Love of God in the Universe

That's what it's all about. Even though we here in this fine house are in major transition regarding jobs, money, livelihood, I'm holding fast to the confidence that things are coming together as we accept what is, summon and then allow the right actions to flow through us. Live and accept what is in the now without anger and then clearly see what is the next point.

How fantastic it is to wash the dishes while Anna sleeps and Henry plays with Noah on a sunny springtime day. There is a flow and we are a part of it. God's great intelligence. Any of these podcasts are wonderful. I'm enjoying part II of Tom Fox's interview with David Steindl-Rast, founder of Gratefulness.org.

I am grateful.

Peace. Peace. Peace. So be it.

Anna Kate is one!

Someone we love turned one on February 28.
To help celebrate, Aunt Libby made a keepsake birthday crown.

Grandma Baumgartner made chocolate cake with seven-minute frosting.

Grandma Ewy composed a special birthday song
(but I'm not showing you Grandma Ewy because she's making a funny face and would be cross with me if I showed it even though it's sweet).

Big brother Henry helped blow out the candle.

Anna ate the cake with unprecedented daintiness.
And Daddy stood behind the camera to take pictures.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNA KATE!
You are one year old!

At one year, Anna is standing by herself; refraining from eating pennies and dimes that she shakes out of Henry's bank and puts back in the correct slot; saying all sorts of words like, "ball," "uh-oh," "dog," "Boy Blue" (says Grandpa Baumgartner), clock, and other new words every day. She is sociable, persistent and adoring. She has begun calling Henry "Heh," and celebrates her new accomplishments with smiles of satisfaction. She seemed bewildered as she opened all those presents. What was all that paper stuff on the floor in front of her? The next day, though, she woke up acting older, as if she knew something special and transformative had happened.

This year has flown by. We are so very glad she is here with us.

Lots to post, birthday, etc., but time for a breather

Caring is the greatest thing, caring matters most.
--Friedrich von Hugel, last words, 1925

from The Quiet Eye: A Way of Looking at Pictures