April Milestones

April has always been a big month in my family. There are several April birthdays on both sides of my family. I want to shout "Hey!" to my cousins Cheryl, Brian, Karen and Rick, who share this birthday month with me. One of my grandmothers had an April birthday, as well as several aunts and uncles. My brother-in-law also claims an April birthday. As Wayne and Garth would say, "Party on!" That's what we did, all during April!

Like the picture? My mom made the dress. And it was a combined Easter/birthday party that year. My cousin, as you can see, is not thrilled with my display of cousinly affection.

Other April milestones:

1. My car is paid for as of TODAY. The Camry is all mine now, and I hope will be for years to come. It is the first car I bought new (had only 15 miles on it).

2. April 12 is my one year blogging anniversary. Yes, at 4:45 p.m. on April 12, I logged into blogger for the first time, and posted the forgettable entry Saving Newspapers. At the time I didn't know how to do hyperlinks, blogrolls, images, videos: pretty much anything! There is still a lot I don't know (I would now call my computer knowledge "uneven").

3. I get get to meet up with fellow-blogger Jan sometime this week. I think this will be my 4th blogger meet-up. I have met fellow-bloggers RevDrKate, HotCup Lutheran and HubHC, and Fran, and Pastor Eric! (Just last week.) I hope to meet some fellow-bloggers also at the Festival of Homiletics in May here in My Town.

4. April 15 is not only tax day for us. It is the anniversary of the day we brought Scout home, three years ago. I picked her up at the nursing home, and listened to her howl all the way home in the car.

The next day I went to a church assembly the whole day. It also rained all day. My poor husband had to deal with a six-week-old puppy that didn't want to go out in the rain.

But, she did enjoy meeting the mailman, as you can see.

We studied a lot before we got Scout. We thought we knew a lot. But, as with blogging, there was a Very High Learning Curve.

It's Raining....

...and it's a good thing. You know, April showers, and all that. I can think of very few negatives regarding rain at this time of year. Oh, here's one: after Scout goes out for a walk, she smells like a wet dog.

We had a baptism this morning at church. You know, April showers and all that. Beautiful saris were worn by Indian relatives of the baby, decorating the church like spring foliage. There were at least three other babies in church this morning, including, Ami, the baby named for an eagle. I want more of this, I thought. I want a church that looks and sounds like God's kingdom, different accents and colors and voices lifting up.

The couple next door are still waiting for their baby. The doctor keeps saying any day now. April showers and all that. I am so excited. We're planning to send over some fried chicken for supper, because she is on bed rest and can't cook.

The senior pastor was giving away copies of a book of sermons he had published many years ago, at his last congregation. It's called Rituals of Redemption, based on a sermon series he wrote on liturgy. Anyone want a copy? I'll send you one. April showers, and all that.

Perhaps I should contact his publisher. I think this particular publisher you have to put up some of your own money, but it might be worth it to have something out there, with my name on it. Then someday maybe I'll be able to send you a copy of my book too (I keep saying that). But the April showers and all that have made me hopeful.

What's So Good About April 1

• We are now entering my birthday month (woo-hoo!)
• I got to meet Pastor Eric today (he's really nice).
• I bought and ate a Bartlet pear (it was delicious).
• The snow started melting already.
• In March, they only say it's spring. In April, it really is spring.

What's so good about April 1 for you?