Chinatown!
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

Tuesday found us up early in the morning and on the Megabus to Chicago! We hadn't been during the winter at all, so this was a great first trip back.
The bus was very late arriving to Chicago, we were detoured off the highway due to a large accident. I am lucky my kiddos do so well traveling, and the nearly two hours extra in the bus was not a big deal at all.
When we arrived we changed our plans a little. The kiddos really wanted to go to Chinatown, and I wanted to go to the Ukrainian Village part of town, which would be new. I had an idea we didn't really have time to do both, so I let them pick Chinatown. We just enjoy wandering around, pick a bakery or a dim sum place to eat, and enjoy the fun of being there!
Now it's getting warmer, I am hoping for plenty more trips up to Chicago, thanks to the magic of Megabus.

I wanted to write about Friday and how much fun we had going to the St Patrick's Day parade downtown, claiming a patch of sunshine with our friends and cheering the parade of Irish Indiana-folk! I love a good parade, and this one was a great one! We came home to host the WellSpring St Patrick's Day potluck, full of delicious food and Irish coffee for the grownups... it was warm and cheerful......
Then half way through the afternoon we got a phone call from my dear friend and WellSpring mama, Rachael. Her husband Will has been dealing with heart problems. He had a heart attack over a week ago, and was in the hospital with more issues. He failed a stress test and was back in the cath lab about to go under for more stents.
I love our community so much, that we are not just homeschooling parents, we are friends that gather together and supports one another in critical times as well as the fun pretend Irish times. Although the potluck was at my house, I had no qualms about leaving the party, and my kiddos to go and sit with Rachael while Will had surgery.
It happened to be that Dr Matti was at the St Paddy's shindig, and so we went togethether up to the hospital. The other mama's took over with the children, the food, the party, the mess. When I got home, hours and hours later, my house was clean and tidy, and I felt so warm and comfortable, knowing that we can surround each other with this kind of love and support.
There is no doubt in my mind that I am a better home schooling parent because of the support and friendship of the WellSpring gang. I feel like I am a better mother, and a better friend because of the support we offer each other.
I have been raising my children with the friendship of many of these mama's for most of my parenting years. Some of them I have known for less time, but it sure doesn't feel that way. I honestly feel blessed by God to know each of them and have them in my life.