lately

Our area annually hosts a river rubber duckie race. Community events and rubber duckies are a few of our favorite things, so this race was of high interest. We live only a few streets from the river and it was a short walk (read: no issues trying to find parking).

Our downtown is very small and we were all huddled in to watch the duckies get dumped from the bridge.

They quickly floated down the river, racing as fast as they could. We bought three duckies (we didn't want to leave Sushi out) and the proceeds went to local schools and non-profits. Watching everyones donation float down the river was really incredible. I'm sure that some people entered to win the money or the trip to Disney (there were 90 prizes overall), but it really is just a fun day and a chance to make a difference.

Next year, I may even hug the duck.

Our day was filled with lots of fun and enjoying each other's company. We rarely spend time on the weekends together and it was such a treat. During Lent, we started to really prune back our activities and we are looking forward to continuing this. While being a part of things can be rewarding and fun, we need more time as a couple, with friends, and individually. We have a hard time saying 'no' when someone needs leaders, help, or wants us to attend. As we learn to set boundaries and carve out time for us, we hope that others will not take it personally.

We have friends and family coming in from out of state this year and we want to enjoy them. There are lots of other community events that we are looking forward to (concerts and plays in the park, festivals) and they are important to us. We want our hearts to be ready before we go to Brazil and minister to the hurting children.

Our summer priorities will include:

enjoying guests

using our nearby library

starting and maintaining our garden

riding bikes

taking the kitty to the park
walking in the neighborhood

the church softball league (Eric plays, I watch)

For a few days, we had summer weather, but are now returning to mild spring days. The few days of heat made flowers around the neighborhood pop. Tulips (including ours) are everywhere. Our front yard even surprised us with grape hyacinths.

The parrot tulips we planted in fall are so beautiful. There is already talk about how many more bulbs will go into the front garden in the spring.

Trees and shrubs are blooming all over town. They lift my heart and give me hope that we'll see more birds, squirrels, and life around our home. It has been such a cold winter and my soul is ready for warmth and growth.

for the record

There are great messages to feed you.

I am one of the wealthiest people in the world. Are you?

Listening to her sing this song makes me think of my pen pal. Only I know that my darling friend can draw.


If you've played the game, you'll love the song.

Jesus is amazing. And doesn't want you to give up football.

So many people are talented.

Anyone can be creative, sometimes we just need the freedom to play.

I'm trying to overcome my materialism.

(click on the bold words to see what I'm talking about if you don't believe me)

happy spring

our first daffodil bloomed

it was too pretty not to see, so I brought it inside

we celebrated Easter with Elena and her family and guests :)

it was a living room full of love

last weekend, we attended a marriage retreat in New Hampshire

I will not be a ping pong master

but we had fun playing

Eric made a fort out of our bunk

we had lots of good food

I took second place in the hula hoop competition (lost to a gracious and beautiful dance instructor who has more moves than I ever will)

Eric won when the men competed!! the men didn't last nearly as long as the ladies, but were more fun to watch

being in New Hampshire, we missed the stellar weather we had on the coast

our seeds are now tucked into soil and waiting for the sun to come back

we are really looking forward to tending to a garden and learning patience as we wait for the Lord to bless our endeavors

Eric is not a fan of the fake speckled eggs stores sell in the spring. I am, so we compromised and made our own. well, the chickens made the eggs and we blew out the insides 

when we got back from our retreat, we only found two eggs broken on the floor (some little kitty thinks that they are a toy)

Happy Birthday Eric

Today my darling husband is 27.

Happy Birthday!!

It's Friday...but Sunday's coming

lots of good things...

For April Fools Day, Eric's toothbrush turned into a frozen block of ice   :)

Funny how those things happen...

Our church hosted a baby shower for the lovely Lindsey. Her husband was deployed to Iraq one month before the due date of their first child. The day after the shower (and many weeks early) their little boy, Asher, was brought into the world. Thankfully, we were able to give her lots of things the day before his birth. (isn't she precious!!)

Yesterday, I received the most lovely little note with seeds. I know that writing letters is more expensive than email, but it is more personable and touching. Think how much you would love to receive a handwritten note in the mail and then consider sending one.

(thank you Cindy!!)

(ps - snapdragons are his favorite)

Soon, we plan to start some of our seedlings inside. I am very excited to add the beautiful ones I just received to our yard as soon as the weather warms up. We've had container gardens and a small strip of veggies at his grandmother's, but this will be our first real garden. Our landlord is very supportive of whatever we choose to plant which is a huge blessing.

In a few short weeks, it will be warm enough for us to walk downtown and enjoy the park. 

We have good news on Eric's store closing. As it stands now, they don't plan on closing the store until September which gives the store a chance to prove itself and/or Eric transferring to the closest store (practically right around the corner). A huge weight has been lifted off Eric's shoulders.

Today is Good Friday and Sunday is Easter. Now that Lent is coming to a close, we are both thankful that we slowed down to prepare our hearts for this season and what it means. 

Jesus died for me.

And you.

But the amazing part is...

death could not hold him. 

And 

He is Risen!!

enjoying April

March ended with the promise of warm weather, great news from a friend, and a bonfire.

In April, we are looking forward to the boy's birthday, a weekend retreat, and the new flowers coming up in our front bed.

We got word today that Starbucks would be closing Eric's store (not an April Fools joke). It is uncertain how it will affect us, but there is hope for a transfer and not much discomfort.

Mostly, April brings hope.