kitchen tip

The last grocery run I made involved picking up way too many limes and lemons. We knew that they would go bad before our big trip and I hate to waste food. Searching online gave me a wonderful solution - - squeeze the juice into ice cube trays and bag once frozen. Then we'll always have the citrus on hand for marinades!

the picnic

We had a wonderful 4th of July at the annual picnic hosted by our friends.

Mary's wonderful shirt! I think it is easy to get lost in watching fireworks, spending time with family, and enjoying a long weekend. There are so many good men and women serving our country that are missing out on those activities. They serve to protect our freedom our families.

Thank you Wendell!! Thank you Mary!!



I wish this shot was in focus because I love it!

Mary hanging out with our favorite friend, Mr. T.

The boys played a lot of horseshoes.

Connor is so very sweet and great with babies. He was so gentle with Mr. T.



The girls played bocce.

(Mary, me, Brenda, Shanell)

and then the boys played bocce

(Jason, Paul, Eric - - Wendell is on deployment)

It is hard because we miss Wendell. We miss him in our bible study, at picnics, and even as we prepare for Brazil. We are continually praying for his safe return to his lovely wife and we are so grateful to his sacrifice.

It only takes a moment, but sending an encouraging note to a person serving is important. Thanking their families for doing without while we live our lives is also important.

missing them...

Fourth of July weekend, my friend Sara and her little boy came to visit us. Usually, when we see them in Michigan, it is only for a few hours. Having three days with them was such a blessing!!

Connor is almost 3!! And the most active little boy I've ever met. Instantly, every piece of furniture in our home became a place to jump off of. His giggles filled our house within hours of their arrival and we missed them the moment they were gone.

Connor absolutely loved Sushi. Sushi did not return his affections. It was so cute to watch Connor chase Sushi and pet him gently. It took a lot of extra hands to make the below photo possible. I think Sushi stayed on his lap less than two seconds - so kudos to Eric for getting a picture!

We went to a CT Defender's baseball game (a generous man from our church donated the seats to our congregation). It rained off and on (as it has done in New England all summer) but we had a great time. I love Connor's smirk in this photo!

Connor learned how to get peanuts out of the shell while at the game.

And there was a double rainbow....

We also went to the aquarium. Here he is watching the Begula whale.

He was so brave and put his hand in the Ray tank and touched them as they went by.

The weekend went by so quickly and it feels like we don't have enough pictures to prove they were here. Life with a little boy is so full, busy, and completely worthwhile.

Being able to catch up with Sara was wonderful. The entire weekend, Eric did all the clean up after each meal, so she and I could just talk. And we talked and talked and talked. Email is a wonderful tool, but there is nothing like sitting down to a delicious BLT and chatting.

nothing sweeter than love

the most lovely of wedding invitations arrived in the mail

we are looking forward to a beautiful day in October

Congratulations Meghann!

These are the days that must happen to us. - Walt Whitman

Do you ever have those days?

Days that construction during your drive has gotten out of hand and made you late for work two days in a row. Days where you try to work, but by the end of the day nothing seems to be done. Days where you tend your garden for fifteen minutes and walk away with bug bites. Days where you lock yourself out of the house while trying to run to a church meeting. And then the hour meeting turns into two and a half hours when you haven't had dinner. Days where you drive to your husband's work for his keys and he asks you to bring home his guitar that almost takes your toe off when coming up the steps. Days when as soon as you sit down and want to cry, your phone rings. It is your husband and he needs the keys back to close the store. So you drive all the way back to give them to him. Seems a bit much for a Thursday, but it happened.

These are the kinds of days where I am pleading to God for a bit of relief. It feels as though nothing is "going my way." It is easy to become self-focused and have self-pity. It is easy to question God and why He didn't give me a head's up on what was coming around the bend. These are the times when I am most humbled.

My very dear friend had a terrible loss today. I won't even begin to try to understand her pain or her grief. Her horrible day filled with tragedy and suffering puts my irritants of today to shame. While I complain to God about my morning drive, her world is being turned upside down. While I'm concentrated on the disappointing movie we watched last night, her dreams are unraveling. While I am focused on myself - - she is struggling with one of the most painful things on earth.

Perspective is a very humbling thing.

And it turns out God knew what He was doing. My scattered workday allowed for time to sit in my car and pray for a miracle. The extra driving time added to my night gave me more time to cry out to God and cry for her broken heart. God knew I needed a day with fewer distractions so I could focus on something other than myself and my to-do list.

All of my plans for this evening have been changed. God has given me a night to put my face to the floor in prayer. He has given me the most precious opportunity to lift up a sister and her broken heart. I am grateful that He would use me. Selfish and broken me.

starting over

This is Eric throwing away everything in our fridge.

When we got home late Friday night, the thermometer informed us that our fridge was over 55 degrees. Not exactly ideal for keeping foods from spoiling. It was hard watching hundreds of dollars of food emptied into garbage bags, but it was necessary.

Thankfully we have great friends who didn't mind going out to lunch and a mismatched dinner made from foods from our freezer.

Tonight is a fresh start. After a big grocery trip tonight, we should be stocked and ready to received friends from out of town.