Happy Birthday, Krista!

Happy Birthday to our one year old niece Krista! It's so hard to believe it's been a year already since we welcomed her to our world. And now we are waiting for our third niece to arrive...any day now - we are so excited for Megan to arrive.
I have a confession. Sadly, I did not realize it had been Krista's birthday until today. Part of it is because she's so new - but also, they are just so far away. It really made me sad when I realized this (I won't elaborate on this point because it will make my mama-in-law and Karis cry - but you know my heart is with you). But it also strengthened my resolve to keep close contact with Dan and Karis even though our continents are so far apart. It was neat to see their family pic in Africa...made me very happy to see they have made it and they are doing what the Lord has for them! So, I took a few pictures from Dan's FB for you all to enjoy...these were my favorites!

Hooray!!!

Yea for my husband, John, who just finished a hard few weeks of school. So now, he can be home and help me with the dishes again...didn't realize how much he did until he didn't have time to do anything other than research John Bunyan and Counseling.
Way to go, Babe!! He sent me flowers at the office today just because he's missed me in the midst of the late nights and studying...red, yellow, and orange Gerber Daisies. I'm so proud of him and his hard work.

Circle of Friends

Last week my sisters and I joined together (all of us together at the same time that is) to enjoy our 2nd Sister's Weekend. What a weekend! It included lots of traveling, lots of coffee, lots of laughing, and lots of talking. I think I learned something new about each of my sisters that weekend. I remember when we were young and lived at home all together we all promised we would never drift a part. It's funny how life does that to you...without you even knowing it's taking place. It was such a reconnecting weekend. It was, in a word, Priceless. I mean it. All the traveling and the shortness of the trip was of no consequence. It was worth it to be with each of them and be able to put my arms around them and kiss them and cry with them about situations and laugh about others. How does it happen? How do we drift from the people we share parents with? I'm not sure of the answer. I would like to know how to keep it from happening. And I think all of my sisters and I have the same sentiment...keeping our relationships close takes work and priority. And I always think...I can make friends now, but someday when I'm old and friends have drifted apart after years, I'll still have my sisters.

Unfortunately....

The Miracle Grow advice came a little late for my sweet ivy which I unceremoniously disposed of on Tuesday...on to the next plant!

My Green Thumb is Waning....

I know - not such a pretty picture to pull up of my ivy that is dying off. I bought these the same day that I found out I had gotten my new job - kind of a celebration - you know, a new phase in my life, a new plant to grow and thrive...only no one told the plant - well, I tried to, but John laughs at me when I talk to my plants (even though I tell him the co2 from my breath is good for them). Anyhow - my ivy is dying and I want to have beautiful ivy! When I bought these plants they said - 'easy to grow'. Not sure if I'm missing something. I'm hoping someone can help me out on this one. First - are they already dead? Should I just gracefully dispose of them? Second - if they are not dead, what else can I try? I have tried keeping them moist, not keeping them too moist, keeping them in full light, keeping them in moderate light...Comments and suggestions are welcome!!

Change of Seasons....Part 2

In my last blog I wrote about the excitement and anticipation for the change of seasons. Our family is currently going through another 'change of seasons' - one that I am not so keen on. Dan and Karis left for Yaounde', Cameroon on Thursday and tomorrow Tim drives out the truck to Kansas and Kristen will fly out on Thursday. For the last two years we have enjoyed having John's family close. And even more so, have enjoyed them as friends. Tim and Kristen shared John's schedule so we found ourselves spending a lot of time with them and their Wii. And in our first year of marriage Dan and Karis would spend a lot of time at our house on their weekends off of deputation. We said one good-bye last Thursday and I found myself saying another good-bye already today. Thinking that Tim and Kristen won't be around has taken a lot to get used to. I don't think I can fully express all in a blog...my heart is sad. I know the Lord still has us here and has led them to where they are supposed to be - what more blessed place to be. In the midst of these two years of adjustment to Virginia Beach John's family has not only become my family, but my friends. They have helped to strengthen through tears and laughter. And not all of his family is gone...just two so close together. I think about the past two years and I think about the future - how it is uncertain. We all enjoyed a season together with baby nieces, dating, engaged, and newly married couples, Thanksgivings with so much food, late Sunday night football games and coffee, Dr. Pepper and plenty of laptops. It was our season. I hope our children have a season similar to the one I just shared with my husband's family. It has been blessed.

Change of Seasons!

I get so excited about Fall...pumpkins, new scented candles, rust orange decorations, crisp air, pumpkin spice coffee, sweaters, leaves turning colors and rustling out my window...something about it. I think it has to be my favorite season. I have been seeing decorations in the stores already and I'm trying not to rush it and keep myself from putting out Fall decor until the end of September - but I am already getting ready for it to come!! 'Just enjoy summer' I keep thinking. But as temperatures start to even out from the summer humidity I can smell it in the air and I can't wait for it!!