Summer updates

It's hard to believe August is almost here! The summer has flown by, particularly these past few weeks. Two weeks ago the girls and I went down to see my dad. We had a great time. I left my camera down there and so will have to wait to share pictures.

It's been awhile since I have posted...I have gone from one thing to another health wise and, in the midst of it all, realizing how much I take my health for granted and how grateful I am to not have chronic or life long issues. I came home with a bad cold that quickly turned into a sinus infection and had me laid out for a week. Then some pregnancy issues have come up which are sending me to more doctor visits. But I am doing well. It's just been awhile since I have had a spare moment to post or really do much...well, that's not exactly true....

Much of my spare time, when I have been feeling well, has found me busy away at projects for the house and thinking through what I can do for a little or no money ;o). Shortly after we moved in, I started on the girls bedroom furniture. It all had to be refinished. That was a job! Mckenna's old dresser and nightstand had to be stripped down of all the numerous layers of paint and then repainted. Then I had found these matching beds at an antique store over in Lucketts VA., one for Mckenna and one for Selah. They had to be repainted too. But it's all done now and Dave set them up this past weekend. Mckenna was so excited about her "new" bed! The kept thanking us profusely! We are still working on getting a mattress for Selah's bed, but she is eager to be in with Mckenna in their new room. So, we are in the process of putting together their room and the baby's room. It's slow around here, but we are having fun doing it. Those two rooms were my goals to get done before baby comes. Who knows when we'll get the other rooms done, but find myself thinking through all the possibilities of colors, decorating schemes, etc.

Dave has the girls out tonight on a date! They were so excited. I am getting an hour or two to some peace and quiet...it's nice.

We don't have many plans for the rest of the summer. In fact, it's been a pretty low key summer for us, which has been nice and necessary, as we are trying to get settled. I think we are going to try to make it down to my dads one more time this summer. Then it will be count down for baby girl #3!

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The fight for JOY

"It will help us fight for joy if we realize why Paul calls it a good fight. First, it is a good fight because the enemy of our joy is evil. The enemy is unbelief, and the satanic forces behind it, and the sins that come from it. When you set yourself to combat the forces that try to make you delight in yourself or your accomplishments or your possessions more than in God, you oppose a very evil enemy. Therefore it is a good fight...

It is a good fight because it is not a struggle to carry a burden, but a struggle to let a burden be carried for us. The life of joy in God is not a burdened lift. It is an unburdened lift. The fight for joy is the struggle to trust God with the burdens of life. It's a fight for freedom from worry. It's a fight for hope and peace and joy, which are all threatened by unbelief and doubt about God's promises. And since freedom and hope and peace and joy are good, the fight to preserve them is a good fight...

The fight for joy is good because by it God is greatly glorified." John Piper

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Selah's 2nd Birthday

Selah Grace officially turned 2 years old on June 3, just a few days after we moved in. Needless to say, I didn't have much planned for her! BUT, thanks to my sister, we last minute had a mini celebration the day after we moved in. We grilled out here, Kelly made a cake, and everyone (except her parents ;o) were prepared and brought gifts for little Gracie. Dad and Patti were here from the move and mom and Grammy stopped in to celebrate with us.

First we ate...





Then Selah dove into her presents...



Then cake...




The cutest baby is saved for last...

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Strength for faith

As I am continually still seeking to strengthen my weak faith and trust in the Lord, I was so encouraged by Spurgeon's Morning and Evening today. I was reminded of the sweet strength that lies in the promises of God:

“Tell me I pray thee wherein thy great strength lieth.” Judges 16:6

Where lies the secret strength of faith? It lies in the food it feeds on; for faith studies what the promise is—an emanation of divine grace, an overflowing of the great heart of God; and faith says, “My God could not have given this promise, except from love and grace; therefore it is quite certain his Word will be fulfilled.” Then faith thinketh, “Who gave this promise?” It considereth not so much its greatness, as, “Who is the author of it?” She remembers that it is God who cannot lie—God omnipotent, God immutable; and therefore concludeth that the promise must be fulfilled; and forward she advances in this firm conviction. She remembereth,why the promise was given,—namely, for God’s glory, and she feels perfectly sure that God’s glory is safe, that he will never stain his own escutcheon, nor mar the lustre of his own crown; and therefore the promise must and will stand. Then faith also considereth the amazing work of Christ as being a clear proof of the Father’s intention to fulfil his word. “He that spared not his own Son, but freely delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Moreover faith looks back upon the past, for her battles have strengthened her, and her victories have given her courage. She remembers that God never has failed her; nay, that he never did once fail any of his children. She recollecteth times of great peril, when deliverance came; hours of awful need, when as her day her strength was found, and she cries, “No, I never will be led to think that he can change and leave his servant now. Hitherto the Lord hath helped me, and he will help me still.” Thus faith views each promise in its connection with the promise-giver, and, because she does so, can with assurance say, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!”

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Greenbrier State Park

I had forgotten how fun this place was! Dave took off Tuesday - Friday of last week. It was great to have him around, although for some of the time he was busy at work around the house and yard. On Thursday he wanted to do something as a family and I threw out the idea of Greenbrier. I grew up going to this place with my mom. She would take us fairly often and it was the next best thing to the beach. If you are unfamiliar with Greenbriar, it is a state park with a huge lake for swimming, fishing and boating and tons of picnic tables and campsites. Also, the Appalachian trail runs through it.

We packed up a day's worth of food, towels, swimsuits, blankets and beach toys and headed north to Boonsboro, which is right outside of Frederick. We arrived around 11am and right away the girls fell in love with the place. I had forgotten what a great place this is for kids! In my opinion it might even be better than the beach for little ones. There aren't waves to scare them and you have sand to play in. Also, there are trees right behind the beach which provide shade for setting up blankets and pack and plays for naptime ;o).





The girls played hard all day long. They had an absolute blast. It was so relaxing and fun for me to watch them having such a great time and to enjoy getting some much needed "Daddy time."

In the afternoon, Selah took a nap under a tree on a blanket, while Dave and I read and watched Mckenna play.

"Look, mama!" (My girls are fascinated with rocks ;o)

Toward evening, most people started to pack up and leave. We had brought food to grill, and since the girls were doing well and having such a great time, we hung out a few more hours.

We ended our time with a cook-out of hot dogs and corn on the cob, overlooking the beach. By this time the girls were started to loose it a bit - they were so tired! We pulled out around 6:30pm and headed home. I found myself thinking what a perfect family day it was! God was so kind to bless us with beautiful weather (sunny with a breeze and not too hot) and an incredible time together!

Grilling corn on the cob....it turned out SO yummy!

While Dave was grilling the girls stayed on the beach and threw rocks in the water.

If you are looking for something to do as a family, we highly recommend this place! We're hoping to go back again soon.

Here is a link for more information and directions.

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Happy 4th of July!

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My big girl

It's hard to believe Mckenna is getting so big, so fast. She has been such a delight to us, her family, and has been a trooper through this season of transition. When we moved out of our townhouse, it was very hard for Mckenna. After all the furniture was moved out on moving day, Mckenna came home after being away for the day, and just sobbed. She didn't want to leave and was confused about where all her things were. It was so sad! Everytime we drove near the townhouse or on Fountain Valley Dr., she would start to cry and say things like, "I want those people to get out so I can go back." Despite how much we talked through things with her, I think she was still a bit confused.

She and Selah both loved all the house shopping. They particularly loved going to look at all he vacant homes, as they would run all around them and in the yards.

Mckenna loved living with mom for 2 months....we all did. So, I was a little concerned how she would do transitioning once again to our new home. I didn't know if she would not like it and want to go back to moms or want to go back to our townhouse. Mom took care of the girls on moving day and brought them the next morning to the new house. After being there a day, we gave the girls their first bath in their new bathroom. During this, Mckenna shouted out to us that she loved this new house and said, "I want to stay here forever." Dave and I just smiled and I was relieved!

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