Bowl of Cherries!

Yesterday was one of those "Life is a bowl of Cherries" days....literally. Tyson was out of town and originally Kai and I were going to go with him but at the last minute decided to stay home so Kai didn't have to be in the car all day. That meant that since I had already taken the day off work, I had a day to just be mommy. I know this may not seem like a big deal to some, but for me to not have to think through how to get four hours of work into my day with Kai is a relief. While he was sleeping I got things done around the house when I would normally be in front of the computer working. After his nap we headed over to our friends' to pick cherries. They had a tree full of cherries and Kai and I had a fun time filling up our bowl. Kai LOVED the cherries and although he did help pick some and put them in the bowl, mostly his little hand was in the bowl taking them out. I kept seeing his little cheeks full with juice squirting out. He had quite a few...even some with pits when I wasn't quick enough. I thought it would make for some interesting diapers later but so far so good. It was a fun time and we left with LOTS of cherries and fresh air:) Thanks B&T, it was great to see you!

Friends!

We are blessed with wonderful friends near and far and this past weekend we were so excited to get a visit from our friends the Walkers. It was a short but sweet visit. Nate is currently in seminary in St. Louis so we haven't seen them since last summer. It was fun to have our kiddos play together and get to catch up. Thanks for coming to see us guys! It was so wonderful to have you! I didn't have the camera out much that weekend but there are a couple pics of our time at the park...Nate & Tyson playing guitar and Will & Kai enjoying the drinking fountain:)

Girls' Night

Last Friday Melissa, Caitlin and I had a girls' night. Fondue, lemon drops and good talks made for a fun evening. It was technically supposed to be a "book club" to talk about the book we read, The Shack. The Shack is an very thought provoking story depicting God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It was a good story that gets you thinking...I would recommend it. We probably should have held our "discussion" before our bellies were full of fondue and lemon drops but it was still good:) Thanks girls for a fun night!

Mud

Kai had his first experience with mud....every little boys good friend:) I didn't get any pictures of him actually very muddy...but here are some of him playing in the dirt/water/mud:)

Taking the Plunge

We have a friend whose parents have a pool and they kindly have us over. We have spent quite a few Sunday afternoons hanging out there. It is so wonderful to relax with friends and cool off and they have a great yard for Kai to run around in. He loves to be in the water and splashes all about. They also have a cute little dog that Kai typically loves but was a little startled when he barked yesterday. I thought it was a funny picture and had to post it.

On another note I took the plunge and chopped off my hair. I am still getting used to it but am glad to have it short again...it feels more "me"...plus my husband loves it and that is all that matters:)

I think this is a funny picture of me with my mouth wide open but I also enjoy the fact that it looks like my sweet son is trying to take me out...always the boy!

We had a wonderful visit from Gramma and Auntie T this weekend. It was so wonderful to see them and Kai loved it! He kept trying to follow Gramma downstairs and would stand at the gate and yell something that sounded like he was trying to call her back up. So cute! It was sweet to watch him get time with his Gramma and Auntie! Thanks for coming and hope to see you soon!

Facelift

I gave my blog a little facelift (as you may have noticed). I have tried to do this before but always run into problems. I saw a friend has used a site: thecutestblogontheblock.com...I tried it and it worked great!

The words below...

...are dear to me. They have brought me comfort and peace many times over the years. They were sung at our wedding by Tyson's sister & brother. They bring tears to my eyes almost every time I hear them, there is so much truth and grace in each verse. Tyson just put a new (to me) version on a CD that is in my car. Over the last two weeks I have listened to this song non-stop every time I am in the car. The last verse in particular has been in my head as I go about my day, while I wonder what God has in store for us but am comforted by the fact that Jesus commands our destiny!

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest
drought and storm
What height of love what depth of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I’ll stand

In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save

Till on that cross as Jesus died
the wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
up from the grave He arose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No Guilt in Life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from his hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the Power of Christ I’ll stand.

One Nap, Two Nap

We are trying to transition from two naps to one nap. This is not my favorite idea since those hours a day he is napping are the hours I use to get my hours in for work...but, he seemed to be telling us he didn't need both. Today as he was finishing up his lunch I was going through mail and I had my back turned. When I turned around this is what I found...this is probably normal for some but for my son this is a first--so I had to document it. I remember my little brother falling asleep at the table all the time but not this boy...he never wants to miss out on anything so if he is not in his crib he is awake. Perhaps tomorrow we will let him try two naps again...or maybe an earlier lunch:)

Congrats Erin & Erik!

This weekend I had the honor of being in my wonderful friend, Erin’s wedding. Erin is a dear friend who has been so constant over the years. We have roomed, road tripped, laughed, cried, talked, listened and prayed together. She is the girl who would do anything for her friends and I am so very thankful for her. God has created the perfect husband for her in Erik and, although I have always been a protective friend, I approved right away. They have so much fun together yet balance each other so well. Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Gillam...may God bless you as you begin the adventure that is marriage!
I think that I have probably anticipated Erin’s wedding more than my own, as far as the wedding day goes, as we had many conversations about ideas and dreams in our single days. And, as expected, it was a beautiful wedding down to every last detail...different enough to be unique yet totally classy and perfectly them.

The happy couple preparing for the big day!

Isn't she a gorgeous bride

I loved these centerpieces...aren't they amazing!

What a fun cake!
The 7 bridesmaids all had these adorable bright green dresses mixed up in three different styles...here I am with my dear friend Miriam who came from Boston.
Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your special day...I love you guys!

Fountains of Fun

We took Kai down to the park the other day to play in the fountains. He was cautious at first but was quickly trying to conquer the water by grabbing the streams of water in his little fist. Little did he know they would put up a bit of a fight by spraying him in his little face:)

These two little girls just loved Kai and kept coming over and patting his head...

Runners on your mark...

This weekend we had a fun trip down to Eugene to watch a day of the Track & Field Olympic Trials. My mom came up with the great idea of meeting up and going. It was so wonderful to see my mom and let her and Kai catch up...they had a fun time. It was also so much fun to watch some of best athletes in the country compete to go to the Olympics. We saw the final three events of the women's heptathlon, the finals of the women's 100, the men's shot put, a few paralympic events and more. I think one of the highlights was seeing the quarterfinals of the men's 100 m where we watched Tyson Gay break the American record with a time of 9.77...so fast! It was awesome. I did track in high school so I have an appreciation for it but this was a new experience for Tyson so it was fun to share it. He got into it, marking down times and who was moving on to the next round. It was extremely hot but well worth it! Thanks Mom for making the trip up and for the great idea...it was so great to see you!