Birthday Bash for the Big One - Homecoming for the Nutmeg

Well it was quite the event-filled weekend in our house.   Kelsie came home for Fall break and brought friends with her.  We enjoyed birthday festivities and some nice family time.  Homecoming weekend at our high school added more activity and special events.  We had favorite meals and snacks and worshiped together on Sunday.  It was an enjoyable family weekend.

Friday was a beautiful day to be outside.  We took advantage of it with a walk around the lake.

  

We began our birthday bash on Friday night.

BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!

 
We treated the kids and their friends to the Stanford Grill.
It's a lovely restaurant with great atmosphere.
 

 

Live jazz music and a patio with seating area in front of the fire can't be beat.

 

It's a sushi poke, of course.

 

Saturday was Homecoming Day and Birthday Day!  I enjoyed some quiet time at home preparing fun foods and tidying up (it makes me happy) while the gang went to the game.
 

After another round of cake and singing, present time is always fun!

Mason's card with chocolate cake and rainbow sprinkles.

   
 













      
Then suddenly it was time to get the girlie
dressed for her big dance.


 

Standard pose for these sisters.

Megs loves to pose and J was a good sport and had fun with it!!

Daddy took the "adults" out later. So, again I found myself with a quiet house, 6 year old tucked into bed and movie of my choice. Ahhh, the simple joys of life.

21!

Favorite Foto Friday

Last week we had a mid-week day off and no plans.  Michael suggested a quiet breakfast out and then drove me to the airport loop which is a great, scenic path.  It was beautiful as the trees were just beginning to turn.  It was loud as the planes were taking off and flying just over our heads every 2-3 minutes.

 During our few uninterrupted hours over breakfast and strolling, we got all of the surface stuff talked out, then discussed some sports and politics and then took some time to talk about more difficult subjects.  The ones that sometimes hang there and create "thorns" we don't have time to address because we're busy living life and driving kids and not scheduling together time.  We spoke honestly and it was good, not easy but good.

As a little girl, I always dreamed that marriage would be blissfully happy days spent with the one you love, one after the other with romance, and roses and sweet love songs in the background.  NOT!!!  Marriage is HARD WORK.  Well worth the effort I must say.  But hard, none the less.  It has to be nurtured and watered and sprinkled with thoughtful planning, careful words and rocky tough times that provide endurance for the long haul.  I find that a Christ-centered marriage makes those tough times a little more manageable and provides a common focus and end-goal.

Recently our pastor encouraged those married in our church family to work hard to deepen our marriage relationships to guard from the pain of divorce.   To delight in and care for the one we are married to.  To love and live for one another is the way God intended.

So today I purposely celebrate my husband.   I am thankful for someone who loves me and loves the Lord and isn't afraid to work hard at this marriage thing.  Love ya babe! 

Christmas in September

Well the big day is just 90 days away but today I want to stop and consider the atmosphere and good feelings of the upcoming Christmas season.  It's very appropriate that on the 25th day of September a staff meeting agenda item included the holiday decorations for the sanctuary and the annual Christmas cookies for the jail ministry.  In my mailbox at home I found the first mention of Dazzle Dash (the day they allow you to walk instead of drive through the Christmas lights at Merriweather) and the Operation Christmas Child brochure announcing the collection for shoeboxes filled with gifts for needy children around the world.  It all makes me think of the smells of cinnamon and the shapes of sugar cookies and the warmth of the fireplace. 

My son is not shy to share that he is counting the days 'til the 4th Tuesday in December.  It's a magical day filling the dreams of many.  I anticipate the focus on family time, fun foods and music but mostly the spirit of the season.  People are more prone to help those in need, seek out volunteer opportunities and simply share God's love in a real and personal way. 

My desire is that we would all put some thought into spreading that love and joy throughout the year.   Some do and I applaud them.  Let's join that small number in celebrating that spirit of the season more than once a year.

I love the "count down to Christmas" display my neighbor has on her porch.  She put it up on day 99.  We all cheered..... except her 4th grade daughter.  "NO!  It's too early."  But I don't agree.  It's a good reminder; not only of numbered shopping days but for preparing our hearts and minds and beginning the season of giving now.
 

Merry Christmas in September! May the joy of THE season fill your heart with love for others throughout the year.

Looking back

Entering a new season always make me look backwards.  We had a nice, easy summer.  Michael says we all took vacations but him.  In fact, I traveled with each of the kids but he didn't go anywhere far unless you count the trip to West Virginia for volleyball camp.  He would vote "no, that doesn't count."

Meagan had a big summer with driving class and permit test and 16th birthday trip.  It was a sha-bang kinda summer!

It's the pink game at Happy Valley - PSU.

The good 'ole post PSU boot.

Learned the Snowball Reel with her Dad.  No boot required.

Learned to drive......

Good baker.

Good sister.

Rocks a party theme.

It's a "nutmeg" kinda day!  Love ya girlie!

Welcome Fall!

We welcomed my FAVORITE season today with a walk, bike riding lesson and one doggy swim in the water along the trails near our house.  Such crisp fresh air just makes me smile inside and out.  The scenery wasn't bad either.  I practiced my photography and those kids of mine practiced their posing.

She is SO brave!  I would have fallen off that tree for sure.

Marley loves the water.  It was cold but refreshing. 

View from the bridge.

Yah!!!  It's Fall.  ENJOY!!!

Whirlwind Weekend

We made it through another whirlwind weekend with full itinerary and enjoyed every minute of it.  I must say I did find myself very sleepy in between gigs yesterday and the bubba even slept in the car on a short drive from party to home.   There's not one thing I would cut out.  My goal was to enjoy each moment at it's present state.  My mom has been visiting this week and that makes it even more fun to share in those moments.

THURSDAY was Night of Excellence.  Mason showed off all of his "excellent" work in his classroom.  The night ended with ice cream - can't go wrong with that!

Someone said he looked like a little businessman
wearing his button-down shirt, glasses and watch.

There was no school on FRIDAY and since Grandma and Meagan LOVE to visit Dave & Busters they invited Mason and Mommy along this time.   We played hard, cashed in our tickets and shopped at the mall 'til we nearly dropped.

My momma requested waffles for breakfast.
I was glad to fulfill her request.  These are gluten-free.....YUM!

Meagan fills her free time with snapping photos of Meagan.
Hmmm....maybe I'll change the password on my phone.

Lunch - it's a food picture day!

SATURDAY brought soccer, movies, yard work, and yummy s'mores and more.

Guess which movie we saw at the theater....come on, guess.  I must say he did well and only covered one ear and one eye most of the movie.  We are very particular about our young children watching PG-13 rated movies and researched the particulars in advance.  We felt like he could handle it and he did great!  A mask request was made before we got to the car. I made a red one first because I had red.  My friend had some blue and after a design change by Captain Mason we had a new mask ready for avenging action.

We finished our Saturday by the fire pit, roasting marshmallows and ending the day with some quiet down time and sugary s'mores.

SUNDAY was a full day of traveling and adventure.  I'll save that detail for another post.

Wonderful Weekend

Beautiful weather and a gorgeous super moon made this a weekend to sit outside and breath some fresh air. That is after you dig in the dirt a little bit.  We did everything but sleep outside on Saturday and Sunday had some nice outside moments as well.

Early morning soccer and flower shopping were the lead into our Derby day.  We did also stop by the eye doctor's office to get SOMEONE's glasses adjusted after a face-plant coming off the swing.

Home with our decor and I filled deck boxes with fresh soil and colorful arrangements.  Michael used some muscle power to broaden the border around the mailbox and tree and then added mulch and a few pretties to dress it up.

The kids helped me make derby pie bars especially fitting on this derby day.  Mason was so glad to  crack the eggs himself and help his sister with the crust.  This is a great recipe and was easy to prepare.  I prepared it sans bourbon and used pecans instead of walnuts.  Some fresh iced tea spiked with fresh mint and we're ready to watch the Run for the Roses.

A meal shared with friends and sleeping with the windows open couldn't make for a better end to such an enjoyable spring night.

Sunday was a different schedule but still lovely and provided an opportunity after church to finish a few projects and enjoy some family time.  Beautiful berries were the centerpiece for this evening meal on the deck.

I saw a sign to pick fresh strawberries near our home.  I hope to visit there soon.