Wordless Wednesday: Pool Time!

Just the Two of Us

Tim and I had a wonderful getaway over Memorial Day weekend (yes, I am really behind in posting!). It was such a blessing to have time to ourselves after three months of feeling like we were running on empty and lacking quality time together. The trip did not provide much physical rest but I it did provide us spiritual and emotional rest which was of much greater value during this challenging time of life.

The idea for a getaway started when Tim's good friend from college, Brian, asked if he was interested in photographing a wedding with him on Cape Cod. When we realized it was over Memorial Day weekend, Tim suggested we take the opportunity to celebrate our upcoming 5 year wedding anniversary a little early. It was hard for me to agree at first because it meant being away from Micah for 4 full days. But the more crazy life got, the more I realized how amazing it would be to get away and relax. So thanks to Tim's parents, we were able to make this happen. And Micah had a wonderful time with Grandma and Grandpa, getting ooodles of attention and going all sorts of fun places.

A lot of our time away was actually spent in the car (memorial day weekend traffic is insane) which could have been a real drag, but when you're alone with your hubby with no interruptions or responsibilities it is actually quite enjoyable! We took long breaks for meals in quaint little towns with ocean views and enjoyed leisurely strolls at each stop. We stopped in Nyack, NY and Mystic, CT on the way there and in Newport, RI on the way home.

Tim and I didn't see much of each other on Saturday as he was busy photographing, but I had a great time hanging out with Brian's wife, Anne, and their little girl, Cassie, and attending the wedding of complete strangers. Seriously, I never knew going to a wedding knowing just one person (Anne) could be so much fun! The reception was right on the water in Cape Cod- absolutely gorgeous.

Tim and I were up early Sunday morning to drive to the tip of the cape, Provincetown, for our whale watch. I am so glad we did this! We ended up seeing 7 or 8 humpbacks and even a baby humpback. It was amazing to see them up close. The boat ride out and back was quite enjoyable too. I have always found being out on the water to be so relaxing and refreshing. After the whale watch, we spent a few hours touring Provincetown and walking along the beach. It was a gorgeous day and so nice to explore a place with no agenda.

Saturday evening we arrived at our B&B about halfway down the cape. It was a lovely place and the owners were extremely hospitable. While there, we enjoyed a lobster dinner, a long bike ride, a stroll in a nearby town, and quite possibly the most delicious ice cream I've ever had. What more can I say, we had a great time!

I had Tim take a photo of this inside "Sundae School"

because this was the chorus line of our wedding song:

"Me for You and You for Me." :)

Wordless Wednesday: BathTime Funnies

"The Rock Underneath"

Yesterday I came across a great blog, "(in)courage," where 30+ women share their personal stories and reflections as they strive to live by faith and seek God's truth--even in the ordinary (and at times weary) routines of life. I have been so encouraged by the writings I have read so far and am looking forward to reading more. Yesterday's post really resonated with me and I thought I would share it because I am sure I am not the only one who can relate and be encouraged by this...

The Rock Underneath

"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand." -Madeleine L'Engle

The props have been pulled out from under me this week. Not the seen ones, like family or shelter or job or finance. But the unseen ones, the false ones I've made with my own hands. Fear has come to visit, sneaking through the cracked back door rather than knocking at the front. And he secretly tried to steal away valuable Truth before I even knew he was in the house.

He is so crafty, this Fear, that I take him on as my very identity: I am Afraid, I hear myself say. And in the saying, I practice the presence of Fear, rather than rest in the safety of God. Jesus says His spirit within me is one of power, love and a sound mind. But He whispers while Fear screams.

Fear screams for me to run.

But God beckons me, Come.

Fear pushes me to produce protection.

But God whispers I have already overcome.

And so I stand on rock and watch as the sand sinks swiftly down.

To be love-led rather than fear-driven is to stand on the rock underneath.Where have you placed your feet today?

by Emily, Chatting at the Sky

FREEDOM!

This is the first word I think of when I look at our new fencing in the backyard. My sanity has truly just been saved. I will no longer have to worry about turning my back for a second or needing to run into the house for something when I take Micah outside to play. He is completely caged in! Ha. It was so freeing to be able to run into the kitchen today for a drink without having to bring him inside with me-- not only was there no screaming and crying (he gets very upset when he has to come inside and doesn't understand that he can go right back out), but I didn't have to worry that in less than one minute he would be in the front yard or back alley. I seriously think I have added some years onto my life with new addition to our home.

Not only does it give me sanity but it creates a really cozy eating area in the back of the yard. Our picnic table fits perfectly and the tree provides wonderful shade. We are looking forward to getting some stone down and eventually running electricity to the shed so we can even have lighting back there at night. I am having fun envisioning all that we could do with that little cozy space! Lanterns, shade plants, stepping stones,...if you have any brilliant ideas for this space, feel free to share!

If you give a boy a cookie...

he will (somewhat) cooperate for a haircut...

I finally attempted to cut Micah's hair and I think I can say it was a success. There was no blood shed and it looks pretty decent considering he has some crazy cal-licks to work with. I gave Micah his first haircut at 8 months but then left the job to the hairdressers once he was in his squirmy stages. The first two times at the hairdresser were great but the third time was a disaster- Micah screamed through the entire hair cut, deathly afraid of the buzzer and scissors coming near his head. It was depressing to think I paid almost $20 for my child to go ballistic and end up with a haircut that looked no better than one I would give...

So welcome to my in-home barber shop. It's nothing fancy but I do provide cookies and m&ms to keep my customers happy. What more could a kid ask for?

Spring Means...

ICE CREAM!

Lots of Outdoor Play

We've even had a pool party!

Spring Cleaning/Projects

My love language is organization. Ahhhhh.

Playground Fun!

Mommy and Daddy enjoy it as much as Micah does!