ROAD TRIP! First Stop: Walled Lake, MI

I am finally getting a chance to sit down and document our vacation. And what a wonderful vacation it was! We had a bit of a rough start with Micah not sleeping so well but he got used to all the transitions after about two days and overall did really well with all the traveling. Our first stop was Walled Lake, MI, home to my [dad's] Uncle Bruce and Aunt Karen. My dad spent weeks here as a child during the summer and then took our family for many years growing up. It has always been my favorite vacation spot and I had told Tim about it many times so it was really neat to finally get him up there. Uncle Bruce and Aunt Karen's cottage sits on an inlet (might not be the accurate word)-- a small corridor of water with a few houses surrounding it, leading out to Wolverine Lake. It is a beautiful and peaceful spot.

We had a blast tubing and swimming, kayaking and boating, and spending time with all the family. Uncle Bruce and Aunt Karen are wonderful hosts and a lot of fun to be with. My dad, uncle, and four cousins were also there which brought great entertainment. Micah was very brave, entering the water from the boat ladder and swimming with everyone. He loved throwing balls back and forth with all the guys. I especially enjoyed taking Micah out in the paddle boat one evening and talking about all the boats and people we spotted along the way; it was a precious moment with my little boy.

Tim and I agreed after this visit that we would really love to live on a lake someday. It is now our retirement goal. I don't need a big place-just a spot on the water just about anywhere will do!

Micah Sings Part 2

Micah Sings

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