so grateful

It's time to post again. I try to do it at least once a month, but I was looking over pictures from this past month, I am struck by how many wonderful things happened and how much we've been able to do. Again, I find myself just grateful for this life I've been given to live - so full of joys, and sorrows too - but I think sorrow makes those joys so much sweeter. Thus, another post to celebrate the joys.

First-off, a date-night to catch Chris Thile and Michael Daves at The Southern - what a duo!

Ethan reading to "Mono" in his crib.


Then Grandma came for a few days to play!

Noah surprised us his last morning of Preschool,
and had clearly thought ahead about his outfit that day.


Grandma couldn't miss Noah's preschool graduation!
Thank you Miss Heather for all your care for our Noah this year.
We will miss Great Beginnings Preschool next year.

Perhaps Noah just wanted to match Daddy for his Spring concert that same day...

More Strawberries!!

Memorial Day weekend project (we still have some details to complete.)
Noah was a big help!

That same weekend we got together with some new friends, The Meyers.
They were so gracious to have us and share the fruits (and veggies) from their garden.
Noah was a little nervous with their sweet baby goats - they were adorable!


Argh! (the chosen outfit to go to the library -
can anyone guess what kind of books we brought home?)

" 'Cause Pirates like to have fun too, Mommy."

Summertime Juice Pops!

Explorations Play Studio - what a beautiful spot to escape the heat.

As soon as Michael finished school last Friday, we took off for Baltimore
and Arlington for the weekend. We visited a dear friend from my middle school!
We stayed with Ian, played with his two sweet Labs, and did a little sightseeing.
We visited the Baltimore Science Museum and Fells Point.

Can't get enough of these curls!

On Sunday, Ian took us to the fire station where he volunteers.
The boys were just a little excited. (c:

Ethan wasn't sure about the outfit...

A lovely time with Geema (Ethan's new name for Grandma) and Pa-pa before returning home.

Tuesday, we had a playdate with The Purdys in Richmond!! What a wonderful time to catch-up.
We finally got to meet Lucy Grace (6mos).

Mother's Day

I hope this becomes a tradition in our family. We went strawberry picking at Critzer's Family Farm again this year, the Saturday before Mother's Day.

Our little inchworm friend!

The boys worked very hard to pick the reddest berries.

Their homemade strawberry ice cream was just what we needed as a reward for all our hard work - 6 lbs of sweet juicy strawberries!

Afterwards, we visited Edible Landscaping where we picked out our very own Blueberry and Raspberry bushes. Michael got right to work putting them in the ground - with some help from Ethan.

My parents arrived that afternoon and stayed through Monday morning. Both boys loved having Papa help read to them and put them to bed. He loves his little buddies!

We enjoyed lunch out with Mom and Dad and then a low key dinner on the deck - a beautiful day!

My first buttercup bouquet from Ethan.


Noah helped me with the Strawberry Shortcake.

Gotta love these Peonies, just in time for Mother's Day!!

This week we spent a good amount of time out on the back deck watching all the big dump trucks, diggers, and steamrollers, as they paved a loop around our park - just right for some future bike riders.

Again, these are definitely some of the highlights of our week. I'm not usually taking pictures during the not so fun times of being mommy - this is the hardest job I will ever have. Thank you, sweet boys, for being patient with me as the Lord sanctifies me every day - showing me my need for Him when I am selfish and not patient, among many other things. Thank you, to both our Moms, for going before us in this journey, and encouraging us all along the way. We love you so much!!!

Spring Highlights

This Spring has brought many sweet reunions. Above are a couple pics from our rustic cabin weekend on the Appalachian Trail with Matthew & Kerry, her sister Erin & Tom, Daniel, Peter, and Beth. It was a perfect getaway, complete with no electricity, cell phone signals, nor running water (aside from the nearby stream). However, I have never eaten SO well. Pretty amazing doughnuts and apple pie, and veggie/meat foil wrap-thingys.


For Spring Break, we spent a few days in DC and stayed with Mom and Dad. It was so fun to do the touristy stuff with the boys. Ethan rode the Metro for the first time. We were right on time for the Cherry Blossom Festival and visited the Natural History Museum.


Also got to check-out the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum at Dulles - the boys loved this and even got to do a short pilot simulation.


We had a wonderful day on Sunday of Spring Break visiting our former church, Alexandria Presbyterian and seeing many dear friends. We got to have lunch with Justin and Jacquie Prather, their two girls (Nora and Camille) and Tim Petrie. Later, we visited with Brett and Krista Miller and their two girls (Karina and newborn, Keira). Then in the evening we had dinner with Seth and Jess Blanchard and got to visit their sweet new home. What a day!! It was delightful to see SO many great friends in one day.


Then we returned home and got to prepare our garden and do some mulch slinging! Thank you Spencer, for letting us borrow the truck!!!

This felt like a homecoming picture...thank you for snapping it, Mom! We had the opportunity to attend Jenna Walton and Adam Hood's beautiful wedding! It was a blast to see many dear friends from years ago.

Fellow ICS grads, Ian and Stephanie. (c:

Gave Hot Cross Buns a try on Good Friday.

My sweet boys on Easter Sunday!

We all enjoyed attending the City Parrish picnic, not to mention the Easter egg hunt, and kickball game (adults vs. kiddos).

Here is Noah on Kindergarten Open House Day.
Do you think he's excited about starting big-kid school next year?

This past Thursday evening, Sara Daniel watched the boys so we could head over the mountain to visit our Alma Mater for a very special reason. Dan Flynn, the campus director of Campus Crusade at JMU was giving his last graduation talk in that role. It was a treat to see him, his family, and so many alumni that were able to make it.

Yesterday, a friend that I have known since elementary school came through town! Lindsay, I loved getting some time with you!

Finally, just today, we got to meet the man that Annmarie will soon wed - Josh Rinehults! And yes, they do make a perfect couple. Congratulations you two!!! Can't wait for September!!!