3

Happy birthday, Sweet-Yee, the icing on our cake.
Three has never seemed like such a big number to me until today!

Harvest Time

First harvest from our backyard garden.

Teaching this monkey that produce doesn't grow off the shelves of the grocery store.

Making a note to self NOT to let things spoil in the veggie drawer--someone worked hard to plant, water, protect, and harvest those green goodies.

Nine years of marriage to this fella:

Means 18 of these

And a one-of-a-kind card designed by him . . .

So beautiful, isn't it? Isn't he?

What are you harvesting these days?

Cloud 9

JUNE 30, 2010: A very happy 9th anniversary for we two . . .

"I know, I know, the wind will blow, the sky may shake but your arms will hold
When I'm on your mind, I'm on Cloud Nine.
The way I feel, without tears, I'm floating, light, in your atmosphere;
when I'm on your mind, I'm on Cloud Nine . . ."
--Leigh Nash, Cloud Nine (one of my favorite songs, especially today!)

I am so thankful to be walking beside my best friend through this crazy life journey.

Love you, sweets! Happy 9th!

Savoring Summer

Sometimes I think Ozark winters and summers compete with one another for Most Oppressive Season. With heat indexes over 100 degrees all week, cooling centers are opening all around town. Fans are being delivered to folks who are home-bound, and movie theaters are offering discounted shows as an opportunity to avoid soaring temperatures.

It's tough when you open your back door and the heat takes the breath out of you. But enough complaining. My little fam is trying its very best to savor sweet summer anyway, by doing lots of this . . .

It's especially sweet when the doorbell rings and our neighbor buddies are ready to play, also in their bathing suits, inviting us to their yard for sprinklers and popsicles. Our kids play together so much, I think they may just start looking alike. I love that for my children--precious buddies.

I am AMAZED at how the garden has grown--another hooray for the summer season. My pal Melissa has a stepping stone in her garden that reads, "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." I believe. I believe!

I know zippo about gardening and am sort of winging it this year. Any tips? Oh, and how does one pick a broccoli crown to ensure another grows in its place? Advice, please.

Of course, we are adjusting to these blue beauties. Ear plugs. Ian is complying without complaint. As usual, he is my hero. Always.

What is your FAVORITE part of summer this year?

Dad's Day Prep

Today we prepare for Father's Day.

There is never enough money or time to adequately express my appreciation for Nathan and my dad. Nathan is an incredible father. Incredible. I don't just say that--he truly is. I love him all the more for it.

My own dad is so dear, so very special, very selfless, just wonderful.

There aren't words to express how much I love these two fellas. So, these little bitty painted sweet feet, some construction paper, and a few markers doing their magic will have to suffice.

Happy Father's Day, guys. We love you.

Looking Upward

" . . . the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore."

--Song, This World is Not My Home

Home. This balloon flew over ours several nights ago. Yes, that is our roof you see. Yes, they were so close that when Ian yelled, "You guys have a good night!" its passengers replied, "YOU TOO!"

Home. It is a place Ian almost never wants to leave. He is the ultimate homebody. So, lately, when he asks me about heaven, he sometimes has tears in his eyes. He asks things like, "Mama, when I go to heaven, will I NEVER, EVER get to come back to this home?"

I am not sure what has prompted him lately to think so much about such things. But this morning when he was snuggling next to me and said, "Mama, what will it feel like when I die?" my tears started streaming.

So I said, "It will be many, many, many years from now. You will open your eyes, and mama will be there waiting for you in heaven, and I will throw my arms around you and hug you for a thousand years."

And he smiled. Big. It's the first time he has ever smiled when talking about such things. We pray as parents we always handle such delicate things in the proper way. How do YOU handle those tough questions?

"Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally
the saints on every hand are shouting victory
their song of sweetest praise drifts back from heaven's shore
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore."
--from This World is Not My Home

Favorites

1. Favorite recent fashion trend:

Lilly frequently opens her closet and dresses herself, almost always choosing some snow boot-tutu- mitten-hat combination. A fashion forward gal like her would never let 90 degree temperatures and soaring humidity interfere with her wardrobe choices.

2. Favorite blog post:
My friend Courtney Goings, someone I admire and love, made my alpha beanbags, and my-my did she jazz them up! See?

Love the denim, Courtney! Be sure to visit Courtney's blog and leave her a comment letting her know you stopped by!

3. Favorite music:
The 2010 Official World Cup soundtrack--you'll love it. Promise.

What are some of your favorite things today?