I love the lake!

Last night I got to ski for the first time in two years and it felt AMAZING. I had forgotten how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being out on the lake. I didn't realize how much I have missed it. Now my heart longs for a house on the water, a ski boat, and the means to provide that wonderful escape for our friends and family.

Chloe Faith

One year ago I was pregnant and miserable. My right hand was numb, I itched from head to toe, I couldn't bend down, my skin was broken out, and I could barely function. But looking at this little person all that pain and discomfort is completely worth it. She brings us so much joy. And she is a physical reminder that hard times pass. We named her Chloe Faith because she is proof that good things come as we exercise faith in the Lord, and that His wisdom is greater than our own.

Earrings!

To be honest, I'm just a little bit sad about it. My girls are all growing up so fast and their little naked earlobes were one way of keeping them young. Until now, Lydia was the only one with earrings (my philosophy is to wait until they ask, and McKenna doesn't want hers done), but both Emily and Summer have been asking for a while. And it did turn into a really fun activity. I took them to Claire's and you'd think we had gone to Disneyland! They thought it was the coolest place ever. (We don't get out much.) :) They were totally brave and really do love their little earrings. And now I'm reconciling myself to the fact that, earrings or not, they ARE growing up. Sigh.

First Fruits

Every year we plant a garden. And most years nothing really grows. (Except for tomatoes.) But this year we planted a garden and it grew!!!!

And we are already getting to harvest some of its fruits. We've been using our herbs for a few weeks now, and then last night we went out and picked cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, and yellow squash, and a pepper. (Our carrots are tiny, but they look and taste like carrots!! Amazing.)

Now we're just anxiously waiting for our tomatoes to ripen.

Gardens that grow make me SO happy.

Understood

My parents are here visiting and my Mom brought me this little note block as a gift.

She gets me. (Change is not something I willingly embrace.) It's nice to be understood.