Wedding Out West

Here are the two people responsible for us taking our 4,000 mile trip out West.

My sweet cousin, Leif, and his lovely bride Eleanore.

When we heard they were tying the knot in Great Falls, Montana, I didn't think that we would actually be able to attend, but I am so glad we did!

Leif's sister, Katie, made a beautiful bridesmaid.

(I love this girl!!)

Katie's little girl, Ginger, made an adorable flower girl.

Katie's son, Blake, was the ring bearer . I have never seen such energy and personality before. You should have seen him on the dance floor!It was so great to see my dad and his siblings and all their spouses together.I just love weddings.

What a great excuse to drive miles and miles to see family.

I am so happy for Leif . . . look at how happy he is!!

The first song that was played was "Sweet Caroline". John whisked Caroline off to the dance floor. How fun.


Little Ginger let me whisk her off to the dance floor.

I got some good cuddle time with her.
She was almost asleep by the end of the song.

Congratulations, Leif and Eleanore!!

What a beautiful wedding and what a beautiful couple!

My little man had his first day of Pre - K today.I was so proud of him, because he was a little reluctant at first.

But he was brave and he had a great time.

I had big plans for my first two and a half hours to myself.

What did I end up doing?

Taking a shower and doing the dishes.

Tomorrow, I have a phone date set up with one of my good college friends.

I missed my little Luke, but he had fun and I got something done.

All is well.

:)

Don't You Worry

Tonight, I was tutoring a high school girl at the library. She was so worried about everything.

Her weight, her soccer skills, her math assignment, her upcoming tests, her school fundraiser (yes, I bought a $20 cheesecake from her!), her advanced biology work that we didn't even have time to really touch.

As she was beginning to hyperventilate, I calmed her down and let her know that everything was going to be OK.

As I looked at her, I felt like I was looking in a mirror!

She reminded myself of ME as a high schooler.

Well, actually, she reminded me of me right now.

I always seem to have something I am flustered and worried about.

"Gotta get this done, then I gotta get that done, then I gotta figure out where that money is going to come from, then I gotta make sure he is happy, then I gotta make sure she likes me, then I gotta solve all of that person's problems, then I gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta" . . .

Sometimes I need to remind myself not to worry so much and just enjoy life. . .. . . and leave the takin' care of business to God.
Sure, we definitely have a responsibility to take care of the things that we have control over. But all the rest, we need to hand over to our loving Father who created us in His image. He loves us so much and will take care of all our needs.

* * *

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6:25-27 New International Version

Luke is FIVE

Look who is FIVE!!

I must have blinked or something, because last time I looked, he was just a baby.

We threw Luke a simple, little party.

(remember . . . simple is good)

The kids did the decorations.

The theme was Star Wars.

I think they did a great job!!

We made little pizzas with cutie Caleb.

yummmmm . . . We made Luke a LEGO cake . . . I just love this picture of Caroline singing to Luke.
The next day, on Luke's real birthday, Jake and Caroline celebrated with him at Monkey Joe's. (a place with a lot of inflatables)

Happy Birthday, dear Luke!!

You make me smile!!

We love you sooo much!!

(and you'll ALWAYS be my baby . . . no matter how old you are!!)

Eight is Great

On August 15th, our Caroline turned EIGHT! When we got back from our trip out West, we threw her a simple, little party.

(simple is good)

How did she grow up so quickly??
Where has the time gone?? It feels like just yesterday that she was falling asleep in my lap as I gently rocked her. I loved how she would run her little hand up and down my arm as I sang to her.

Those are frogs on the cupcakes . . . she wanted a rain forest theme and the theme of her second grade class is frogs.a little "monkey" in the middle :)

I consider it a pure joy and privilege to watch Caroline grow and change and become the young woman that God wants her to become.

She is so creative and smart . . . her preschool teacher always referred to her as industrious. I think that is a great adjective for Caroline. She definitely never gets bored.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Caroline.

We love you so very much!!!!!