More Pool Time...

 Can you tell it is summer?  More pool time with our friend Audrey!

Soon, Michael and I are going to take a few days and head to the Smokies- we are very much looking forward to the time away to spend together and we are leaving the kids with Michael's parents!  Looking forward to getting some concentrated time together catching up and resting from the crazy year we have had!  Thankful that Mom is willing to help with the kids!

Pool Time...

 Kiddie Pool Time with Cousin Anna!

Michael's Birthday...

 So Michael's birthday was almost a month ago- oh well!  Michael's last exam was on his birthday and he was exhausted from the almost 10 hours of exam!  So that night we took him LaRosas pizza to a park- Mt. Airy park and there we had a lovely visitor- this raccoon- he must have been fed because he came a little too close for comfort! 

 We gave Daddy his gifts including a "Reds" lunchbox I got at a yard sale which was a big hit for him and enjoyed time as a family even swinging!

 Later, we had a little cookout at Michael's parents for his birthday!  So glad that his exams have been over almost a month ago- we are still rejoicing!  

Michael's Comp. Exam Party!

 Our sweet friends threw Michael a surprise party for finishing his comprehensive exams at the end of May!  They are such loyal friends that they even wrote a Ugaritic banner and made cupcakes with Ugaritic signs- who does that?  Faithful friends!  :)  

We are so thankful to have had about a month now to relax and get back into a new pattern for our family- we are still feeling like we need rest but it has been great to have "Daddy" and "Hubby" around this last month!  We are thankful the season of test taking for now is finished!

Friday Frolicks with the Samads...

 Love our pass to the Cincinnati Zoo-sometimes our good friends the Samads take us even on the train!  Jeremiah love when he can ride the train!  

Crazy Kids...

 Love these wild and crazy kids!  New skill learned this week- Lydia has learned to pull up- finally!  She is 16 months this week and still is a little scooter- scoots everywhere on her bottom but no desire to walk anytime soon.  I am not too worried but this week- she learned how to pull up to stand in her bed- little Lydie is growing up. :)  And yes, Jeremiah still sleeps with his gross, yucky blankie- that is a must for bedtime at 3 years of age!  

Saying Goodbye to Katy...

A few weeks ago, we said goodbye to our beloved little friend Katy- she is now overseas and her parents are teaching at a Seminary for 2 months- she also will be moving to South Carolina when they get back in July- her dad got a job teaching at a seminary!  We will miss and already do our little friend!  Ben & Jenn truly have been so gracious to me in watching Katy- they have blessed us above and beyond in "paying" me for watching Katy and Jenn brought me a beautiful bouquet the last day I watched Katy- I think it is one of the most beautiful ones I have seen!

Strawberry Picking...

 This week we went strawberry picking with our dear Langdon family friends!  We drove over to Indiana near where they live.  Jeremiah had a little trouble picking out the red ones and he was pretty possessive of his bucket- but we have been enjoying fresh strawberries all week!  

Lydia- well- she just sat on the sideline and ate graham crackers- what she does best! :)  

Our dear friends- the Langdons!

Goodbyes...

Goodbyes are never easy...  Over Memorial Weekend, we went up to Cedarville to see our wonderful friends- Mark & Meredith I. who are leaving their 12 years of ministry at Cedarville to move to Nashville where he will be a pastor at a church.  Michael and I met serving on their Discipleship Council in college as they mentored us, we mentored others.  They both have an amazing heart for people and discipleship.  We will miss having them close by and pray the Lord will use them greatly in their new ministry!

 And what is a trip to Cedarville without a visit to the Gorge and a good old hike!  We enjoyed seeing the Falls and taking a hike the 4 of us!  

Motherhood and Loneliness...

Motherhood can be a lonely place.  On top of that if you move to a different area- it can be hard and even take time to form these friendships that we feel are lasting and deep.  My dear hubby during a week when I felt like I had no friends and was feeling lonely- sent me this article!  It is a great read and good reminders of the importance of needing the Body of Christ and sisters in Christ to journey together!  We need each other and it can be hard to be intentional in the midst of chaos of children and the mess around us.  So we need a balance between being intentional with others and also at times pulling back and focusing on our household and children!  Our family has just been through an intense season in our lives- at times I felt lonely as my husband was very busy with his studies.  The Lord did provide great friends that did encourage just when I needed them.  I was also reminded at times, that I needed to pull back from activities and focus on my children and family and maintaining order in the midst of a stressful time.  It is a hard balance- my gut feeling was to jump at any outing or opportunity- but my body would say- slow down, focus on your family and help your husband during this season.  We are constantly trying to balance these two things.  

http://cbmw.org/women/motherhood/loneliness-and-the-pursuit-of-friendships-in-motherhood/

 The girls in their Easter dresses which are matching and we didn't even try it!