Two Moms, Two Boys, Two Bellies

This morning I had an old friend and her little boy come and play. We went to church together as kids and reconnected on Facebook. She's a little pregnant too. Okay, maybe we're both a lot pregnant. Jackie is due three weeks before me, but I'd still be willing to race her to the finish. Her son and mine were supposed to play in the sprinkler together, but "C" had different plans. He really just wanted to get his two year old hands dirty in Josh's "Gnome Home" box. After we put the "Gnome Home" in the house to keep it safe, "C" was content to play with Josh's tractors in the grass. My own little boy was not feeling very friendly today, which was a shame. He had several late nights this week and last night was no exception. Needless to say, he was a little grouchy. But having a friend over who is a bit younger than himself is good practice for when Little Brother arrives. We'll have to try our visit again when Josh is feeling a little more... happy. And less droopy. I, on the other hand, had a nice visit and it was fun to compare our pregnancies. Jackie is also expecting son #2. Little brothers are so much fun!

Road Trippin'

We road-tripped it this past month. My friend Emily and I embarked on an adventure and drove 14 hours south to see our mutual friend Carissa and her new baby. We spent the week (almost) together, and didn't stop moving the entire time. The baby is the sweetest thing ever... I can't wait for Carissa to bring her to NY to visit in June.

Baby Shower Saturday

Last Saturday, myself and two friends threw a baby shower for our mutual friend/sister. I went to visit Carissa in South Carolina in August and last week she came home for Thanksgiving. We seized the opportunity and showered her. She's due (with a girl!) February 4th. I hope I didn't make her feel awkward by how much I had my hand on her belly. Honestly, I think she was fine with it, since she did the same to me when I was pregnant with Josh. Feeling a baby move inside is really the most amazing feeling in the world, even from the outside...I'm counting my blessings in being able to watch my dear friend be expecting her first baby, even if it is from far away. I cannot wait to hold her little girl and kiss her little fingers and feel her soft hair on my cheek. And I secretly hope that little baby will look like her Asian side... :)

Traveling Escapades

Did a little bit of traveling this past month. Got to hug some great people and eat wonderful food. Here's a tiny taste of the adventure.

Down By The River

Upon our arrival in South Carolina, we were greeting with fine greetings from our host and hostess. It was just after 11pm on Saturday night, so after the greetings were over, Josh, Adam, and myself collapsed into bed. Sunday we were treated to some fine Southern preaching, which brought back childhood memories of our Southern Pastor, who could shout with the best of them. (He had gradually adapted the more Northern way of preaching and was quite tame by the time I graduated High School...)

After church, Carissa and Adam H. (our fine hosts) took us to the river for a picnic. When they said picnic, my mind conjured up images of a gentle, grassy slope, where we could lay out our blanket and enjoy our packed lunches in the warm sunshine. Maybe after our lunch, we could, if we so desired, dip our feet into the cool edge of the river and watch Josh do some splashing... Well, it was awful silly of me to imagine any such thing, because there was no gentle, grassy slope to lay out our blanket on, and the warm sunshine was blocked by a cool canopy of limbs and leaves.

We picked our way carefully down the rocks and stepped into the cool stream. You could see looks of displeasure coming from my husband's face. This was not what he had expected either. He was hungry and had been hoping for a gentle, grassy slope on which to eat his lunch. Carrying the cooler in one hand and holding Josh's hand in the other, he picked his way over the slippery river rocks with a warning to me, not to drop the camera.

We walked for a ways, with Mr. Hall and Carissa in the lead, and Adam scowling more and more, as his stomach began to growl painfully. The river curved round a bend, and there along the shore line, was a rocky beach of sorts. It was here, on the rocky beach, that Mr. Hall unfurled the blanket and Carissa got out the picnic lunch. The river babbled it's watery song while we munched happily on our ham sandwiches, chips and cookies. Our hunger was finally satiated and the scowl lines in Adam's brow had softened.

By this time, the water was calling to us and we left the dry picnic blanket and dipped our toes into the water. We ventured further until the water lapped at our calves. Before we knew it, we were all kids again, our hands in the water, pulling rocks out and moving them to where they would better suit our purpose. Soon, the water was rising and Mr. Hall and Adam joyfully made a game out of seeing how fast they could get the current moving.

There was a lot of laughter and smiles as the boys got in touch with their "inner child". The current was so strong that even as grown men, they struggled to walk through the knee-deep water. One could tell that they were mightily pleased with the results of their hard work, making memories all the way.

Time for a Baby Squeeze

Wednesday was my day off and though I would usually spend it trying to catch upon housework, this past Wednesday was not to be spent that way. My good friend Stephanie had had her second baby in April and I had still not been to visit. I needed to go have some baby time. So Josh and I made the two-hour drive to see baby Olivia and her big brother Tyler. We arrived just after 11:30 and Josh got right to work playing with Tyler, who turned two in May. I peeked at the baby and had a very nice visit with Stephanie, in spite of it being laundry day. (I need to invite someone over on laundry day. Then maybe my laundry would actually get folded!) We spent about five hours visiting and Josh and I left in time to eat a late dinner at home. I know I always say this, but even though we live two hours away, it's no excuse to not get together more often! I hadn't been down to see Steph since last August and that is too long. We'll have to make a point of seeing each other at least every other month. Don't you think so Stephanie?

A Blog Friend Intervention

I cannot believe how much time has passed since my trip to Indonesia. It was almost a month ago now! One part of my trip that I was especially blessed by, was being able to stay with my Mom's blog friend, Wanda, while I was in California. She and her husband Don welcomed me into their home like I was family, and I guess in one way, we are family. They both love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and because of that we can be family, in the family of Christ. Wanda was such an encouragement to me and also a challenge. Not in a bad way, but her example challenged me. She was so sweet and caring to her husband, and such a servants heart. Look at her! Isn't she just the sweetest lady? I mean, not everyone lets random girls from the other side of the country stay with them. God bless her and Don! I miss you Wanda! I wish you lived down the street from me. :)

We've Been Canned! (Last week's edition)

It had been a busy week. It all started last Sunday. I spent two days in Binghamton canning peaches with a dear friend. I have tried canning peaches for the past two years, but they never turned out great. The peaches were mushy and very unappealing. I had tried some of my friend Stephanie's canned peaches this past summer and made the passing comment that we should can some together when the appropriate time arrived. She took me seriously and called me up a few weeks ago and we made plans to can our peaches together. I am so glad she called. I purchased the three bushels we thought we would need and drove down to her place. Once there the two of us set about canning our 40+ jars of peaches. Stephanie showed me how to cold pack the peaches, which produces a much tastier finished product than the hot packed peaches I had been making. We spent all day canning. Honestly it was so much fun having someone to share the big job with and we thought we were making good process. By the time we had our jars filled, our feet were getting tired and our bellies getting hungry. But we still had at least a bushel left on the table... I ended up having to make a run for the store to buy more sure jel, sugar, and jars. We made an additional four batches of peach jam before hitting the sack for the night. And even after four batches of jam, we had enough left over peaches for both of us to put some in our freezers. It was such a great time and I believe that we'll do it again next year, though I think we'll only purchase two bushels then... I have some lovely pictures of our jars of fruit, but alas, they are not on this computer, so I will add them later. The jars are so pretty filled with their golden peaches all lined up in a row. And the peaches are delicious. Cold packing is definitely the way to go!

When I returned from my peach packing adventure, I was raring to go! My garden has been producing tomatoes by the basket full and since I don't eat too many tomatoes in their fresh state, they were dangerously close to going bad. I have never canned tomatoes or sauce before, but since I was on a roll already, I went to task making very basic tomato sauce. Adam loves to make his own sauce when we have pizza, so I just left the seasoning all to him. I'm sure he'll do a good job at it, when the time comes. I was feeling so good about using what was in the garden, and being slightly concerned about everything going to waste in the next week and a half, I blanched and froze three bags of Brussels sprouts and a few bags of green beans as well. The only thing I didn't put up this past week has to be my cucumbers. But then again, I had already done a batch of Kosher dills and a batch of bread and butter pickles. I can't wait to put up the pictures of my shelves filled with tasty garden treats. I just hope that we won't forget about all the hard work that we put into those jars... I can't imagine letting all that good food sit down there forgotten all winter. That's the only thing I worry about... But if you fear that I will forget that good food, just invite yourself over to try some for yourself. I'll be more than happy to share. :)

A Weekend in Jersey

*Josh and Tyler during our stop midway*

This past weekend, Josh and I went on a road trip. All by ourselves. I will admit to being slightly apprehensive about making the 5 1/2 hour drive to Philadelphia all by myself. But I put on my adventurous face and we left home just the two of us. Thankfully I have a friend who lives in between here and there, so we were able to break the trip into two chunks, stopping for lunch and a quick visit. (Thanks Steph!)

My friend Ashleigh and her family moved back to New Jersey right after we had graduated, about seven years ago. She's been back to NY a couple times to visit, but the only time I have ever been there was when she got married about 2 1/2 years ago. And although it was so nice to see her and her family then, it didn't make for a very good time to visit. So after seven years, I finally was able to get myself together enough to visit. And now that I've done it, I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. After all, it really only cost me a tank of gas to get there and back, and since I had someone to stay with, I didn't have the extra expense of a hotel. I'm already thinking of going back next year...

The original purpose of going to visit Ashleigh and her family was the annual Duffers for Davin golf tournament, which was to be held on Monday. That was the incentive for me to go. But Sunday was also Ashleigh's sister Bethany's birthday. Which was a total blast and a half. They made a slip n' slide which we spent most of the afternoon on. Josh's nap went out the window and he went down the slip n' slide instead of down to sleep. How could he sleep when we were having so much fun?!? And I think I am much too old to be sliding down a slip n' slide. My stomach hurts and I have bruises everywhere. Sticks and bumpy ground didn't help to much, but still, I am 24 not 14...

The golf tournament was fun too, but I was nervous that Josh would misbehave, especially since it would be such a long day. He surprised me though and was so well behaved. He played nicely with all the cousins and greeted the golfers when they came by the Putting Contest, where we were camped out. Josh loved all the golf carts and wanted to ride them, until he was actually offered a ride, then he chickened out. He's so funny. I really was so proud of him, because he was so well behaved.

Anywho, enjoy the following photos of our slippery day... Don't get too jealous. You could make one of your own, you know!*Kevin (Ashleigh's husband) trying the slip n' slide out*

*Josh giving it a go!*

*This is called a "people train", where we all hold hands and go down at once.*

*Bethany H., Myself, and Ashleigh~ Yeah, it was fun.**The whole lot of us. Are we too old for this stuff?*

Summer Pasttimes

I've been a bit distracted this week... by facebook. It's such a shame.

Last weekend we had such a blast. We decided rather last-minute that we were going to have a "bon" fire and invite some friends over. It was the most relaxing way to have company. We provided the s'mores and some chairs. The turnout was great (unlike our last party). There were just enough little people to keep each other occupied, though there was a "designated" babysitter. Em brought the ladder ball, which we (mostly I) broke. Though with a bit of electrical tape, it still had some life it in. Maybe I'll find her a new one at a garage sale... One friend brought some sparklers, which brought back memories from my childhood. We used to have them every July 4th at Grandma's house. They were so much fun. Josh thought they were fun too, though we had to remind him that it didn't go near his face... I wish I had gotten a picture, he was so fun to watch. He and his friend Jane played late into the night while we talked around the fire. Good times. I think it should be a monthly summer occurrence.

A Weekend Visit

This past weekend my good friend Stephanie and her hubby, Stephan, came to visit. They brought their little boy, who is turning one tomorrow. Steph hails from Binghamton, and though it's only two hours away, we see each other rarely. (We have decided that will have to change.) It was the perfect weekend to visit, if you like to be busy. The town where I grew up was having their annual festival and parade AND the Lilac Festival was taking place in Rochester. We took Steph and Stephan to see the parade shortly after they arrived. I think Josh liked it more than baby Tyler did. Josh thought the fire trucks, motorcycles, and police cars were so great. Adam made sure that he got at least one or two pieces of candy from those who still threw them. (Everyone is currently on an "anti-obesity" rampage, so the candy throwers were far and few between. I don't think a couple of pieces of candy at a parade are going to make someone fat.) In the evening we went to a friends' home to watch the fireworks display. They also had a little girl, so it was fun to watch the three little ones interact with each other. Rosalie spent the first portion of our visit trying to kiss Tyler. So funny! On Sunday Stephanie and Stephan left their boy with us for the day while they went to a friends' wedding. We took Tyler to church with us and then to the Lilac Festival. It was funny the reaction we received at our church. There were two different people who approached us saying that they didn't know we had two kids. I told them we were just borrowing one for the day, to practice. Having two kids was easier than I thought it was going to be, probably due to Tyler's good behavior. Stephanie had made it out to be like he was going to be fussy and horrible. I wasn't too worried, but I mentally prepared myself. In all actuality, he hardly fussed at all and was the best baby at the Lilac Festival. I enjoyed having two kids for the day and I think my in-laws enjoyed it too, as we went to the festival with them. After spending time with thee baby, my mother-in-law made comments about wanting another grandbaby of her own... I told her we might have to go to China to find one. When we arrived back at home, our company had returned from the wedding and we spent another nice evening together. Sometimes I wish Stephanie and Stephan didn't live so far away... I really enjoyed our visit together and am looking forward to another one before too long!

Wishing The Time Away and Wishing It Back Again

There are a million and one other things I could be doing at the moment, but instead I sit and eat a pbj sandwich, feeling sad and a little sorry. My bff's husband got a job on Tuesday. He starts next week. In Virginia. They are leaving tonight. Within a weeks time, they went from "just arrived back home from job-searching in Cali. for a month" to "he's got a job interview in VA" to "we're leaving this weekend". I'm not really sad for my "loss", but more for her and her family. The two of them got back from VA on Thursday morning (from the interview), are packing up today and leaving tonight. It's such a whirlwind and has left no time to even have a family dinner before they're gone. So I am sad. Sad that the good-byes are to be so rushed and sad that they are leaving so soon. I am sad that her Mom is sad. I am glad that he has a job and glad that he will be able to provide for himself and his wife. But sad that the job is so far away. Virginia does not sound close to me, no matter how I look at it. With the only exception being that it is closer than California. I wish there was one more week in March. And here I was wishing the month of March away just a few shorts days ago.

It's a Praise the Lord Moment!

I have had two "Praise the Lord Moments" this week. First (let's hear a drum roll....), after waiting 11 months, our auto insurance company has finally agreed to pay our hospital bill ($2,000+) from our car accident last year!!! To read about the incident click here for part one and here for part two. The other guy's insurance company has also agreed to pay all of our out-of-pocket expenses that were incurred because of the accident. We are getting close to putting this all behind us. Woot-woot!!!Secondly... Well, I have been on work overload this month. I've been working 2-3 days a week covering for my friend who had gone job searching in California and pulling a day or two at the restaurant in addition to my regular daycare hours. So all together working 5-6 days a week, still keeping my evening obligations and nearly going out of my mind. I hate this schedule and earlier this week I was ready to pull my hair out. I want more time to be at home with my family and taking care of my house and my guys. Anyway, just when I thought I was at the brink of exhaustion, my friend calls me and says she is coming home, which is earlier than I expected her to come home and will be able to work her hours at the daycare next week. (Can I hear another woot-woot?!?) PRAISE THE LORD! I think knowing that me schedule is about to relax has given me an extra dose of energy today because I am nowhere near as tired as I was Monday and Tuesday of this week. Another praise the Lord!

I have no picture for this moment.

Wanted:

*letting down my guard*

This is a post about friends. I have a hard time making new friends. I am fine at meeting new people and holding civil conversations and even having casual friendships with people. But I have a hard time getting close to people. I realized this past week that all of my close, buddy-type friends are friends that I have known since before I turned 16. These are the select few I will call most often, that I look for to hang out with, and that I can let down my guard with. It's not that I don't want new friends or feel like I could have a connection with someone I may have met more recently. It's just that I don't know how to go from saying hi at church to inviting someone over to have girls' night or out somewhere fun or really having a heart-to-heart talk. Or is this just part of growing up? Is the time of being "bosom-buddies" just part of childhood and when you grow up, you just can't get as close as you could if you were still kids? Is a close relationship only possible with family and childhood friends? Or is this something that I have to work on? Being more open and vulnerable, putting myself out there and getting out of my comfort zone... Because I think I may need some new buddies. Not that I'm getting rid of any old ones, but when your old friends grow up sometimes they move far away or sometimes they are too busy. Sometimes they see things differently and sometimes they have kids that monopolize their time and energy. What is your take on the issue? I know you may not believe this about me, but I think it is true. I build walls, though unintentionally, and I want to know how I can climb over them. Or is it that when you grow up, and you have a new friend, you don't necessarily need to laugh loud and make crazy faces without feeling incredible stupid about it. But that friendship takes on a more civil tone, being older and more sophisticated... ?

Have A Seat

Last night, we had our friend Mr. "H" over for supper. His family is in NJ, in the process of moving back to NY, after being gone for 6 years. Mr. "H" was my youth group leader growing up and father to one of my bff's . We figured he could use some company for supper, especially since eating out by one's self, would get old quick. Josh thought he was pretty good for playing with. This is how Josh thinks: After supper, Josh took Mr. "H" downstairs where he showed him his cars. Josh says, "You wanna play toys Mista Hista?" "Okay, I'll play cars," replies Mr. "H", standing over Josh admiring his cars from a distance. Josh says, "You wanna sit down Mista Hista?" He was pretty sure Mista Hista made a cool guy to play cars with.

Visiting Friends

A couple Saturday's back, we were able to meet with some good friends of ours from Binghamton. I've been friends with Stephanie since we went to summer camp as kids, but we don't see each other often since we live three hours away. But they were in town over Thanksgiving, so we met up that weekend, with our little families to spend some time together. After some lunch at Applebee's, we went to the mall to go window shopping. We had to stop in front of the giant Christmas tree for a photo op. I wish we lived closer so our boys could be best buddies growing up, even if they are a year and a half apart!!

Midmorning Madness?

It seems I am always a week behind, but I wanted to write all about my Thanksgiving weekend adventures. This is the very first year that I have ever gone "Black Friday" shopping. My friend Emily convinced me to go out with her early, early in the morning. I got out of bed at 2:40am in order to meet her at her house by 3:45. (She lives 20 minutes-ish away.) That gave me enough time to shower and feel like a real person before leaving home. The plan was to get to the outlet mall at 4 am, between the midnight rush and the morning rush. It worked like a charm. There were people, but not the mobs of people you typically hear about on "Black Friday". There were good sales and I would definitely do it again next year. We hit Old Navy first, before I made the rounds to the little kid clothing stores. I was able to get Josh several things he needed and even a few things for myself (and Adam too). The excitement of going out early, in the dark, to go Christmas shopping was the most fun. Made me feel young and rambunctious again. :) Too bad I didn't get a photo with me in it. Then again, maybe it's better that way...

A New Baby!

Hooray for babies!!! Stephanie's baby was born today at 5:50 pm. His name is Tyler Steven and weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz and was 22 1/2 inches long. She pushed for hours and they finally took him by cesarean. Praise the Lord that he is healthy and so is Mom, though she is very, very tired. I wish she didn't live 2+ hours away, or I'd jump in my car tonight to go see her! Pray for her and Tyler as they recover the arduous birth process together!

Prayers Please!

My friend Stephanie has been in labor all night and is still only one cm. So please pray for her today! I hope she has this baby soon.

A Photo Tag

The rules…

Find the 6th folder in your pictures directory and post the 6th photo in it.

So here are the instructions:

* Go to your sixth picture folder then pick your sixth picture.
* Pray that you remember the details.
* Post it on your blog.
* Tag 5 others, leave a comment to let them know they’ve been tagged.


Ah, the infamous Beach Day. My buds and I hit the beach one fine summer afternoon a couple years ago and had a simply marvelous photo shoot together. What fine memories. This is Elisabeth and I. We've known each other about 13 years now. Fine friends.

I tag Stephanie, Jessica (I know she has loads of pictures ;), Veronica, and Sherri.