the lemonade stand

B has really enjoyed having her friend live just a few doors down for the summer. they are constantly scootering back and forth between the houses, having popsicles, than checking at the other's house to hopefully have another one. (yes, B. i'm on to you!) last week they launched their lemonade business. that kept them busy for days, cleaning out the play house, making signs, gathering supplies, advertising in the neighborhood, and minding the stand.

the lemonade was as sweet as the memories being made.

i thought 10 c was a bargain, so i gave a little in the tip jar, too. ;o)

everyday gift: a summertime lemonade stand

it was all a blur

B had her first sleep-over and it was all a blur! i tried to get some good pictures, but it was hard to focus on the moving targets.

B made these cute little cupcake pops for a treat. (thank you to heather p from the fiar boards who shared the idea!) they were a lot of fun to make (all 47 steps...jk.) and were very tasty! they were definately a hit.

if eight was great, nine is divine! happy birthday, B!

see what i mean about the blur?!


snuggled in sleeping bags, watching an AG movie

everyday gift: the giggles of girlfriends

jenga!

S and a friend play jenga! before leaving for school. the late start gave the teachers time for a few meetings and the students time to concentrate on their homework. ;o)

concentration!

CRASH!

everyday gift: friendship and a game of jenga!

faith as gold

i have mentioned him before, our friend bryce, who is in the midst of a battle against lymphoma. he is a brave young man whose trials are revealing the true color of his faith: golden. eleven is awfully young to have to face such a fire storm. but God is surely with him and his faith is proving to be in incredible example to us all. his mom, tonya, recently shared her heart on an update and it so touched my heart:



"...I have seen more miracles in this year than I can describe. I am continually amazed and in awe of Him and the strength He gives this precious boy who in his weak body is so brave and full of courage, peace and strength that comes from a deep trust that he is loved and created for a purpose. Even now, I see each day the workings of those cells we can't see, silently, by pre-design, dividing, building and repairing. Even though in this fallen world one cell made a mistake and divided into many mistakes, his little body is trying to keep doing what it was designed to do. I am so thankful. WE are so thankful.It has been quite an experience for our family this year and it is good to be able to share some of our heart as we go through a sort of whirlwind and yet...there is among the storm much calm and peace. A family that is clinging to each other and the One above and the love and prayers of all of you. Wow."

But he knows the way that I take;

when he has tested me,

I will come forth as gold.

Job 23:10

i found this old picture and couldn't resist sharing it. bryce is the one in orange, sitting just behind S, when their friendship was new. so sweet! behind bryce is his brother and on the end is C.

friends on a home school field trip ~ circa 2002 or 2003 (?)

everyday gift: God's presence through the fire.

anita

about 2 1/2 years ago, a sweet friend from church was out with her 6 month old baby and 2 year old. the weather was cold and wet and she slipped, it seemed, and fell onto the wet floor of the gas station. she couldn't get up and help was called. what the tests and scans revealed was a fractured vertebrae, not from the fall, rather the fracture caused the fall. further more, the fracture was caused by a tumor. thus began the battle of her life that showed the world the heart of a true saint.

early in her illness, after back surgery to shore up and brace her vertebrae, she was unable to lift her baby in and out of her crib. help was rallied. i was one who had an assigned afternoon to come into their home and help with the baby and household chores. so i had the privilege of visiting with anita and loving on her girls for a time. she was so open about her fears of leaving her babies too soon. but her faith was a rock, believing that God had a plan and that he would provide for all of their needs. she knew God could and would heal her if that was His will. she must have sat down to write her 'thank you' notes the moment my car left their driveway because the very next day it would arrive in the mail, full of encouragement, gratitude, and blessing. and i found that although i was serving her, it turned out that i was the one who was blessed each time. and despite her own health challenges, she kept busy ministering to others every chance she got by helping in sunday school, serving in the nursery, organizing and speaking at our churches MOPS group, singing a sweet duet with her emily at a mother daughter banquet, bringing a covered dish to a funeral luncheon, and with anyone who would marvel at her attitude during her trials she would share her faith and the hope that only God can give.

from an earthly perspective we say that she "lost the battle with cancer" but from a spiritual perspective i'd say she has won. she has won hearts to the Lord; inspired and strengthened the faith of countless people who have brushed shoulders with her; she has challenged doctors and nurses and caregivers with her unwavering courage and faith; and amazed all with the miracles that indeed happened along the way during her treatment. she has won the crown of life that God has promised to those that love Him and have persevered under trial (james 1:12).

we fervently prayed that she would be healed on this earth, but God chose to heal her in heaven.

this afternoon i will go to anita's visitation and tomorrow the funeral. i will not say "good bye" but rather "see you later" to my friend. i am certain that i am better for having known her. will you join me in praying for brian, her husband and the rest of her grieving family?

everyday gift: the privilege of having known anita, a faithful servant of Jesus.

summer squash bounty

we have really been enjoying the fresh garden veggies lately. i thought these summer squash were so colorful and pretty that i could not resist turning them into a still life! and they were as delicious as they were beautiful.

zucchini, yellow squash, and onion from chris's garden,

patty pan squash from the farmer's market,

and fresh garlic from my herb garden.

i sauteed the onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil and butter, then added the sliced squash. i cooked it only a few minutes, so the squash was still a little crisp. a turn of the pepper mill, a shake of salt, and some freshly grated parmesan and it was ready to serve.

S especially enjoyed it.

everyday gift: a friend who shares her garden

coolin' off

B enjoyed a little dip in the pool with a friend the other day. i would have posted a picture of the guys as well, but they were moving a little too fast. plus i had to protect the camera from the WaTeRbAlLoOnS! it was such a nice afternoon. the moms got to visit, the kids had a blast and the fudgsicles were good, even if they do melt too fast!

sweet friends

everyday gift: splashing in the pool on a hot summer day

buzz for bryce

saturday we went to a party to show our support for young bryce who has lymphoma. his chemo treatments are having the expected side-effects including hair loss, so they held a "buzz for bryce" party where you could lose your hair right along side bryce!

bryce giving the pastor of his church a buzz

good friends

please pray for bryce as he wages his battle against lymphoma.

five in a hammock

everyday gift: swingin' in a hammock

a little friendly competition

it was the last game of the season. and B was finally playing against the dark green team, the team of her best friend! it was so fun to watch them face each other on the opposite side of the line at kick off...smiling, laughing, and chatting. somehow who won the game just wasn't important!

ready, set....


action!

hooray! good game girls!

friends

keepers of the faith

keepers of the faith is a girl's club that B belongs to. we get together monthly, moms and daughters, to learn all sorts of skills, to memorize scripture, serve others in our families and communities, and to share lots of giggles and fun. they met today to paint pottery and earn their ceramics badge. one of the moms opened up her studio/coffee shop for the girls, complete with mocha lattes for the moms and hot cocoa for the girls! it was a delightful afternoon.


i can't tell you how much i love these girls. they are each so incredible with hearts ready to learn, give, love, and grow! it has been such a joy to watch these friendships blossom.

everyday gift: an afternoon with the girls!

highlights from the weekend

*being reunited with a dear friend after many years! chatting like we have never been apart!

*remembering J as a curly-headed little 2 year old and being faced with the reality that he has actually grown while out of my presence into a very tall, curly-headed, witty, precocious, fun-loving, 11 year old boy!

*watching the boys' friendship take off like a rocket. (somehow i knew it would!)

*a rousing game of Settlers of Catan (who knew J could be so ruthless as to rob an innocent little girl of her sheep!)

*shakes at whitey's (they have recently discovered the gene that proves the tendency toward whitey's addiction is hereditary, which would explain why J is already plotting an opportunity to return for another shake!)

*a whirlwind tour of amy's almamater

*watching eagles fishing on the mississippi river

*chatting 'til way past my bedtime (apparently this made us oblivious to the rough housing by the boys up in their room which happens to be directly above the master bedroom, keeping my poor husband awake until way past his bedtime)

*a tea party with my new teapot (thanks, amy! B and i will think of you every time we use it)

*a monopoly game (that i didn't have to be a part of)

*J, C, S, and B tumbling in after sledding in the dark, half frozen and laughing like crazy!

*lunch at arthur's garden deli

* a friendship that time and distance cannot fade

everyday gift: sweet friendship