Picking Strawberries

I LOVE strawberry season! The sweet smell, the bright red, and the juicy taste of a ripe strawberry...yum! We made our way to Miller Farms Market this past week to get our hands on some ripe berries. We of course enjoyed some taste testing along the way. It was hot, hot, hot but so worth the 10 lbs of strawberries we left with. Stay tuned for some documentation on my first jam making experience!

I believe the way Brayden picked was "one for you, one for me." So one in the basket, one in his mouth.

Daddy and Brayden looking hard for the really good ones.

How I love this precious little girl. 

She carefully looked at each berry to be sure it was just right for our own jam.

Enter boy phase of making funny faces for every picture...

...and I mean EVERY picture.

Here is our yummy batch of strawberries! Bring on the smoothies, the berries, the jam and more!

Backyard Camp Out!

Oh hello Summertime! We thought it was time to take the old tent out and go for a backyard camp out. The skies were clear so we set it up (and added the air mattress) through in our sleeping bags and pillows and marveled at God's creation watching each star peak out. Listening to the sounds of the crickets, the frogs, the owls, and all the night creatures made a night of adventure!

Settling in for camp out fun!

So excited!

Boys will be boys...Brayden's new thing for picture time....making funny faces!

All the excitement going to bed late and waking up early...found Keely on the couch today crashed out!

We're Back!

We have internet!!! Yes, it has really taken this long to get our internet connection in our new home. Long story short, our house is so far from the road they had to dig out a line to get the cable to the house. And after 5 months of praying and begging to have them come out it has finally happened. Yay! I'm so thankful the Lord answered our prayers of the everyday convenience to have this crazy connection to the world. But I'm also so thankful that He gave me this little internet fast. Although, it was not a full fast of course but it really got me out of the routine to look at the computer so much throughout the day. So much, I almost have had a hard time remembering what to do on this thing. At any rate, we are back! Expect more updates, more pictures, and just more :)

Internet and Snow...

So we are in our new home (and Love, Love, Love it) and finally in the grove after the move and the holidays. We're still missing one little piece that will bring me back to sanity make the home complete. Internet! It may seem silly, but seriously, I am not one that enjoys typing an email on my tiny Droid2 or searching for a recipe or about any other little whim I think about during the day. Think about it, how many times do you pick up your laptop throughout the day to look up just "one little thing." Of course that means major neglection to the precious blog. There is hope though that the internet will be coming soon (hopefully). In the meantime, I'll be counting on trips to the library or a spontaneous trip to visit my in-laws and begging sweetly asking if I may hog use their computer for a bit.

Recently we had our first snowfall in the new home. Keely had been asking for so long, when could we make a snowman and snow angels??? Each time she saw snow flurries she had such high hopes for the making of a snowman. Finally, there was enough to make this goal happen. It was so beautiful to see the white blanket across the yard and in the woods. We even had the joy of watching from our living room a heard of about 8 deer walk across the woods in the snow blanket. I know it will be a while before I get over it, but seeing the deer is still amazing each time we spot some.

Each morning I wake up and just thank our Lord for the blessings in our life. And mornings like this one, where we see his beautiful works. It's amazing to see where He has placed us in just one year. There really are no words to describe the joy in our hearts. We praise Him for choosing us to serve Him!

Va-Cay

Ah, vacation. A much needed vacation. Let me first backtrack to a few months ago. When we moved out to Virginia last year we were in complete shock of the cost of living increase it took us a while to find a home that would work for us. So we thought it would be brilliant settled for a condo. Needless to say that we were miserable not so happy in our condo. No yard, no back door, just not the lifestyle we were looking for. We thought we could settle in the condo for a few years but we quickly realized that was not going to work. So last August we thought, "we should put our home on the market, what could it hurt?" So we laid it in God's hands and listed the condo, after living in it for only 8 months. In this market what would be the chances of selling right? In God's hands anything is possible, and on the second day it was listed we had two offers, accepted one, and sold...breaking even. We didn't gain, didn't lose. Just back where we were just a year before. So now, our next quest...finding a home...again. The kids and I packed up and moved in with Brent's parents while Brent moved in with a friend. And in between we looked, and looked, and looked at homes. We even looked at land debating building our home. We knew that God would show us a home with just some patience. We were looking to be a bit further from the DC metro area and finding some land. Then a home was finally shown to us and we closed on the exact same day as we closed on the condo the year before. It truly felt like we were given the reset button to the last year. We are finally feeling like we are in a home, and one hoping to be in for a while as well. Since Brent and I have been married the longest we've been in a home was 3 years, only 3 years. Yes, he was in the military but we are feeling like we want some roots to sit in. So since we have been in this whirlwind (really since before we left New Mexico) we knew we needed a vacation. Our plan was to head to the mountains to do some tubing in the snow and possibly have Keely try out some skiing, but the unusual warm winter had some other plans for us.

So we spent our first day out doing some family bowling. Look at Keely's form, not so bad. (And notice Dad needing to help Brayden out).

And who spends their winter vacation going to the waterpark?!?!? Well, an indoor waterpark. The kids had a blast going down the slides over and over a few times.

Then we spent a day at the local Children's Museum/Discovery Center. This place was full of fun around each corner. From the trains, to the actual stage, practicing milking a cow, and even doing some work on the car this place had about everything you could think of. So much fun!

And finally, we spent our last day getting a little winter experience doing some ice skating. Brayden was such a trooper insisting "look at me, I'm skating!" Keely took to it pretty quick wanting to be on her own, she had a few falls but kept getting right back up to keep practicing. I love her persistent heart and good attitude to try to conquer anything. I pray that trait stays with her always. 

We had a wonderful time enjoying some much needed family time now that we're back together as a family and looking forward to more family time with Nana and Pop Pop spending Christmas with us in our new home!

Turning 30

Who knew that 30 could be so beautiful? When I woke up on my birthday, it was just an ordinary day. Sure I was getting phone calls from my friends and family, wishing me a wonderful day which always makes me feel loved. However, I had no big plans. Got the kids ready, went to the library, ran a few other errands. It was when I was included on the little gift from one of my dearest friends that really made my day. Being so far from my friends and family, she thought a great way to ring in turning 30 would be to reach out to those in my life and request "30 Random Acts of Kindness!" She challenged that they would do something to pay it forward to celebrate the day. Then they could share their good deed to say Happy Birthday. Truly, what could be more beautiful! I had to share the wonderful things that were done on October 16, 2012 to honor the big 3-0!

• I made my lovely daughter in law a well deserved breakfast with a flower on the plate :)
• In honor of your birthday I just baked an apple pie and going to give it to our sweet, elderly neighbors who live next door to us. Hugs to you!
• In honor of your birthday, I bought diapers for a co-worker who is fostering a 5 week old baby girl.
• In honor of your birthday I have made myself available Friday for the gal who lives across the street from me. Her family will be gone til Sunday. She is new to our state and is pregnant. Happiest of days to you sweet girl!!
• In honor of your birthday I bought Starbucks for the girls behind me in the drive-thru today, Happy 30th!! I hope you had a extra special day : )
• In honor of your 30th birthday (WOW!!) I made a welcome basket for my new neighbor. Happy birthday!! I hope it's magical :O)
• Today in honor of your birthday I baked up one of your favorites, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, and took it to a neighbor I've yet to meet. Happiest of 30th Birthdays. May all the blessings in the Lord be yours this year!
• I went to get an iced tea and apples. I put ten dollars towards the bill for the person behind me. Happy Birthday!!!!
• I will give my boss a loaf of banana bread as she has had a very stressful week and know this will brighten her day. Love you sweetie!!! Happy 30th B'Day!!
• When someone called asking me question about not only our campaign, but two other campaigns, I called and got information for all of them and called the individual back so he wouldn't have to make an unneeded trip form the East Mountains. He was appreciative. Happy birthday dear Lorena.
• Happy 30th Birthday!!!! Today the kids and I ding-dong-ditched a friend going through a hard time with flowers.
• I sent a package of my "gently used" maternity clothes to a friend in CO and another package of clothes to a friend in OH and lined up a friend to receive the kids' "gently used" high chair and swing. 
• Happy Birthday!! I purchased baby formula for a family in need.
• Today, I bought a couple dinner in your name at flying star and bought desserts for some friends and delivered them to their house on your behalf :) 
• Helping new flight nurse feel more at ease with new job. Reaching out, and encouraging!
• I bought dinner for a family in the same restaurant. Rene - hope your birthday was as amazing as you are. Love you!
• I helped my neighbor in psych stats on our homework. I also let her look over my paper to get the last 2 answers (that took me about an hour to figure out, haha). HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Birthday to the sweetest auntie of all!
• I volunteered at the Presidential Debate in NY and worked with the college students to foster their interests in politics and voting! Happy Birthday Lorena!!!
• Happy Birthday, Lorena! In honor of your 30th, I have purchased three chickens to be given in your name to a third world family on need through Child Fund International!
• In your honor a single mother if two asked to borrow $5 for lunch. As my good deed, her $20 for the week & told that it was for your birthday. No need to repay. Hope you have a wonderful birthday! Love ya!

It really brought me to tears reading all the wonderful things being done throughout the day. I felt so, so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. Thank you everyone for taking part in this wonderful, thoughtful gift. Most of all to thank The Creator for the most amazing birthday:

PSALM 139: 13-14

"For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well."

Double Take

When we celebrated Brayden's 3rd birthday this year he went all cowboy. He'd been asking for his own boots for some time now and that captured the theme for big number 3! After his birthday I started thinking about a picture at my parents house. Can you see any resemblance???

Brayden (left)   Lorena's Dad, PaPa (right)

And of course baby girl wanted a picture with her brother the cowboy, she makes a pretty cute cowgirl too!