amish

i am currently reading Heritage of Lancaster County by Beverly Lewis. It is three novels in one volume. so far i have been blazing through it. i must have a thing for the amish, they really do fascinate me. the more i read the more i just want to hop in the car and go to lancaster, pa. the one thing that has really struck a chord with me as i have been reading this series is the fact that the amish have such a strong emphasis on works and keeping their laws/rules perfect. i've just been overwhelmed with gratitude this week as i read, that Christ lived the perfect life and died on my behalf washing away all of my sins. we still are called to become more Christ like, but i'm thankful that when i slip there is no "shunning" from the Lord. Christ drank that cup of wrath that i deserved. i don't think i ever would have made it as an amish person, that's for sure! but they sure do make yummy food and pretty handmade things.

list

Things we are thankful for...

-salvation
-marriage
-church (covlife and covfel)
-care group
-the bible
-family (all of them)
-friends (all)
-apartment
-jeep
-job, overtime
-new table
-sleep, food (jer's addition)
-internet(keep in touch)
-friendly neighborhood library
-redbox
-contacts
-the local giant
-fossil purse
-coupons
-living across from:the mall, the movies, chick-fil-a, 5 guys, arby's, cheesecake factory, pfchangs, starbucks, etc.
-new babies! (mj cohee, no-name loftness, and soon to be mason davis)
-good books
-road trips
-weddings! (parris & moraga)
-texting and facebook and blogs
-yummy food on thanksgiving day, we are eagerly anticipating this
-having a gym to become buff in
-little cousin football games
-good magazines
-itunes and ipods
-dr.pepper
-coffee (jer says dunkin donuts coffee)
-memories
-new soup pot and hand blender
-good parking spots
-puma socks
-vest buddies
-free christmas cards
-old fashioned mail
-parties

Post a list on your blog, we all have much to be thankful for.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift if from above, comind down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

J.C.Ryle Quote

Our Care Group went through J.C.Ryle's Urgent Appeal to Search the Scriptures "How Readest Thou?", which I would highly recommend. It was a great tool for examining our view of God's word and helping us to see areas we need to grow. Often I feel with my quiet times as if I am on a roller coaster. There will be days and weeks of rich times with the Lord, and then times where I feel as if I am just going through the motions. This quote really encouraged me to just be faithful. "The greatest effects are by no means those which make the most noise, and are most easily observed. The greatest affects are often silent, quiet, and hard to detect at the time they are being produced...There may be far more doing than you think in your soul by your Bible reading".

Soup

It is starting to get a little colder each day, which means it is time for soup! I have warned husband that this season I am going to adventure to make lots of different types of soups and hopefully freeze some to keep on hand. I think it is much more fun to make soups that are old family recipes or at least ones people have tried before. I am planning on trying to invent my own soup...we shall see how that works out. But I figure most soups have similar basis ingredients, so how hard could it be?! Below are my list of soups I would like to try, comment or email me your recipe so I can get cooking. :)

Ideas: potato, chicken noodle, cauliflower, broccoli and cheddar, chili, tortellini, italian wedding,french onion, corn chowder, egg drop, tomato, tortilla, wonton, etc.

Here is one I found online that I think sounds yummy.

Loaded Potato Soup
4 slices bacon, cooked til crisp reserving 1 Tbsp fat
1 small onion, diced
2 large garlic cloves (adjust to your taste-I love garlic!), minced
6 large potatoes, peeled and diced
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon basil
salt & pepper to taste
green onion, sliced thinly (I didn't have green onion so for some green color I used some fresh parsley)
shredded cheese (I used Colby)
2 cups half and half
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3 Tablespoons flour

In large saucepan saute onion and garlic in reserved bacon fat. Add potatoes, chicken broth and basil to pan and simmer until potatoes are tender. Using potato masher, slightly mash potatoes.

Mix flour with half and half and hot sauce, then stir into potato mixture. Cook until slightly thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve soup topped with crumbled bacon pieces, shredded cheese and green onion.

free chili

I think the California Tortilla people should get a shout out today. I am pretty sure that they might be my most favorite newsletter I have ever signed up for. They make me laugh every time. Here is a portion of todays email.

That's right - on Thursday, November 19th, every California Tortilla in the land will be giving you a 4 oz. sample of free darn tasty turkey chili with any purchase. And not only that, we're also giving you a coupon for a FREE 8 oz. bowl of chili that's good for 2 weeks. (The coupon, not the chili. Do not eat 2 week old chili.) And if it's anything like our chili promotions in the past, 8 bazillion people will write to say it's so delicious we should consider putting it on our menu. It's been on our menu for 14 years. How bad is our chili signage?

So come on in on the 19th for some of the best chili you've ever had. It's free and it's fabulous. What's not to love about this promotion? (Other than the fact that we're not making you gobble to get it like we usually do.)

Fee Concert

Covlife is having a concert. Below is the link for the info. You should all come so I can hang out with you.

http://www.covlife.org/fee2/11449/

giver of every breath I breathe
author of all eternity
giver of every perfect thing
to you be the glory
(All Because of Jesus by Fee)

hello people.

We are in our new apartment, and loving it! It is just such a favorite of mine to now have four burners, an oven and a dishwasher!! We are still settling in, everything doesn't have a place yet, but it is getting there. We heart our green wall, it is not neon green like our old kitchen, but it isn't a sage green either, more like a guacamole green. On the day we moved in there were little presents left for us by the Buzzuto company that owns the apartments, and I love little presents. There was basic stuff like a new sponge, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels and snacks. But the best one of all was this handy little hammer. Now to the untrained eye it was just a hammer, but to our friend Ed it was a multi-use tool, that opened up into like 6 different tools. Good thing he was there that day, we would have just thought it an ordinary hammer.

Jeremy can now bring his cruiser home the nights he is working, which is just amazing. Last night he was even able to stop home to have "dinner" (if you would call it that at 10pm). At one point I was even able to see him run lights and sirens from my living room window. I was thanking the Lord the other day while driving that his plan is always perfect, and he has us just where he designed us to be.

And in other news, I just received a call that our table and chairs are being delivered today!!!

Jer and I went to check out the library down the street yesterday and were very impressed. It is like getting a whole new movie collection. The nice library lady told us they were known for their dvd collection, boy was she right. Then we found out I didn't even need to get a new card, they now have the library cards that work for all of Maryland. Pretty sweet. Jer and I decided to each pick a book off of the "classics" shelves. He is going to reread Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett and I will be reading The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers.

Our first night we went to one Giant, and Jer became friends with the deli boy. Who after chatting with us a while, printed out the receipt and then added two more ounces of cheese on. Which of course Jer missed and I took note of, because those are the things I heart in life. Though don't tell because we don't want to get coughalonzocough in trouble. The best part is Jer called him by his first name and he was a little startled that Jer knew it, but then Jer graciously reminded the guy that he was wearing a name tag. :) But the next night I checked out a different Giant, and decided it was much nicer and will be my grocery store. Sorry Alonzo.

I will do a photo update soon, but for now I have to go wake up husband so we can go to his cousins' football game.

contentment

I am currently reading The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs. In it is one of the best definitions I have found of christian contentment.

Christian Contentment: is the inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freely submitting to and taking pleasure in God's disposal in every condition. (p.40)

Praying that this year I would grow in this area and have a steadfast, quiet, submission to the Lord. Not just verbally, but in my heart and thoughts.

a girl recipe

Well. How shocking is this... I have a recipe to share. My girl Casey and I were just talking about on Sunday how Sharpie is the next Martha Stewart. Like sometimes when I read Pioneer Woman, I think to myself, self she some how MUST be related to Sarah. Mike definitely got quite a catch in the food department of wives. Anyways, I made this little pasta dish tonight, while my cop is working. I wrote this one down while in the bookstore the other day, I seem to have forgotten to write down the actual name of it. So in honor of Sarah I shall dub it Lucia-Yorgenson.

Lucia-Yorgenson

Cook 2 cups of Gemelli (or other short pasta). Drain and rinse under cold water. Toss in a large bowl with 2 cups chopped spinach, 1 cup grape tomatoes-halved(side note I am not a fan of those cherry tomatoes, though they are cute I think plain tomatoes taste much better), 4oz of fresh mozz(cut into pieces), 2 oz salami(cut into pieces)

Whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp of salt (or more if you are me, and handfuls if you are Gen with a G), and a dash of pepper. Drizzle right before serving.

Yum. Now I have never bought salami before, I know that may be shocking to some, clearly I am not very adventurous with my foods. BUT, incase you don't know, it is much cheaper to purchase from the deli for this recipe instead of those prepackaged ones because you need such a small amount.

In other news: While standing in the grocery store today, next to my cart, which had my purse in it. A very stern granny told me I should not leave my purse unattended. I was not happy with her, she was not happy with me. I do believe I have met the first old person I did not like. I never thought that would happen.

october thus far

Care Group Camping Trip '09

Christopher & Jer putting up "our" tent...really we borrowed it.

It was very windy and rainy. I was praying all night that the rain guard would not blow away considering the Riddlesbergers have yet to use this lovely tent. I am sure it would have made a great story, but not when your husband hasn't slept in many hours. Thankfully, everything remained tied down.

Our evening guest. True love.
Ally and I were able to ride up together. She is one of my favorite people to talk to. You never leave a conversation with her without loving God more. Ally has a little dude inside of her that will grace us with his presence very soon! I can't wait to meet him.

The Parsons & the great marshmallow test. You see Heather a true farm girl has been taught by her dad the art of marshmallow roasting... however, as she was showing us, her marshmallow took the great plunge into the fire, while her snowboarding artsy husband roasted his to perfection.

The saw was crucial. Good thing Brian is rugged and has a relaxed wife. I would never let Jeremy near a saw like that!

Our leaders: Beth & Dr. Steve ummm they slept on a blow up air mattress....totally not rugged of them.

I love him. This guy made a handy little bagel holder over the fire thing.

After camping we headed up to our 2nd home Covfel for the 25th Anniversary. What a sweet day. They had 3 bands the 80's, 90's and the future. Really funny videos, by far the best one was Tom Smith's Land Ho. Sitting next to Sharpie was one of my favorite parts; just hearing Bill Patton made us both tear up, the whole night was like watching home movies and just the fact that Sarah and I have been friends since junior high and now both married still remaining friends is so kind of the Lord. God has been so faithful to Covenant Fellowship and its people. Besides Jeremy, Covenant Fellowship has been the biggest means of God's grace in my life. My relationship with the Lord, my closest friendships and my best memories are all a direct result of the local church. It stirred in my heart to pray for the next 25 years. Psalm 145:4,13 "One generation shall commend your works to another...Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations"

In other news: I cut open my first pomegranate the other night. It was yummy.

What a steal. See that little candle holder on the left. Free. Yes, I found it at Michaels a few weeks ago. I had prayed the Lord would help me find good deals, so that I could grow in the area of decorating my home. Well, when I went to check out I asked the girl to do a price check because it was on a shelf with a bunch of discount items. I thought it was going to be 30% off. She rung it up and it was 1 cent! Ha. Then she goes well when it comes up like that, then we are just trying to get rid of it, so I'll just give it to you for free. :) That made this little wife's heart very happy.

Go Phillies!!!

befriend faithfulness

Psalm 37:3-5

“Trust in the Lord, and do good;

dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act”

When I first read through this today, my heart was amen-ing that he will give me the desires of my heart and he will act. Which is a blessing, that the Lord chooses to pour out goodness on his children. But the Lord slowed me down to look back again and see what I am called to do. To trust him, do good, befriend faithfulness, delight in him and commit my ways to him. (Oh, I love that part....befriend faithfulness). All of these things require a guarding of my heart and thoughts, discipline and a whole lot of grace. I am thankful that the strength needed to be obedient to God's word does not come from myself, but the one who calls me to them in the first place.

Step One: Memorize this passage :)

Sauce Master

Traci and I had a big adventure a few weekends ago making apple sauce. I know, how domestic of us, we even impressed ourselves. Well. If it wasn't for this handy mill (http://www.norpro.com/store/products/sauce-master) we borrowed from Auntie Laura, it would not have been so easy. Now our first batch was coming out pink, we couldn't imagine what we did wrong, but apparently it was just the type of apples we were using. Then we discovered the ultimate secret of apple sauce making... Honey Crisp Apples. Yum.

Our little helper aka a pleasant distraction.
The handy mill aka sauce master.

So, I was out running errands and said a little prayer that the Lord would help me find good deals. I run into Home Goods real quick just to check prices on some things and what to my wondering eyes would appear but the SAUCE MASTER!! The sticker said it generally runs for $65 but that their price was $50....but it was a red sticker and at the bottom said $18. WOW MOM. I took it up front to make sure there was nothing wrong with it and left the store a very happy domestic wife. I brought it home and made sure everything functioned correctly. Next on my list of things to make: Spaghetti Sauce. Too bad the tomato season just ended.

Jeremy does a good job trying to be excited with me when I get good deals. But I think other wives are the ones who really appreciate a good deal.

So, share your most recent deal or find???

and the color is.....

Ryegrass: http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/?search_terms=ryegrass&section

We found out that we only had 6 options. Since green is both of our favorites, and a generally safe color, we went with that one. The big move will happen October 27th/28th. I can't wait!!! I started a list with Moe yesterday of all the things I will be able to cook now with a full size oven and 4 stove tops!! Pizza and cookies are at the top of the list. :)

Once we move we are going to try to get a new desk and a new dining set. So, I am on a big hunt for a good deal. Send me any ideas of places to check out!! Below are the images I have in mind. Not necessarily a white desk but that is the sort of frame I am looking for. Even if I find a beat up one at a thrift shop, I'm thinking it would be fun to fix it up and paint it. Megs, I saw your green one and was very jealous, but was able to show Jer just what I had been talking about. I hope some day you have a blog just devoted to decorating tips. :)

I found out today that the liquor store up the street from our house is a great place to get boxes. Hopefully, our new neighbors won't think we are big drinkers because of all the labels. :) Though Aunt Reenie, I do miss those lovely paper boxes. I do have two left from my Philly to MD move.

Next on my to find list is a Tape Gun.

photos

Ha. Ok, so we went to Georgetown and it was lovely...and the only pictures we have are these dark ones on these scary and epically long steps. But apparently these are the steps in some famous scary movie.

Christine, Jeremy's cousin, goes to Mount St. Mary and is on the soccer team.
This horrible picture would normally never make it on my blog. BUT that is her coach. He is also the brother of Jon on Jon & Kate plus 8.

Jer & Colleen.

My pregnant Stephie.

Jer teaching Caleb some wrestling moves.

Proof that Miss Brewer is trying to steal my man!

The O's game. First time I've ever been to Camden Yards. Courtesy of Uncle Sean.

This guy moved home.

We were really close.

Yet, this guy, still need his trusty binoculars.

Surrounded by Redsocks fans.

My dude turned 24.

Traci and I made applesauce. It was on our bucketlist. The secret of applesauce making: Honey Crisp Apples and Auntie Laura's handy mill. Which might be added to my christmas list.

While I was doing this, Jer was playing in the mud. Aka atv'ing with the boys.

Then the next day he organized a little soccer game. A nice fall day. Except all the guys who went atv'ing could barely walk let alone chase a ball around the field.

My favorite short stop.

Joey.

We keep forgetting....

Multiple times this weekend, we've been hanging out with people for quite a few hours before we remember to tell them our big news. We're moving. Not to Philly, just need to clarify that one, since it was a popular question. We are saying goodbye to Olney and hello to Columbia. The Lord has really been teaching us a lot about his faithfulness to us over the last few weeks. We literally went from thinking we should move to maybe we are called to live here another year to we are moving at the end of the month. :) Which is why we keep forgetting that it is actually happening.

I love to see how what the Lord has ordained is always so much better. The place we are moving to seems to have one blessing after another. Jeremy will be their "courtesy officer", which allows them to give us a pretty good % off our rent, and doesn't require too much of Jer's time. A full kitchen, I will have a full stove top and oven!!! For a new wife that is huge. I keep thinking of all the things I can now make. It has a washer and dryer in the apartment. A little walk out patio. A big walk in closet in our bedroom. There is a pool and 24 hour gym on the property. We can walk to the mall, movie theater, a bunch of restaurants, the library and Merriweather where Jer sometimes works concerts. The place seems very community oriented which we are excited about another opportunity to get to know more people. In the club house is a little mini starbucks hub where you can get free coffee, cocoa and tea. AND the best part of all is that it is in the Charlie area where Jer works, so if he needs to stop home while he is working he is able to. So, he could come home for dinner or just to say hi. :)

We know that all of our searching would of come up short if the Lord had not directed our steps. And we are so thankful for his kindness to provide for us. The BIG question now is what color to pick for the accent wall they are painting for us. So, do submit your suggestions. :)

should post more

hello. anybody still out there? if you are, i am impressed because by now i would have given up on this blog. it can tend to be boring. if i was artsy it think it would have more flair, and draw many. but alas it is not that. so, if you read this you must just like the person...not the blog. and for that i am thankful.

current happenings:

• i am reading two books at the moment... the 3rd book in the Anne of Green Gables series, i think it is called Anne of the Island. someone who shall remain nameless (the only other person i live with) spilled water on it today. don't tell the library, i feel as if that is something they would frown upon. since i am reading about my girl Anne i like to now say that i am in the depths of despair, which i am not, it is just one of those really fun things to say. and i am also reading Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung. now the funny thing about that is that it took me so long to finally just do something about buying it from the book store. now that it is my hands i can't seem to put it down. such good blunt truth. i wish that i had it in high school. if you don't have it yet, get on that.
• someone turned the same age as me this week and that makes my heart happy. with are both even numbers now which is lovely. so we went to dc for the day to the natural history museum and the american history museum. you don't have to pay to get in, which is foreign to a philly girl. they were big fun. it was free to walk through the butterfly thing the particular day we were there, but we did not go through it cause it was not the boy's "thing" and i didn't want to walk through it alone. raise your hand if you would have gone through with me?! we ended our adventure with lunch at an irish pub called the Dubliner, because my husband is a big big big fan of all things irish.
• we had a bonfire with our cg and at water ice and cake in honor of said husband. we have an up and coming cg camping trip on the calendar and it will be an adventure.
• grandma g had a birthday this week as well. so the other night husband and i made dinner and took it to her place. we played some sequences and then she taught us a card game called manipulation. it was a winner. then ween's had everyone over for cake thurs night, hopefully grandma g doesn't read this, but my favorite part of the night was when weens puts a 5 and 0 candle on the cake and then she adds a pack of 24 regular candles. well that equals 74....grandma g turned 77. well the thought was that she wouldn't even count them anyway. so as is any gallagher event the torch comes out to light the cake i'm yelling for all the little boys to come up. they stampede up the stairs. uncle brian is on the phone trying to talk to grandma g. while we are all trying to sing and in the midst of it all we realize grandma g is counting the candles!!! unbelievable. but thankful weens swept in knocked her hand away and reassured her that there were indeed 77 candles... shhhh keep that one a secret.
• oh i almost forgot i went to my first orioles game. uncle sean couldn't use these amazing tickets. so, jesse, colle en(their cousin) and her neighbor went. we were the 3rd row behind the redsocks dug out. i personally had never sat that close before. it was pretty sweet.
• the nice thing about jer's schedule is we can do things randomly during the day. and a week or two ago we watched three of the brewer kids and they are always so much fun. but the reason i'm mentioning them is because i'm pretty sure sarah brewer is trying to steal my man! she has him wrapped around her little pinky.
• lastly, we are coming up to philly the first two weekends in october. which we are very excited about. because we heart everyone there.

8 Truths

Jeremy and I love to go to the nearby Barnes & Nobles often on his days off. Recently I grabbed J.I. Packer's book Praying off the shelf. This is an area I want to grow in. Not to have big impressive prayers, but to have a heart throughout the day of dependence upon the Lord, specifically displayed through prayer. I skimmed through the book, getting the main idea, that "true praying is an activity built on theology". My prayers, though they are only between me and God, speak loudly of what I believe about who God is.

This is Your God: 8 Truths
1. God is personal
2. God is plural (trinity)
3. God is perfect
4. God is powerful
5. God is purposeful
6. God is a promise-keeper
7. God is paternal
8. God is praiseworthy

summer = busy + relaxing

On the 4th of July Jer had to work. But Moe, Duke and I head to Columbia for the fireworks and actually had a chance to see Jer.

Part of my role as Josie's big sister she never had, is to make her do things that make her blush. So, on Cow Appreciation Day (yes it does exist) we printed out Chic-fil-a's stuff put it on a white t-shirt and as a result scored some free food.

Katya and her friends Michelle & Abby. Katya turned 14 and we had a pool party, of course!

Josie & Joanna. BFFs. If you saw the play Pilgrim, Joanna was that girl sitting behind the piano. Amazing.

This is Lucy. She is cool, if you haven't met her yet you should schedule a date. Lucy-lunch. Tuesday. be there.

Columbia shows movies on the lawn Monday nights and Friday nights. I would have taken a better picture but Jer was very embarrassed that my flash went off. The best part was getting Cheesecake Factory to go and eating it while watching the movie.

While Jesse was here last week we went to RiRa's an Irish pub. Three words:fish and chips. yum.

Shout out to David Sacks. We saw his picture on the cover of a book in Barnes and Noble. Pretty boss if you ask me.

Leo was down for Worship God and we snagged him for a few minutes to hang out like old times.

Jer has been going to Duke's team's soccer practices.

Feeding the fishies.

Uncle Tom's custom made corn hole. His is Redskins colors. Kevin's is VMI.

Weedon's sign. Kevin and Annie had 150 people over to thank them for their prayers for and care of Kevin, Anne and the boys while he was in Afghanistan.

The kids and their spouses.

Grandma G with her kids: Jerry, Sean, Kevin, Kirby, Brian, Kathleen, Brigid and Maureen.

Grandma G and some of her grandkids- Jerry Jr., Theresa, Court, Kit, Sean, Connor, Grace, Emma, Aidan, Brendan, Brett, Tommy, Colleen, Caroline, Jeremy, Kirby, Katya, Joey, Charlie and Tynan. (missing: Josie, Jesse, Cathy, Christine, Daryl and Riley)

Next up: YC'09

the cup

In my devotions I have slowly been reading through A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent. A must read if you haven't yet. It is a great tool for preaching the gospel to yourself daily.

Today's read really hit home to my selfish heart.

Thankfulness Enriched by Relief

The more absorbed I am in the gospel, the more grateful I become in the midst of my circumstances, whatever they may be.
Viewing life's blessings as water in a drinking cup, I know that I could discontentedly focus on the half of the cup that seems empty, or I could gratefully focus on the half that is full. Certainly, the latter approach is the better of the two, yet the gospel cultivates within me a richer gratitude than this.
The gospel reminds me first that what I actually deserve from God is a full cup churning with the torments of His wrath. This is the cup that wold be mine to drink if I were given what I deserve each day. With this understanding in mind, I see that to be handed a completely empty cup from God would be cause enough for infinite gratitude. If there were merely the tiniest drop of blessing contained in that otherwise empty cup, I should be blown away by the unbelievable kindness of God toward me. That God in fact, has given me a cup that is full of "every spiritual blessings in Christ," and this without the slightest admixture of wrath, leaves me truly dumbfounded with inexpressible joy. As for my specific earthly circumstances of plenty or want, I can see them always as infinite improvements on the hell I deserve.
When I look at any circumstance that God apportions me, I am first grateful for the wrath I am not receiving in that moment (The empty part of the cup never looked so good!). Secondly, I am grateful for the blessings that are given to me instead of His wrath. (Life's blessings, however small, always appear exceedingly precious when viewed against the backdrop of the wrath I deserve.) This two-layered gratitude disposes my heart to give thanks in all things and it also lends a certain intensity to my giving of thanks. Such a gospel-generated gratitude glorifies God , contributes to peace of mind, and keeps my foot from the path of foolishness and ruin.

summer update

For our first anniversary we did a 3 or 4 day beach trip back in May and then in June we went to Annapolis for the day. We toured the campus and had a great meal at this little Irish pub.

On our anniversary Jer had to work. So, Josie and I road tripped up to West Chester for Traci's shower. This is Lucy's birthday month and us Bowers are anxiously awaiting her arrival. T you will be an amazing mom, so excited for what the Lord has for you in this next season.
Duke has a new puppy- Moses. :)

One of the biggest highlights of the summer so far was welcoming home Uncle Kevin/Weedon. It was a big cry-fest. We are thankful that Uncle Kevin is so willing to serve our country and fight for freedom. But even more thankful that the Lord brought him home safely and with lots of good stories. :)

I wanna walk like you, talk like you...

A happy reunion.

The last two weeks were spent in Bethany Beach, DE with the Gallaghers. (more pictures on facebook). Some highlights: stealing the Mack's alcohol while they were putt-putting. charlie walking into the sliding glass door. seeing jesse. being away with jer for 9 days, his longest break since our wedding. late night games with the "grown ups". ribs night and crab night. can't wait for next year.