{ Eight Months }

{ First Driving Lesson }

{ Mommy's Little Helper }

{ This made me laugh! Your favorite... the tv remote. That's what happens when Daddy is distracted }

Oliver,

Can it really be eight months since we held you for the first time? You're changing from a little baby to more and more what I can see will be your little boy look and personality. Lately you look SO much like your daddy. When I look at you I see him and I love that.

You are starting to crawl. You're oh so close. You've just figured out how to sit up from your tummy and you like to stand in your crib. Slowly but surely everything in our house is either gated, put up higher or put away. You are loving exploring this great big house. You're so much fun.

You smile so much and just love it when we tell you we love you. Nothing makes you happier than all of us together.

Mixed in with all of this wonderfulness is frustration and exhaustion. You want to be a goer, you're fighting your naps and going to bed. You're fussy lately. We've had lots of tears lately, you and me. It's taking all of my patience and energy, but this is a phase. We'll get through it, won't we? I'm learning to put my priorities aside and get down on the floor with you, snuggle you, and soak up all these times you just want mommy.

All of these days will be gone too soon and I'll want this baby stage back.

Happy 8 months old, beautiful boy!

{ Love in the Right Places }

I have been letting this message soak into my heart today. So, so convicting.

{ Good Clean Fun }

The sun came out again this weekend. Sunday evening we spent time on our friends beautiful property and felt like kids again.

{ Sunny Weekend }

The sun came out in glory over the weekend. It's gone now and a bit cold again, but somehow it doesn't matter so much. Sun on the weekend is the best kind of sun.

Saturday morning, while Oliver napped, I sat on the hood of my husband's car and watched him take the bearings off of our new-to-us fixer-up trailer. I wore a big floppy orange hat and read my book between chatting, and enjoyed the brilliantly blue sky that I couldn't find a cloud in. It was a good just-happy-to-be-together morning.

Through the trailer (which we're so thankful to own now... so it can haul in our at least 7 cords of wood for the winter) we experienced the answer to our prayers for wisdom. As projects go it's costing more than expected, but just as we were getting super overwhelmed, the money was provided. Our God is so good... over and over again!

Later on we had a delicious bbq in the backyard. Big burgers that don't fit in the mouth and require multiple napkins.

I don't have much photo evidence of the day, but we ended it with a beautiful springtime hike.

Hope your weekend was pleasant too!

{ Life is Good }

I had a request from the west side of the state today for a story of delightfully sunny days here on the east side. I only wish I had one! Alas, it is equally gray, rainy, and windy here. I am told that it is supposed to be in the 70s this weekend. I hope that also means sun. No rain. Blue skies and white clouds sun. I'm also told it snowed here on June 16 only a couple of years ago. I didn't live here then. I hope I never experience that first hand.

Even though the skies are gray, I still have a lot to be grateful for.

I've had some sweet help in the kitchen lately.

{ A little more decoration in the breakfast nook }

I've done lots of planting lately. Thanks to this wonderful lady and her lovely garden. Nothing could be better than this weather for the little plants to establish.

We spent a wonderful weekend with out-of-town friends. We hadn't seen them since our wedding so it was so good to catch up. The weather kept us at the house, but we got so much rest and quality time together... and ate lots of very yummy food. Whenever we get together it is the best food ever! Unfortunately everyone came down with a cold bug either while they were here or on their way home. So far I have avoided it. Another reason for thankfulness.

Yesterday Tim took a sick day. I joined him for a "don't get sick day" and we just took it easy. That meant:
a. We got him for another whole day, all to ourselves. Yeah!b. I had a few hours all to myself to go shopping while Oliver napped and he stayed home. Wonderful!
c. A delicious pot of homemade chicken noodle soup.
d. A fire in the fireplace while the rain poured outside.

Today I caught up on emails, spent a delightful lunch break with my husband, had a sweet story time with Oliver, won the battle over nap time, and cooked up a delicious favorite in the kitchen.


Tomorrow we expect a very special visit. I'm oh so excited to meet this little precious girl. And my mom will be here for the day.

Even though the skies are gray, life is good.