Some Cynthia Rylant Favorites

Isn't summer a great time to get outside in the shade with some good books?
Some of my favorite children's books are by Cynthia Rylant.  She has such an ability to tell a delightful, simple story that we all enjoy.  (not sure what happened with some of these cut/paste lines!)

There hasn't been a Mr Putter & Tabby book yet that we haven't loved.  Mr. Putter is "old" as he says and lives next door to Mrs. Teaberry, also "old."  They are good friends who help each other out in some way in every book.

If you are taking a trip to see family this summer, read this first.  Especially if you're from Virginia- which we are!  A family leaves their country home in VA "when their grapes were nearly purple enough to pick, but not quite."    They visit for weeks and love their time together until it's time to go back home to their grapes.  I love this one!

When I was Young in the Mountains tells of family life years ago in the country.  There is a sweetness and realness to this one that engages us all.  Another treasure.

Linking Up to Read Aloud Thursdays   

Wednesday Afternoon

I just poured myself a Dr. Pepper (a rare treat) in a coffee mug- trying to avoid the questions and stares associated with something mom has and kids don't!
Lucy has been taking three hour naps lately- summer heat?  She's so happy when she wakes up in the afternoons.  Kayla and Sam are playing in the basement and Jack is listening to a book on cd.  It is so quiet...
I am on day 3 of pink eye- in both eyes now.  Gross.  A minor irritation but aggravating just the same.  Really hoping and praying that it stops with me.  Kayla and Lucy are flower girls in a wedding this weekend and Brian is officiating.  His first!  We don't want red goopy eyes for a wedding.  Can't wait for this one- such a great couple getting married!
The kids signed up for the summer reading program yesterday.  Here, you keep track by the half-hour and get prizes at 5, 10, 15, and 20 hours.  Jack and Kayla set the timer this morning for two hours.  They read, non-stop, for the whole time.  Then they went up to do legos and listen to a book on cd for another hour and a half.  I think they want to finish the whole program this week.  Guessing they'll slow down soon but it sure made for a peaceful morning.
Last thing- a few weeks ago my dad mentioned using epsom salt (along with some other things) on his tomato plants.  My uncle told him to try it.  Then I found this article on using epsom salt on almost all your plants.  Supposed to do wonder for them.  I'll let you know!

Two Months to Go

There has been more than one reminder that today, we are two months away from the first Sunday service of Providence Presbyterian.
Not that I needed a reminder.  Things are getting busy.  There are beginning to be the "lasts..."
People ask me all the time how I'm feeling about the church plant.  While I don't want to take them on a rabbit trail to answer the question, the trail seems appropriate because it reminds me of God's faithfulness. It's good to remember what He's done because it reminds us of who He is.

I think it was the summer of 2004 when Brian and I started talking about going to seminary.  Through different means, God seemed to be leading us in this direction.  Jack was three, Kayla was a year and a half old.  We really liked where we lived.  We really liked our church.  It was not easy to think about moving to a big city- further from our families, further from friends to a place where we didn't know anyone.
Eventually, we sold our house (in just 3 days), packed up, said good-bye.
I cried.  A lot.
The first year was not easy.  But we always could look back and remind each other that we believed God had paved the way.  We trusted, obeyed, and stayed (sometimes I really wanted to leave!).
He gave us good, faithful friends.
We found a new church, had our second miscarriage, explored a new city, began homeschooling.
Sammy was born!
We saw God provide financially over and over, said good-bye to new friends, learned more about ourselves, persevered when we (I) wanted to quit, grew as a family, and I could go on.
**Not to mention, what a gift to see your husband study and learn and be in his element- to be able to do what God has gifted him to do.**
As I look back, it is easy to see God's care and blessing.
He provided in every way, all the way.
So now, there are times when I have a pit in my stomach (what are we doing???) and times when I am ready to jump in with both feet yesterday!
I don't know what tomorrow holds, or next year.
But I am convinced that God will provide yet again.
That is what He does.

"He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."  1 Thessalonians 5:24

Sam With a Camera

Here's what happens when Sam gets a hold of the camera.

Two-Berry Pie

Alright, Amanda.  Here it is.  In all it's yummy goodness.
Our strawberries were quickly ripening and getting soft.  We froze a bunch, ate a bunch, and still had some left.
Time for strawberry pie.
Kayla made the crust, mostly by herself, from a recipe given to her from her Uncle Mike last Christmas.  It's a recipe his grandmother used.  Let me say- easy and delicious.
We kind of used a recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book but had to tweak it.  I didn't have quite enough berries for the glaze so I substituted blueberries.
That's where I get the "two-berry pie."  ( I don't know why that makes me laugh but it does.)
It was really, really good.
I wish I could share a piece with ya!

Summer

Summer!

 Freshly picked strawberries

 Mint sun tea

These hummingbirds!  

They keep me so distracted.  I think there are only two who visit but I love to watch them.

It seems like they are always around.

This Week

Doesn't she have a good spot?
Kayla and Jack have been taking a drawing class this week with a sweet lady from church.  They've spent time at the VA Tech Botanical Gardens each morning.  I think I've learned a little, too!

While the older kids were sketching, Sam and Lucy and I found other things to get into each day.  We went to Carol Lee's for donuts with Hokie sprinkles then hit the library.

We went back to the Duck Pond near where we used to live.  Sam rode his bike around the pond over and over.  There's something about being able to ride without worrying about cars- he loved it.  And I loved watching him.

Lucy scooted around on her bike some but was mostly interested in the geese and ducks.  A few times they got a little too close for my comfort although she didn't seem to mind.

This morning after drawing and going for a ride on the Huckleberry Trail, we went to pick snap peas.  They are sooo good!
Now, we're headed outside to enjoy some more of this beautiful afternoon!