Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Living the Dream

When summer began, I had big dreams of using my free Mondays and Fridays to take Adeline on beach and park outings. The ridiculously hot weather this season dashed all those high hopes. 

But finally, the day came when the weather, the timing, and a friend all lined up to make one fabulous beach day. (And when you have a small child: day = 3 hours max.)
Addie finally got to wear her adorable beach cover-up given to her before-birth by the lovely Lindsay O. I've been looking forward to her wearing this for over a year! It was precious.

My pal, Rachel, was the best beach buddy a girl could ask for. She kept Addie in snacks; so naturally, Rach was Adeline's favorite lap.


Tiny life-jackets are the cutest...

...until the neck flap causes your child's face to go IN the water and she is unintentionally baptized. 

But alas, she was a trooper. And had some more snacks in the shade!

We took a little trolley ride back to the car. As you can see, Addie was a bit tired. She was asleep before we left the parking lot. We came home, dumped the sand out of our suits, took baths, and slept hard that night.

Beach dream, fulfilled! 

Saturday, August 11, 2012

L.O.V.E.

Last week, my dear friend Jess married her main squeeze, James. As her friends, we've all schemed and dreamed of this day for as long as we've known her. I couldn't be happier for her that she met this wonderful Liberian man with the "big arms" and snatched him up for life. 


Five of my beautiful, bosom buddies were there. That was a rare treat for my soul. We are so seldom together nowadays. Mandy came sans-husband and child from Wisconsin; and Amy bushwhacked her way through the Boundary Waters to be there. She even shaved! I'm so proud.

Our other lady-love is Brittany, who as you may know, is in Ukraine working for Jesus. She was with us in spirit in every happy tear and hug. How we miss her so.

Gerrit was my very handsome and understanding date for the evening. 

I was gabbing and giggling with these two all night. Amy and Mandy were my college roomies and I couldn't love them more. 

Congrats to J and J. Happy Marriage to you both. 
Seven, I love you much. My heart was full that night.