Just ducky.

As part of our grand finale
in the state of North Carolina,
we spent a morning feeding ducks at the local lake.

Dorothy loves ducks.
In fact, "duck" was one of the first words
she learned to say with clarity.

Auntie Kristi and Miss Keira made for excellent company.

And,
of course,
there was one sweet Lucy Goosey along for the ride.

Dorothy had a hard time understanding
that the stale crackers were not for her snack.

It was a lovely way to wrap up our month
in the south.

1. sleeping in my own bed
2. getting rid of the binkis without even a single tear
3. fresh potatoes, onions, cucumbers, and zucchini from the garden
to greet us

In case you were wondering...

...just exactly where we have been the last few weeks,
we thought we'd share a *few* pictures:)

We have:

visited with cousins,

spent lots of family time together,

found ways to beat the heat,

experienced the sprinkler for the first time,

been spoiled rotten by auntie Eva,

blessed our sweet baby Lucy,

shared lots of smiles over Pelican's snoballs,

and other messy treats,

introduced Lucy to Uncle Will,

managed to get in a date or two,

explored nature,

taken walks,

(Lucy's version of taking a walk in nature)

escaped to the woods,

spent time with great grandpa Brooks

heard lots of giggles from lots of little girls,

fallen in love with sunglasses,

smiled until our faces hurt,

read lots of stories,

loved having a free pool,

acted silly,

and just been loving life!

1. time with family

2. inspired teachers at church
3. reverent music

Just like Moses.

This girl loves her some Moses basket.
Thanks, Aimee!

1. errands done
2. fans
3. dinner with friends

The first...

afternoon of summer vacation!

And that's a WHOLE lot to smile about:)

1. two months with my husband HOME!
2. checking chores off the list
3. knowing we'll be in NC in less than a week!

Fathers

On this special day for dads
I thought it appropriate to share
some of the most beautiful moments in my life
involving Marty as a dad and my own dad.

Both moments took place in a hospital.


Marty has always been good with kids,
but it was amazing to see the love and tenderness
he exuded for each of our girls right after their birth.
After both Dorothy and Lucy had been cleaned off
and put into the warming tray,
I looked over to see Marty holding his very new baby's hand.
He was whispering sweetly,
introducing himself,
and would then sing a song.
That memory is so precious to me
and a moment I am so happy to have witnessed.

My relationship with my own father is strong now,
but was rather rocky through my teenage years and early twenties.
As some of you know,
during those rocky years I was in a very serious car accident.
My concerned parents showed up at the emergency room
and waited while x-rays were taken.
After the x-rays were finished,
we were put into a room to wait for the results.
By this point I had been laying strapped to a hard back board
with a neck brace on for a while,
and the back of my head was starting to hurt from the pressure.
My sweet father,
putting aside all of our differences at the time,
took my head and gently cradled it is his hands
to help relieve my discomfort.
My hair was all bloody from a head wound,
but he didn't mind as the blood covered his hands.
All he cared about was making me more comfortable.
In that moment nothing else mattered to him.
I knew I was loved--
even if my actions and attitude at the time
weren't very deserving.

I feel so blessed to have such wonderful men in my life.
Their examples of gentleness, compassion, and love
help me to better understand
the love that our Heavenly Father has for each of us.

Here's to you, dads.
I love you!

1. Marty
2. Lewis
3. Heavenly Father

Imagine when she can really talk....

1. birds chirping
2. the sun shining
3. a new day

"Saint Lewey"

Last week this guy showed up.

He took a few "vacation" days to come up
and turn this:

into this:

He makes it look too easy.

He also did a lot of this:

I didn't know what to do with my free hands:)

Thank you, dad!
We loved having you here.


P.S.--this little gal is already a month old!

1. the talents of others
2. a little Lucy in my life
3. a new week