this 'n that

i can hardly watch the news lately

it seems like one sad story after the next

and my heart feels like it is aching for something...anything...good to happen

could we have something really really joyful happen, Lord?

i'm thinking humanity could use something brilliant...

but while we're waiting, the little joys and the hidden goodness can satisfy a hungry heart

what if joy looks like strolling with babies down a quiet alley?

maybe goodness is finding snacks for dolls in chunks of concrete?

could we find happy in a small pool crammed with three kids on a blistering hot day?

joy splashing and giggling and pouring out as they squeal over the cold water?

the oil of gladness as i watch him love her?

that big, wide open smile that neither of her sisters had....

and those sparkly blue eyes that they all share?

deep, deep happiness in a shallow pool?

and if that's not enough to convince me that God is still here, amidst all the bad news.....

He puts an exclamation mark on what He's telling me by letting me hold a brand new little, just hours fresh and whispers that the apparent lack of goodness is really just my lack of looking for it...

my lack of making it happen.

so today i'm purposing to see the joy

and be the joy

and not let one drop of all this goodness go unnoticed.

yum

a cupcake for breakfast?

why, yes - i'd love one :)

we had heard about the CAKE WALK in Northfield this spring and decided to add it to our summer fun list

to say that was a wise decision would be an understatement

you know we like to have j along with us on our adventures, but this one seemed like it had "girls only" written all over it

so, we went with some of our sweetest friends

and the words painted above the door fit the day perfectly

i'm not gonna' lie - we bought a whole stinkin' dozen and the ones that we saved for the boys BARELY made it home

this place gets the yumm-o award in our book

 won't be long before we're back!

independence day

we beat the heat and celebrated the fourth in style this year

it has become a little tradition to spend the week of the 4th at my parents' house

last year, it was too hot to do anything but stay in their air-conditioned house

this year, though, we soaked up the parade, the fireworks, a pool, riding around their yard in the kid jeep, and a new tire swing

wouldn't you know, grams found these sweet glasses and peach was totally into them!

sparkle enjoyed the parade from a distance while daddy kept her shaded

little hands over hearts as the american flag passed by

the importance of our freedom has been magnified for me now that i'm raising littles

and i couldn't be more grateful for all that we've been given

"thank you" seems so inadequate

so in addition to voicing my thanks, i'll continue to teach these girls how very blessed we are in the hopes that it honors the great sacrifices that were made on our behalf

happy birthday, america...