This past weekend was wonderful and busy.  Friday I spent most of the afternoon outside with Cora. The weather has cooled off ever so slightly which makes it bearable to go outside.

Cora loves our cat and even walked across the porch in her pursuit of her.

Friday evening we took her to the local park. We have not taken her their since she was tiny. Of course she loved it.

We love to watch her enjoying new things.

Sweet baby.

Saturday morning we went for a family run.  I love family runs…and Justin never ceases to amaze me!  He ran 4 miles without stopping and he has not run in about a month.  Before we left I snapped some pictures of Cora in a shirt I bought her for her birthday.  I am in love with Target baby clothes.

Saturday evening we spent with friends.

They are newlyweds and she has decorated so beautifully…I had to take some pictures.

Sunday was our nephew Cooper’s 3rd birthday.  I still cannot believe he is such a big boy!  It was a pool party and the theme was Thomas the Train. His Pa painted him this beautiful painting.

Cooper was kind enough to join Cora in the baby pool for a little while.  She loves spending time with her big cousin.

His cake was beautiful…

I wish I had more pictures of his big day but spent most of my time chasing after Cora as she seemed determined to plunge head first into the pool.

I love weekends…if only they were longer!

This past weekend we headed to Birmingham to spend some time with Justin’s cousin (or 2nd cousin, or 3rd cousin????) and his wife Betty.  We always have so much fun spending time with them.  They are a very sweet, kind and generous couple.  Not only did they allow Cora to play with and drool on their soon-to-be-born little boy’s toys but they had her sleeping in his pack-and-play, using his towels and bath toys…it was as easy as being at home.

Matt was able to get us tickets to the Birmingham zoo and so all 5 (well really 6) of us went.

Cora really enjoyed looking at the animals…especially the monkeys and the kangaroos.  The Gorillas were also intriguing but so were the other children at the zoo…

You see Mr Gorilla in the background?

We were all too hot, sweaty and tired to see the zebras…maybe next time…when Levi is born and old enough to enjoy it.

Thanks for having us Matt and Betty!  We had a blast!

A few months ago the very talented Sam Griffin ( http://samgriffin.zenfolio.com) took some pictures of Cora.  I thought I would share some of my favorites with you…although there are so many I love, it’s hard to choose!

Well, this post was going to be just pictures.  But I have to write…I have to get some thoughts out of my system.  Bare with me…

Lately I have been feeling tired.  I know I say this a lot.  I don’t mean to complain.  I have come to realize this is motherhood.  It’s tiring.  I see pictures of myself a few years ago and I think, “who is that girl?”  I look so young and carefree.  No dark circles under my eyes, no stress…a more youthful body.  I look like a girl not a woman.

I always wanted to be a wife and then a mother…no dreams of being anything else.  When God brought Justin into my life these dreams became a reality.  I became his wife in less then a year…two years later we had a baby.  We are a family.

I look at pictures of myself a couple years ago…I might have  looked better but I can honestly say  I did not feel better.  I see a very selfish 22  year old.  I did not love my husband like I do today…and I certainly had not learned to live daily serving a little person. I served myself.  When God brought Cora into my world there was a time when everything seemed to come crashing down around me.  All of the sudden my easy little life ended.  In one day I became a mother…the one to feed, comfort, change, clean, stay up for hours at night, love and care for my baby.  Inside I was fighting the breaking of many bad habits…it hurt too much to have to grow up. My plan was to be a mom…but it was not my plan to have to change!  It humors me now to realize how clueless I was.  But God is good…he works wonders…miracles in our hearts.  In no time I had adjusted to being a wife and mother.  There were and still are days where I want to throw up my hands, admit defeat…but my love for Cora grows every day as does my patience.  I thank God for her…I was not owed her.  She is a gift.  My love and respect  for Justin has grown.  I loved him when we met…but now?  There is not a better man in the world.  He is a gift as well.  Yes, God is good!

I look forward to seeing how much growth there is 10, 20 years down the road…I have full confidence that God will continue to mold me and work in this little family.  The breaking and the maturing is always hard but the reward is worth it.

Andrew Peterson is one of my favorite Christian artists.  He may have a nasal voice…but the passion with which he sings!  Many nights in college I fell asleep listening to his music.  When my brother Tim became a daddy, I remember thinking this song was perfect for him.  Now I think it’s perfect for Justin and I…and will only ring more true as our family grows.

Family Man

I am a family man
I traded in my mustang for a minivan
This is not what I was headed for when I began
This was not my plan
I am a family man

But everything I had to lose
Came back a thousand times in you
And you fill me up with love
Fill me up with love
And you help me stand
’cause I am a family man

And life is good
That’s something I always knew
But I just never understood
If you’d asked me then you know I’d say I never would
Settle down in a neighborhood
I never thought I could

But I don’t remember anymore
Who I even was before
You filled me up with love
Filled me up with love
And you help me stand

So come on with the thunder clouds
Let the cold wind rail against us, let the rain come down
We can build a roof above us with the love we’ve found
We can stand our ground
So let the rain come down

Because love binds up what breaks in two
So keep my heart so close to you
And I’ll fill you up with love
Fill you up with love
And I’ll help you stand
‘Cause I am a family man

I’m saving my vacation time
For Disneyland
This is not what I was headed for when I began
This was not my plan
It’s so much better than

15 minutes from where we stayed was a small town called Cumberland…it’s barely a town.  There are four junk shops, a restaurant and a tiny grocery store.  Of course I loved all the junk stores…I bought Cora the most adorable tin table for her bedroom.

Thirty minutes from the cabins we stayed in was a town called Farmville. (like the Facebook game) Justin and I ended up going there three times…if we needed anything Farmville was the closest town.  The town was made up entirely of furniture stores, cafes and restaurants.  In the downtown area was a church founded and visited by Martin Luther King Jr.

There was a delicious little cafe on the main street.

We continued to walk the downtown streets and  went into a couple stores.

I wanted to go into this store which sold only wicker…but the “sale” prices were ridiculous.  I walked in and walked right back out.

On one trip to Farmville Justin and I decided to stop by Jack’s Junk Shop.  He was for once more intrigued then me. I stayed in the car…I felt like any second a man was going to come out wielding a chainsaw.

There was just stuff piled up in building after building…Fortunately Jack was not there to show us his shop. Is it not something straight out of a horror movie?

Virginia is rich with Civil War History.  Many of the buildings, churches and homes still stand.  Here are two of the most beautiful churches we passed…

Wednesday we drove into Charlottesville to see Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home.  The house and surrounding property is beautiful.  It is living, breathing history. Much of Jefferson’s furniture remains, his books, his grandchildren’s games, art…even the chess game he and John Adams played.  However, poor baby was running a fever that started to get worse during the tour.  As the guide talked on and on I watched Cora growing more impatient and fussy…finally she had enough and threw up on Justin.  Oops.  We tried to sneak out…and I must admit we laughed and laughed when we left.  Our baby just threw up in a national treasure.

Here we tried to rejoin the tour.  We are both so distracted because we know our guide hates us…the couple with the sick baby.  We may have to tour Monticello again.

It’s Monday and it’s back to reality.  Justin is on his way to work and I hear baby waking up.  We desperately needed this vacation.  Although there was major sleep deprivation and a very sick baby we made the most of it and now have dear and precious memories of beautiful Virginia.

We are back!  We survived and enjoyed an entire week in the backwoods of Virginia.  No cell coverage or internet service for miles…no phones, no TV…nothing.  I must admit, it was lovely.  Apparently the world does keep turning without email, blogs, and facebook!

We left early Friday morning.  Cora was riding facing forward for the first time and she loved it!  It was a 10 hour trip and she did not cry one time.  At one point the air conditioning decided to quit working.  I was worried Cora would melt in the heat but our baby is a trooper.  What could be more fun then wind blowing in your face?

We arrived at Bear Creek Lake State Park around 5.  The rest of the family was already there.  A swarm of cousins ran to greet us.

The cabins were lovely…big, clean and well maintained.  They all had huge wrap around porches with rocking chairs.  Much time was spent sitting on these chairs…rocking back and forth and catching up.

The kids spent a lot of time scaling the rails or playing on them.  They were finally caught by Aileen about 12 feet in the air…on the wrong side of the rail.  I snapped this picture of them right before she found them.  They were not pleased to have to pose for this picture.

We went to the beach the second day we were there.  Cora loved the water.

We had a fire for marshmellows and smores.  These two pyros especially enjoyed it.

I kept seeing them burning stuff…What better use for a grill then to melt plastic soldiers?

Now for many, many pictures.  I took hundreds..these are the favorites.

Dad reading his bible.

Babies.

Children.

Family.

Friends. (Our very dear Ashley came all the way from Canada to see all 25 of us!)

And finally.  Two of the funniest pictures from the trip.  Will and Cora…they are two peas in a pod.  She steals all his toys and he beats her up.  Look at the grin of satisfaction as he pulls her over!

More on Virginia still to come.

“A vacation is having nothing to do, and all day to do it in.” -Robert Orben

Bright and early tomorrow morning we leave for beautiful Virginia and Bear Creek Lake State Park.  We cannot wait!  The only part I am dreading is leaving and coming back to a dishevelled house.  (we are still in the process of moving furniture around)  At the park we’ll have no TV, cell coverage or internet so I won’t be blogging for a week.  This family needs some fun and relaxation.  My poor husband has not taken time off in almost a year!

And because I have been a little apprehensive to stay in a lodge that is not a family home…and has been slept in by many people.  I found this quote amusing.

“Oh why can’t we break away from this, just you and I, and lodge with my fleas in the hills?  I mean, flee to my lodge in the hills?”-S.J. Perelman

I plan on coming back with lots of pictures…Cora’s first experience on a beach and swimming in a lake…our first experience as a family of three going on vacation.  Have a wonderful week!

In about a week we are leaving for a trip to Virginia.  I cannot wait!  A whole week with my little family…no computers, no work schedule…no routine.  Just what we need right now!

My cousin Jo just arrived home from a three week vacation with her family of seven.  It got me thinking about all the trips Justin and I have been on since being married.   For our honeymoon we went to New York. The highlights  of that trip were eating delicious food and aimlessly walking…all. day. long.

Of course I cannot forget our helicopter ride!  Seeing Manhattan from the sky was pretty impressive.

In the fall of 2007, We flew to Ottawa for my cousin’s wedding.  I am so glad Justin was able to see this beautiful city that I love.

The summer of 2008 we were able to go to the cottage that my great uncle built.  For 19 years I spent my summers there.  Chaffey’s Lock is very dear to my heart.  I was a gift being able to share with Justin the place that holds most of my childhood memories.

We both agree, that was the best vacation we have had.

In the fall of 2008 we went to Philadelphia for a wedding.  One of the best parts of the trip was driving through beautiful Harper’s Ferry.

In 2009 we flew out to Las Vegas.  Justin had a business trip and I was able to tag along.  I was pregnant and sick with a sinus infection.  I threw up before leaving for the airport…Not much to say about Vegas.  We did get to see the beautiful Red Rocks.  They helped cleanse my mind from all the filth of The Strip.

Another trip while pregnant was a wedding in Baltimore.  We had so much fun.  Too bad the trip was only a couple days…we could have done a lot more exploring!  Unfortunately I cannot find any pictures from that trip.

Of course more recently we went to Houston, TX.  Baby got to come along on that trip.  It was fun but again, not much time to explore.

Thinking about all these trips makes me even more excited to explore Virginia.  I have driven through many times but have never been able to soak in the beauty.  We’ll be staying in a cabin near a lake.  I am counting down the days!

Happy Father’s Day to Justin, Cora’s beloved “dadada.”  She could not have a better daddy.  We are blessed to have him as the head of this household.  I’m so glad I have him as my teammate in raising our child.

Every morning he gets her out of her crib and changes her diaper…amid her “I want my breakfast bottle” shrieks.  Every evening after a long day at work he gives her his undivided attention.  Every night he bathes her and changes her into her p.j.s amid her “I want my bedtime bottle” shrieks.  He is a good, kind, and loving daddy. He is so proud of his little girl.

We love you Dada.  Happy Father’s Day!

“No man can possibly know what life means, what the world means, until he has a child and loves it.  And the whole universe changes and nothing will ever seem exactly the same as it seemed before.”

And, Happy Father’s Day to my own dad.  A man who loved me well.  A man who taught me from a young age my need for my Father in heaven.  A man who read the bible to us and prayed for us every day.   Who entertained us constantly with his humor, who always brought us sweets…who enjoyed shopping.  A man who put up with three emotional and often crying daughters.  A father who is also a wonderful Beba.  We love you!

“Being a parent is a high and holy calling.  There is no more demanding occupation.  The best of parents are utterly dependent on the Holy Spirit to make it “click” with their children.  That is why a parent’s greatest resource is prayer.”

We so rarely get to see my extended family.  What a joy it was to see them this past week. They are blood.  A bond that is deep.  In an instant I feel like I know all 5 of my cousin’s children.  It’s just comfortable.

Johannah, Aiden and their family of seven are going on a three week long camping trip.  Along the way they stopped at the Helms, my mom’s house and will eventually end up in New York with the Roses.  Jo, please come back with your lovely family…oh, and could you bring Katie along to?

Cora played peek-a-boo with Annorah’s dress.

Annorah is such a little beauty.

The boys liked the train.

Adorable Isaiah.

We miss them already.

We are back from our trip to Canada.   I loved being able to spend time with Tim, Aileen and their three children.  Cora and I were spoiled.

I arrived Monday.  Tuesday my sister-in-law and I went to the best grocery store in the world.  I guess it’s kinda like Canadian Target.  I bought myself a bathing suit (yes, I actually made myself try some on…I still haven’t quite recovered from the shock.  Anyone else notice everything went downhill and sideways after having a baby?), a shirt, some pjs and 2 shirts for Cora.  I also picked up some yummy Canadian treats for Justin. Thursday was another shopping trip.  Not too successful as Cora decided she was going to cry the entire time.  She did not want mommy to find new clothes.  She always sabotages my shopping trips.  I did manage to find a cute dress for $17.  It hides some of the parts that I mentioned earlier being upside down and sideways:)

I was also able to go to Aileen’s soccer game.  She  scored three of the five goals!  I saw Abby perform in her dance recital.  She did and awesome job!  Nick and I played a board game…and somehow we tied.  Michaelah was endless entertainment.  Always had some funny comment to make such as “Auntie Grace, your shirt is pretty but not that pretty.  It’s just red.”

I frequented Tim Hortons getting my fix of coffee and donuts.  I went running without Cora…and ended up lost.  Thankfully Aileen was able to direct me home. I saw two of my dearest friends from childhood.  If only I had pictures of them with Cora.

There were a couple of things I have noticed while being there.  It’s strange how my homeland is no longer familiar to me:

People have the most beautiful gardens.  There are very few overgrown and weed-eaten gardens.  A strange observation but one that really sticks out to me. Here is a picture of Aileen’s garden.  It’s beautiful.

Portion sizes are smaller here.  A small coffee is a small coffee…maybe smaller than a kids size in the US.

I miss Tim Hortons.

Women here landscape, mow yards, do road work, etc.  I love it.

Men don’t hold open doors.  Neither do women.  In the South everyone holds open the door for a woman with a stroller.

The clothes are amazing.  Too bad Cora never let me get a chance to shop. (I have prayed for self control…maybe that is God’s unique way of answering my prayer)

I miss Tim Hortons.

People are not as friendly.  I have to remind myself that not everyone wants to say “hi” to me as I run by.  A Southern habit I have picked up and one that I love.

I miss Tim Hortons.

Stuff is way overpriced.  For a box of diapers it’s almost $40.00!  Give me American prices any day.