Ahhh, catch up! The Steven part

So, we’ll be going in backwards order here a bit.  But, this is how documenting life goes after what seems like one of the busiest months of life!  Oh, but the highs were so high.  We have been able to host every member of the 409 (and almost all of the wives!) this past month – and that has been the biggest treat.  Old friends are just the best.  I can think of nothing more delightful than sitting with friends around our table, a good bottle of wine, and amazing conversation that leaves me thankful, laughing so hard, and wanting more out of life.

So, the first stop on catch up train: our Steven Potter (we missed you so, Jodee!) visit.

Basically exactly what they used to do back in college…

It’s really important to us to always have balanced meals when guests are here.  I would like to say the following followed dinner, but alas – after a ridiculously huge lunch – it was dinner.  Hahaha.

 

By the lake…

We do love us some birds who reside at the spillway

and acting like them too…

Thanks for making the drive, Steven!

On her 2nd birthday

What a special day!  We were so thankful to celebrate with our family to reflect on and be thankful for our dear abi’s life.  She is such a beauty and a gift to our family to be sure.  We love you, dear abi!

What would a birthday be without lots of yummy food for a birthday brunch!

Snippets of our lovely day…

Sweetest girl, you are a delight and a blessing to so many.  We are so thankful to be able to so intimately walk through your beautiful life with you!  LOVE!

With happy hearts…

We reflected on this day:

Thought with amazement and humility that it’s been a year since this day:

(waking our little lady up on her birthday morning)

And rejoiced that we have this day:

2 years ago today…

My goodness, were our lives ever changed.  More thoughts and pictures to come.  Our Abi-girl, we are so amazed by the beauty that’s been put in you.  You are a treasure.

Happy 4th!

*I tried to explain to abi today that we celebrate on the 4th of July because it is America’s birthday.  Abi’s response was “no america’s birthday” – I think she is getting birthday envy with hers approaching!

Summer is…

Hanging out at the lake

Feeding Ducks (and by that I also mean cleaning out the fridge and throwing HUGE chunks of bread to the ducks.  But even here I can see abi’s sweet compassionate spirit…she always tries to throw to the duck who is off on his/her own)

and Loving being together, it is a sweet life we have graciously been given

Lessons in being hot

Seriously, at times I feel like this blog is a constant catch-up in a race to document life…BUT, in continuing towards that goal…a few weeks ago our a/c went out.  This is NOT enjoyable in Texas.  Especially this summer.  My goodness, it has been H.O.T. this year.  Hitting triple digits before the first official day of summer (Michigan – you win here).

We did lots of this: (b/c at night it was still cooler outside than inside our house!)

And then (we waited a few days after our first a/c guy came out – fixed it for 24 hours – then told us a RIDICULOUS amount that he would charge us to really fix it) well, my hubby fixed it.  This man – he is too good.

So our lesson.  Wow, do I take things for granted.  My heart ached for the sweet elderly of our community who you know endure the summers each and every year, I felt convicted of my constant expectancy of “77 degrees” while so many in our city, country, and world endure exhausting temperatures with no repair man or repair hubby in sight.  This little hot house of ours offered refreshing clarity.