Perfecting the pizza

One of my unofficial goals for the summer was to work on my homemade pizza!  Our family loves pizza.  It's a fall back for us.  We know when all the local pizza places have their special nights.  When Philip and I traveled to NYC and Boston, we still ate pizza! 

And so about two weeks ago, I tried out a friend's recipe. I made a huge mess and used tons of dishes but I found success. The pizza was great. I doubled my recipe; froze the second half and thawed them out for dinner tonight. I still have some kinks worked out but I love that I have won the approval of all my crew.  Notice the star shaped pizza in the middle, I would like to say I planned that seeing how it is July 4th. ;)

7 days

Seven days would be my countdown until I depart for Jamaica. It has been 5 years since I have left the US borders and 15 years since I've served on an overseas mission team or even a stateside one for that matter. I am in the midst of organizing three days of VBS activities for the children we will meet in Mitchell town, Jamaica. For three days, we will have the chance to learn together, sing together, play together and grow together. I have been on enough mission trips and my brain has developed enough in my 35 years to know that these trips have less to do with those that we think we are going to serve and more to do with ourselves. I read with my Sunday school class yesterday from the book of 1 John 2: 15-16 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world - the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches - comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever. This is what this trip is for me.

I know that it's times like this when we leave our normal that God confronts us with the things in our life that are not of Him. He confronts us with the reminder that His world and His plans are much much bigger than we can even comprehend. I'm so thankful that He has blessed me with the opportunity to travel and see His creation outside of my normal.

old times

There are some things that grandchildren can get away with that kids never would.  I'm thankful that as an adult grandchild, I can get away with a camera and a video camera.  I have a feeling that it has more to do with with great grandchildren that are around than it does with myself. Whatever the means, I'm truly thankful for these precious snap shots of my grandfather's life.  It's such a treasure to hear these stories.

Birthday celebrations

It's so hard to believe that Nathan is 3. Three just sounds so much older than 2. We celebrated the day in a nontraditional style but I suppose that has a lot to do with him being the 4th. Today, Philip was required to begin Annual Conference. We wanted to join him in the morning session as it was a big part of his ordination process. So we began the day at McDonald's for a birthday breakfast Needless to say he made a good impression with all the ladies at McDonald's with his fancy outfit. He even scored himself a birthday hat. After breakfast we headed to downtown Raleigh for the start of Annual conference.  Being from a small town, the kids love seeing skyscrapers and riding escalators!

. This Annual Conference session was where Philip and his peers were asked by the Bishop several questions about their life and commitment to the church and then voted on and approved for ordination. Thankfully, we sat next to a good friend of ours who happens to be pregnant and had in her purse a stash of candy and poptarts! Although I'm quite sure my kids weren't hungry, I was ill-prepared for the length and scope of this session!

After an amazing about of patience, self control and a perfectly timed cat nap for Nathan, the kids and I headed to the Museum of Natural Science. I do enjoy being with my kids at museums. It makes me smile and forget about previous frustrations. My heart was warmed today when Emma calmly said, "Mommy you keep walking too fast. I can't read everything that quick".

Since I didn't know my way around downtown that well and I didn't know there was a new parking deck on the opposite side of the museum, we had a few blocks to walk to get to our car. After a long day, I also needed this little break that Ryan requested.

To my sweet baby Nathan, you are now three. I pray that your smile always continues. I hope your hugs and kisses never wax or wane. I hope your love for the outdoors and enjoyment of a good book continues to grow. I hope one day you can get a horse. I pray that you will always look to God for your source of hope, strength and salvation.  I hope you always carry a song in your heart.

You are as your name says "a gift from God".  We love you!

war paint

It's times like these when I'm reminded of the beauty of "summer break". I have no idea what sparked this afternoons decision to create war paint. It might have been the recent exposure to Tom Sawyer. I'm thankful that my kids have the time and space to be creative, act out their imaginations, enjoy nature and build relationships with one another. I'm also truly thankful that the two painted heroes voluntarily jumped in the shower before returning to normal life!

The tree house

For as long as I can remember, the kids have asked for a tree house.  After spending some time in Charlotte last week, Philip was inspired by his brother's tree fort.  He has spent the last two days (with help from the kids) out in the woods and up in the trees.  He's doing an amazing job!

Peter got the prized job of drilling screws into the planks of wood that would form the flooring.

Ryan did a lot of hauling of materials and holding wood that was being cut.

There was definitely a lot of ladder holding going on.

Nathan and I didn't do too much more than sit around and look cute!

Tumblefest

Emma finished up her second year of gymnastics Monday night. She's had a great year and looks forward to starting Level 3 in the fall. We're proud of you sweet girl.

back from the big city

Philip and I returned this week from a week away in the North East! We traveled to NYC, Providence, Boston and Philadelphia. We did a lot of really cool things.  Boston was my favorite.  This is a shot of the USS Constitution and the monument at Bunker Hill from our harbor cruise tour. 

Close behind Boston as my favorite was our tour of Ellis Island. I am glad we took the free National Park Rangers tour.  Our tour guide did a beautiful job explaining what it would have been like as an immigrant to pass through Ellis Island.  Both Philip and I have great grandparents who came to America as immigrants.  Our tour guide challenged us to remember this place and what our ancestors went through generations past as we think about immigration in todays culture.

We both loved the opportunity to read! Philip especially enjoyed his book of choice for this trip.

While in Boston, we found ourselves in the midst of a high school group on their way to a tour of Finely Park. We decided to tag along until we got kicked out. Luckily for us we either blended in well or they didn't really care.  We ended up having an amazing tour of the ballpark. I think Philip enjoyed it much more than all the high school students put together!

Of course the food was amazing. Not having to cook, clean, wash dishes, do laundry or cut other people's food was a welcomed break in itself. However, we found our selves eating some great pizza, sandwiches, Italian food, Phili steak and cheese, and of course desserts.

We couldn't have done it without the blessing of my parents standing guard of our precision young ones! I remember only one occasion when my grandparents traveled from their home in NY to care for my sister and I while my parents went to Italy. They opted to leave us with our neighbors the day my parents were due to arrive so they could get a head start on their trip home! (We had a great relationship with our neighbors so it wasn't that bad.)  I was pleasantly surprised to find that my folks didn't carry out that tradition! Since we returned to Roxboro on my birthday, my parents and kids planned a surprise party complete with decorations, a meal of my favorites, cupcakes and ice cream. It was a wonderful welcome home.

Sassafras fork farms

We had the pleasure of visiting with new friends at their home and farm. Ms. Kathleen, Mr. J. Ed and their daughter Stephanie are two years into running a naturally grown (almost organically certified) farm about 15 minutes out of Roxboro. Ms. Kathleen spoke with Philip recently and invited us to tour their farm and meet their new baby sheep. The offer was too good to refuse.

The highlight of the trip was getting to know Miss Prim. She is an orphaned lamb that is being cared for by our friends. She followed for the 3 hours we walked through the farm.

We collected eggs, saw their cows, visited the greenhouses, walked through a pasture of bulls, visited with Ms. Prim's other family members, checked out the baby birds, snacked on fresh veggies and learned all along the way. 

The farm is beautiful; so full of live and love.

Well, I guess Ms. Prim did get carried for a large portion of our farm tour!

We will be going back to check on our new favorite lamb. I can now completely relate to Mary and her little lamb.

strawberry time

We hit the strawberry patch Friday for the first time Friday.

This year we picked at a patch that is owned by friends we know from home schooling.

They were definitely some yummy strawberries!

VIR race track

The kids and I joined some friends at the VIR race track for a tour.  We had to cross over the state line to Virginia but it was well worth the 30 minute drive.

The folks at VIR took us on a trolley ride tour of their 1300 acre campus.  The race track itself spans 4.3 miles.  Needless to say there was a lot more than just racing going on here. 

After the tour of the campus, we were able to watch many of the racers who had come to the track a few days early to get in some practice runs.

After we had watched a 30 minute practice session, we walked around the pit area. We met two very kind race participants that let all the kids sit in their cars. Needless to say, this was the highlight. They answered questions and didn't even mind posing for a picture. What a great group of employees and racers!

more photos

I believe this might have been Philip's maiden voyage upon horseback! He couldn't resist the opportunity to saddle up.He rode like a champ!

This would be Max! He's our neighbor wild but very friendly dog.