You know it's hot when...

you have to eat dinner in the pool.

One word to describe my disposition last week would have been "lethargic". While we are so thankful to have air conditioning units in the bedrooms, the 100 degree heat cut through the rest of the house like a plague. Hmm.....where to go and escape? The bedroom? No, I would feel too anti-social. The pool? Well, my fingers are already prune-ish from the last hour I was in. I guess that leaves a local air conditioned coffee shop! Aside from the family gatherings (around the pool), and the exhausting heat, I had a wonderful time catching up with old friends. Oh how much our visits filled my heart with gladness!

Heather it was so good to catch up, collaborate, and connect as we shared our international teaching stories. Looking forward to your new changes this year!

Kirsten, my heart is so sad that we forgot to take pictures of my "train trip" to go and visit you. I'll just put up an old picture of us ;). What fun it was to reminisce, walk through the NJ towns, and watch old movies on the lawn. And then to top it off, I got to be your roomie again for old times sake! Oh how I miss you already.

And my Langhorne girls....even though some of you are missing. Just to catch up and hear where you are in the journey of life was so encouraging. Keep plugging away, whether it be schooling, tough jobs, broken cars, or wedding plans...you can do it!

I thought I would put up a "recap" post since we are now tucked away in the heart of the Adirondacks again. Peaceful and beautiful as ever, yet now with a baby/toddler twist. Oh the joys of being an aunt to three nieces and an adorable nephew!

2 years ago...

Dave and I were gettin' hitched...and then moving to China...with our first day of teaching 2 weeks after that. What an adventure we have followed the Lord through! We decided to celebrate this landmark of time at our parent's cabin this past weekend.

In this exact spot October 3rd 2008, Dave proposed. What a view, huh? Right in front of us is a restaurant where we were going to eat a reminiscent lunch, yet their website had to be out of date...and they were closed. Keeping our spirits up, we nestled into the cozy city down below and ate in a nearby cafe.

Back when we were dating, one of the activities we used to do together was go Geo-caching. Basically, people who have GPS systems hide a plastic box of trinkets/treasures in a "mysterious place" and then post the coordinates online. There are even Geo-caches in China! Once you find the box, you take a trinket out, replace it with another and then sign the log book...then go on your merry way, all proud of your self that "you found it!'.

When we went, we always would look for the ones that would be in the woods so that it was like a hike and a treasure hunt all in one. My sweet husband decided to create his own Geo-cache (unbeknownst to me). Once again we were hiking in the woods, feeling as if we were dating again on one of our little adventures.

Me: "What did the website say? Would it be on the trail?"
Dave: "Uh...well....it said (since this was all his own creation).....that it will be by some.....flowers.....yeah, flowers."

Turning my head, I see the flowers that helped guide his answer ;) And under some brush, I found it! (It was much more hidden than what is showing in this picture)

Inside was a willow tree doll, pearl earrings, and a beautiful long note.

And the night didn't end there. He had planned to cook me dinner, and have us eat out on my dad's boat. What a treat! Another thing that brings up old memories!

I am blessed with such a sweet, intentional husband who daily looks for ways to display his love. Who could ask for more?

Bosom friend

I am blessed with one. What is a bosom friend you ask? If you haven't read Anne of Green Gables, then I'll let her explain for you,

"A bosom friend--an intimate friend, you know--a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul."

You know you're close with someone when it's been two years since you've had a heart-to-heart conversation, yet it's as if your hearts were still in sync with each others. We met the first couple days our freshman year of college and have been "kindred spirits" ever since. Since we were on our way back up the east coast, we were able to drop in for a visit. Arriving at 2:30, my friend Monica and I talked non-stop straight until about 11:30! On the couch, during dinner and dessert, throughout a walk in the neighborhood, through games, and then even in the bedroom as we were slowly parting our ways before sleep. What a wonderful, refreshing visit. My cup was and is still overflowing! And to think that I got the chance to see her adorable pregnant belly before Charlotte comes in just about three weeks!

Stephen and Monica, thanks again for letting us drop in to say hello! It filled my soul with joy!

Growing families

Take a good look at this picture. You see four people, right? Four incredibly bonded siblings who would sacrifice anything just to have moments like this again. Siblings who have so much shared history that it is hard to think of one memory that doesn't include one of us in it. But times have changed...in a good way. Every time we are together, we bring up memories, jokes, stories, and pictures from the past. Yet this reunion was different. There was a divinely sweet blend of both the cherished past and anticipated future mixed together. Take a look at the next picture.

That family is growing. Yep, it's true. With a new brother already in the mix and a sister just waiting to join us (next summer by the way), we are eagerly anticipating the new memories that will be made. While our reunions are no longer after a semester of classes, but at the end of 2 year contracts, we will cling to the joy of what we have together. A bond that is lasting.

Now that's worth celebrating!

Dear Grandpa,

Did you know that you celebrated your 50th wedding anniversary this year? We are so proud of you! While your dementia is stealing away a lot of your short term memory, HOLD FAST to those precious memories of the ones who were (and are) in it for the long haul...a.k.a. Grandma. I wish you could fully see all that she sacrifices and dedicates to you as she comes to visit you day in and day out. Rest in the peace knowing that you are loved.

We came to see you the other day in your new home. Grandma sure has been keeping your room decorated! We were a bit surprised though when we first came in your room...

We soon figured out that they had been working on your room floors earlier that day...phew! You're off the hook Grandpa....for now. I nearly cried when I heard you whisper my name. Either you are making progress, or you were just confused the last time you saw me - but I will cherish every moment that I have.

Our group was so big that we had to move to a fancy conference room just to talk to you, Grandpa! I loved watching your face light up when we sang old hymns together. At times, I even needed to look to you for confirmation on the next verses! I guess music will be the last thing to leave...and I'm glad of it. Anything to keep your spirit of joy near you.

I love you Grandpa. As your dependence grows greater, our love for you perseveres all the more. Remember us....as best as you can.

Beach bums continued...

It's 3:00 and the Chase's (and Evans) have had enough of the sun. As we mosey on in looking as though we have been through a sandstorm, we can't help but wanting to shower and get freshed in a way that involves make up, perfume, and maybe a cute outfit. Sun-kissed and re-energized we headed back out to the beach to have a little photo shoot and play some croquet.

And of course the jumping pictures. Only if the camera could fully express the joy and laughter that accompanied each one.

Rained in for the afternoon, we are all sitting around reading, playing games, and catching up on...well...blogs ;) We're livin' it up!

The life of a beach bum...

We finally made it. Florida's sandy beaches, humid air and sunny skies have welcomed us...for an entire week. Of course even though we lathered the sun screen, the "rays" here are a bit stronger than expected. We more or less got fried the first day - even with the SPF...oh well.

Dizzy with depleted oxygen, we are looking forward to taking over the pool with these rafts. No seriously...for the size of the pool and the size of us, we took up about a 1/3 of the pool!

Cheese balls!!!!!! (Enough said)

Too bad the shuffleboard materials were unavailable. Instead we took tennis balls and made our own game...HORSE/shuffleboard/bocce ball.

I love the fact that on vacation, you get the sense that you are still around and with your family, yet you are all doing different things. Ethan and Dad are fishing, Dave and I are reading, the girls and mom are walking....sweet bliss.

All snuggled up watching the fireworks on the fourth of July! I finally figured it out....THIS is what I miss the most ;)