My Ebenezer

This past week, Tropical Storm Debby moved through our area, pouring what seemed like feet of rain on us.  Finally the sun re-emerged, but we still have standing water in our yard, and our dock is completely under water for the first time in its life.  Praise the Lord, a soggy dock was the worst of the damage!  Blessings.

Before the accident: And about a month after: While we were away on vacation last month, Noah bumped the same tooth twice within about a day's time.  Well, that tooth must have given up the ghost, because it is now a dark gray color.  I have known other children who have had a gray tooth, and it's not the end of the world, especially since this is a baby tooth and  should fall out in the next couple of years anyway.  But still, this is now what Noah looks like.  He's still my handsome little man, gray tooth and all!

At the moment, Noah is infatuated with cowboy boots.  We found an old pair at an abandoned house recently, and though they're several sizes too big, that doesn't seem to matter to Noah.  We let him wear them to a restaurant a few weeks ago, but he wiped out three times, so now he only wears them at home, though he asks to wear them just about every time we leave the house.

My gift is not hospitality.  It does not come naturally to me to invite people into my home and share what I have with them, especially on short notice. I realize this acutely on a Sunday morning during church when my husband whispers to me after the first song, "What are you planning for lunch?" "Nothing," I say, which isn't entirely true.  For a scavenger we have plenty!  In the fridge, we have half my leftover dinner from going to Ruby Tuesday's last night, some ham and cheese, even peanut butter and jelly for those of us who want to go all out.  Right. So in other words, "nothing."   "Because I want to invite so-and-so over for lunch today," Josh continues. Immediately vivid-colored snapshots of our house in its current condition begin flashing through my mind.  Our bed, unmade with pillows everywhere (thanks to my growing belly and my increasing need for pillows).  Clothes strewn around the floor as the result of wardrobe ...

I hit 17 weeks this past Tuesday.  I cannot tell you how happy I have been to be in the second trimester these last few weeks.   This is pregnancy like I remember it to be!  Stuff to report: 1. Last Friday two people who don't know me asked if I was pregnant.  This is a big step, because it tells me that I no longer look chunky, and am starting to look pregnant.  Always a relief!  Who wants to look chunky? 2.  I have been feeling the baby move off and on for a couple of weeks.  More off than on, really, but still; it's special when it happens! 3.  I am now HUNGRY pretty much all the time.  Melon or peaches always sound good, as does just about any food group.  I'm not picky these days. 4.  I have started exercising again, which is good, except it makes me HUNGRY.  See # 3. :) 5.  Almost everyone is asking if we plan to find out if we are having a boy or a girl.  YES.  Our ultrasound appointment...

These are some of the photos of our time in Connecticut.  I was heavier on the photos at the beginning of the week, and then missed some events entirely.  Fun defined:

This morning I made a tent for the kids to play in while Brianne and Titus were over.  On the way back to Noah's room to play in the tent, I heard a perfect illustration of the differences between boys and girls. Brianne:  "I'll be the mommy in the tent." Noah:  "I have a better idea: why don't we get the army guys and shoot them in there?" Brianne:  "That doesn't sound very fun." Ah, girls and boys.  I have to tell you, not much changes in adulthood, either. :)

So...the last few weeks.  We've had a lot going on--we loaded up our car and took a major road trip to New Jersey for my niece Susan's wedding on May 26, then continued on and spent a week in Connecticut before loading up and returning home.  That doesn't sound like a lot summed up like that in a single sentence, but it was jam-packed.  And very fun.  Some of my family I hadn't seen in a few years, and it was SO GOOD to see them again. Here are some of the photos from the New Jersey portion of our trip. Most of my family.  The happy couple, Mike and Susan Love that Noah can still sleep in the car! The Chesapeake Bay Bridge.  Very cool.  You feel like you're going to drive right across the ocean. Never get tired of this Or this. Waiting for the wedding to start.  That's me and Rachel, another of my nieces.  Yes, we're the same age.  My family is funny like that. :) Bubbles! I'd he...