Moving...

We moved a few weeks ago. I am so thankful for the space we have.

We went from 700 sq ft to approximately 3000 sq ft.

Before we moved, I was thankful we had a place to call home. We had a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and we were living within our means.

When we has the opportunity to purchase the house we did, I was so thankful.

We moved and I continue to be so thankful. We have space for Sam to run around. We have a place that is easier to baby proof (which will keep Anna safe), we have room for Anna's crib (she was still in her bassinet!!!), we have room to have people over to visit without feeling cramped.

Our house is still in boxes. We are still unpacking. Caleb and I both work fulltime and we have two active kids. I want to spend my Saturdays hanging with Sam and Anna, not cleaning and unpacking, so I do a little bit at a time. And that's ok.

That means I have more time to figure out where to hang pictures, what color scheme I want, what furniture will work for our family.

Thankful. That sums up how I feel. Thankful for a place to call home. Thankful for no more moves in the foreseeable future; Caleb and I moved 4 times in 5 years!! Thankful for a place to create memories with Sam and Anna. Thankful for space. Thankful we are still able to live within our means.

I am thankful and grateful.

Good Stewardship

What does it mean to be a "good steward"?

We live in a country filled with wealth. You may not see it or believe it, but Americans are among the wealthiest people in the world.

How many cars do you have in your family? How many pairs of shoes do you own? Do you sometimes wonder: which pair of sneakers/boots/black shoes will you wear? Open up your fridge - do you have food?

Americans like choices and variety.

Walk into an ice-cream shop and you're bombard with 20+ different ice-cream flavors AND options for frozen yogurt.

If you're a little boy in India, you are grateful you own one pair of shoes and you would probably be thrilled at the prospect of enjoying a cool creamy ice-cream, no matter the flavor.

Are we Americans "good stewards" with what we've been given? Are we taking care of what we have?

That's not something I'm going to answer outright - but more a question to think about.

I would like to say yes, but the truth is, I don't know.

Fundamental

Last night Caleb and I went on a date.
We went last night.
The music was solid.
The food was delicious.
The company was wonderful.
And I hope we do it again.

It was called Fundamental at Opus Underground.
Great musicians: the Dejas, Venus Mars Project, Kevin William.
Sushi bar and delicious foods line "cubano" egg rolls - Caleb had those. I had the spicy salmon sushi.
Friends, lots of good friends and adult conversation ~ instead of babbling and answering many "why not?" questions.

Gordon College Homecoming - Russell Orchards & Crane Beach

a dear friend of mine came up for homecoming. she has a lovely blog here.

we spent part of the day at russell orchards and crane's beach.

it was lovely.

here's a picture i snapped & edited of her adorable son Behr.

if i get it together, i made add a few more lovely pictures. Sam & Behr had such a great time together.

Sam kept saying "behr" all day. even after we parted ways.

it's great to meet up with long-time friends.

and even better when our kids are friends!

a summer day

this summer i try to take advantage of my crane's beach sticker.
it's not always easy.
i work.
my son has a "schedule".
my "beach time" is usually his "dinner time".
some days i'm too tired to go to the beach.
i worked from 8am-5pm.
it's too much work to pack a few snacks, bathing suits, towel.
too much work to pack our things in the car.
too much work to lug it all onto the beach.
but, when i do it.
it's worth it.
i relax.
i listen to the sound of the water.
i feel the sand beneath my toes.
i watch sam chase the seagulls.
i watch sam splash into the water [even though it's 60 F].
we hang out.
we build sandcastles.
we splash.
we snack.
we do it again.
we go home.
sam falls asleep in the car.

40th Anniversary Celebration

During the past year, we have been celebrating my company's 40th Anniversary. It has been quite the feat and we have weathered ups and downs. I'm proud to say I work for Murray & MacDonald Insurance and I can honestly say I enjoy my job. I enjoy coming to work every day. Of course, I've experienced both good and bad during the five + years I've worked for Murray & MacDonald Insurance, but overall, I love what I do. I'm very thankful to have a job/career; it's an added bonus that I enjoy coming to work everyday.

We had two 40th Anniversary parties. One for our office in Bourne and one for our office in Falmouth. Our Bourne office is large enough to host indoors, so we did. Our Falmouth office is fairly small, so we rented a tent and had the party outdoors. It was a gorgeous night and everyone enjoyed themselves. Here's a video highlighting the event.

Cheers.

What to do when it's 90 degrees out

Sam's new sleeping spot

Wednesday it was 99 degrees.

So hot.

I love warm weather, but it was too hot for me.

After a day working (in my home office with broken A/C) I was ready to cool off.

I took Sam, a friend, and two of Sam's babysitters to the beach.

Crane's Beach.

It was heavenly. We were only there for about an hour, but it was just enough to cool off.

Do we have to leave mom?

Sam was so sad to leave.

And so was I.

An ecstatic Sam

 Yesterday, I was working again.

The fans were on high and it was tolerable - in shorts & a t-shirt.

Hopefully we can fix our A/C OR get a new window unit SOON - so far stores have been sold out due to the heat wave.

On the positive, maybe we're using a little less electricity?

I don't know how people managed w/out air conditioning!

After work, I decided to take Sam to the beach again.

Solo trip.

He was ecstatic.

He met a few little kids.

He ran in the tidal pools.

He ran into the ocean.

He splashed.

He squealed.

He had a snack.

He chased seagulls.

He loved every bit.

And then he sat down.

And cried.

He was tired.

We were there for 2.5 hours.

We got home at 8pm.

It was dinner & bath quick.

Sam was asleep pretty quickly.

I don't mind the heat when I have a fabulous place to cool off.

I am so thankful we live near a beach.

I am thankful I have a beach sticker.

I am thankful said beach is amazing for kids & adults alike.

so tired.

 Happy summer! Glad midsommar and longest day of the year (yesterday)!

Now the days will be shorter.