Summer Lovin'

I am beginning to put together my Family Fun Binder. I feel like a dork, but I have so many fun ideas coming at me here at camp, I don't want to forget a single one! Anyway, I thought I'd share some fun stuff with you.

Driveway Games: This link will take you to my favorite of the driveway games on the FamilyFun site, a driveway baseball game that I think kids as young as 3 or 4 could play, especially if they've seen mom or dad play softball/baseball.

Design an "I Spy" Photo Hunt: Hide small objects of kids' favorite toys and take photos. You can write a short rhyme if you want to telling them what to find in the picture (as is done in the I Spy books, which are now made for young kids, too). Not only is it a fun game, but you'll have a record of their toys for the future. from FamilyFun Magazine

Sand Kitchen: Put some unusual things in your child's sandbox, sand area, or in the dirt, such as a colander, muffin pans, cake pans, combs, wooden spoons, spatulas, etc. Great imaginative play is bound to happen on its own, but you can demonstrate how to make mud pies (sprinkle with dry sand with a salt shaker or empty spice container with holes) and muffins. You can show them how to make cool patterns with different types of combs...possibly adding texture to the side of a sandcastle. Add bits of nature to the sandcastles or old toys. Spray paint a few pebbles gold or any bright color and go panning for gold with the colander or sifter. Use a spray bottle to help keep the sand wet, or allow access to a bowl of water or garden hose.

Mrs. Mumbles: This is a "no laughing" game or you're out. Turn to your neighbor and say, curling your lips around your teeth and without your teeth showing, "Excuse me, is Mrs. Mumbles home?" The person must reply, in the same manner, "I don't know, let me ask my neighbor." She turns to the person on her right in the circle and asks the same question, and the game continues. If anyone laughs or shows their teeth, they are out until the next round.

Family Fun Nights

The first thing going in my family fun binder is some ideas for FAMILY FUN NIGHTS/DAYS! Yee-haw! I can't wait to do this stuff. My kids are going to think I'm nuts (although I believe Maryn might be a little nutty herself).

WATER CARNIVAL
We have water carnival here at camp, and we did lots of water games during field days at school. So I plan to combine some of the ideas into a fun-filled day of water play. This could involve a baby pool full of multi-colored shaving cream, a sprinkler, water guns, cups with holes in them for relay races, 2 liter bottle relays, sponge fights/relays, etc. Maybe we could get some friends in on the action.

MOVIE NIGHT (From FamilyFun Magazine)
Preshow: Movie Critic Book
Create a notebook for recording the movies you've watched as a family, along with your family's verdict: Thumbs up or thumbs down? Include a quote from each viewer.

-Make popcorn cones, different kinds of popcorn or popcorn toppings, and possibly provide other movie theater type foods.

-Wall-E: Build robots from recycled boxes, plastic caps, buttons, glue. Power up with "Robot Fuel" by putting yogurt or pudding in Ziploc bags, snipping off a corner and eating it out of the hole!

-Wizard of Oz: Make ruby slipper-socks from red socks and self-stick plastic gems; chow down on yellow brick road cornbread (cornbread slices arranged in the shape of a spiral brick road).

Camp Night (from FamilyFun Magazine)
S'mores, obviously! And possibly some dinner over the fire, too. Hot dogs, pie irons, foil dinners, etc.
Grilled Bananas! Slice up a banana, place in the center of 18-inch long piece of foil. Sprinkle banana with brown sugar, a little lemon juice, and 1/2 T. of butter cut into pieces, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Bring the edges of the foil together and seal tightly. Crimp the edges together to make a handle, so that the banana foil is in a circle. Use a stick to place it on a warm grill or in the coals of a fire. Cook for 15-30 minutes. Remove it from the heat, carefully unwrap and let cool. Yummy with some ice cream!
Camp Crafts: You know the kind. Friendship bracelets, Jesus bracelets, leather pouches, t-shirts, etc.

More family time ideas can be found here.

Serious Picture Update

Maryn and some of her new friends in the day camp play room.

Maryn discovering her new toy in the living room first thing in the morning.
This past weekend, we all (John, Maryn, Mark, Grandma and Grandpa, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa, and I) went to Target, Chili's (Quesadilla Explosion Salad--yummy!) and Kohl's and did some serious shopping. We bought necessities, toys and clothes for our growing baby girl. And is she ever gorgeous! She picked out all her clothes, too. She chose these flowery pajamas over a set of elephant pjs.

Maryn's new duck she received from her Great Grandma Erdman this weekend.
She chose this jacket over a teddy bear one. I think she made the right choice.

Maryn's first visit to an ice cream truck. Donna's friend is an ice cream lady.
She just calls her up and she comes by with her truck full of ice cream
that plays music and blows bubbles. It's crazy!

Here's Maryn cheering for the Americans in the
Annual Internationals vs. Americans Soccer Match
here at camp. The Americans won 6-4, and John scored two goals!
Uncle Mark (John's brother) is her for soccer camp, and he was the goalie.

Our internet has not been working for the past two days, which has been driving me INSANE. But I managed to clean the house, including vacuuming every nook and cranny. I have seen at least 20 spiders so far in this house, who knows how many ants, a bunch of other weird bugs, and two little mice. Maryn is crawling and climbing up on everything, so I feel a lot better now that our window sills and carpets are clean.

I also found time to read more of my Kempis book, I started writing a novel, I tried playing a computer game, and I read two Family Fun Magazines. I have some great family night ideas I can't wait to try when Maryn is old enough to appreciate it. In fact, maybe I will start writing down all the ideas I have and create some kind of binder...

Oh, the things you think to do when there's no internet or television!

As for television...

I'm a little disappointed in myself. I thought I'd whiz through the summer with no TV, no problems. But I miss our TV. I really miss our DVR. I really miss curling up with my honey and watching a movie. You'd think we'd have some good conversations or something, but we don't. We just stare at each other and go to sleep early. I mean what is there really to talk about? Especially when you're trying so hard not to say negative or slanderous things against people, and you have no real idea of what is going on in the news. Maybe someday I will have the capacity to talk about more important things than Jon and Kate and other people's business.

I think Friday Funnies is going to have to go on vacation for the summer. I don't think I'm going to remember to do it. Sorry. :)

I am very behind on pictures. You can see a few more new ones on my Facebook page.

for Michael

To make you think, a good blog post by Jonathan Taylor about Michael Jackson can be found here. It reminded me of so many things. Britney, Jon and Kate...fame and fortune.

Camp Blog

I have done a few posts on our camp blog, which you can visit by clicking here. There's even a post about John!

Who Needs Cartoons?

I think Maryn is going to have quite a summer!

Donna gave me this cool book with outside play activities for babies to preschoolers, and I found some great ideas for Maryn. Some of the things we won't be able to do realistically, but I thought I'd post some ideas here for some of you mommies or soon-to-be mommies.

Flutter Tree
Use string to tie fun things to a tree. Crepe paper, windsocks, wind chimes. Hang them high enough out of baby's reach so that you can hold the baby up to them and they can reach and play.

Blanket Riding
Pretty self explanatory! Put the baby (6 months and up) on his/her belly and pull gently.

Down the Bumpy Road: A Texture Path
Use clean car mats, carpet squares, interesting blankets, felt, towels, etc. to make a path for baby to feel and crawl across. Maryn loves to crawl on different textures (she's a huge fan of wood floors since she's used to carpet).

Music Box Hide and Seek
Hide a music box and see if the babies or toddlers can find it before the music stops. Or use a radio so there's no time limit.

Teddy Bear Swing
Tie string around teddy's arms and hang from a tree so the baby/toddler can push like a swing. They'll learn there's a cause/effect of the pushing as the bear comes back. Fun!

Balls Through a Tube
Tie a gift wrap tube to a fence or something, and use balls to drop through. Cause and effect/peekaboo skills.

Hoop Ring Around the Rosie
A little easier for toddlers to understand. Have someone be "Rosie" in the middle (or not) and sing the song as the toddlers hold on to the Hula Hoop.

Water Painting
I used to LOVE this as a child! Use all different sizes of paintbrushes in a bucket of water and allow kids of all ages to "paint" on the house/sidewalk/etc. They may notice how the house changes color, how the sun dries it up faster if it's in direct sun, etc.

This is Luau Night at Camp

In the Stillness

Our lives have changed dramatically in the past month or so, and just being out here away from the noise, the lights, and the drama was a little bit of a culture shock at first, but I appreciate it now.

On our long and short trips we have not used much technology to keep Maryn content, and it has given us the opportunity to bond and learn new things. We sang a hundred songs, learned some new words and new gestures. And though a month ago I might have said I dread long car trips, I actually now look forward to them in the grand scheme of things. Sure, I might be miserable in the moment. But I remember long car trips and the imaginative games, the deep thoughts, and just the general effects of enjoying the stillness and the quiet had on me.

And now, when I go to bed, it is so dark I can't see my hand in front of my face. There is no whir of the air conditioner, no neighbors chatting outside. There's no light from the TV or speakers or radio or alarm clock. Only the pleasant sounds of wind and the mosquitoes buzzing against the windows.

I began journaling again. I wrote five pages last night. It felt so good to get all my real thoughts down instead of the filtered thoughts that I put here. It was good for me. I've already read nearly three books, have had lots of Bible study time, and spent lots of time outside enjoying creation.

But I am sick, and I am tired, and I miss alone time with John. I am in and out of the house with Maryn about three times a day, which as most moms can understand, can wear on a person. It's not the easiest thing getting a baby out the door. I always forget something despite any OCD lists I create. But I don't have to prepare meals or clean up after them, so that's a huge bonus! Cha-ching!

And...probably the biggest thing I dreaded was being here at an Episcopalian camp, where I thought my beliefs would not be respected, and I thought I'd feel uncomfortable, and I made other unnecessary judgments. But God has given me a peace, a sensitivity, and an understanding that is obviously not of my own doing.

You'd think I'd have learned my lesson not to make judgments after my last camp experience, but not so. I see that I haven't grown as much as I should have in seven years (since my last camp job), and that is shameful on my own part.

God is teaching me to love and appreciate people, which I like. God is teaching me to love and appreciate His creation, which I like. And God is teaching me to share my husband, which I do not like. Today, God's plans make sense. He's obviously preparing me for the road ahead.

Playroom and Rainy Days

Here's Maryn playing with the blocks in our
day camp play room here at camp.
This is her new trademark smile. She does it ALL
the time. She scrunches up her face so that her eyes
are completely closed, sticks out her two little teeth and grins
so big you think her mouth might touch her ears.

There's even a jumperoo in here for her, but she
mostly prefers taking toys out of these containers.
It can keep her busy for about an hour while I work on stuff.

I have been feeling contemplative. Yesterday, Maryn took a three hour nap. I finished the novel I was reading and we don't have a television. So there were few distractions. So I watched this pudgy little bird flit around outside, and I observed the ants crawling along our walls, studying their patterns and thinking about how to kill them best. It was...relaxing. :)

After my contemplative time, I felt very emotional. Maryn woke up happy as a clam (are clams happy?) and played peek-a-boo by laying her head in my lap and popping up like a little prairie dog. I almost cried it was so cute. I started wondering if I might be pregnant or something. But today I found out I'm not. I am relieved and disappointed at the same time. I must be insane to even think about being pregnant this summer, as I would surely be an exhausted basket case kind of person.

I think someone may have come in our house and sprayed ant spray. It's giving me a head ache. It is weird to live somewhere where people come in like that. I'll have to find out if I'm just crazy.

My little bird friend is back outside the window. I may turn a little William Wordsworthy on ya'll if I don't end this post now.

Sigh

Well, I am very tired. Camp life is exhausting. And I haven't even done that much today.

Many of the counselors here are very young...the most common age probably being 19. They are, so far, very accepting, friendly, and open-minded. But at the same time young, insecure, and...open minded. I've never really considered open minded to be a very positive trait, but I appreciate here where I am the odd one out. Here we are considered ultra conservative and probably a number of other words that are not altogether true.

Many of these young people are searching...and their questions haven't yet been clearly answered, and their knowledge of who to ask and where to turn has yet to be developed. So they ask us the hard questions--you probably know what they are--when all we really want to do is dig in to God's Word. How can I tell someone my beliefs about such things when everything I believe (at least I try) is grounded in Scripture...and they don't know, appreciate, or accept Scripture as the inerrant word of God? I think it seems like a lonely, confusing place to be. And I'm helpless.

I'll try to get some pictures of Maryn on here tomorrow.

Right now, I have a few hours off as everyone is climbing the rock tower or going through the ropes course. So I get to do some housewife duties. I never thought I'd miss having house wife duties. I guess I will appreciate folding diapers, laundry, sweeping, mopping, (blogging, reading!) a little more from now on.

How could I have ever been ungrateful for these northern states or stay-at-home motherhood? I have no earthly idea, and feel a bit ashamed.

How can I be stressed with this cute face nearby?

I'm such a pro climber now!
And I've been doing this big toothy smile now all the time.
It is sooooooooo adorable.

Mommy, are you watching?

I love this new Affix CD!

Uncle Richard, will you sign it for me?

You can have your own Affix CD, too if you log on to
this web site.

Look at my chubby cheeks.
I've been eating and growing so much, that I'm finally
growing out of my 6-9 months clothes.
Too bad I'll be all out of pajamas! Uh-oh. Looks like
we'll be making a trip to Babies R Us soon.

Camp is going splendidly, but we are very busy, since we are both basically working full-time jobs on top of baby caring. Fortunately, I can always take Maryn with me and Grandma Donna has been taking care of her during many nap times. I've been able to Skype in on some meetings after bed time. Yep, our camp schedule goes all day long, 8 am-10 or later. It's pretty exhausting...much different than when I was single and 20. Since I'm not really directing a typical camp, but day camp instead, some things are missable, so I do have a lot of flexibility.

Next week is going to be interesting. Please pray for me (and all of us). I'll be going through a week of camp with a group of counselors as practice before any kids get here. My partner, Sam, and I, will have to show them how to build a camp fire, cook out, and all the other ins and outs of camp. Pray that Sam won't HATE me for being worthless (I mean, with Maryn and all) and that somehow I will be a blessing to him. Sigh.

Peterborough and the Lake House (QUICK post!)

This is the view from our front window. The lake is huge!
This picture doesn't do it justice.

Maryn in our new kitchen.

And here are some pictures of our trip to Peterborough the other day and some of our little lake house. The house overlooks the lake.
Maryn loves to stand by the window and watch the fishermen.

Friday Funnies

[[[Because some of my blog readers fail to understand sarcasm, allow me to mention that this is a joke.]]]

As Christian parents, we don't want to subject our children to the devil music on most video games these wretched days! Fortunately, some incredible genius out there has come up with a much better, very saintly, God-honoring past time for our teenagers to replace games like "Guitar Hero."

My friends, I introduce to you "Hand Bell Hero!" Click on the link to play it yourself, or watch a funny advertisement for Hand Bell Hero here.

Pre-Natal Testing, Down's Syndrome and Abortion (why should abortion have anything to do with these, I don't know)

The stupidity and heartlessness of people just continues to amaze me. Seriously! NINETY PERCENT of women who are told their baby MIGHT have Down's Syndrome have abortions? Sick, sick, sick. Please read this testimony of a woman who was told her baby might have Down's (who actually didn't, by the way, when it was almost certain)...

I want a washer like this, Mom!

International Staff and Foreign Exchange Students

We had so many exchange students in high school and college, and I was always kind of intimidated by them...or scared of them (this Venezuela guy used to try to kiss everyone). Then the tables were turned and I became an exchange student teacher.

It was hard leaving my home and being all alone in a place so foreign. It helped that everyone spoke English, thank God, and I fit in pretty well physically (yes, I mean most people there are white, and I'm white, so that was kind of nice that I didn't stick out too much). But the hardest thing was that no one really wanted to befriend me. Sure, they were very friendly. They asked me questions about 9/11 and George W., they asked me about The Simpsons and American Idol. But beyond that, it was really hard to make friends. I guess since they knew I was there only temporarily, there was no point in trying to befriend me.

This summer, there will be some international staff here at camp and I hope that I can do a better job at making them feel welcome than I did with international students while I was in school. But what do international students or people expect? What do they want? What can I talk to them about?

When I was away from home, I would have loved for a family to invite me over for dinner or to go out to a movie (several people did do this for me and it was great!).

I would have loved to just talk and talk for hours like friends do. It's difficult with international students because there's not much you may have in common. But I don't think there's anything wrong with planning conversations before you have them. This has been especially helpful since I am kind of shy and self-conscious. Sometimes I just try to think of questions or topics to discuss with someone before I meet with them, and I like to bathe the meeting or get together in prayer (though I usually forget to do this). This also helps to lead the conversation to healthy topics instead of to gossip or whatever. I need to remember to do these things, for sure! I really hope I can do a better job this summer. Please pray that I will, and that our international staff feel not only welcome, but loved and cared for.

Who Can Resist Me?

Ignore that my child looks slightly retarded in this picture and take notice of what she's been doing lately: climbing Mommy's legs! She did utter the word "up" this morning as well, but I can't be sure she did that on purpose. Now how will I ever be able to resist her?

Maryn's first puzzle!

I like to read while doing the downward dog.

I WILL finish this puzzle if it's the last thing I do!
She is very good at taking it apart.

Sit and Stand!

Here's Maryn about to pick up one of her animals.
She knows how to push them down the slide and
she knows where to look to see them pop out.
But she hasn't quite figured out how to put them where
they need to go to slide down yet. But look how good
she is standing now! She looks like a football player.

Grrr! Get that tiger!

Here you can see her two little toofers.
She still only has two, and hasn't really had signs of teething lately.

Maryn has also figured out that she can sit up in bed. I'm not sure why she didn't realize this before, but it makes bed time a lot harder. That and her blood curdling cries for mama-mama-mama. Argh, it's awful. She's been waking up at 5:30 almost every morning. We think it's because the sun rises so early here. At 5:30 the sun is up and ready to go. But I am not!

I'm actually very thankful that she is sleeping in a Pack-n-Play right now, because she hasn't figured out how to stand up in it. If she were in a crib, I think we'd have some major issues.

As for me, I'm doing well. I had some alone time today for about the first time in like, two weeks. It was nice. Sometimes my only-child-syndrome comes out and I need a break from human interaction...and sometimes I need to eat pudding without a spoon, sing the Bubble Dance song, etc.

Good News!

We bought a new memory card for our camera today, so we will have pictures for you soon. We also bought new CDs for our camcorder, so some videos may be on their way shortly.

We had a pretty busy today. Since it takes so long to get anywhere, we try to take advantage while we're in town as much as we can. That means Maryn was awake from 9:15 am until almost 3 pm. It was a bit miserable. And she had a hard time falling asleep tonight. It's funny how the more tired babies are, the harder it is for them to fall asleep.

From 9:15 until almost 3, we were at church, then Panera, then Babies R Us, then Best Buy. Then John and I had a date to the EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) store, and then Donna and I went to a cute little store to pick out my (very early) birthday present--a new Vera Bradley purse. It's gorgeous and I love it. AND Maryn has been loving all her new baby food. Yesterday she ate spinach for the first time and loved it. It makes my heart glad.

And...church was great. It was a group of about 50 people meeting in a Boys' and Girls' Club in the cutest little town. The people were--how do I put this--different than Naples people! They're certainly what you might call "country folk." And that's perfectly fine with me. I'm glad I'm no longer in a little fashion competition amongst all the ladies. I kind of feel that way sometimes around Naples. I like being in a place where people can be themselves, whether it's with a side-pony, a mullet, or some MC Hammer pants. Whatever. :)

And...I'm still loving the Thomas a Kempis book. It is really helping me to put what I read in the Bible to practice, because the book itself is so biblical, and so applicable, and so convicting. I'd love to put some quotations from the book here, but I know how it is. I think that, when we read quotes on people's blogs, we don't quite get it as if we're reading the book. So please, please someday read the book Imitations of Christ by Thomas a Kempis...after you read Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. Now that I'm reading the Kempis book, I kind of have a better understanding of why "Katy" was the way she was, made the mistakes she made, and became the Godly woman she did. Because I too can take the things God says and turn it into something legalistic, cold, or terrifying. It's an easy line to cross. But maybe, for some people, it's something we must go through on our journey heavenward.

Beautiful

This is where I went today!

John (John's dad), Donna (John's stepmom), Maryn and I drove to Boston this morning to sign up some middle schoolers for camp. It was about a two hour drive. First, we ate at this seriously cool German-style restaurant that was built in the 1800s, Jacob Wirth Restaurant. Then we walked to Trinity Church, where we met lots of kids and parents for camp. This church was incredible. Too bad I didn't have a new camera memory card yet (that's on the list of things to do tomorrow). Above are some pictures from the church's website.

Maybe it takes 5 years in sparkling new sunshiny Florida to really fall head over heels for an older-than-Methuselah church. Or maybe that's just me. I loved it. And, even cooler, there is this great program going on for the inner city kids in the area. It's called TEEP, and I highly suggest clicking here to find out more about it.

Now, I have never really wanted to live in the city. Except for the times I've walked around D.C., Chicago, and now, Boston, and I feel kind of envious of the people just climbing on the bus, the subway, or the train. And the cute little apartment building fronts, like on You've Got Mail. I know I have a really romanticized view of the city, but I always kind of wonder what it would be like to live there. And ever since that D.C. trip a few years ago (okay, so it was 8 years ago. Sheesh!), I really have wanted to get back and do some service in the city. But I've been very reluctant. I'd much prefer my husband to be a pastor in a little white church out in the mountains. Okay...maybe not. Eh, I really don't know what I want. And I guess it doesn't really matter. Take me where you want me, God!

Speaking of God, I did start reading that Thomas a Kempis book and am looooving it. Whew-ee. I think we all do need to get back into reading the classics. I am really, really finding that our Biblical Worldview today is a lot different than the Biblical Worldview of the 1400s.

Of course, things probably should change from the 1400s until the 2000s. But the Bible doesn't change...so what does that mean? Oh, read the book. You'll see what I mean.

Maryn is doing lots of new things every day, and she has been adjusting rather nicely. She loved the city. She is kind of clapping her hands and saying "Yay!" and she has a few new games. One new game is dropping everything on the floor and saying, "Uh-oh!" Which of course, keeps us picking it all up just to hear her cute "Uh-ohs" over and over again. Her other game is peek-a-boo. She doesn't need a blanket to play peek-a-boo. She will hide her face in the side of her car seat, in the crook of my elbow, behind a book, anything. Then she pops up, smiles, and sometimes laughs. I love, love, loooooove it.

AND she has really gotten the hang of standing up (pulling herself up) and sitting down. It's a lot of fun. She's keeping us on our toes.

I hope you'll all keep reading my blog. We are visiting a church tomorrow. We won't be able to get very involved because we will be busy every day, all day, except Sunday mornings. But keep reading and I will keep you updated, and I'll start posting pictures soon. You'll want to see pictures of the camp, our little house here, and of course, Maryn.

Friday Funnies

This video is of Maryn at about 4 1/2 months old, when she could barely sit up in her Bumbo and was just beginning to eat oatmeal. It's not a funny video, but I thought my family, who just saw Maryn, might like to be reminded how much she has grown!

Work Ethic

I feel quite tired. Today Donna and I went to the grocery store and got a ton of stuff to make Maryn's food for...well, it just might be enough for the whole summer. So far, we have made (okay, Donna pretty much made) avocado + banana, strawberries and bananas, mango, pears, peaches, chicken, and carrots. And it's only 2:15! That is quite an accomplishment. For me anyway. Donna shows no signs of stopping. Some day, maybe this Erdman work ethic thing will rub off on me.

:)

New Books, Baby Genius and Cuddling

John and I just returned from Goodwill and we bought 9 fantastic books for 5 dollars. John even found some of the books he needed for school. I found some of the expensive touchy-feely Usborne books Maryn likes. Did you know that you can be a sales representative for Usborne books? Very interesting.

Here are the titles John chose:

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney 75 cents
How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth by Fee and Stuart 75 cents
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller $2.00

I chose one book, by Thomas a Kempis, who was mentioned often in the book Stepping Heavenward. It's called The Imitation of Christ. It was written in the early 1400s. Crazy. I wonder if I'll get past the first page. It cost about 50 cents, so at least I can put it on our shelf and it will make it seem as though we are very intellectual. It's even well worn, so it is apparent that someone was reading it. I just won't tell anyone that it wasn't me!

Here are the board books we bought for Maryn:

Find the Teddy and That's Not My Train (Usborne books) 50 cents each
Two Bible story books, Adam and Eve and Joseph's New Coat 50 cents each
Count Your Blessings by Dandi Daley Mackall, which is sooo cute and like brand new. It was only 25 cents!

Maryn has been pointing at things in books and all around her. It is THE cutest thing. She always points to the cookies in one of her books. It is so sweet. Sometimes, she points to all the faces, or all the flowers, as if she were counting.

Maryn and I have had to sleep in the same room while we've been here, and this has led to John sleeping in another room so he doesn't wake her with his snoring and wallowing. But she hasn't been quite making it until 7 am, and instead has been waking up at 4, 5 or earlier. So I bring her to bed with me. This is not ideal, and it will be temporary, but I have enjoyed our cuddling. She will fall asleep next to me now without even nursing. I love it. And I will enjoy her before she graduates from college, gets married and leaves us. I kiss her eyelids and whisper good night.

Stepping Heavenward

I have been reading a wonderful book called Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. Thank God for this book that came to me from sweet Michele, at just the right time. I think it must have been written just for me and must be all about me. But I know, of course, that many women before me must think the same. It has been around since the 1800s.

One thing particularly profound to me is the fragility of children in those days. The first year of a baby's life the mother and father's sole concern is to just keep the baby alive, and if anyone at all gets sick, they seem to be laid up for weeks or months at a time. I will admit, I do worry sometimes that Maryn won't make it through her first year, and her birthday will be a celebration--not only celebrating her--but that we somehow managed to keep her alive.

One appeal in reading fiction is that it encourages me to write. It also helps me dialog with myself, in my own mind, more healthfully, when the main character is a Godly woman. Someone I can identify with, but who is a little more--oh, how do I say--sanctified than myself.

I already find myself making resolutions. Like that I want to visit the sick and fragile and old--things I never, ever wanted to do before. But maybe I will try. Just to see.

Sun Kissed

So, how do you guys like the new look?

We've had some very busy days! Just kidding...it's actually been quite relaxing. Yesterday we visited Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia, OH. It's a great park with constant carnival rides, swimming, and treats all throughout the summer. We met our friends Kendra and Richard and their three girls, and Tim and Lindsay there for a picnic and playtime. I didn't get very many pictures because my memory card is full. My memory card is full because my camera's delete button is broken. My camera's delete button is broken because my camera is cheap and a hundred years old.
Riley, Evelyn, Gigi, and Maryn

Maryn got a little worn out. She got a tan, too!
It's so cute. She's all sun kissed brown across her nose.