God Bless America

Well, we are safely back in New Jersey. I am still kicking myself for my poor planning- I am so sorry that we didn't get to see so many of you- I hope you are all doing well and that you know of our love and gratitude for you all.Sam, Thom and I had the lucky chance to go to a (free!) Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium. This is what we saw as we crossed into New York City over the George Washington Bridge.This was a moving sight for me as we all paid our respect to our country and its flag. It was an amazing feeling to me to see and hear thousands of people singing The Star Spangled Banner, and God Bless America (During the 7th inning stretch)- I really felt the strength and pride of everything America represents- and I feel so very grateful for the freedom of choice and opportunity that I so often take for granted.
I am especially thankful to live in a country that was prepared and founded upon freedom from religious persecution- freedom to worship as we please, and prepared for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored.
I am so glad to be back with my best friend, and to enjoy a classic American pastime together. We are so very blessed, and I thank God this day for America and all we have here. Oh, and the Red Sox won 6-4. A great ending to a great day. Happy Independence Day to you all!

To Daddy With Love

Dear Daddy,

I am having such a good time with Budah (Deborah) and Nanul

(Daniel) and Nonny (Johnny) and Dadid (David), and Mamma and Papa of course, but they just don't compare to you. I have found some things here though that I enjoy, to dull the pains of missing you:

I didn't even want to eat dinner after we arrived at Grandma's house from the airport- I just wanted to play in the water! Well, I ate my dinner anyway, and then Budah and I played in the sprinkler. I ran through it all by myself! Of course my day was only complete with a ride on the swing. Isn't life wonderful?! :)

On Saturday I watched my first parade! And the candy- oh the candy! Don't worry, I won't eat it all. Mom is making me save some for you, even though you know she won't let you eat it all. She's sneaky like that. It was so hot Mom took me to the splash park/fountain at the Gateway. I had my doubts at times, but I LOVED playing in the water. I just don't understand why Mom wouldn't let me stay there all day! So, reluctantly I came home (okay, kicking and screaming really, but what's the diff?) But I was glad to take a nap, and later that night we went to the park- with slides AND stairs- and get this- we brought the dog! Oh, I love the dog (from a distance, of course!) :)

Well, I am going to bed now- Mom is tired and she needs a nap (what's new?). But I can't wait to see you! I go to bed missing your songs, and your kisses and your hugs. Just one, TWWWOOO, three more days until we go on an airplane ride to see you! Oh, and Mommy says hello and she loves you TWWWOOOO!

To my Daddy with Love,

Gracie

My Buddy and Me

There is so much to share! So, here is just a bite of the fun-filled days with the cousins. In celebration of Father's Day I know it's not much, but I need to pay tribute to three men in my life that I love very much: my father, my father in-law, and Sam. I am so thankful for the wonderful fathers who do so much good, and get too little credit. Sam, I love you with all of my heart. You are the best father- you thrive on your love for your family, and it is evident in all you do. Thank you for sharing your life with me.


We celebrated the day with yellow cake with chocolate frosting, of course! So naturally, Grace and Carter both needed baths afterwards. They had SO much fun together, they are becoming two peas in a pod. Scary. :) Here is the proof:

Carter is encouraging Grace to blow bubbles. Up until now, Carter has dreaded the bath. Tonight, neither one of them wanted to get out! SO FUN!!

To Honor the Moments

I think about blogging almost everyday, and by 8pm after dinner is done and children are in bed, I give in to my tired muscles, and tired brain, and I go to bed. (Seriously, last night I was in bed by 10. The night before that, 8:45.)
We have so much fun together- children have SO much energy, it's hard to keep up! :)
Last week we had an enrichment activity (in New Jersey, in case you are all wondering) put on by Charlotte Jessop who has been a professional life coach. We did some personal life activities, but the most impressionable thing she shared was when she was asking her husband questions of things he wants to do to have a more abundant life. He concluded that he wanted to take more pictures- to honor the moment- of their children, so have a more fulfilling life as a father.
Well, that was it for me too. Too often I put off taking pictures, thinking I'll have the same opportunities another day- which, obviously doesn't happen, or I delay writing in my journal until another day, but then I lose what was important to me the day before. I have given in to laziness, and have given up the many gifts of the wonderful moments that I experience. So, to honor the moments, here are some pictures of Grace and her cousins, Emma and Carter Whiteley. From North Carolina to New Jersey, here are the some wonderful moments to share with you!
Enjoy!