I have to start somewhere.

I wish I was just telling you today's goodies, but life is full and blogs get pushed to the back burner, so will overview. July and August our home becomes Le' Hotel Warke'n , we're fancy like that. It's a funfest! My great friend Kathleen with her twin girls came last week, which means kids are entertained and the moms get to talk, and talk we did, til 1:30 am, which is very late for this mama. I recovered with my daily, huge, iced coffees (perky doesn't just happen). Next to visit were Kurt and Cindi. She is definitely in the right field, she takes a slew of pictures and is always ready. So we went to the beach alot, played games, and celebrated Lily turning 6 (yes a little early.)

In the beginning of Lily's birthdays I went big. Sad to say, this cake was taken straight off the back of the box.

Lily was lead on a scavenger hunt that included bunnies and her cousin Mac (the goldendoodle.)

We played tag in the field and the adults laughed more or as much as the kids.

Lily was in day camp this week and rode the giant swing, she told me tonight she wishes she could ride it 'every ten hours.'

Summer favorites list

From shoes to music to, well it won't go much beyond that. Here are some of my top picks.



1. As far as sandals go, these go with everything and my love for them is still going strong.

2. I am really enjoying having a sitter every Saturday for a couple hours. Sometimes I road bike, sometimes I journal, and then I come home refreshed and ready for the day.

3. The beach,

and this suit. It's called the Body Glove and ensures that non-swimmers are safe while moms are caring for little ones.

4. Here's what's getting played lately on my ipod; Jack Johnson- To the Sea, Mike Perkins, and John Butler Trio.

5. Our baby's birthday is always such a fun party. She is requesting super nachos and Chocolate chip cookie cake. A girl after her mother's heart

Here are some extra favorites.

6. Favorite healthy drink

7. Favorite summer meal

8. If you're bored with you're hair, but trying to grow it out(=.

9. Favorite sunless tanner.

Some extra music;

Infamous Stringdusters

Trampled by Turtles

Hackensaw Boys

Sean Hayes

Hey, you're welcome. I have set you up for a very sweet summer.

Swimming lessons are fun!

Mom, we don't care if the teachers are always looking at the clock and look annoyed at being in the water.

We are completely happy all the same.

Who's tired of collages?

Sorry, the end of them is not in sight. It's the only way I can fit all the pictures I want to post so, there you go. We have been really enjoying all things summer. Andy and I got to celebrate 8 years together and were home by 9:30, pathetic I know. Lily is on her first 'real' soccer team. Andy is thrilled and has big dreams for her. I'm just hoping she chases the ball instead of butterflies. The stomach flu attacked our house, and when I say attack I mean attack, yikes. The girls lying down is what they did for about 16 hours straight. All better now though. This last weekend the kids and I did a crazy one day road trip down to my grandparents. My grandma turned 80 and they were celebrating 62 years of marriage. That merited a road trip. Lily is turning 6 *sigh* and she requested matching aprons for her and her doll, a motorcycle, and a barbie mermaid. I've got the aprons covered. Today we are celebrating Father's day. You know from past posts that this will involve Mountain Dew, steak, biking, beach and the like. Trying to enjoy every second of the beautiful hot weather. Peace.

Enough about me.

I'm kind of done mentioning the deeds I'm doing each day. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but not now. The point of me saying it was to show that it's important to me to live out who Christ is on a daily basis. Not just this week, but until I'm called home. So back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Today's adventure

led me to the Agape House. I brought over some groceries for the house mom to make for the girls. I also went there for an interview. In the fall I will be volunteering one night a week as a Christian counselor to troubled, teen girls in the area. I'm really excited to be used in this way and share the Gospel every chance I get (one of the perks of working there.) On a side note, Andy was very surprised they hired me so easily. When I asked him wouldn't he do the same, he replied, 'Maybe.' Yeesh, tough crowd. God bless him for his honesty.

A little known fact about me.

Ok, it's not too weird, but a little. I'm a little shy in big groups, maybe a better word would be...awkward. They scare me. Why? I have foot in mouth disorder. Statements like, 'You're glowing with pregnancy.' Followed by, 'I'm not pregnant.' I wear my heart on my sleeve and it gets me into trouble. So tonight we have this big golf/country club/ shmooze/ fundraiser and to prepare I'm listening to 'Troublemaker' by Weezer. It makes me feel confident like, 'Yeah, I'll probably say something stupid, and that's ok.' To be honest I'm praying too, alot. Hey and don't write to me and say, 'Little known, I've felt that way for years, you're very awkward.' That would not help me tonight.