When Life Gives You Lemons...

When I woke up Saturday morning, I felt like it was raining on my wedding day. It was Mason’s BIG Splish Splash First Birthday Party and well, it was a-splish-splashin’ alright, as the rain drops were the size of golf balls falling from the sky. But the slogan of the day quickly became “When life gives you lemons (or in this case torrential downpours), put the lemonade station on the screen porch!” Thanks to our lovely friends downstairs we were still able to host 50-60 guests for Mason’s birthday despite the terribly terrible weather. The laughter of family & friends as well as blue and green décor prevailed over the gray skies--tissue pom’s, goggle-man centerpieces, goldfish, lemonade/ice tea station (drinking from Mason Jars!) cupcakes in ice cream cones and hamburgers and hotdogs… it almost made you forget you were inside! J

My wish.

This week I got to spend time with my beautiful cousins from Louisville, Kentucky. 

Introducing:

 Heidi

 

 Haley

 

 Hannah

We don't get to see the Heisler Family but once a year (less if there's no wedding or graduation) so every moment together is precious. Their parents, my Auntie Joy and Uncle Jarrod have always been an inspiration to Joe and I, both in their marriage and in their parenting. The first time Joe met the Heisler family, we were in college and not yet engaged. When we left their house he turned and said to me "I want our children and our marriage to look exactly like what you see in that home". J+J still in their 30's, and the girls age 8-13, are this beautiful picture of a loving and loyal family. 

I know that as the girls grow up, get busier and life gets harder, we won't be able to see each other as much. I wish I could put together a list of everything I pray and wish for ALL my little cousins, but since I'm a sucker for song lyrics, I'll leave it to Rascal Flatts.

                              I hope you never look back, but you never forget,
                                All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
                               I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
                                 And you help somebody every chance you get,
                                    Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
                                      And you always give more than you take.
                        But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
       My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to.

I love you Hannah, Haley and Heidi, for all that you are and that you will be someday. Thank you for being such great kids. You are part of the reason Joe and I so badly wanted to start a family as soon as God allowed it. We miss you! (And our other little cousins Emily & Jake,  too!)

God Smiles.

My baby brother graduated high school today. And, coincidentally, as I drove home for the ceremonies this weekend, I heard the always wonderful lyrics of Taylor Swift. "God smiles on my little brother, inside and out he's better than I am". (Though the second part of that is up for discussion... ) I'm certain God smiles on Brett. He's a strong and caring brother, uncle, leader, and friend.  

We love you Brett, and are so proud of the man you are becoming. 

Everyday Miracles in 01742.

Months ago I proclaimed to the Facebook community that I was starting a blog. Then life got busy. However, my good friends haven't let me forget my proclamation. So, here we are.

My Perfect Little American Dream Family of 3 doesn't have a white picket fence. In fact, we don’t own our own home (indeed, we're quite far from it). What we do have is an apartment many can only dream of and endless acres to explore with our unbelievably happy baby boy. All this in one of the most sought after zip codes in Massachusetts, and all provided by the kindness of one very special doctor. Living proof of answered prayer.

We're getting by. In some ways, barely. In others, we're abundant.

This blog shall be my record, our record, of our everyday miracles in 01742.