Our Garden





Brady has hinted the last two summers that he would like to do a garden.

It's never really been my thing...but I figured if it was something he was interested

in and that we could do together, it was worth a try!

We decided to do a container garden this first year to see if it was something we could

keep up with. 

We stopped by the re-use it store and picked up these items.

We also hit some garage sales one Saturday morning...we were on a mission!

 

 

Brady chose blue for some of the pots. 

 

 

 

And I chose yellow.

Check out that smile...spray painting is FUN!

 

 

 

We planted tomatoes.

 

 

 

 Brady picked out a strawberry plant.

 

 

 



We planted some herbs.

 

 

 

A little lavendar just because it smells so good!

 

 

 

Jalapenos and green peppers.

 

 

 

We found this little cart for 25 cents at a garage sale.

We gave them a dollar and told them to keep the change!

 

 

 

So cute, and worth the dollar I think!

 

 

 

While we were at it, Brady helped me spray paint our adirondack chairs

for the 3rd or 4th time.  It's not the color I thought it would be...but I didn't feel like

buying more spray paint.  This will do until next summer.

 

 

 

We also planted cucumbers and blueberries.

Brady was most excited about the blueberries and....

 

 

the lemon tree he talked me in to.

 

 

 

These pictures are all from mid May.  We can't believe how fast things

are growing.  Brady and I water and check on our plants daily.

He even asked our neighbor to come over and see our things the other day.

He is excited.  I have to admit, it is neat to see our plants growing every day.

I especially love that it is our thing that we are doing together.





Ten on Ten {June}



 

  Ten pictures on the tenth of the month trying to capture the beauty in the everyday moments.

 

 

Today was our first day of summer vacation.

It rained buckets all day...and our vehicle was in for repairs.

So, we stayed home and enjoyed a much needed day of hanging out.
 

{Finally woke up at 9am!}

 

 

{Our summer list}

 

 

{Asked if he could make brownies for our neighbor}

 

 

{Yep, still raining}

 

 

{electonics time...which is being timed}

 

 

{Still working on getting my shorts buttoned}

 

 

{Perfect day for reading}

 

{I always get the mail...except on rainy days!}

 

 

{A little ride to the strawberry stand}

 

 

{Before he deliveries brownies...I should inform him about his shoe situation}

 

 

Such a good relaxing ordinary day.

We are looking foward to more days just like this one!

 

You can go HERE to see this month's ten on tens.

 

 

 



Last Day Of Fourth Grade

{First day of 4th grade}

It rained all day so we were not able to get an outside picture.

I think it's the first time since Brady started school that it rained on the last day of school.

Brady's teacher was asked to move up from 3rd grade to 4th grade this year....

so Brady was fortunate to have him for two years.

I was fretting about what to give him.

And then, I remembered THIS post that I wrote a few years ago.

Brady and I made him hamburger cookies and got him a gift card.

A few of you asked about those cookies.  I posted about them HERE.

But more importantly, Eric and I wrote Mr. B. a thank you letter.

And in true Mr. B. fashion, he gave Brady a thank you card for his gift...

and he sent an email to us about Brady that made me cry.

I was emotional all day.  I know...suprise, suprise.

I do much better with beginnings than endings.

I was able to attend the 5th grade graduation in the morning.

The 4th graders have the privelage of attending the graduation ceremonies too.

I couldn't believe how teary I kept getting during the program....because that will be my

child graduating from elementary school next year.  Moving on....

I wanted to briefly mention that my first year back to work exceeded my expectations.

It was a wonderful year.  I loved working with the kindergarteners and first graders.  I loved

my co-workers.  I think for the most part the transition went pretty smoothly. 

I sometimes felt overwhelmed at home trying to do it all...but I had help from

my husband...and I had weekends to catch up.

Even though I didn't see Brady often, I loved knowing he was in the same building.

I also loved that he chose to ride with me to and from school.

Brady enjoyed it too...he told me often he was proud of me.

(I jokingly told him I had to work to help pay for all his tennis shoes!)

We listened to this song and this song everyday on our way to school.

I often worried about not doing enough.

For example, I did not have the time to pull off this like last year.

Instead, I gave Brady a bag of swedish fish when we got into the van after

school and he was thrilled.

It was definitely harder to do the little extra things that make me feel like a good mom.

But in the end, I was the only one who noticed.

Brady is just a happy easy going boy who doesn't need all the extras

all the time.  He knows he is loved. 

When Brady walked into my room after school yesterday I knew

immediately that he had good news. 

He was so proud to show me this-

I am excited for him.  He has worked hard and made good choices since

kindergarten in hopes of getting to be on the safety committee.  I think he will be

a good one.

I often tell Brady to stop getting taller, or to not grow up so fast.  I give him way

more hugs and kisses a day than is probably normal for a kid his age.  I remind him

periodically that he will always be my little boy.  But, lately I have had a shift in

thinking.  And yesterday,  I asked him if he knew what age I liked best.  He

probably thought I would say when he was 3!  I told him right now is my

favorite age.  I love that we can have good conversations, he can express

his feelings, he can enjoy a little freedom once in awhile, we do fun things together,

and that I really like the boy he is becoming.  You should have seen his smile!

He said, "I just love you Mom."

He is growing up....

and I am going to enjoy every bit of this journey that I am so lucky to be on.

Happy summer everyone!



13 Years With My Love

 

Eric and I celebrated our 13th anniversary last Friday at this

adorable cottage about 20 minutes away from our house.

 

All of the pictures are from my cell phone.  I took my camera but forgot the camera card.

Eric said that might not have been such a bad thing. :)

 

 

I had seen pictures of the cottage on the website...but when we pulled down the lane

and saw the cottage nestled in this beautiful wooded setting, we were speechless.

( I may have even started clapping!)

 

 

The cottage is a recently restored stone house that was built in the 1700's.

It sits in a secluded spot beside a beautiful creek.

 

The rear shaded stone patio overlooks the creek.

We could have sat in those comfy chairs forever.  Really.

 

When we walked into the cottage, there was a boquet of lilacs on the kitchen table.

Lilacs are my favorite...and you can imagine how the sweet smell filled the entire place.

 

Everywhere we looked, the cottage was filled with little touches of love.

Eric and I enjoyed looking through journals of all

the different couples who have stayed at the cottage.

Couples from California, Texas, Florida, Canada, Australia to name a few have enjoyed

this little romantic spot.  Many of the couples wrote such heartfelt words.   What a gift

this place has been to so many people.

 

 

Eric and I made dinner in the little kitchen.  We both agreed it was one of our favorite meals.

I had everything put together, we just needed to bake it and cook the asparagus.

 

We had cheesecake for dessert and our favorite champagne.

 

Everything here is so quiet and peaceful.

We opened the windows so we could hear the creek. 

No t.v. or computers...just talking and relaxing.

 

I really hope we get to go back again someday.

 

 

To see pictures and a video of the cottage you can go HERE.

 

If you live in the area or are passing by...I highly recommend staying here...

especially if you are celebrating an anniversary. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

#2

Brady played in a tennis tournament on Memorial Day.

 

He won his first round 6-0, 6-0.

And, he won his second round 6-0, 6-0.

 

 

I thought this was funny....the boy Brady played in the second round told him before

they started, "good luck, you're gonna need it!"  That boy didn't win a single game!

He did look cute though in his white fancy duds.

 



The final was played at Franklin and Marshall University here in Lancaster.

Brady played the #1 ranked player in the central pennsylavania/middle states. 

(Brady is ranked #3)

Brady has met up with Dylan in two other tournaments- one last summer and once in the fall.

Brady lost both times.

 

I asked Brady if he was nervous to play Dylan and he said he was excited.

Brady said, "It is time.  It is time."

Ahhhh....to be young and have that much belief in yourself.

 

 

Brady played the entire match like a champion.

He was so focused.

I'm most proud of the way he handles himself on the court.

For example- if you were to walk by and see him playing...you might not be able to

tell if he was winning or losing.  He has the same demeanor regardless.

People notice that.  I've always told Brady that people will forget that he's a good

tennis player...but never the kind of boy he was to play against.  At least I hope that's true!
 

 

He was right...it was time.

Brady beat Dylan 6-1, 6-3.

I'm glad I had my sunglasses on because I was a little teary a couple of points

before it was over.  Brady works so unbelievably hard and I knew how badly he wanted

this win.  I wanted it for him.

 

The new rankings come out next Thursday and Brady has a feeling he will move

up to the #2 player in the central pennsylvania.  We will have to wait and see!

 

 

Brady took his trophy to school on Wednesday to show his teacher.

He has always been quiet about tennis at school...but I think his

teacher has taken an interest and encouraged him to share his passion with his class.

Brady is the only one in his entire school that plays tennis. :(

 

In other news....

Brady qualified to play in a regional tournament in Illinois...so we will be heading there

in July!  Win or lose....I'm sure it will be the highlight of his summer!







 

 

 

 

 



Sending Sunshine

We had such a great holiday weekend and I want to document it all,  but first I want to

share this inexpensive way to send a little box of cheer to someone. 

 

And then, I thought I might ask you for a favor. 

 

 

 

 

I saw something similiar on Pinterest.  I'm not sure what was in their bag, but I

thought I would share what I put in mine.

I found the fun yellow box at A.C. Moore for $3.00.  It's not very big, so

I filled it with smaller yellow items I found here and there.

 

Anyway, does it really matter what's in the box?  We all know it's the thought that counts.

 

 

I'm sending this box to my Aunt Bonnie.  She found out last week that she has

breast cancer....again.  She had it eleven or twelve years ago and beat it.  Now, she has it

on the other side.  My Aunt has always been like a second mom to me...and as I've gotten

older, she has become a great friend.  She means the world to me....

and I feel terrible that I'm not able to physically be there for her. 

 

 

Bonnie meets with her surgeon tomorrow afternoon to find out the extent of the

cancer (I hate typing that word) and what her options are.  After she has

all the information, I believe she will get a second opinion. 

Bonnie is one of the strongest women I know...and she will get through this again.

 

If you could say a prayer for my aunt...I would SO appreciate it!

 

Thanks!

Counting Down



It was 87 degrees after school today!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Brady got out the sprinkler.

We had dinner on the patio.

We went on a long walk and then took the dog for a car ride to cool off.

 

This evening feels like a glimpse of what is waiting for us right around the corner.

The simple days of summer.

 

We have 11 days left until school is out!

We can't wait!