Patriot's Point

On our last day in Charleston, we went to Patriot's Point and soaked in some maritime history. We toured the USS Yorktown, a retired Aircraft Carrier, and got to talk to the boys about some of our adventures in the Navy.

Rick gave the boys a tour of the galley, where his Naval career began, and where we also found a recipe and the ingredients for 10,000 chocolate chip cookies.

I tried to interest them in the dental operatories and the operating room.

Will wanted to know if there was a piano and a TV on board. Interestingly, we found both in the Chief Warrant Officer's Mess.

We took a break for lunch at the Chief's Mess.

When we had had enough of the surface Navy, we walked across the street to the Cold War Era Submarine Memorial and we showed the boys the names of the boats Rick and Grandpa had served on.

I've only really ever been on board submarines before, when my dad's boats would host dependents' cruises. I never went to sea when I was in the Navy. I couldn't get over how big and roomy the aircraft carrier was- there was even an escalator so the pilots could get to the flight deck with all their gear.
Strangely, I couldn't stop humming the 'Top Gun' theme.

Happy Easter, Ya'll

Thank goodness Grandma alerted the Easter Bunny that we would be at the beach. We woke Easter morning to a thrilling egg hunt around the beach house.

After we had thoroughly gorged ourselves on jelly beans and chocolate, we donned our best Easter dudsand headed to a church service held outdoors. With all the lovely Easter outfits and all the women's high heels sinking in to the grass, it seemed a little like a cross between Easter Sunday and the Kentucky Derby (minus the mint juleps, of course), but it suited Soren just fine as he prefers to run wildly outside any church service, rather then actually participate.

Happy Easter!

Sand In Our Toes

For Spring Break we headed to one of our most favorite places, Charleston, South Carolina.
We got up early and left cold, misty Columbus at 4 am. That was a little miserable, but the payoff was arriving in Charleston in the early evening. Plenty of time to walk down to the beach and give Soren his first look at the ocean. Grandma and Grandpa drove down from Pennsylvania and we were able to meet up and caravan for the last leg of the trip.

We played and played

My children are generally not very enthusiastic about any kind of sun protection: hats, sunscreen, tshirts, etc. So I was pleased when Soren fully embraced the wearing of sunglasses... even if it was at all times, in all places.

Favorite beach moments:

Rick being the World's Best Sand Dollar Finder

and this little shell that Soren found and brought to me as a gift.

The Baby Shower of the Century

The Invitation

The Decorations

The Menu: Milk & Cookies!
Milk, Chocolate Milk, & Strawberry Milk
Snickerdoodles, Lemon Iced, S'more Cookies, Lemon Pineapple, Peanut Butter Wrapped Oreos, Pink & White Pinwheels, Walnut Jam Thumbprints
(many recipes courtesy of Pinterest)

The Guests

The Games

The Gifts

The Prayer

Father of Life,

We thank you for the expectant mother who carries this growing hope in her life and into our world. Bless her and the living promise of this child and help her to manage the mix of joys, fears and anxieties she may have about the time ahead.

As she watches her body change, may she grow in your own loving kindness and compassion. Let her be inspired by Mary and Joseph who model a loving family life and give her the courage to guide her children in a faith-filled life.

Be with her in her gladness these days and deepen her faith, so that labor might be a time of strength and prayer. Guard the health of her baby and give her the peace of mind that may so often seem elusive in this time.

With your grace, she will be ready for the end of this expectant time and ready to take on the joys and challenges of parenthood.

May she praise you with Mary:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exalts in God my savior.”

Amen

Kara, Liz and I loved throwing this shower for you!
I hope you and Baby feel showered with love!

Principal For The Day

At the end of March, Will got to be Principal for the Day at school.
He got to wear dress clothes to school instead of his uniform and announce the birthdays at morning chapel. When he got home he was brimming with stories about awarding his Kindergarten class an extra recess, handing out candy to the eighth graders, consulting on questions about new playground equipment and changes to the school uniform, and getting to use the office shredder!
He also proudly showed-off his official badge and playground whistle.That evening we were at school for student-led portfolio conferences and as we walked through the hallways, everyone greeted him with, "Hello, Mr. Smiley".
I think he was a little embarrassed, but I was tickled.