Are We Rich?

I don't usually do recap or event driven blog posts but this weekend was so full that I just had to share.  Putting it all together paints a big picture.

Friday was a day of prep for the weekend.  I was given a last minute batch of tomatoes and just had to can them.  They were free people! I ran some errands, baked some brownies, and even snuck in some cuddles with my precious 2 year old.

Friday night we got to celebrate my sweet mother in law.  She turned 60 and her husband threw her a surprise party.  It was great to be able to celebrate her life and the friends and family that love her so well.  And man was she surprised which made it so much more fun!

Saturday I spent the morning with Kendra from http://www.myfirstkitchen.net/ learning to cook vegetables.  I LOVE her blog and when she posted that she was doing a cooking class on vegetables, I was the first to sign up.  Wow.  I can't wait to try all these new recipes and methods!

Saturday night we drove to our old stomping ground and had a reunion of sorts with our old friends.  We were all in a small group together at church when we were all newlyweds and no one had kids.  Now we are a group of 16 adults and 17 children.  What a group we had back then and what a blessing they all are still today.  It's amazing to me how much can change and stay the same at the same time. 

Sunday after church we met together with family for brunch.  We were sending my sister in law off to start her first real job in Atlanta.  I can't believe that when I met her she was 5 and now she's a grown up with a grown up job.  I'm so proud.  Here's a picture of her from Friday night.  And yes, she looks just like her mom.

We rounded out the night with a church pool party.  We were at a city pool with all kinds of fun fountains and slides.  I think my child has never had more fun.

When I was little, I used to ask my mother if we were rich.  Her answer was always the same.  "We are rich in friends and love"  Truer words have never been spoken.

A Connection to the Past

Recently I have been thinking quite a bit about how many things that our mothers and grandmothers did that I don't know how to do.  It's really sad to me that we are losing some of these valuable skills that they had.  And what is it in favor of? Convenience and ease. 

I already know how to make bread, bake, knit, and crochet.  And so this summer I have gone on an adventure of teaching myself a new "old" skill.  Canning. 

It's really quite addicting.  I love looking at those jars of food all ready for use in the pantry.  There is something rewarding about seeing the fruits of your labor.  And I have more tomatoes lined up and plans to can them with my friend Laura.  How exciting.

In case you were wondering, that's black beans, pickles, and tomato sauce.

And so today I celebrate the gift of learning something "old".  Go over to Emily's blog and find out what everyone else is celebrating.

Sad Goodbye

They were our first real friends once we moved back to NC and got settled.  We joined their home group at church.  Instant friends.  Our lives run parallels.  Mine with Jason's.  Ryan's with Leah's.  And now the road splits.

Our friends Jason and Leah are moving this week to PA.  She worked tirelessly on a PhD and now she has earned a position as a college professor.  As I think back to the times we have had together, I know that my life has been enriched for knowing them. 

I've been in denial that they are actually leaving us until Sunday morning.  We had a goodbye party for them Saturday night and I still didn't break.  Then church rolled around and they were 3 rows in front of me.  I  sobbed through much of church.  I'm pretty much a hot mess.

So instead of dwelling on my sadness and the void that will be in our daily lives, I'm going to leave you with some wonderful pictures that remind me of the wonderful friendships we have formed. 

An afternoon hiking with our dogs, before the children, although I was pregnant here.

At the hospital holding Ainsley for the first time

Leah's baby shower with Heather

Our original home group right after Ainsley was born and when Leah was still pregnant. 

Ainsley and Logan when Leah and I were childcare swapping.  Kind of funny picture of both Ainsley and Logan!

At Ross and Laura's wedding making fools of ourselves.

An afternoon at the pool

Matching bees at Halloween

Cheering the mommies on at our 5K

The 5K finishers

And tonight at home group. 

Friends like these are hard to find.  We sure will miss you Jason, Leah, and Logan.  We love you so much.

I am a Bettter Person Because...

I am a better person because you were born.

You needed me to feed you, change you, love you...

You challenged me to think outside of myself, give more of myself to anyone than ever before...

I am a better person because you grew into a smiley baby.

You needed me to comfort you, teach you, love you...

You challenged me to grow, to sacrifice, to care deeply...

And now I am a better person because you are no longer a baby.

You need me to train you in God's ways, teach you new things, love you...

You challenge me to discipline, grow spiritually, love with abundance...

Happy Birthday Sweet Ainsley girl.  I am a better person because of you.

What are you 80?

I have this joke with a bunch of my friends where I ask them if they are 80?  It started when a little girl at church asked me to put something in her pocket book.  I replied "What are you 80?"  It's a great line when people do things or say things that just seem old. 

Today someone needs to throw the line at me.   I made pickles and canned them.

Here's a few pictures from my adventure  (Sorry for the poor quality.  My camera battery was dead and I took them with my iPhone.  And I don't mean the new iPhone.  I don't have mine yet.  But don't worry, it's on order and I have scoured this town looking for one and I'm on the list everywhere.  2 more weeks baby!)

Prepped and ready to go

Boiling

Finished Product

I haven't tried any yet.  You have to let them sit for 24 hours before you can open them.  I'll be bringing them to a cookout tomorrow.  I'll let you know the verdict.  Stay tuned this summer for my tomato canning adventure.