Run Wild With The Hope

Amazing experiences are like pearls hidden in a shell.  Unless you know there is treasure inside, it is just an ugly shell.  This weekend may have looked like a crazy-dirty-roll-my-eyes-at-another-race-type-run to most people, but if you can be patient, I hope I can unpack and share with you some treasures I found hidden in the rough.
DSC_5008
DSC_5012
DSC_5013
It started as a team of twelve people I barely knew.  Names painted onto a van.  It ended very differently.
DSC_5031
We had two vans, with six runners per van.  Every runner had three legs to complete, so we made check boxes for each of us to fill in as we finished.  Art meets brawn.  Or something like that.DSC_5035
As second runner, I waited for my first run and tried not to think about how cold I was.  I imagined the warmth that would soon be coursing through my blood once I got going.  Once Bonnie tagged me, I was off.  DSC_5041
I had a two-mile climb before cresting the hill and experiencing an incredible view.  The van drove by me to yell through the windows, words of encouragement.  And I listened to words of worship and blessing through songs in my ears.

And the single hawk bursts into flight
And in the east the whole horizon is in flames 
I feel thunder in the sky 
I see the sky about to rain
And with the prairies I am calling out Your name…
And there is still a faith
That can make the mountains move
And a love that can make the heavens ring
And I’ve seen love make heaven ring…
From the place where morning gathers
You can look sometimes forever ’til you see
What time may never know
How the Lord takes by its corners this old world
And shakes us forward and shakes us free
To run wild with the hope
The hope that this thirst will not last long
That it will soon drown in the song
Not sung in vain
And I feel thunder in the sky
I see the sky about to rain
And I hear the prairies calling out Your name.

I slowed my pace to catch this view with my phone.  It doesn’t do it justice.  I felt so free up there, maybe a bit like how a bird feels when he’s flying across the beauty only visible between earth and sky.  I could feel the glory of the mountains breaking into song and the trees clapping their hands.  I was spectator to the majestic song of praise that is constantly being sung.  My feet kept time, I met with my Maker up there, and it felt like holy ground.

2014-09-12 09.27.34-2
DSC_5050
At the second exchange, I tagged runner 3, and we were off to encourage him.  Sometimes it meant screaming through open van windows, and sometimes it meant using sidewalk chalk along the craziest climb of the race. rr3
rr4-2
DSC_5058 DSC_5051 DSC_5061
Through each exchange, each runner tagged the next.
DSC_5079DSC_5074
There was a particularly breath-taking view along the way, right before Matthew’s first run.
DSC_5090-2
Who spoke the Earth and sky to form
Who sets the sun and calls the dawn
Who breathed me out of dust to life
With the will to trust or run and hide

I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up Your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to Your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on You

Who loved me through my rebel way
Who chose to carry all my shame
Who breathes in me with endless life
The king of glory Jesus Christ

DSC_5096
DSC_5102 DSC_5104
After Matthew ran in to finish leg 1 for our van, we headed to another exchange to wait until van 2 finished their first leg.  We slept, refueled, and played Phase 10.  It’s always more fun when you win.
DSC_5111
2014-09-12 18.18.50-2
I was a bit nervous about running through the night.  Donning my headlight, strobe light, and reflective vest, I headed out into the darkness.  They weren’t the only things lighting my way.

For all of this life
Your Spirit ignites
A heavenly fire
Untouched by the night

You opened our eyes
Turned death into life
Revealing all truth
There’s no one like You.

In the midst of the darkest night
Let Your love be the shining light
Breaking chains that were holding me
You sent Your Son down and set me free
Everything of this world will fade
I’m pressing on till I see Your face

At a few points during that run, my team pulled over and got out of the van to cheer me on.  I’m having a hard time putting into words how that actually made me feel.  It was a condensed version of life, really.  We all go through dark times, when fears are tangible and light is dim to nonexistent.  The second I took my eyes off the light from my headlamp, and darted them into the woods lining the dark road, my heart could feel the darkness.  When our eyes are fixed on the light and power that is Jesus Christ, we are truly set free from the fear of darkness.  Because darkness is really just the absence of light.  Dark times can also be very lonely times.  There was literally not a speck of life on some stretches of that road.  When those cheering voices came into view, the feeling of loneliness and isolation was immediately overwhelmed by love.  Love stands outside on a cold dark night and yells your name until you smile and find more strength in your weary legs.
2014-09-15 08.37.41-2
When we finished our night runs, we were able to rest for a couple of hours at one of the exchanges.  The third and final leg began right at dawn.  My legs were sore, but quickly the adrenaline gave me an extra boost I didn’t think was possible.  We had a few people’s cell phone’s taking pictures along the way.  This one is not from my particular leg, but every run had the ever-encouraging “one mile to go” sign posted and blinking.  It was pretty exciting to hand off the bracelet one more time, and then revel in the joy of being finished.
RR Processed with Moldiv
Finished running, maybe, but not finished cheering on my team.
Processed with Moldiv 2014-09-13 10.40.15
When we all completed our legs, we ate a delicious meal before driving to the finish-line in Washington D.C.  I even managed to wash my hair and self in the small bathroom sink at Panera.  Glory.  rr2
The view was gorgeous from the finish line, and then it began to pour.  Van 2 team did an amazing job of enduring over very difficult hills, through the night, and in the rain.  A few minutes before our last runner crossed the finish line, the sun came out and smiled on our tired but happy team.
2014-09-13 15.17.20-2
2014-09-13 15.08.18-2
Driving home, the sun kept on shining.  Check marks on the windows reminded me of hundreds of miles run.  Goals accomplished.  Hills conquered.  Darkness overwhelmed by light.  No longer just names painted on a van.  Real souls, with stories of their own.  Real hearts that pump blood through their bodies.  Bodies capable of more than each of us thought possible at times.  Names turned into friends.  Friends who made me laugh to my core, and changed me in some intangible way I haven’t quite figured out yet.  But I know I’m better because of them.
2014-09-13 17.24.03-2
I’ve been shaken up a little.  Pushed out of my comfort zone a lot.  And somewhere out there on the road, I found a part of myself I didn’t know was missing.
2014-09-15 09.51.32-2
When I agreed to this race, I only saw the shell.  I was skeptical of the entire idea.  Yet through the hard work and grit and grime, a real pearl emerged.  It reflects teamwork, laughter, determination, and friendship.  Unique and priceless.  Press on.  You never know where the next road will take you.

200-ish Miles and At Least One Shower

I mean to take showers every day.  Really I do.  But I often tell myself that it will happen after I exercise.  It’s a lovely treat to wash away all the stinky sweat after a good run.  But when I forget to shower… I mean, exercise… I will usually be reminded by my sweet 6-year old.  It’s pretty bad when she looked at me yesterday afternoon as I stretched my arms in the air and said, “Mom!  This is like the fifth time I’ve told you… You need to shave your armpits!”  Oy!  My oldest sister used to remind me to take showers.  Now my daughter does.  As I’ve said before, it’s not my favorite thing to do.

This little girl is the queen of pull-ups!  She can do three dead-hang pull-ups in a row, and at least a dozen times a day I see her going down to the basement to practice yet again.  She is a funny girl.  The other day she said to me, “My life is changing.  Everything I used to like I don’t like anymore.”  I think we were just having a meal she wasn’t too fond of eating, but from her point of view, it was much more dramatic than that.  She loves to sing and dance and do one-handed cartwheels.  She is growing out her hair and can hardly wait until it’s down to her waist.
DSC_4557-3
“I don’t want my hair in a pony any more,” Betty said to me.  “I want it in my ears.”  I think she meant “behind my ears”, but that’s ok.  I understand her sweet three-year-old vocabulary.  Which is really quite astounding.  She is a precious girl with a lion’s heart.  She can count very fluently until about ten, then she says things like, “Eleventeen, twelve-teen, thirteen…”  But she is improving daily on her school work, and sits for HOURS at her little desk.  She isn’t afraid of bugs.  “Real bugs fly like this!” she told me one time, flapping her arms like a bird.  “I really like ants and lightning bugs.”  Betty reminds me to use special things every day, because every day is special.  Like when she wears her most beautiful dress.  It’s a creamy butter yellow with tulle all around it.  I used to think it should only be worn on very special occasions.  Now it is worn to ride bikes, climb trees, and during sword-fights, because every day is special.

DSC_4500-2 DSC_4504-2 DSC_4505-2 DSC_4506-2 DSC_4512-2
Our week was short but very full.  The boys find reading much easier dressed in soldier gear.  On Sunday, we had the privilege of meeting Jay, from Kenya!  He was a graduate from Compassion International, and we heard his story last week at the mobile experience.  Nadine has her boot off at last, and this morning the stitches came out too.  She isn’t up to running yet, but not having crutches or a big boot is a huge blessing!  Getting back onto a horse, bareback, was a huge highlight for her this week.
Processed with Moldiv
This weekend, Matthew and I will be running in a 200 mile relay with other people from his work.  I am runner #2 of 12.  Here is a look at my three legs of the race:2014-09-10 15.20.15
I’m a little bit nervous about it, but excited too.   This weekend I got my longest run in that I’ve had since March… so I hope I survive!
Processed with Moldiv
Nadine told me to take lots of pictures of this weekend.  I’m mostly excited to be with Matthew for a a couple of days, even if it is doing something rather crazy.  And in honor of Elsie, I’ll be sure to get at least one shower.

Home School in High Speed

Have you ever wondered what it is like for our family to homeschool?  It is difficult to capture, but I did my  best.  One morning last month, I secretly set up the camera to record my five diligent students, hard at work.  This does not include the living room, where someone else was working for a while, or the mayhem that is also called “lunch”.  Yes, I ruffle my hair sometimes when I’m getting tired.  Look for it.  So, here you have it, in high-speed.  ONE day in our life.  Every day is different, so maybe I’ll do another video in the future.  I hope you enjoy!

From Kenya to Valley Forge

Yesterday we traveled to two countries.  Compassion International has a mobile experience where you can walk through two lives of children and hear their stories through an audio tour.  It was amazing.
DSC_4752-2 DSC_4754-2 DSC_4760-2
It was difficult to hear of their circumstances, as Elsie’s eyes show so clearly.  It was plain hard.  But so good for them to experience life outside their own.
DSC_4772-2
DSC_4775-2 DSC_4783-2 DSC_4790-2
We highly recommend the Compassion Experience, and encourage you to consider sponsoring a child!
DSC_4807-2
After a successful trip to the Dr. for Nadine’s toe, we celebrated its steady healing by having a picnic at Valley Forge.  We have never been to Washington’s Headquarters before, so we really enjoyed exploring around his house.
DSC_4828-2 DSC_4830-2 DSC_4835-2DSC_4832-2  DSC_4859-2 DSC_4872
Then Jack really wanted to see the “squirrel’s house”, so we headed in that direction.  Yes, he did hand-stands along the entire way.
DSC_4877-2 DSC_4880-2 DSC_4891-2 DSC_4895-2 DSC_4904-2
Elijah was such a good big brother, giving piggy-back rides to all his sisters!  This one was especially hilarious.
DSC_4912-2
Betty was hot and tired.  And cute.
DSC_4918-2
At last we found the squirrel’s house.  (That’s what we like to call it).  We knocked and knocked.  No answer.
DSC_4921-2 DSC_4926-2
What a delightful day, overall.  In the words of Elsie: “You wore us out, mommy!”  I am so thankful for my children, and for each day we can spend together.

Life in Collage

With over two weeks of school under our belt, we have so many fun adventures already embedded into our memories.  Since Nadine’s broken toe, five weeks ago, we have made several trips to the orthopedic dr. to make sure everything is healing as it should.  The plus side to this, is we have been making celebratory stops at Valley Forge and enjoying picnics and fun there together on the way home.  We love the history and beauty of the park.  A few weeks ago we were at Washington’s Memorial Chapel and acted out Romeo and Juliet.  We are learning about Shakespeare in school.
Phone Photos August2
Other things included in our school days are much reading, taking walks, and going places.  Notice Betty playing “Dr. Bosler” (that is our chiropractor).  Nadine is making quite the impression on her.  The injured digit of choice is the toe these days.  The boys love to hang out together in their room and “talk”.  Jack creams me in Mancala every single time.  The score is usually seven to whatever number the pile of stones is on his side.  Elijah is obsessed with the microscope.  He took pictures of what he saw through the viewfinder, and made a collage of it for me.
Phone Photos August3
Last week, we went to the shore house for the weekend.  We played at the park, went to the beach, took naps in the tent, and watched the ferry come in one evening.  On our last night there, Nadine stepped on something very sharp with her UNINJURED foot, and sliced the bottom of it open pretty badly.  So, Matthew and I spent the next four hours at the ER with her.
2014-08-31 17.19.02
At least she was able to get some fun in on the beach before it happened.  Now the poor girl has a boot for her right leg, and a special shoe for the stitches on her left.  Thankfully, she can put pressure on her broken toe foot now, so she doesn’t have to figure out how to walk without both feet.
Phone Photos August4
This last collage shows just a glimpse of our past week.  Another picnic at Valley Forge (more pictures of that later), beautiful sunsets, laughter in the car, many handstands, working on chores, reading, visiting Matthew at work, and how I often feel after a full,  busy day of mama-ing these five amazing children!
September Phone Photos
I hope you enjoyed life from the point of view of my phone camera.  Life is indeed beautiful.
2014-09-01 18.08.04

Oh I Would Run 3 Miles or More Just To See You Walk Right Through That Door

Today was our “official” first day of school.  Everyone dove in excitedly, and we got everything done that was on our schedule!  We waited all day for Matthew to come home, because we knew he was driving home in something pretty special.  If you heard the screaming from the West End, those were our children excitedly welcoming their Daddy home from his first day of work at Rittenhouse Builder’s.  In his “new” truck, no less.
DSC_4586-2
A few weeks ago, he was offered the position of a project manager at Rittenhouse, and after praying about it the Lord confirmed that this was the right next step to take!  He even provided a much-needed new truck for Matthew, and medical benefits.  We are incredibly thankful.  We were not looking for a new job, but God fit Matthew for this perfectly.  I’m so proud of him!  Elijah is too, but he was just tired of smiling into the sun.
DSC_4596-2
As for the teacher of those wild and amazing children… she needed to pound out some miles tonight.  So, this is me, after running practically all uphill for 3 miles to go fetch Matthew’s old truck and drive it home.  Because that is just something we like to do.  Or, it might have something to do with the fact that I’m training for a relay race taking place in three weeks.  I am slotted for 15 miles, split into 3 runs over the weekend.  I’m pretty excited since Matthew and I will be doing it together with a team from Rittenhouse.
run
So, that was our day in a nutshell!  I’m excited for new beginnings, overcoming challenges, and a gracious Heavenly Father who is holding us through it all.  The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad!  (Psalm 126:3)

There’s A Small Town In My Living Room

I think I just overheard a voting session going on downstairs, so I walked down to investigate.  Right now the kids are playing a game called “Town”, in which they are all voting unanimously as to which jobs they will each have in the game.  Elijah, who is the president, leads the way.  He just told everyone: “The money will be returned to you post-haste.”  Jack and Elsie are the mail men, Nadine is the store-keeper, and Betty is the pie-maker.  Except for one problem: she doesn’t want to cook right now.  So, Elijah called a town meeting where everyone offered their suggestions as to what she could do.  “Who votes for Betty to be garbage collector?”  Everyone said, “Aye.”  The motion didn’t pass because Betty didn’t want to collect garbage.  It was determined that she will help Nadine with her shop-keeping with jobs like: running to the bank (Elijah) for money, counting it, and putting it in the shop-keeper’s cash register.  The post office is busy writing AND delivering mail.  Mr. President is happily handing out money, calling meetings to order, and keeping things in order.  “I have come to the decision that we need to have a police station and a police man for shooting, stealing and other suing consequences.  Who should be the first annual police man?  If something happens, you call the president and I will call the police.  He shall remain in my jail.”  After going through everyone’s names, and a resounding “Nay” for all to become policeman, except Jack, it looks like Jack is the official “new annual police man.” I think they are swearing him in to office.  I hear:  “Arise.  And sit down.”  No, actually this is court in session now.  Nadine is speaking:  “I am suing Jack Weldon.  When I was sleeping, I saw Jack stealing my helicopter.  It is worth 200 dollars and it is officially stolen.”

Elijah is calling Jack to the stand: “J-A-C-K,” he spells out his name.
Jack tries to defend himself.  “Elijah, I was going to MAIL it to you!”
The questioning continues.  “Is it true that you went into the store and took the helicopter without paying?”
“Yes.”
“Was it a helicopter?”
“Yes.”
“Was it worth 200 dollars?”
“Yes.  Can I say something?  I’m going to pay her 200 dollars when we’re DONE this meeting!”  He gives a big sigh.
Elijah really is a kind soul.  His verdict:  “Since this is the first sue we’ve ever had, I’m giving this as a warning.  You will not have to pay 200 dollars or go to jail or anything.  You will have to pay 20.  Meeting adjourned.”
Then, “I’m officially closed.  I’m sorry I’m closed, but I really have to pee,” says Mr. President.  “Please, hold your thoughts.”

I just might be laughing really hard over here.  I love it when they imagine up games like this.
DSC_3991-2
DSC_3993-2
DSC_3994-2 DSC_3996-2 DSC_3999-2 DSC_4005-2

In the past week or more, our little “town” has had a ton of adventures.  The biggest one began on the last day of July.

Nadine was running from a bee, her brother, or both, and she tripped going up the concrete steps of our front porch.  I heard  her crying and there was a deeper pain in her cry than a typical hurt, which kept going.  A day and x-ray later showed her big toe to indeed be broken.  So, last Friday we headed to the orthopedic doctor to tell us if there was anything special we should be doing, and to get a better idea of what kind of a break it was.

As we drove to the appointment, Nadine and I were bouncing along in the Eurovan, windows down, enjoying the first day of August.  I glanced down at the dashboard and it dawned on me that the gas was really low.  Like, lower than the really low it was the night BEFORE when we were driving home from somewhere.  I just had driven past my favorite exit for gas.  Two more exits to go until a gas station was nearby.  I wasn’t really nervous, but something inside of me just kept looking down at the dashboard and up at the exit, which all of a sudden seemed much farther than one mile away.  Then it happened.  Our van started to sputter.  I’ve never been in this situation, but I was pretty sure we were running out of gas.  Thankfully, Oceanus has manual transmission, so we coasted off the exit ramp and through one light.  I tried to start her again, and we were able to get enough oomph to go through one more light before she gave up her last puff of fumes and coasted to a stop.  In the left hand turn lane.  Within sight of the gas station.  Nadine was talking to her friend on the phone, and I told her to stay on the line with her until I got back.  So, off I went with the keys, in my sneaks, running across intersections with “no pedestrian crossing” signs everywhere.  After asking a few random strangers in the Wawa parking lot if they happened to have a gas can in their vehicle, I bit the bullet and bought a new can (to add to the three we already have in our basement) and filled it with two gallons of gasoline.  Then a sweet lady drove me back to the van.  Next thing I know, a friend pulled up behind us to see if we needed any help.  It made me feel so much less like a crazy woman having her there with me!

Back on the road again, we filled her up with gas, and made it to the doctor only ten minutes late.  The verdict is she has a fracture right on her joint in a tricky place.  So he gave her a giant nifty boot to keep her foot flat and stable.  She’s also gaining speed on a pair of crutches.  Love her spirit.  This week as a family we have been reading James chapter 1.  She took the “falling into various trials” part very seriously, and now we’re getting all sorts of practice with “counting it all joy”.
Phone Photos August
Our week has been full of other things too!  We started school, on a small scale.  It is an opportunity to work out kinks and start slow.  Seeing them eager to start has been encouraging!  Nadine informed me, after just one day, that I have “improved so much as a teacher!”  She makes me chuckle.  On Sunday morning I had the honor of watching a sweet baby be born.  That never gets old.  On Wednesday we went to Marsh Creek with sweet friends to celebrate a wonderful birthday and to watch the sunset over the water.  Beautiful!  On Thursday we made an impromptu road trip to NJ to see more wonderful friends and played on the beach for the first time in years!  I’m still picking sand out of my hair, and I only went knee-deep in the ocean.

I think the small town downstairs will be needing lunch soon, so I better take up the unwanted role of “cook” and whip something together.  Hungry townspeople spells g-r-u-m-p-i-n-e-s-s in our near future.  I hear there is a library now, and the police station is “officially open”.  “Sometimes it’s open, sometimes it’s closed,” says Jack.  Nadine counters with, “I just don’t think anyone is going to be bad!  But, it’s good to have anyway.”  Elsie is protesting her job as the mailman, but after some encouragement she just told the president, “I’ll still be the mailman, but when I get a new job, I won’t.”  My, this is so fun.  In the words of Mr. President, “I’m sorry I have to go.  Please hold your thoughts.”

The Week Heaven Partied

Our three youngest children have been missing their oldest siblings something fierce.  Nadine & Elijah are both at different camps and we haven’t seen them in almost a week.  Before this, everyone was involved in day-camp and Vacation Bible School.  It was a crazy week, full to the brim of excitement, while at the same time draining to my energy levels and gas tank.  It was worth every second, though, especially because of what happened.

Elsie was attending kiddie camp and had come home with some homework.  We sat on the front porch together and got into a discussion about being born again.  She asked the same question Nicodemus asked Jesus in John chapter 3: “How can I be born again?”  She understood it in a new way and wanted to be saved from her sin.  It was her decision, and she prayed on her own to receive Jesus.  That night the angels had a party.

The following week, the three oldest kids had their day camp at the same location.  On Wednesday morning at breakfast, Jack said to me, “Mom, I have something to tell you.”  I asked him what it was, and he said, “Yesterday at camp I became a Christian.”  He grinned.  It was just like Jack, to process it himself for an entire day before telling us.  And the angels had a party on Tuesday.

That night, we were having family devotions.  Nadine said, “Today at camp I became a Christian.”  Elijah kind of rolled his eyes and said, “Again?”  She replied, “No, I don’t think I was a Christian before.  And I don’t remember becoming a Christian.”  I reassured her what a wonderful decision that was.  Sometimes it’s hard to know for sure if you believe because your parents do, or because you do.  Now she knows it’s her own, personal decision.  And the angels partied on Wednesday.

Thursday was the last day they were going to day-camp.  Elijah was in a stormy mood and everything and everyone was wrong.  I picked them up from camp that afternoon and the storm continued.  Eventually I had to send him to his room because the cloudiness and moodiness was getting out of hand.  When it was time to sit down for supper, he came downstairs.  He wanted to talk to me in the living room.  We sat on the couch and with tears rolling out of his eyes he told me, “Mom, I just became a Christian in my room.”  I could hear the party going on in Heaven on Thursday.

Now we pray for sweet Betty to come to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior.  She has four little evangelists and their parents aching for her heart to be captured by His love.

What a week.  Revival has hit the Weldons.  When the big kids come home from camp, we are going to follow Heaven’s lead and have a big party!

DSC_3269-2 DSC_3287-2

Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power known. -Psalm 106:8
“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”  -Isaiah 45:22
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” -Acts 16:31

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  -3 John 1:4

School Room Makeover

It’s been about a year since I gave a little tour of the downstairs of our home.  The past month has been full of much rearranging, as we attempt to utilize our space in the best possible way.  I’ve been waiting to post pictures when it was “perfect”.  Then it hit me how this will never happen, so it was time to just take pictures.  The biggest change is that we switched the living room and school room around.  As you walk in, you are greeted into our cheery school room:
DSC_2552-2 DSC_2558-2 DSC_2563-2
Each child has a locker, and we also store coloring books, craft items, and other untouchables (like tape!) in the top lockers.  I recently scored an amazing deal on Craigslist which included six IKEA expedit shelving units for the price of one!  The shelves under our chalk board contain all our schoolbooks and readers, divided by subject into each square.  The shelf as you walk in to the schoolroom contains space enough for everyone to have one bin for their shoes.  The flip side has squares and bins for my school books, clipboards, portfolios, and a few other things.  Each person has a filing cabinet with six drawers, divided into categories by school subject.

Here is a blurry wide-angle view, as my wide-angle lens is not a precise fit.
DSC_2564-2 DSC_2567-2 DSC_2568-2 DSC_2570-2
Moving on to the living room… it is a tight squeeze to get a good picture.
DSC_2573 DSC_2575
Through the living room, is the kitchen.  Earlier this month I woke up one morning and decided to paint our kitchen!  There was a new can of paint (bought for Nadine’s dresser makeover), and all the kids were sleeping.  What is a girl to do?  So, a quick makeover was in order.  It is super happy now.  We added a book shelf to store some larger items we use often but would love to not be on the counter-top.  Nadine painted the mirror and everyone helped to spray paint the chairs.  Matthew was pretty surprised when he got home that day!
DSC_2543-2DSC_2542-2DSC_2544-2
My favorite decoration is my “new” vintage hanging scale.  Eventually we will move it in front of the window so it’s a bit easier for everyone to pull fruit from its base.  But for now there was already a hook in the ceiling in the corner.
DSC_2504-2-2
Up next: a tour of the upstairs!  We now have an office and sewing room, thanks to Nadine giving up her personal space and sharing with her sisters.  It is still in the organizing stage, so I will post pictures when it is finished.  Hope you can stop by sometime!

From Kayaks to Clark Kent

It is most definitely time for a photo dump.  Halfway through June, and so much has happened!  We went to Marsh Creek during Memorial Day weekend and had a fabulous time!  The weather was gorgeous, and Betty was so cute in the canoe.  Elijah experienced solo kayaking for the first time.
Phone Photos7
There have been moments of frustration and moments of sweetness.  We still have Toby, who loves to go on walks with his little vest and leash on his back.   Phone Photos9
The Weldons recently had a family reunion/anniversary party and there was a fabulous glam cam there.  We took full advantage of the fun:June 2014
And just because I love it:
Weldon-018-X2
The kids and I recently went on a field trip to Harrisburg.  What a beautiful building and fascinating history!  The photo of the bookshelf is of a treat I found on it one day: superglue, super-glued to the wood.  On Father’s Day all Matthew wanted to do was have a workout in the park, so he and a friend met there and did just that.  Elsie and Betty continue to be “twins” every day, and it’s hard to keep their two “twin” outfits clean… but on the days they are dirty, they seem to figure out another way to manage the job of looking as much like the other as possible.Phone Photos6
The small photo of the girls sleeping is a tiny glimpse of what has been filling my weeks.  We have rearranged five rooms of the house to accommodate an office for Matthew.  As his business grows, so do the papers and the need for a spot to do his at-home work.  Happy Father’s Day to him!  I will post pictures o the finished product soon.  As an exclamation point to our week, Jack got glasses!  We are excited to see if they help with the challenge that school has been for him this year.  We may not have Mary Poppins living here, but Clark Kent is in the house.Phone Photos8