Only yesterday...

Only yesterday I posted a video of Randy for my "Theater Thursday" segmant.

Randy died this morning.

According to the New York Times:
PITTSBURGH, July 25, 2008- Randy Pausch, renowned computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, died July 25 of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 47.

As I'm sure many of you were touched and inspired by his words, let's truly put them into action in our own lives so that we too can live with no regrets.

My prayers are with his wife and three small children. May his legacy grow brighter with each passing day....you know, he didn't live for himself.....or die for himself. I think the most important message from his lecture is that leading your life the right way is never just about you, it’s about you and the people around you.

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
~Randy Pausch~

Theater Thursday

This is the video of an incredible man named Randy Pausch. He is fighting cancer, but LIVING LIFE to the fullest. Here is just a bit of his full 90 minute lecture, it is about 10 minutes long, (and the best 10 minutes you could spend) so if you have the time, make yourself a cup of hot coffee and cozy up....You can also read his book called, "The last lecture." BE INSPIRED....

Car Wash

I had forgotten I had this adorable little car in my parents attic. I rescued it and the boys just love it. It's been sooooo hot around here lately, so the hose has been the favorite toy as of late.

Stop on by if you need a car wash, although I can't guarantee anything above 3 feet will be cleaned!

I'm off to make some chocolate chip cookies....I thought of one and now I can't get it out of my head until it's in my mouth!!!!!!!

Happy Monday.

Theater Thursday

I have a sign in my bathroom that says this: "Be Beautiful Inside."
It's what matters most anyway....

Remembering young love

I've been busy putting a collage of pictures together for Jake's office. They moved their business to a new building and his office "needed some love" as I would say. I found a collage of black picture frames with white mats and went about gathering some pictures. Some from when we first met, from our engagement and our wedding day, pictures of Jake with his sons and just some fun family shots. During the process of getting it all together I came upon this picture, (one of my favorites). We actually weren't even dating at the time, (officially speaking) but can I just say two words please: body. language. I have to laugh when I look at this shot now because we were just so in love and so full of pride to even admit it! After this picture we did go separate ways for almost 3 years so it did seem that our love was over with. I'll have to share the amazing story of how we met and all that another day....maybe sometime this September, over our anniversary.

So, I just wanted to share this little glimpse into the past when I was remembering our young love. I can honestly say that I love him more now then ever before. The experiences of life keep building up and sharing them with him makes life that much sweeter. Just the other day I found a note lying by the computer, (he knows where I spend my free time!!) and part of it said, "thank you for all you do to make our life so good, I am sure there are days you feel your work will never end!!" Okay, do I have an amazing husband or what? It feels so wonderful to know I am valued and appreciated. I hope I can make him feel the same.

"My greatest fortune
in a life of brilliant experiences
has been to find you,
and to lead my life with you...."
~Winston Churchill~

HaPpY BiRtHdAy ChAsE!!!

Two years ago today the world invited a new little person into her midst! He was a miracle, as we all are, but this one was an "unexpected miracle" shall we say?? My sister and her husband had 5 children and were on their way to a full-time of job of lounging in Cancun for the rest of their days!!! Their youngest was 9 at the time. And her husband had a vasectomy so, needless to say, newborns weren't on their list....But, this little one made his debut and shook things up a bit! OH, we just wouldn't be the same without him....Chase!! Our little guy who is now TWO!
It's hard to believe, when looking at this picture, that these two would be such great buds, but time flies by and our little boys grow and now they are practically inseparable, (especially now that they share a common bond named, "Thomas.")

We love you Chase!! How fun to watch you grow and change and become a little person right before our eyes! We are so blessed to have you in our lives, in our home and in our hearts.
It's going to be fun to see where life takes us all....no matter what, we'll be together!!!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY GUY!!

Global Fair 2008

Tomorrow, (Saturday, the 12th) will be the annual Global Fair at my old high school, Lancaster Mennonite High. It's sure to be an amazing time bringing cultures and foods together in one place! There will be LOTS of ethnic foods from China, Ethiopia, Laos, Puerto Rico, Mexico, India, The Gambia and Europe. My mouth can hardly wait!!!!

If you live in the area, stop on by from 11-3, it's sure to be a great day full of interactive fun. There's going to be a rickshaw from India and artifacts from around the world. It's beautiful out there....

2176 Lincoln Hwy. East
Lancaster, PA

"I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides
and my windows to be stuffed.
I want the cultures of all the lands
to be blown about my house as freely as possible."
~Mahatma Gandi~

Theater Thursday

Here is my little dedication to my favorite comedian out there: Brian Regan. Thanks to my girl Kara for the introduction a few years ago, my stomach muscles haven't been the same since!! I'm SO excited, he's coming to Hershey this August....and can I just say WE WILL BE THERE. For more information on tickets, you can go to his website! ENJOY!!!! I have no doubt you will!!!!!!!!!!

Pond Days

Some friends of ours have this great little pond in their back field....complete with a dock, a beach and all the fun you can handle! The other day I took the two little girls that I use to be a nanny for along with the boys and I. We all had a blast!! It's so special being with them because it seems like just yesterday they were my boys' ages....they were 1 and 3 when I came to them. Now, they are helping me with MY children...

Abby and Luke.
Tyler living it up!

a refreshing drinkand a bite to eat...
then back to play....
ahh, summertime....

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining,
the breeze is blowing,
the birds are singing,
and the lawn mower is broken."
~James Dent~

Independence Day

Although I often question our TRUE independence as a nation, I am nevertheless FULL of gratitude to be an American citizen. Today I simply have Mr. Johnny Cash reading the beloved "Gettysburg Address"....a few lines that really struck me today:

"It is for us the living, rather,
to be dedicated here to the unfinished work
which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced....
these dead shall not have died in vain --
that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom --
and that government of the people,
by the people,
for the people,
shall not perish from the earth. "
~Abraham Lincoln~

We're off to the cabin for the weekend with our friends Wendell and MaryJo! It will be a lovely time I am sure....see you Monday. Be safe.

The Small Group

I've decided to try and post a new video every Thursday.... shall we call it Theater Thursday!? Yes, that sounds nice.....

ENJOY!

Waterford Drive

My dear friend Jeane included me as an honored guest to her Mother's table. Judy hosted a LOVELY, refreshing brunch for some of Jeane's friends as a Mother's day gift to her! What a great idea!! (one of hundreds you can see here)!! When I arrived at Judy's home, I just HAD to snap some pictures of the beautiful, thoughtfully arranged vignettes she has about her home: enjoy for yourself....straight from the pages of Victoria I'd say.... a quote so timely for any person reading it:
"Have you ever learned the beautiful art of letting God take care of you?...
It will relieve you of a thousand cares."
~A. B. Simpson~THIS is where I got to sit for the morning, to be served and loved
and to marinate in the beauty around me!

These are the ladies I had the joy of sharing my hours with:
Jessica, Jeane, me,
Emily, (and Gil taking a nap on her lap!) and Jen on her first outing since
having her precious little 3 week old baby!!

It could have all ended, and I would have left fulfilled
after eating this most delicious fruit, but it didn't...
the loveliness continued....

I. ate. every. last. bite. of. this. and. almost. licked. my. plate.,
(but decided against it because it was, after all, a ladies brunch!!)

and may I add that my orange juice did not get watered down
as I lingered over my meal because Judy had
gone so far as so make orange juice ice cubes...

the cutest little creamer & sugar pair....three words here:
continous. hot. coffee.

here I am with my new friend/neighbor Jessica, (see cool story here)
Turns out Jessica's sister and Jeane's sister are best friends!
The crazy connectedness continues....

Emily and Gilead, ("Gil")
We were to guess the # of Hershey kisses in this glass,
the closest guess got to take home a casserole for the evening's dinner
and second runner up got to take the kisses.
EMILY'S GUESS WAS EXACT!!!
I came in second place and left with all those Hershey kisses
and this gift, (crabtree and evelyn soap).

Judy, THANK YOU from the top of my heart
for such a beautiful day.
My stomach was filled, but more then that,
my heart was filled with all the kindness you put into the day.
You encouraged me in your small, thoughtful ways
to serve others more...because that's where JOY comes from.
Not serving them to be noticed or valued,
but serving them to BLESS them, HONOR them, make others feel special.

You have that gift and thank you for sharing it with me!
We are in truth, more than half what we are by imitation.
The great point is to choose good models
and to study them with care.
~Lord Chesterfield~