A Special Weekend

I’ve missed the last few weekends here on my blog. Maybe one day I’ll be consistent with this thing, because I do enjoy it. But for now, I’ll keep trying. I’m doing this weekend post in a little different format because we packed it in and took a ton of pictures. I’m also linking up with my friend at Annapolis and Company.

It’s Monday morning…oh wait, afternoon now. I’m sitting down with my coffee to recap this weekend’s events. Hudson is a little clingy this morning. He is watching his favorite baby show and keeps looking at me, and then back to the tv, then back to me. “Yes, honey, I’m still here.”  I took a few minutes and cuddled up next to him.

Friday night we wrapped up the week of VBS.  We were very pleased with the turnout and the kids really seemed to enjoy the week. A lady in our church made homemade meals each night for the VBS workers who were just getting off work and coming straight to VBS. I think I probably gained 10 pounds just last week from eating delicious meals and desserts each night! Yikes! Going to need to get back on track. 🙂
We believe the Gospel was communicated well to the  kids and are praying God continues to work in their young lives.

The weeks leading up to VBS were extremely busy for Ricky, so we were looking forward to a short break over the weekend. This summer will definitely be one of our busiest. This week we start selling fireworks. We decided to do some fun things over the weekend before the chaos started up again.

Friday night we kept it pretty simple. We got home from VBS, put Hudson to sleep, made root beer floats (just what we needed, right) and popcorn, and watched a movie together.

A Morning Downtown Catonsville

Honestly there was much that needed to be done around the house on Saturday, but we decided not to stress about it, and enjoy the sunshine instead. It was a little humid out, but still beautiful! We went to our favorite coffee and pastry place. Seriously, we can’t get enough of this place. Knowing it’s an all organic, fresh ingredient kind of place, makes it even better.

Plus they are the only place we know of up here that sell our favorite coffee: Counter Culture. Please if you’re ever up this way, go to Atwater’s. We’ve become pretty good friends with the managers and employees, and have developed some good relationships. I got a cup of coffee and a hazelnut, chocolate chip muffin, while Ricky got a coconut cupcake (his favorite) and coffee. Starting the morning off right…yes, indeed.
Hudson didn’t want to be left out so he helped himself to some of my muffin. It was a nice, relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle. We discussed some goals we had for the upcoming months, and geared up for our fireworks selling season. Hudson loved watching the cars pass by from the window.

Ricky started snapping a lot of pictures of me and Hudson. I kept smiling awkardly as people walked by.  Don’t mind us while we take up the whole sidewalk!  “Ricky, let’s just wait until there’s no one around to take pictures…” I said through my fake smile. He didn’t listen….

Cookout and Fellowship with Friends

We have a friend who is a Pastor at a church down in the city. We often fellowship with him, along with other Pastor’s and families in the area. They were having a drop-in cookout so we decided to stop in for a few minutes. It was right around Hudson’s nap time and he had just fallen asleep when we pulled up to their house. Of course, he wasn’t about to stay asleep once we got out. As I was trying to rock him back to sleep, I smelled something. It was as I had feared. Poop. A lot of it. There was no way this kid was going back to sleep, and now his outfit was a mess and poop was everywhere. Sigh….Oh well.  I cleaned him up, and let him go naked with his diaper on for awhile. He loves the freedom! We enjoyed catching up with our friends, and of course, the guys discussed theology. Hudson discovered pasta salad and absolutely loved it. I’m pretty sure he made the biggest mess on our friend’s floor.

After a couple hours of visiting we decided to head down to another of our  favorite places –Ellicott City.

An Afternoon in Ellicott City

Eunice met us down in Ellicott City for some walking and shopping. Ricky and I ventured off the Main Street to a path that led to the creek.

I love that even though we are so close to Baltimore city, there are plenty of trails and nature walks around us. Ricky was photographer for the day. He loves experimenting with the camera, and I think he does a great job. We went to the cutest stores like “Vintage Bliss” and “Sweet Elizabeth Jane.” Really I could spend every afternoon down there. Such quaint and unique shops.  Beautiful scenery.  I’m already planning my next trip….tomorrow? Anyone?

 We ran into a couple from our church who I often go thrifting with. The girls had a blast looking through all the cute stuff together, while the guys just looked at the price tags and raised their eyebrows. Ok, I said. “If I find something for five dollars, can I get it?” Honestly, that’s about all we can afford these days. But, it’s still fun to look! We bought Hudson 2 balls from a cute little baby store. He really seems to be into rolling balls lately. We also discovered that he’d probably be perfectly content for hours just by playing with a straw…and that he is not very happy when his straw is taken away!  Let me tell you, it was quite traumatizing.

We did a little family photo shoot and Ricky snapped some pictures of Eunice on this stone wall….on the other side of the fence! “Don’t fall, Eunice”…I shouted!

As we headed back to our car we watched a family of ducks below the bridge playing in the water. There’s just something so satisfying and relaxing about enjoying God’s gifts and creation. Life is full of fast- paced busyness….but the days you can slow down for a few hours and take it all in, are my favorite.

An ending to a Special Saturday

We all sweated quite a bit on Saturday from all the walking and sun beating down on us. I gave Hudson a bath and got him ready for bed. Every night Ricky prays with Hudson before bed. We’re pretty sure he has caught on that this means bed time is close by because he always starts fussing and squirming. Some nights before prayer we will all sing a few songs together. Hudson loves watching Daddy play his guitar while listening to him sing. These are sweet times that I cherish.

A Great Sunday to finish Out the Weekend

I recently was offered the job of nursery coordinator at our church, which I have accepted. I’m excited to be able to serve in this way, though I know it will require earlier mornings on Sunday which seem to be hard on Hudson. It was time to head over to church around 9 a.m.  Hudson was still asleep, so we left him in his pajamas and I packed an outfit. I picked up some baby wipes (since I realized this was my job now, and I had forgotten the nursery was all out), and headed back to church to make sure things were ready to go for Sunday morning. Hudson does pretty well in the nursery now, so I was thankul I could enjoy the song service, as well as the morning message.  Hudson and I got a nice, long nap Sunday afternoon and were able to go back for the evening service. It was pretty hot out, so we decided to finish our weekend off with some frozen yogurt from “Sweet Frogs.” This place is cute. Hudson was eyeing all the toppings. I could tell he wanted some. I let him have a few spoonfuls of frozen yogurt, but mostly gave him the strawberries. He loved it! Of course, he would!

It was time to close out this lovely weekend and mentally prepare for a busy 12 days ahead of us. We start selling fireworks this week and next, and will have a full house of friends and family staying with us. I’m still sitting here in my pajamas thinking I better get something done before everyone gets here. Hudson turns 8 months this week, and honestly, I’m feeling a little sad about this. I’m finding that I’m spending longer each night rocking him to sleep. Last night I spent an hour rocking him to sleep and singing to him. For the first half hour he kept looking up at me and laughing. He really is funny. Then I would laugh, and we both would laugh. Then I would say, “you really need to go to sleep now.” But these are sweet times. And everyone keeps telling me these days go fast and to cherish the moments. And I’m taking their advice. I sang these words to Hudson as his sweet eyes looked up at me, then slowly drifted to sleep.

A Mother’s Prayer
Keith and Kristyn Getty

Before you close your eyes to sleep
I have a promise still to keep
As I hold you in my arms
I pray your little frame grows strong
And that faith takes hope while you are young
This is my prayer for you

Hold my hand, I’ll teach you the way to go
Through the joys, through the years
The journey of these years
May you trust Him till the end
May you trust Him in the end

This world is not as it should be
But the Savior opens eyes to see
All that’s beautiful and true
Oh may His light fill all you are
And the jewel of wisdom crown your heart
This is my prayer for you

Hold my hand, I’ll teach you the way to go
Through the joys, through the tears
The journey of these years
He is with us till the end
He is faithful till the end

You’ll travel where my arms won’t reach
As the road will rise and lead your feet
On a journey of your own
May my mistakes not hinder you
But His grace remain and guide you through
This is my prayer for you

Take His hand and go where He calls you to
And whatever comes, seek Him
With all your heart
This will be my prayer for you

Father hear my ceaseless prayer
Oh keep her (him) in your care

Thanks for coming on this journey with me. Enjoy the sweet time you have with your family and friends and enjoy all of God’s gifts under the sun.

this is joy under the sun.