Peach Pickin'

Today was special because we went peach picking! We go to Entz Orchard every year we are able. Honestly, they cross my mind if we have a late freeze or a bad storm that could damage or kill the year's crop of peaches or apples... it truly is a sad thing when that happens! But no tears this time, it's a beautiful crop!

 The orchard isn't far from town and the family that owns and operates it is so kind and sweet.

 Elaine Entz encouraged us to taste and enjoy and... we did! Grocery peaches will never be this juicy and sweet. You should go and get some too, we left more than a few.

Moved!

 Hi, my name is Emily and I post around here every now and then. 

Lately it's been more then rather than now. 

We recently moved out of our old house and into a new one. 

Hooray! 

I have found myself wishing for the rest of the world to stop for a month 

pre-and-post-move. 

 

But it hasn't, so... 

we aren't all unpacked, and our front room looks like a furniture store 

(couches on end and chairs on top of dressers). 

Who does that by the way?! Fully unpacked and set up in under two weeks? 
Maybe people that don't have children?

We have however, gotten all three bedrooms painted and carpet off of the hardwood floors, which are beautiful! And room by room we are making progress. 

And this has become one of our new favorite things:
the feel of the soft, grass on our feet.

It would be inappropriate to leave your shoes on whilst playing in it.

We feel so blessed to be here!!!

Good News!

This is how we are feeling this morning. 

We signed a contract last night to sell our house, and we are so pleased!

My Dad shared some good perspective for (big) gratitude in all of this; 

that having a second contract come along in this housing market is pretty remarkable.

And I agree with him that: it has a lot to do with all of Philip's hard work on our house,  and with God being so faithful to provide.

 Now for the fun part, we get to look for our next home!

Do you think this one's available?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Today is a bright and cheery day for several reasons... 

would you like to know those reasons? 

(This might require a bullet list, there are quite a few! I'm a wordy girl, I know.)

• First of all, it is gorgeous outside. 

•  Even though the wind is blowing 30mph, Philip rode his bike to work today. I'm happy he got to ride!

• This Spring, Spring, Spring weather is perfect for the park! And we didn't only get to go to a very cool park, but we met up with some of our favorite people! 

• Then we had lunch at Freddy's, oh my! It was there that I realized our group was slightly extraordinary (because several people were noticing us and tallying momma's and kiddos...), 4 mommas and 7 babes under the age of four.

• I must hurry away from the computer to make Apple Brownies to bring for a corned beef dinner at my folk's house tonight. (Which is why I'm only posting this one photo, more to come later.) Maybe I will take pictures of the brownie making and share the recipe later as well. They are unreal! So, add Apple Brownies to the list and a special dinner with my parents!

• Then from dinner we all are going to see my cousin Molly dance, she's an Irish Dancer! Evie is so into Angelina Ballerina and dancing, so I cannot wait for her to see another type of dance. And I cannot wait to see Molly either, I know she's good.

 

There is one more reason that I'm excited for today. 

In a nutshell, it's sort of a personal anniversary... twelve years ago on St. Patrick's Day I was going through one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I left Denver and moved back home. But that breaking point, as traumatic and anguishing as it was, was what it took for me to look back to God and truly see His faithfulness to me. He took me from devastation, freed me from hopelessness, made me new and gave me pure joy. Those phrases seem trite, but I write them with earnestness. I'm sorry if that is vague to share such a big part of my life in a few, short sentences. Most of the people close to me know my story, but if you want to know more I'd be happy to share. Just send me an email, or leave a comment if you'd like to hear more.

Camera Shy

This might just be a part of being three, but sometimes Evie's a ham for the camera and others, she hides.

Neatly camouflaged behind the giant star-pillow

Queen of the "Pillow Castle"

"Cheesing" for the camera...

Hiding

Thankful

Sometimes I'm struck by the joy and beauty in my life, 

and I am thankful to God for His gifts...

especially this girl

 and this guy.

(awesome image of my love by Jennifer Sosa, the incredible photographer at 

Lindsay & Donny's wedding)

She is Three

It is her birthday.

So, I'm taking a long, sighing look back at how she's changed. We are so thankful for this little girl.

Happy Birthday Evie, you are three years-old!

You love the outdoors,

music, dancing,

and reading.

You are adventurous, spunky, and fun to be with.

You are beautiful inside and out.

You dance in the church aisles and in the street.

And when I am getting grumpy you sing "You Are My Sunshine" to me.

You are our sunshine, and we treasure you Evie.