Lauren is 21!

It was a similar day then as it is now, muggy and stormy outside, and I remember looking at Lauren when they brought her to me that first night in the hospital, with a thunder storm in the distance, and lightning flashing in the sky, and thinking that this is what I always saw myself being, a mom, and how excited I was to begin this journey. Haven't done it perfect, but so glad I did! I can't believe our adorable 9 lb., 1 oz. , red hair girl is 21! Lauren has always been so smart, hard working, hair coloring- many colors, even purple-lover of the underdog, funny, strong- willed, best big sister ever, and aside from a few times, a joy to have around. I have always told her to use her powers for good and she is really doing that. I am proud of my cute girl, and am so thankful for her.

Hydration is Overrated

I have been trying to drink more water, a lot more. You know, for all the health benefits they proclaim. To decrease wrinkles, haven't seen any improvement in that area; to make me feel more alert in the afternoon, definitely seen NO improvement in that area! I spend a good part of my day in the restroom, and have even started getting up at night if I dare drink anything after 7 p.m. I either have the bladder the size of a pea, of a crazy overactive one. Drinking all this water is part of a new "kick" as Rich calls it of getting healthier. I am tired of being smooshy. I've exercised 6 days a week for 2 weeks and have seen no significant weight loss, and I am positive it's because I'm retaining all the water I've been drinking!

Esther Rocked!

I am doing a mini Bible study on Esther. Ever since I was a little girl in Sunday School I have had a fascination for Esther; she's my favorite Bible character. I remember getting a series of "learn to read" Bible story books and as plain-as-day, I can see the front cover of the Esther one. It had a glossy cover with a cartoon picture of Queen Esther with her crown on, and even in cartoon she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. My love for this story is partly because the books in Esther read like a novel; beginning, dramatic middle, happy ending. It reads in fluid language and just simply tells her story. I'm no scholar, so I'm sure I appreciate the simplicity.
I love that she came from a simple, probably sad background, since both her parents had died and she was living with her cousin. She probably felt like no one special, but must have been a knows-what's-right kind of gal, and when asked to step by step carry out a plan to save her people, never wavered. She was willing to be herself, willing to let her inner and outer beauty shine through without a lot of adorning to capture the attention of the King. She lived her faith even if it meant she would lose her own life. Most times my life seems pretty insignificant and I'm sure I won't be saving my people, whoever they are, from extermination any time soon, but I do hope that God will be able to use my life in a way that makes it possible for others to know that I lived my faith too.

Amish "Stress Me Out" Bread

My cute neighbor Barb gave me a starter of Amish "Friendship" Bread last week. My theory about this bread is that Naomi Ebersole and Rebeccah Stoltzfus were neighboring Amish women who for some reason had a falling out. So Naomi decided she'd get Rebeccah back by coming up with this "Friendship" Bread recipe that Rebeccah had to keep track of for 9-10 days, adding different ingredients at varying days, all the while not refrigerating it; which seems all kinds of wrong seeing as how there is milk in it. She then made up this recipe that you separate into 4 starter bags of dough and try to find four "friends" that you can share it with. You know Naomi knew that Rebeccah would no longer have any friends once they realized what they had to do to keep this "friendship" bread going. I am also certain Rebeccah was equally stressed by the fact that after all that adding, separating, and sharing, when she actually went to make HER loaf of this bread, she didn't have half of the ingredients she needed and is now wondering if she can wait until day 11 to get the rest of what is needed before something goes completely wrong with her starter dough.
Anyone want some Amish Friendship Bread?

Real Time

How does Garret arrive in Bermuda before Rich even gets home from the airport?
How does a package I sent to Chad in Connecticut at 2 p.m. on Monday arrive there by 10:30 a.m. the next day?
How does a whole little person, with really, really cute feet I'm sure, grow in my friend Beth's belly in only 9 months?
How is it that I am this age and been married this long and it feels like no time at all.
These are things that make me wonder.....where does time go?