Hard at Work

Here are some action shots of the sand castle construction crew.


I served as the hydration and behavior modification captain, providing beverages and removal of disgruntled employees for periodic attitude adjustments (none of these incidences were captured on film, thankfully!)


Greg was construction supervisor.

A Day of Rest

We played hard in the mornings. Actually, this picture of Mark was taken at high tide one evening. He loved playing in this tidal pool - had his face in the water and everything! He's a fish. Every now and then, he would sit still for about 10 seconds. Maybe.


Nathan and I were a bit worn out from all of the running around. I think he had a touch of a stomach bug early in the week because he was really tired and didn't have much of an appetite.


Mom, Dad, Aunt Melanie and Uncle Rick brought the boys these squeaky sharks.


Good news was there was one shark for each boy, but the challenge was keeping the sharks from swimming away in the ocean tide.

First morning at the beach

I'm still finding sand in Mark's ears and shaking it out of our shoes, but here are a few pictures from our first morning on the beach. Thought I would share a few memories and photos each day as I unpack and we get used to our normal life again.

Last summer, Nathan's theme song was "I Hope I Don't Have to Go In the Ocean," but times have changed.

He and Mark were both fearless and ready to splash around in the surf right away.

There was a new sandcastle or shark tank under construction every morning.


They both took a liking to running laps between the beach chairs and the ocean, so we usually stationed one adult each location. I didn't even bother bringing down a book or getting comfortable on a blanket...I read and rested during nap time instead.

Summer Corn and Watermelon

We've had a whole lot of fresh corn and watermelon this summer. Nathan especially liked shucking corn on the front porch and playing with the husks afterward. He went wild for the watermelon, too!


Mark was mostly a spectator, and wasn't a big fan of either corn or watermelon. Maybe it's just that he's almost two and is opinionated about most everything these days. I feel sure he'll come around in a summer or two.


Mark designed his own outfit here, complete with rain boots and mason jar rings as bangle bracelets. He's been on a reading kick and enjoys Going on a Bear Hunt a lot.

A few of my favorite things

Mark says "Hey, Mommy!" and "Hey, Daddy!" at every mealtime and asks me to come, sit, get up, dance, etc. with him.

Nathan is learning to be my gentleman helper by holding the door and assisting with unloading the groceries.

Mark has found a favorite book, Freight Train, by Donald Crews. He brings it to me throughout the day and asks me to read "train tunnel." His favorite part is hearing the whistle blow.

Nathan has been experimenting with how long it takes an ice cube to melt in the hot afternoon sun. The ice cube is what's left after a glass of pink lemonade.

Mark is finally saying "yes." It comes out sounding like "mmmyesh," but at least he's finally beginning to get it.

Nathan has a special "buzz light" that he uses to help him after he has a bad dream. It has made a huge difference in our ability to get a good night's sleep.

Tickle time is at 5:30 p.m., when there is nothing better to do and we all need a laughing break.

The boys and I have begun acting out Psalm 150 each morning after breakfast. We clap every time we hear the word "praise" and we have sounds and motions for the various instruments mentioned in the psalm.

After a very long couple of weeks with a variety of new discipline issues, we are starting to see some progress with both boys. Praise God for His word, and the wisdom and insight He has given me daily.

The Fort

The boys have their first official fort! About a week ago, construction began as I cut out peep holes and windows, and Nathan colored all over it.

As soon as Mark woke up he got to join in the fun, too.

Within a few minutes of play, the fort became a dog house. The boys must have pretended to be puppies for a half hour or more.


I loved seeing them so excited about a cardboard box, and the fort has turned out to be an ongoing art project (it gets colored on almost every afternoon) and source of brotherly fun (and occasional conflict, of course.) I think this is about as good as it gets with little boys.

That, and seeing them toss a ball back and forth. And how much fun it is to set them free to push their trucks around the yard and know that they're going to be sweaty and smelly within moments, but so happy. Oh, the little joys...and I choose to focus on these things instead of the rebellious poop on the carpet (but that's another story for another day...)

Ridgecrest Revisited

During Aunt Kate's visit home, our family took a vacation to the mountains of North Carolina. We spent two nights at Ridgecrest Conference Center, where I worked and met Greg 14 years ago this summer. The summers I spent at Ridgecrest had a huge impact on my life, and I always feel like I am coming home again when I spend time there. I felt like I was 19 again, only I couldn't get away from the fact that God has trusted us with two children to love, train and raise to know Him.


Highlights from the trip....

rocking in the rocking chairs,
climbing the stairs,
eating at My Father's Pizza and Pasta,
ice cream at the Nibble Nook,
swinging,
the kids playing at the preschool playground,
breakfast in the cafeteria,
lunch at the Ridgecrest Centennial Cafe,
walking on the nature trail,
hiking at Craggy Gardens,






Nathan pushing the elevator buttons,
Mark saying "mountain," and
that cool early morning breeze and beautiful sky the day we had to go home.

This gives you a good idea of what it was like to take care of Mark on this little trip.