Summer Afternoon

"Summer afternoon, Summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language" -Henry James

A Girl and her Fish

A couple of weeks ago, Ryann had a field trip. To a trout farm. When I read the flier, I thought, "Oh that's nice, she will have fun catching and releasing little fish." I was wrong. I didn't know that after she caught a fish, we would have to take said fish home. Ryann caught her fish through the eye. I was done right there. I was not prepared for the amount of blood, and being the great mom that I am, I ran this poor fish to the only dad that came on the trip. Poor guy. He unhooked the now blind fish with blood all over it and put it in Ryann's bucket. Poor fish, it was flopping around, dying a slow death. I begged Ryann's teacher to allow us to throw it back, but she said that was not part of the plan and had me take the fish to a man in a booth, who then proceeded to end the fish's suffering, and get it prepared for us to take home and cook for dinner. Gross. Meanwhile, Ryann is oblivious, telling all her classmates and their parents how adorable her fish is and how she is going to take it home for a pet. She used the word adorable (her current favorite adjective) about 15 times.

In the car, I explained to her that the adorable fish was no longer with us. Thinking that she would be really upset by this, I was shocked that she wanted Mark to cook him when he got home from work. When Mark got home, Ryann was right by him as he chopped off the fish's head and tail and she even helped him season and grill the fish. Mark and I wanted nothing to do with the actual eating of the fish. Ryann, on the other hand, ate every bite.

Ryann presenting her catch


Here is a video of Ryann helping Mark cook her "Adorable" Fish. Ryann's pappy (a skilled fisherman) should be so proud. Heather, you get a shout out as well...funny!

Proud of our Cubbie

Ryann recently finished her first year of Cubbies with AWANA. She loved it, We loved it..such a great program for kids (and their parents) I loved learning these little verses just as much as she did. Here is our girl at the Awards ceremony with her cute friends from our small group...

Lately-Spring 2011

1. Spring is upon us! We are drying out and hoping for sunnier skies (knock on wood) this summer. We enjoyed the annual tulip festival immensely as we stood in absolute wonder of God's creation.






2. FAMILY!-We were so blessed beyond words to have so many of our loved ones come see us this Spring.

My sweet sister in law, Conni, and 2 of my nephews, Blake and Will, came to see us in March. We had such a special time! Conni's love for this city has made me love it even more, so grateful for her sweet heart and perspective.



My parents and sister, Sara,came to Seattle to help us celebrate Ryann's 4th Birthday. Ryann requested that everyone dress up for her birthday dinner. Specifically, she wanted my parents to be Barbie and Ken, Mark to be a fireman, and me and Sara to be princesses. She also wanted my brother, Read (who couldn't come), to be an Aggie...which we have laughed so hard about because he is the most loyal Texas Tech Raider fan on this planet.Barbie and Ken?! No Problem...my mom brought costumes, complete with a wig for Ken, and long, luxurious hair extensions for work-out Barbie. #130,289 reason why I LOVE my parents. Sara was such a sweetheart to come as well, using her birthday money for the flight from Ohio. love her!


Mark's parents came to town Easter weekend and we had the best time showing them our new "world." We were blessed with beautiful weather and beautiful company. Come back soon, Lambs!We are so incredibly thankful for you!




We are so happy to have "met" via skype, our newest nephew, Jackson Burks Herrington, born last week. Cannot wait to meet in person, this beautiful, brand new creation. He is precious, and so are his parents.


3. Last week, Mark took Ryann on a daddy/daughter date to see the musical, Mary Poppins. So sweet. I went on daddy/daughter dates with my dad, and those are memories I will always treasure. So fun to have the tradition continue with my family. Mark and Ryann are two goofy peas in a pod...a daddy's girl, no doubt.


4. Ryann started swimming lessons last week. After I took this pic, I asked her why she put her arms up, she replied with exasperation, "Mom,that is what us swimmers do.." Michael Phelps, watch out.


5. #10,234 reason why I love Mark. Last Saturday, Ryann and I went to the store, and when we got back, Mark said he had a surprise for us...he had cleared out all our furniture and pitched our tent in the middle of the room. We loved camping indoors last weekend.


6. Just finished and cried my way through this book...a must-read, for sure.

Great Day for a Wedding....A Royal Wedding!

Need a new Dose of Perspective

I think about myself a lot. A whole lot.A whole whole lot. Mark working at a Humanitarian Organization is one of the best things that could have happened to me. Our dinner conversations now often center around what is going on in our world...poverty, seemingly hopeless situations, hopeful hearts. I have learned so much. My eyes have been opened...but, sadly, not completely.
We have been on an emotional journey for the past several months (7 to be exact). This journey will be most certainly blogged about, I just don't have the words...yet...Just know it has been filled with: Ups, Downs, Twists, Turns, a roller coaster. I have been feeling sorry for myself today. Perspective is clouded. It often is.
I was reading Lamentations 3:22-23 today:
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Thank you, Lord. Thank you for loving me, despite my selfish thoughts,selfish perspective, and my,"it's all about me and what I think is best for my family" attitude. My selfish attitude was slammed today as I watched this video about the work that World Concern is doing in Asia in order to prevent the horrors of Human Trafficking. I felt so ashamed about my pity party. We are so blessed. So Blessed. SO SO Blessed. Lord, please be with these precious children.



Mark and I are currently fundraising for World Concern's Free-Them 5K, a race that is raising funds for the prevention of human trafficking of innocent children around our world. If you would like to help, click on the link below.
Free Them 5K Fun Run/Walk May 7, 2011

Rejoice Greatly

"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey" Zechariah 9:9

Reminded today that Palm Sunday was a fufillment of one of the many prophecies surrounding our Messiah. Always amazed at Old Testament Prophecies coming true in the New Testament...

Ryann enjoyed waving her palm branch in the service today. Happy Easter Week!