She said "Yes!"

Congrats, Kate and Ross! The Lord has done great things for you and WE ARE GLAD!
(Nora was especially glad to be asked to be a flower girl :)

Thoughts on parenting

While I would not allow my 9-year-old to ride the NY subway alone and do not agree with the author's assumption of the goodness of humanity, I find this book intriguing and myself agreeing with many of her points as represented in this review.

Blueberry picking

Despite weeks of 100+ degree days, I could not resist planning a trip to a blueberry farm when a gal from church told me about it last week. Stephen took most of a day off. We woke up at 5am to load the car and pack breakfast, leaving before 6am to arrive just after 7am when the farm opened in order to get some hours of picking in before it got too hot. We all had a wonderful time! Stephen, who grew up picking blueberries at his GA home found it especially enjoyable. Nora, too, had surprising stamina. Joseph tired out after about an hour and I welcomed his request to find the farm's dogs that had sought shelter in the shade near the water coolers that were provided for visitors. Between that and numerous breaks to eat the contents of his basket while sitting on a blanket in the shade of the bushes, we were able to pick until nearly 11am. We came home with lots of deliciously sweet blueberries, most of which we froze for pancakes, muffins and smoothies. We did keep out enough to eat some fresh on granola and ice cream -yum!

What we do for our children...

or dress like a cow and get free food. Last Friday, the Shipp family donned cow attire to participate in Chick-fil-a's dress like a cow day. I had mentioned the event to Stephen earlier last week and Nora immediately took a fancy to the idea and wouldn't let me forget it :) However despite my best intentions, I didn't have costumes together by Thursday night. I mentioned the fact to Stephen as I went to bed and much to my surprise and delight the next morning, awoke the next morning to Nora exclaming, "Look at my tail!" Stephen had the costume operation well underway including one for himself and we all headed to Chick-fil-a for breakfast meals. Stephen sacrificed a couple hours of school work, and his adoring family was so grateful! (I will spare you all the details of begrudging businessmen in line who would not even crack a smile...some people just don't know how to have fun :-P)

As a humorous aside, the manager invited us back for lunch. We had plans at noon, but the kids and I kept our cow ears handy with the plan of going back for a sandwich at 11am (the deal was full attire =meal; one cow accessory = entree). Instead of just a sandwich, we all got another full meal. Hmmm. Guess we could have spared ourselves the work and embarassment (I admit I wasn't exactly eager to enter public dressed as a cow), but that wouldn't have built family memories, right? :-D

Alright already.

Dear grown-up voice in my head,

I know I should be designing cow costumes or cleaning my house or making freezer jam, but the kiddos are finally napping and I just wanted a few moments (or maybe an hour) to eat lunch, check gmail and facebook, price birthday gifts for the kiddos and try a new, kid-inspired, summery blog look.

And now I'm off to trace, swiffer and chop (not at the same time).

Sincerely, Sarah

Our July 4th celebration

The festivities began with a parade in which the kids participated as candy-throwing-and-eating props atop an antique firetruck in support of our state representative (thanks to Matt for the connection and sweet -literally- ride). Lauren and I supported the effort until the the start of the parade and then headed to a local diner to enjoy the AC. Stephen was crowd control on the firetruck. Lucky him :0) But, good for us all, the whole party was treated to breakfast at said local diner ("Joe's Coffee Shop") by Rep. Linda Harper Brown after the parade. Not a bad way to start the day!

We hosted the Brownfields and a new family in our church (including Nora's first little girlfriend, Hannah -wish I had a photo of them playing dress up!) for a grilled steak lunch, followed by a wonderfully LONG nap and fireworks that evening. Yes, we did venture out and wait hours past the kiddos bedtime for the show, which is something as parents we tell ourselves was good for building memories. We'll leave it at that :0) There might have been tears at points and much sweating (yah, it really doesn't cool off here in the evening) and not enough snacks/ water and a long wait, but we've forgotten all that and just remember the excitement and fun. So, for the record, we say, all in all, a good 4th of July here in Texas.

A visit with Oma and PawPaw

I must say this has been a long and unintended blog strike. But I'm back! My PC laptop bit the dust and I'm just working up the courage to navigate Stephen's Mac (particularly iPhoto, which I do say cannot compete with Picasa).

We enjoyed a too-short-visit with "Oma and PawPaw" in early June, enjoying a trip to the Dallas zoo, a night at the rodeo, multiple jaunts to the fish store (to procure our first pets :) and much yard work (thank you, Garry!), playing and book reading. Now with both sets of grandparent visits weeks behind us, I must say, "GOLLY, it's hard to be so far from family." We really, really, really miss everyone. We couldn't ask for better family, think of you often and love you A TON.

Hope y'all enjoy the pictures!

Picking "flowers" for mom before church

Our little lady

Riding the gorilla at the Dallas zoo

Happy to be on the carousel

That's some turtle :0)

Breaking out the snacks

We loved the butterfly summer exhibit!

Dad and son. awww.

At the rodeo. Constant snacking and horses. I ask you, what is better to a boy?

Check out the boots. They are pink. They light up when you walk. They have princesses on them. They have grandma written all over them. Never fails to draw attention. Any surprise Nora loves them?

Having a great time! Nora's favorite was watching "the cowgirls ride really fast..."

Action shot.

The morning after the rodeo. They created their broom horses without any direction from us. Made me smile.

We love you, Oma and PawPaw!