Weekend Loves

I was going to skip Weekend Loves this week, but there were a few things that just had to be shared....

: : First, do you see that cute puppy up there?  Her name is Emma.  Annie has started fostering dogs, and she brought a couple of them home over the weekend.  Levi and I fell head over heels for Emma.  I wish, wish, wish that we had a fenced in yard for her.  I would have snatched her up in a heartbeat.  Sadly, it will be a little while before we get to even think about fixing up the yard and getting a dog.

: : Repainting Levi's play stove has been on my to do list for quite some time.  It was a roadside find and is in need of a little tlc.  Once it's checked off the list, this play kitchen sink is going to be added in its place...minus the pink fabric.  

: : If you need a good laugh (and who doesn't?), watch this. 

: : This is the coolest fishing pole tutorial ever. 

: : As if bacon wasn't scary enough in and of itself, you can now turn it into rainbow bacon.  I am slightly grossed out.

: : This makes me grin.

: : This is a wonderful post on surrender.  (Found via Nicola)

: : And, this cute little chicken pattern has been filed away for future reference.  Me thinks some lucky little girl would love it.

Happy Independence Day!!

In church this morning they handed out little flags.  Levi was nuts over his, and waved it furiously through half the church service.  I wish I'd had my camera.  I did, however, have one of those "brilliant" ideas.  I thought to myself, "Hey. When we get back to Nanno and Baw-Baw's we'll get him to do it again, but this time we'll be prepared with a camera."  I congratulated myself on such a lovely idea.  Ha!  This is what followed...

First, he wouldn't even hold his once beloved flag.

A bribe of chocolate convinced him to at least haphazardly hold onto it....

Chocolate did not manage to convince him to do much other than stare blankly at the flag....

Even the beloved, Ah-Ah, who can generally convince the munchkin to do ANYTHING, had no effect...

It took the promise of getting to carry a chicken egg inside to finally get a decent photo (of course, he still wouldn't hold his flag)....

Oh, well....chalk it up to life with a fickle two year old.  It is a lovely life indeed even if it isn't always picture perfect.  A big thank you to all of the soldiers who fought and continue to fight for us to have this lovely life full of freedom.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” ~Psalm 33:12

I Breathe Easier When He's Home

His very first nap in his new room....

Today is my birthday, and the whole breathing easier thing is just about the nicest of presents.  I'm too happy about having Levi home to worry about my general dislike of marking the passage of my own time.

We've had a relaxing day.  Stephan will be getting home in a couple of hours, and a tiny birthday celebration will ensue at my very favorite Mediterranean restaurant....to be ended with lots of baklava.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then seek some out, and enjoy a piece or two.

Thanks so very much for all of your sweet and soothing words over the past weeks.  I am very pleased to be able to write that we have made it out of this seemingly unscathed.  Levi was thrilled beyond words to be home.  He grinned and grinned and grinned some more, and Stephan and I both were hugged and kissed endlessly.   And, then we were led on a tour of our own home....one in which Levi pointed to every new thing, and said, "Wow, oh, wow!" about a million times.  His favorite part was his own room...so much so that we are now required to spend the majority of our time in it.  His constant calls to "come pay with me" are music to my ears.

I hope your weekend is off to as wonderful a start as mine is!  :)