From New Delhi, India to Prescott, Alabama

The past few weeks have been somewhat of a blur. Well, the month of May would definitely qualify in that category. We were out of town for three consecutive weekends and interspersed in that madness, the girls went to Tallahassee for an entire week with their grandparents. Fun was had by all but boy are we exhausted. June has been a bit more laid back but there have still been some fun times in the mix. We’ve been really enjoying our time on the bikes. The girls are asking to go on bike rides now and while the last 30 minutes are me behind the trailer yelling at them to stop fighting, they want to go every other day.

Our sweet friend Miss Lauren is getting marred in the fall to a great guy who happens to be Indian. For their engagement party, they had a Sangeet. A traditional Hindi ceremony (I really have NO CLUE what I’m talking about, actually), they had a ring ceremony where his family welcomes her into the fold. Everyone had on such bright colors. The food was fantastic and the dancers stole the show. The girls loved every bit of it and I felt (somewhat pride-fully, I admit) pretty proud that we were able to give them this cultural experience.

Alex and Lauren, the groom and bride with one of their flower girls.

Ellabee and Lauren

The children were invited to join the couple in the front to watch the dancing.

After the dancing with the performers

Ellabee and Atticus.

The day after the Sangeet, I headed to camp for our annual week reliving my childhood. Last summer and again this summer I took Ellabee for a part of the time. It was perhaps the hottest I've ever felt at camp. For the love - the heat index was 105 - 110 degrees... You would sweat just sitting still.Regardless of the heat, though... we were at camp and there is never a more lovely place. I'm exhausted of course from late nights, all day sweating and never much time to sit still, but I already miss it and can't wait until next year. The best night of the


The view from the bottom of the falls in the gorge.

The Start of Summer

June 1st... June 1st means summer is here. I've been enjoying the sounds and smells of summer since April but June seals the deal. My children have really been sealing the craziness lately. I think it's the age... a 2 year old and a 5 year old.

Some takes on the first six days of summer:

I started back on Weight Watchers. I'm hungry and irritable. But I'm also losing so that's good. In our family devotion time two nights ago John prayed for my diet... Ellabee quickly corrected him. "It's not a diet Daddy. It's a lifestyle change." In an effort to help my lifestyle change, John bought me a bike - an early birthday present. We also got a trailer for the kiddos to ride behind me as I go... it can be a family affair. My God my butt hurts.

After our inaugural ride. 40 minutes on the bike... pulling 100 + lbs. I consider it a good workout, right?

The start of summer also means that our neighbors are back on the front porches, stoops and in our yards daily (if not hourly). I love our close knit community and the summer nights (in fact, even tonight) are spent drinking a glass of wine on Gran D's porch or eating dinner on ours. God plopped us right in the middle of a motley crew, that's for sure. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Uncle Sam, Uncle Lou Lou, Daddy, Anne Bailey, Gran D and Ellabee

The ice cream truck has been a staple in the hood for the past week - every day. We wonder if he'll ever get a new song... but to watch the Stone girls lose it when they hear the carousel music ringing through the neighborhood is a sight to behold. It's hilarious and youc an't help but allow them their desired treat

She thought she was so big on the wall. What a big girl.

Mary Holland and Ellabee enjoying the "fruits of summer"

Reflections on the American Girl Doll Store

For some reason unknown... well, known only to God... we drove the 1 hour trip Southeast to the city of Atlanta where, among other things, there is the American Girl Store. We decided that the weekend had put the girls in a position that they really couldn't be expected to handle well and they handled it as well as can be expected. so, off to the American Girl Store we went.

What a trip - of course we chose the day they released the new American Girl doll (Rebecca, it would have it) and EVERY child in Atlanta with their parent was there. Here are some pictures of the kiddos with their babies.

Anne Bailey with Anna.

Ellabee with the kids.

it was a long LONG day.