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.

Stone Family Photos

One of the really good things to happen in Rome was the cousins were able to meet and we were able to spend time together. Here are some pics from the Stone family.

I think my favorite pic but alas, in the shadows.

Three grandchildren.

Better in full sun.
Brim (John's mom), Ben (John's brother), Jen (Ben's wife) holding Daniel (our nephew), Lee (John's dad), Ellabee, John, Molly and Anne Bailey. The Stone 9

Gratsi from Rome... Georgia

Oh how I wish it was Italy... although I don't because I have my kids with me. Not that I don't love having my girls with me, but in Europe - no, not yet. So, we're in a hotel in Rome, GA having just come in from the wedding and gotten the girls in the bed, 2 hours after their normal bedtime. It was a fun time, and stressful too. The girls are just young. 5 and 2 are hard ages I've decided. The 5 year old is going through that I'm a "big" girl - when she's really not and the 2 year old is, well, two.

Anyway, we've made the most out of it and had a nice visit with John's brother, his wife and son. they live in Berkley, CA so we rarely get to see them. In fact, this is the first time the kids have met.

Here are some pics:

Weddings are a great time to catch up with our family... this is John's cousin Nobie Stone who is actually a rocket-scientist... no lie.

Brim did the cake - isn't it gorgeous?!?

The grooms cake - can you believe this?

The color scheme and theme of the wedding was PRECIOUS!

Leaving the chapel after the wedding.

Crossing the foot bridge coming back from the park.

Meeting Daniel for the first time, Ellabee got to hold him.

Uncle John in action.

Our First Trip to the Bay of the Summer

We made it down to the Bay for Memorial Day weekend with the family... It was relaxing and fun. Everyday the forecast said that we would be rained out but everyday out came the sun! We got to spend two days on the boat and the rest of the time on the beach. Sand everywhere but it was a ball.

Daddy also killed himself to get the playset moved from Amy's for the girls to play on. The boys ended up enjoying it too. Here are some pics from the weekend.

We had an occasional thunderstorm blowup but it didn't deter our time on the beach.

Anne Bailey had such a fun time in the water, she decided that baby needed to go in too - yep, her name is baby... because, you know, no one puts baby in the corner!

We had our goggles and a boogy board - oh and the California bikini.

Amy and Emery's new puppy, Grady - a great dane with something else in him - hung out on the boat and in the water with us.

Daddy even made it to the Bay for the trip

Definitely our beach baby!

I love the dock.

The lifeguards... not sure if this makes me feel safe or not.

Summer 1 where the girls can actually play in teh water together!

A new tradition, John drives to Biloxi for racks of Ribs ... that daddy and the rest of us devour them.

Coffee Time and Other Ramblings... oh and the Beach!

So, I'm at O'Henry's right now and there is this LOUD couple sitting halfway across the coffee shop having a annoying conversation. For that I must apologize because I'm something distracted wtih eavesdropping.

It was pointed out to me today that I drink A LOT of coffee and caffeine in general - and it struck me that they are right. I'm a caffeine addict. Is that a problem? I'm not sure - I'm going to have to dwell on it a bit more. But thought I'd throw it out there for the sake of disclosure. I'm on a lot of caffeine right now.

John did the 1/2 Ironman last weekend. We loaded up the girls and headed to Panama City Beach (where I'm proud to say I've never been really) for the Ironman weekend. He didn't finish the race, which was very suprising to me. It wasn't a matter of not training enough or mental toughness. He got seasick in the ocean - couldn't have seen that coming. He actually got sick while swimming and apparently he wasn't the only one. As he was swimming he told me that he could hear others getting sick around him. UGH. That's just disgusting.

But the reality was that pulling up from the race and declaring his inability to finish is more of an accomplishment than crossing the finish line. Perhaps he's reaching a point where he's realized that his health and his life are more important than accomplishment. Of course, imagine my suprise when he immediately emailed me Monday morning with a list of races he wants to do in the next 12 months. San Francisco marathon... and then the Augusta 1/2 Ironman... and then there's an Olympic Tri in Gulf Shores... oh and don't forget the 1/2 ironman in PCB again next year. For the love of God.

We're childless this week and enjoying the time to do as we want without having to deal with scheduling and tired children... I miss my girls but the respite is nice and much needed (on a side note, the obnoxious couple are still going and a woman has come in with her dog - interesting). I miss the pitter patter of feet in the morning and the sweet touch of Anne Bailey on my leg at night, but I'm also enjoying being a lone with my thoughts... and having some free time to focus on my friends and my husband. To care for them this week is a pleasure and joy indeed.

And then I had a breakthrough last night. John and I had to go to the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's annual meeting. it's one of those see and be seen type of events. A damned if you do and damned if you don't type thing. I always enjoy seeing the people that i've missed but there's always someone there that I spend a good amount of time watching so that I can duck behind something when they look my way. You know those type of people... anyway. John and I went and talked and smiled and smoozed. We saw some friends but saw a lot more people that I haven't really missed. You see, two years ago, I was in the middle of that madness. I wanted to be seen and noticed, etc. In fact, I would have been pretty geared up to be there when it started and stay until the last person left. Not anymore. I don't know if it's a maturity of thought or what can be attributed to this newfound freedom... I personally think that it's a realization that it's not me in the first place. I'm here to be used for God's kingdom and his Glory. I'm not here for me.

John's breakthrough was last night. When we got into the car after the stuffy obligatory cocktail event, he looked at me and declared, "I feel like I need a shower!" And it wasn't because it was hot in there. As we drove away we discussed how it is important to go to those meetings, but solely because we can keep the connections that are used to help others. It's important to keep a toe in the water but we don't have to swim in the muck anymore. As if to redeem the whole evening, I left John to run over to a meeting for a small little ministry seeking to help in the city. It's a ministry in desperate need of someone who has a toe in the water. It was as if God was saying - this is why I've put you here... OK ESTHER ... for such a time as this.

To God be the ultimate glory. Use me to further your kingdom.