Snacks

The other day, I saw a commercial for Yoplait Whips that recommended you put them in the freezer. It looked good, so I decided to try it. According to myself and four kids, they are delicious! They kids thought it was ice cream. Key Lime and Chocolate seemed to be the biggest hits. I'm not sure if it's the light and fluffy texture that makes this work or if you could freeze any yogurt. Too bad I didn't try this frozen treat earlier in this HOT summer!

God's provision

Two examples from this past week:

1. My car battery died on Monday because I didn't get the side door closed all the way, and the dome lights were on for about four hours while I was at school. I started roaming around campus, asking if any of the few people still hanging around had jumper cables. The first four or five people I asked had none. I went back to the car, about to call AAA when a minivan pulled in next to me. I recognized the family and asked if they could help. It turns out that the dad used to be a mechanic! Not only did he help me jump the car, but he checked the tires, alignment, battery terminals, struts, oil, coolant, and a bunch of other things. What a blessing! I really felt that God sent just the right person into the parking lot at just the right time to help me out and remind me that He will always provide.
2. I had to talk to someone at school about a possible issue. I was a little concerned about how this fellow teacher would take my point of view. Turns out this fellow teacher beat me to it, and we were on the same page the whole time. So that was another blessing, just that we were in agreement and there was no conflict.

Just coasting

The middle/end of August is my least favorite time of the year. I'm a creature of habit (in my own, random way that other people can't always understand), and these times of transition into a new school year, a new schedule, and a new routine are unsettling. This year, though, I've determined to coast through these strange few weeks, knowing that we'll be settled into a new rhythm before too long.

Bathroom re-do

After months of casually looking for a black and white shower curtain I liked, I checked out the fabric at IKEA, and fell in love with this pattern. I wanted a gray bathroom with orange accents, and this was just perfect. My talented mom whipped up this shower curtain in no time. The shower curtain is hanging on a curved metal rod from Tuesday Morning. The extra space in the shower is luxurious.

Towels from Kohl's, charger from Kirkland's Home. The walls are Sherwin-Williams aloof gray.

In a related side story, if anyone would like this set, please let me know. It's yours for the taking.

Photos from the last week

The boys at community day

Dan helping Isaiah at the Car Smash. Every year, the Lighthouse brings one of its junkers to Community Day and allows people to smash and graffiti the car to raise money for Wheels of Work. The amount of teenage boys flocking to the area always atonishes me. =)

Dan helping Sam

Eating at Joe's Crab Shack with my dad

Isaiah took this silly picture of us at Joe's

Dan eating a giant king crab leg

The boys, overlooking Pittsburgh

Isaiah wanted a picture with the Hard Rock guitar in the background

It's been a fun last week of summer for me!

Buglaries

Check out Dan and the Lighthouse on Pittsburgh's local news. Thankfully, an accurate story.

Chalk art

This past Tuesday, I had the privilege of taking the boys to see a very talented chalk-artist minister named Gary Means at the Lighthouse. I have memories of seeing Gary and his wife, Marty (a ventriloquist!), minister at many children's services at camp when I was young. I also got to see them when I was counseling at Delta Lake Camp in NY. They are two very special people who have devoted their lives to children's ministry. Isaiah, who loves drawing, was mesmerized by the two pictures that Gary drew. He loved watching Gary smudge the chalk. Sam was also interested and kept commenting on the colors he was choosing. At the end of his presentations, he always changes the lights (he uses colored light bulbs) over his pictures to change the colors. It's hard to describe but really interesting.

I'm glad the boys had an opportunity to see him and enjoyed his art.

Hershey Vacation

Swimming at the hotel pool. The were both jumping in from the side, not even caring if they went completely underwater!

Hershey's chocolate guy! We spent all day Wednesday at Hershey Park. The kids had a blast on all the kiddie rides and swimming in the kiddie water areas. We were all a little exhausted, but it was worth it!

Reeses guy! The two little ones wanted NOTHING to do with these large characters.

Nana and grandkids

Pretzel factory in Lititz

Making their pretzels

Riding the Strasburg Railroad

Good friends and kids

Little darlings