Date Night In

Currently I am sitting in a hotel room in Troy, Michigan waiting for my husband to come back with Chinese take-out. If there is one thing we young parents have mastered since our baby girl was born it would be the "date night at home." Any new parent knows that a baby's world quickly turns dark and cranky after 7 o'clock. Often Joel and I find ourselves at home when the night is still very young.  So, we've made late dinners an event by cooking new dishes and eating out on our deck as if we are in a private restaurant. Yes, we're cheesy like that. Can take-out eaten in a hotel room with your daughter snoring nearby be a date night? Why, yes it can.

Family...

It's been quite the week so far here at the Smith home. We are spending a brief 24 hours at home before heading back down to Peoria. On Monday, Joel's grandpa, Ernie Blake, passed away after a heart attack. He was ninety-one and the most joyous person I have ever met. Ernie loved Jesus. I don't know how better to describe him, but that he completely, passionately, contagiously loved Jesus and that love influenced everything and everyone around him. We will continue to spend this week celebrating the legacy this man has left.
Yet again I am so thankful that the Lord chose to bless us with Ainsley. She is such a source of joy. God's mercy in a 20 pound package.

Summer Saturdays

A Saturday night with my two favorites. 

Welcome to the Top 5

When my husband and I were dating we used to have this bit that we would do every so often- we would list our Top 5. Top 5  favorite bands. Top 5 foods you've ever tasted. Top 5 events of the past year. Top 5 coffee shops of all time. Top 5 characteristics you appreciate about the other person (that one was my favorite to hear). You get the picture, I'm sure.
While garage saling today (my third ever garage sale experience) I got to gush quite a bit about my husband and how quickly I fell head over heels for that man. So it got me thinking about Top 5 lists. So today, I will do a Top 5, in honor of my handsome husband.
Top 5 from the Pingree Grove Annual Garage Sale:
5. The truly scary striped cabbage patch doll with horns and tail that Kristin bought for a dollar. Her husband challenged her to find the ugliest thing selling for only one dollar. After some bargaining, Kristin went home with her treasure.
4. After much scouring, I found three cutesy outfits and a fancy little purse for my little lady. Garage Sale victory.
3. Getting to shop with old friends and brand new friends. Today I finally got to meet Jennifer.  I've had so many people tell me that she is a lovely woman and that I should meet her. Today was the day and loveliness she has in spades.
2. This morning Pingree Grove had a rain storm giving us a quick break from the blazing temperatures. For the first 20ish minutes of walking around, there was a breeze and the air was a tad chilly.
1. Watching Ainsley play with the other girl babies. Rachel, Kristin, and Jennifer all have little girls around Ainsley's age and I think my little lady had a ball babbling and playing with all of them. Easily a highlight of my day.

Beating the heat

Running errands in 90+ degree weather isn't so bad, if you've got a trusty sidekick. 

Bad Diner Book Club

Well over a year ago, my dear book-loving friend Stef and I had a conversation about starting a book club. She came up with the name for our little band of readers, Bad Diner Book Club- where bad diners meet good books. Since that fateful conversation, the club has met over a dozen times and has read a wide variety of genres. I've loved some, drudged through others, but have always enjoyed our meetings. Each one holds truly interesting conversation.
Tonight's discussion of Shauna Niequest's Bittersweet did not disappoint. We had a smaller group tonight- just Kristin, Rachel, Melissa, Jo, and myself. We all had differing opinions, mixed reactions, favorite chapters. For a few hours, I not only had a night out with delightful friends but also talked about a topic I love- literature. It's the little things, really.

The minutes slowly passing...

Cannot sleep a wink
Mind deserves over-time pay
Clock plays the villian