Kitchen help

Gracie is all about helping me me in the kitchen lately. As I wash dishes in the sink, I hear her say, "I help you, Mommy" and then she lugs the foot stool over to the sink or counter and offers (sometimes demands) the use of her services. Right now, "the services" offered make more puddles and messes than decrease in workload, but I'm not turning down the help. When her coordination comes, I know I'll be wanting that help. There's no sense stifling the desire now. Here's hoping that in five years I'm still hearing, "I'll help you, Mommy!"

Rambo?

I heard that Rambo was coming back to the theaters (because, obviously, once isn't enough), but I did not realize that Rambo was also visiting our kitchen for craft time.

A black-tie affair

Every year in January, Jeff's firm hosts a dinner dance for its attorneys. They throw it at The Hotel Hershey, which is a stunning historic hotel. Jeff and I enjoy dressing up once in awhile and for this event we get to go all out. Last year, Jeff had only been working at McNees Wallace for a little over a month and so the event was a little overwhelming with all the new faces we had to meet and remember. But this year, it was much more fun and we thoroughly enjoyed the entire evening.

Another year for Mom

Today, my mother celebrates another birthday. She is truly an example of a life well-lived. I know few other mothers that compare in the height and depth of love and support she has given Andrew and I over the years.

She gave birth to me, put me on the bus my first day of school, sacrificed to be a stay-at-home mother and pinched the penny even more so that Andrew and I could attend a Christian school. She made stunning dresses for my high school formals, hand wrote weekly letters to me while at college and worked a job she didn't love to help me with college costs. She helped me move in and out of 5 different apartments and houses, stayed with me after childbirth and lived with us for 6 months after the discovery of my tumor to support me through that. And now, she gladly gives her own time and energy to watch Joost and Grace whenever I need her to. She is an incomparable mother and I thank God for her...especially today, as we reflect on another year that she has lived and given to others.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

The Pennsylvania Farm Show

Every year that I have lived in Harrisburg (and even a few that I didn't), I have attended the Penn- sylvania Farm Show. I should probably explain this event since most who read this will think it strange that I and my family would attend an event centered around farms. But, it's not as peculiar as it may first sound, and everyone in the area goes. It's really a ton of fun. One of my girlfriends from church (who forgot I grew up a local to these parts and practices) made sure to call me and tell me about the week of the Farm Show. Anyway, here's what goes down...Farmers and their families, from all over the state, come to this event (which has a special building built just for it) to show off their specialties. And so, you have all kinds of farm products represented (and competitions for many of them, as well. We saw a bull with a saddle on, so I can only imagine how that competition went.)The show hosts everything from tractors to cows, ducks to butter (the kids and I are actually standing in front of a huge sculpture made entirely of butter), sheep to maple syrup and every other product you can imagine. You can find it all and it's really quite amazing to see all that Pennsylvania produces. Go PA!