Chop!

So I chopped off my hair this morning. Peter had beach day at school, so I had a sitter so that I could join him. I had a few minutes to burn before they wanted us there so I walked down Franklin St. into Moshi Moshi, where I found myself asking about getting a super short cut, and viola! And it's super short! I told the stylist "I'm loving it!" and she responded "Good, 'cause it's different!" I came home and swept ALL the hair off of my bathroom floor, yeah for no more of that!, went running without putting my hair in anything, and then showered, dressed and fixed my hair in literally 8 minutes. Maybe less. It is awesome. I hate to be one of those people cares so little that they spend no time on their appearance, but hey, I don't get much time to myself, and I'm not gonna spend what I do get straightening my hair. It's just hair! And it's driven me crazy for too long! I hate spending time on trying to improve my appearance! Exercising is important to me, so I guess that will count as my "working on my appearance" time, and I get much more out of that than just how I look in the end. Plus, now that I have no hair, I literally don't need to brush it with more than my hands, I can actually put on earrings and mascara (which, let's be honest, I'll need so I don't look too much like Josh, my brother). Look at that. There I go again. Finding another reason this haircut rocks:)

My kids, on the other hand, aren't convinced. I picked up Jillian from school and asked her if she liked it. "Kind of...no, actually. I liked it better long." She was pleased when I pointed out that now she has the longest hair in the family. I overheard Peter say to Kevin "Mom got her hair cut today and now I hate it." "Why do you hate it, Peter? Is it because you liked to run your fingers through it?" Nice try at a save, Honey:) I really was cracking up downstairs though.

And so, definitely enough about my hair.

• After we picked Lucy up from my friend's house, Peter leaned over ever so tenderly and asked her "Do you want me to tell you about my day, Lucy?" 
• Peter about playgroup "Maybe Mason will be there?" "No, Peter, remember Mason moved to Utah?"  "Sometimes he might come still?" 

Duke Gardens

We love going on picnics here.

Dad and Jillian's new trick. I love Lucy being sneaky in the background.

Bike riding

Sunday afternoons are so peaceful

For those who aren't of our faith, we have what I would consider a strong emphasis on keeping the Sabbath Day holy. We don't go out to meals, we don't go shopping, we don't buy gas unless we're on a road trip and it's unavoidable. We don't play in sporting events and we don't go swimming. We also try and avoid working in our profession when possible. We attend church and try and dedicate our day to service and worship. In our family, we try and listen to either classical music or music that's got a religious theme. We visit with friends and family, and we take a break from the everyday. And frankly, it's such a blessing! Our family has to drive by the entrance to the Southpoint shops and mall on our way to and from church. Every time I think "THANK GOODNESS I don't have to go in there today!" It's not that I hate shopping. I actually love it if I get a chance to sneak away and shop for a little bit. But there's just something a little different about Sunday that lets me rest from my activities the remainder of the week. I don't even have to sunscreen my kids up for the pool. Of course there is different work associated with whatever calling we might have at church but it's a different kind of work that feeds your soul and helps you refocus your purpose. I love Sundays!

After Sunday dinner at Grandma's House

Our local merchants

Miss Personality

Often seen at our house, Jill trying to help Lucy and Lucy screaming her head off

Smelling the flower turned into biting the flower

Catching her balance

Saturday Mornings



A little piano practicing and chores



Jillian and Peter miss each other during the week since Jill is gone for long days at school. So oftentimes on Saturdays when we ask what they want to do, they say they just want to stay home and play together. This writing/coloring center is a common sight.

Saturday Adventures