I like this and this

from here

This is something I find myself saying plenty throughout the day. "Be kind to your brother", "Please use kind words". Maybe this as a tattoo on the childrens arms would be more effective??

from here

I really like this one {but I can't remember where I found it}

I think I need to add a few of these reminders to our decor :)

Congrats Mr and Mrs Caracci!

{July 2, 2011}

We started the day getting ready with Rachel in her bridal suite. Starbucks in hand, of course.

{The two handsome ring bearers waiting for the ceremony.}

{Rachel was such a beautiful bride. She has an effortless, classic beauty.}

{The ceremony was at the beautiful chapel at Illinois Wesleyan. Simple beauty.}

{And the reception was at Illinois State in the student center. Even Reggie was there for pictures during the cocktail hour.}

We were served a delicious dinner, there was a gorgeous cupcake tower and an ice-cream sundae bar. And we had lots and lots of fun.






We had so much fun none of us wanted it to end! The boys left early with Patrick, after some cake, ice-cream and dancing (just William). But the rest of us stayed until the very end and danced our way out. It was a perfect day. Rachel was the most calm and relaxed bride, not even the extreme early July heat ruffled her feathers (or her petticoat). It was a beautiful day and lovely reception. We are all so honored to have been a part of it.

Congratulations Rachel and Joe!
{And welcome to this craziness, Joe!}

Over the summer

{This is another post I found in my drafts waiting to be published. Perfect for the Indian summer we are having now! But, oh how I long for these carefree summer days!}

We had two pool memberships last summer. Dual memberships, if you will.

We spent our summer days drenched in water and sun either at the Farmer City pool, or in Bloomington at the pool with friends.

My most favorite summer memories are those from our long afternoons spent at the local pool in Farmer City. Still anytime I hear "Party Rock Anthem" {Everyday I'm shuffling..., anyone?} or Adele crooning "Rolling in the Deep", I am transported right back to those warm days spent by the pool.

The pool surrounded by a chain-link fence, crowded full of junior high boys and girls and watched diligently over by high school lifeguards was really the epitome of small town living. And it was there, over the summer, that I really started to have an appreciation for our little town. I liked that everyone knew one another and that after our third or fourth visit, we didn't have to show our membership card anymore. They just knew us. They knew our boys would buy Laffy Taffy and that they would jump off the diving board in their floaties.

And the boys loved the slides and sprayers and excitement at the pool in Bloomington. We loved meeting friends there and having picnics in the lush green grass for lunch.






I'm thankful we had the chance to experience both.

Flag Football - Go Grizzlies!

In August, Henry started playing flag football through a program our church offers called Upward. This boy loves baseball and this is only the second sport he has tried. Patrick agreed to be the coach along with Brandon. So it was official, Henry and Charlie would play together for the Grizzlies.

{Henry running through the tunnel at his first game. His expression a mix of excitement and terror.}

Each player is introduced at the start of the game and they run out on to the field through the cheerleaders to the applause of the crowd and the beat of the intro music. It's fun and festive.

{The Grizzlies lining up for their introductions.}

{William and Grandma Vance.}

{Coach Patrick out on the field.}

{Charlie handing the ball off to Henry.}

{Henry and Charlie. A post game celebratory chest bump and booty bump!}

{William watching from the sidelines. Supporting his big brother and the team.}

{Henry, Charlie and William. All smiles after the game.}

{Love these of Henry looking over to see everyone who is cheering him on from the sidelines. I love that his confidence is growing week by week.}

I'm no football expert, but what I like so far about this program is that the emphasis is on learning the game, teamwork, being Christlike in their attitudes towards each other and being a part of at team and something bigger than themselves. It's not about the score or who wins, although the coaches do recognize those who have displayed hard work on offense and defense. I like that Henry is learning something new and branching out. In the end, I truly don't care what sports Henry plays, if any, but ultimately I want him to learn to be kind to others and to love and care about those around him.

after the storm

{I just found this post in my drafts waiting to be published. Happy Surprise for me!}

{Wide open country spaces.}

Way back in June, my Dad and Sandi came to the farm for a visit. Sandi brought activities from her recent summer camp about space and my Dad brought rockets to launch. Saturday evening the boys were supposed to have a t-ball game, but a big storm rolled in shortly after the first batter stepped up to home plate and the game was called off. 

Back at the farmhouse though, the sky put on quite a show and this huge rainbow was the cherry on top of the cake.

Frolicking in the late evening sun spotted grass under the great sky rainbow.

And then a double rainbow emerged in the darkened sky.