scenes from the week: new jersey [part two].

between the long car ride, party planning & catching a nasty bug, there wasn't much free time. but here are a few snapshots from the rest of our time in jersey.

there was a lot of this. in between the exhausted bouts of running like a crazy man.

this guy got a good workout, i think. c. misses his bo already.

c. enjoyed the view while we stayed at our aunt's house.

he chased the cats into the barn. i don't think he understood they didn't like being tackled (his kitty does). 

instead he talked to them. & waved at them. & talked some more.

we got to spend a little time with my mom & grama over at my grandparent's house. where i grew up.

i planted this tree when i was a little girl.

he didn't have any toys outside. so he improvised. 

in new jersey, when a place looks like this, it means the pizza is goood.

full belly, full weekend.

next up: maryland.

love.

scenes from the week: new jersey [part one].

this weekend was crazy. for those of you that don't know, i grew up in new jersey. my family is italian (read: lots of family). this can make our trips a bit overwhelming, trying to find time to see as much family as possible.

but this time, we went with a purpose. my baby sister cousin alexis is engaged!

we love each other a lot. but we didn't mean to match. honest.

so, we threw her a party. well, her mom did. i helped.

this isn't even party decor. it's just their yard. amazing, i know. 

and now, for the cupcakes. the most amazing cupcakes i've ever tasted. and i tried all the flavors, so i can make blanket statements. we can't take credit for these, though. alexis's adorable best friend made them all.

and then, there's this guy.

stay tuned. there's a lot more where these came from.

love.

blessed (by you).

when i was a little girl, i used to love making new friends.

i was a dancer then. not a real dancer, but a wear tappy dress shoes everywhere and pretend i knew how to tap-dance dancer. i danced everywhere. especially up and down the grocery store isles. after my performances, i would bask in the applause of random old women. then, i would turn to my mother and say,

mommy, all my friends love me.

i wasn't full of myself (though i really did think i was a fantastic dancer). i just honestly thought i had made new friends. & that they loved me. & i loved them.

fast forward 25+ years.

i have been overwhelmed by the love & care shown to our little family during the past few years of sickness & hardship. by the community of friends & fellow believers that has helped sustain us. encourage us. edify us. for them, i am so very thankful.

because of them, i have learned even more deeply what it means to be, and have, friends.

and now, there's you. the countless friends & readers that have reached into my life & touched me in such a profound way. you have encouraged me. you have prayed for us.

you have become a part of my life.

for that, i want to say thank you. for listening to my ramblings & my heart. without judgement, instead with love & encouragement. it has blessed me immensely, knowing that you care enough to read about all the lord is doing in our lives.

well, friends. now it's my turn. i want to know who you are. i want to be able to spend time in prayer for you. i want to thank God for each of you. for your time spent caring for & thinking of me. of our family that has been through so much. that has been held up by the prayers of the saints.

so please, take a minute. leave a comment. tell me who you are. 

whether i have heard from you or not (some of you are so very faithful to comment--thank you!), i want to hear from you now. whether you are new here, or have been with me since the beginning (when i constantly forgot about you). whether you are family, old friends, new friends, or could-be friends. i want you to know how thankful i am for you.

i want to return the favor, ever so much.

much, much love.