Friday!

Hello! Well, here we are on the first Friday of MAY! While this month used to be filled with all kinds of activities when the kids were young, it is now much slower, with a bit of preparation for the long summer months. The porch furniture will be hosed down, the flower pots filled, and the deck swept off. Summer days are coming!

The past few days have been blissfully normal. Between unpacking, doing laundry, and going through mail, I managed to sneak in an afternoon nap or two. What else went on these past few days? Well, I got a summer haircut...

and sent the obligatory selfie to Madison. Early morning walks resumed...

And the pups enjoyed some quiet time at home.

And we ate some delicious, cozy food like grilled cheese and tomato soup and homemade apple pie, sent back with us from Steve's sister, Deb. The first night we were home, Madison brought us a delicious dinner. She made chicken legs, homemade macaroni and cheese, and a salad with strawberries, walnuts, and cherry tomatoes. It was so good, and we were so thankful!

That is about all I have today, my friends. This weekend looks to be rainy and cozy here. We have mass on Saturday and will be preparing for a family vacation to Disney on Monday. Yep, we are all going to Disney together! I am so thankful and also excited because, even though I no longer have little children holding my hand or riding in a stroller, I know the magic of Disney makes us all young at heart.

Have a lovely weekend, my friends!

Billie Jo

Home Sweet Home!

We are home! Yesterday, Peyton and Christopher came to help us with the last of the packing and purging. I don't know how we would have done it without them. We were also blessed with Steve's sisters and their husbands, who came to say goodbye, and promised to come visit sometime! We even came home with a homemade apple pie! We planned to leave Pennsylvania at 4:00 in the afternoon,  and actually waved goodbye at 5:15, so that wasn't too bad. Christopher took one last photo of us, and we loaded up and took off. With only one quick stop, we arrived home in Maryland around 11:45, and were welcomed by the brightly shining porch light Rhett left on for us.

Thankful, exhausted, excited, and fueled by Peyton's delicious cooking and a few extra Dunkin' coffees.

The day started with this stunning final sunrise at the lake...

And ended with a beautiful, cozy welcome home complete with homemade cupcakes and fresh tulips, courtesy of Rhett and Kyrstin.

I hope things are well with you, my friends. I will be around to visit soon. Have a cozy Wednesday! 

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends - the very last one from the lake house! After eighteen days, fourteen appointments down with two more to go, countless hours of purging, sorting, organizing, packing, and reminiscing, fun-filled visits with family and friends, and awesome dinner and game nights at Peyton and Chris' house, we are heading home to Maryland tomorrow! 

While these past couple of weeks have not been easy, we have been blessed with help and support beyond measure. We are thankful for the memories this home has given us, and we leave here with happiness in our hearts. I am also thankful to no longer have a house filled with things here, sitting empty for long periods. I am excited to have my life in one place again, and to have that place be Maryland! 

As we pack up and drive off tomorrow, I am reminded yet again of the most amazing woman I will ever know, my mom. When she and my dad sold the house she raised her five girls in, the house she loved for so many years, she shut the door, smiled, and went on to the next adventure. I will remember that tomorrow, and know she will be cheering me on from Heaven as I do.

Some final pictures of the lake...

And one of Peyton and Christopher on their fifth wedding anniversary!

You may not be able to read this, but my shirt says "Keep it cozy" and was a gift from my best friend Heather, who knows me so very well. I am off to get ready for my eye doctor appointment, and then to finish packing up the house. Peyton is making lasagna dinner tonight, and I can't wait. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday, and please know that although I may not have been around lately to visit with you, I am thankful for your kindness and promise to catch up soon. 

Time to start a new chapter.

Billie Jo

Tuesday

Well, as chaotic as my life has been lately, I figured what's a little more, so I am posting on a Tuesday. I really wanted to thank you all again for your kind comments and support, especially since I have not been around to catch up with you. I am looking forward to sitting down and spending some time doing just that very soon. In the meantime, I will share a bit about what we have been up to around here.

First off, I just spoke with my dermatologist and am thankful to say that both spots that were removed are harmless! Thank the Lord. I do not take good health for granted, and so I checked that off until next year. That leaves just my Primary Care appointment tomorrow and my annual eye doctor appointment next week. We also spent the day on Sunday going through things, packing a bit, purging a lot, and setting aside piles for donation. Peyton and Chris came, as did a good friend of our family, and we ended the day with some delicious pizza and Boggle.

Last Friday, we had no appointments and decided to take a day off from everything. Christopher and Peyton planned a day trip for us, and we had the most beautiful day! We drove to a beautiful park where they camp. The first stop was an amazing nature center that I could have spent a day exploring. Then we drove to a spot near a flowing stream where Steve and I sat while Peyton and Chris made lunch and Flynn explored. After that, we went to walk on a dam nearby and got some of the biggest ice cream cones I've ever seen! On the way home, we stopped at one of the most beautiful places around, and I couldn't believe I had never been there. Here are some pictures of that lovely day. First, a few pictures of the ordinary...

Morning coffee by the fire...

Homeschool on the couch...

And a visit to the two most wonderful people that I will continue to miss every single day.

I had to take a picture of my favorite season at the nature center! Then it was off to relax by the river, while Christopher and Peyton made lunch.

Then we cleaned and packed up and headed for the next stop, the dam built in the 1950's.  

It was so interesting to read all about it, and then actually see it in person.

We saw these elk on the way home. It is not uncommon to see them just walking down the road!

Peyton loves anything Civil War-related, and was happy to spot this on the way, too!

We finally arrive at the cross on the hill, a beautiful place for reflection, prayer, rest, and even weddings. Christopher actually worked on this space for his Eagle Scout project when he was younger. We arrived home happy and tired and happy!

Again, thank you for your kindness. I promise things will return to normal around here soon!

Have a wonderful day!

Billie Jo