Must read

If you don't believe that miracles happen in these days, you must read the autobiography of a Chinese man who is called Brother Yun. Likewise, if you don't think Christians don't face much persecution in the world, read it and your eyes will be opened.

The Heavenly Man

Beyond that, he's written a book geared (I believe) towards the Western world and church. It's a totally refreshing and challenging look at what it means to be a Christian - far from our traditional church-y habits. Even if you don't get a chance to read the autobiography, this book is wonderful for morning reading.

Living Water

I wish I had enough money to buy these books for my friends and family to read. Maybe I buy extra copies and pass them around with hopes that they will be read.

Gem Mining in Hiddenite NC

We went to Emerald Hollow Mines in August twice. Once, just the three of us. Then the second time we had my parents, 3 nephews and niece with us. It's about a 30 minute drive from where we live and we enjoyed it thoroughly.

We found some pretty gemstones and the folks down there helped identify what we had. Next time we go, I'd like to spend time in their open mine to dig our own dirt.

Graduating from college furniture

After too long with our mattress on the floor and our mismatched bedding, Jason and I decided to bite the bullet and get a completely new bed. Sears had all of their mattress sets 50% off, so we went with a much better quality than our previous mattress we've had since we got married.

It was so much fun to spend money (even though it was really on a credit card) and to pick out what we wanted. Ezra and I went shopping for the bedding at JC Penney and got a really good deal on a comforter, bedspread, shams, bedskirt, new sheets, and four pillows. He even helped me make the bed and style it!

It's so much taller than our last bed (which was on the floor anyway) and we are enjoying a good night's sleep on it.

In our own backyard

We are blessed to have a new greenway that runs alongside of our neighborhood. Ezra, Haggis and I decided to go on a nature walk on the hottest day of summer the other week. We practically gave our poor dog heat stroke! Once we got to the shaded parts, it was quite pleasant.

Here's a blairwitch-like video my son took while we were taking a break.

Three cousins and a birthday

Kassidy and Ezra in the morning. So sweet. Ezra became very attached to Kassidy (and to Ally) while she was here. I should be getting some pics of Ally soon.

Ezra and Jacob sleeping in. Aren't boys precious?

The treasure chest cake. In the background is a robot made from recyclables that Ez made. He filled his head (tin can) with rocks that he got while up at Tweetsie with Nana, Poppy, Kassidy and Jacob.

This summer, we've had the joy of a few of my nieces and nephew to come and stay with my mom and dad for a while. Ezra's had a blast being with Jacob, Kassidy and Ally. Now that there's a break between cousins, it's quiet around here (unless you count Ezra's lengthy stories and non-stop sound effects and humming!).

I don't have any pictures of Ezra's 5th birthday yet, our camera wasn't quite ready for pictures. Either the batteries ran out or the memory card was full, I wasn't paying attention (bad mom!). My parents have some pictures that I will post later. I do have a picture of his cake though. Jason helped with the design. He had the idea of making an extra cake so we could make the treasure chest look like it was half-buried in the sand. Yep, he watches Ace of Cakes with me occasionally.

I need an Ocracoke morning

That's the phrase I thought of yesterday as I was feeling a little weary and thought it would make a great tagline for an Outer Banks campaign.

But I really do need an Ocracoke morning, or two or a week's worth. It seems everyone I know has been enjoying vacations. I am keeping my eyes on two of my neighbors houses next week as they will be gone, and my other neighbor was away a few weeks ago. It doesn't look like we'll have a vacation this year, although my husband is talking about going to Mississippi to visit his dad. Not quite a vacation when you visit in-laws in MS. But, we'd make the best of it.

Ocracoke is my favorite O.B. location though. So quiet and calm. You have to take a ferry to get to it. Ride your bike all over the place and stay at the beach all day. Ahhhh.... My son made some contraption that I keep by my desk that reminds me of the ocean. He took an empty root beer plastic bottle and filled it with pea gravel and water. When you tip it over and back, it sounds like the ocean. It's my beach in a bottle!

Graduation Day is finally heeeeeeere!

Here are some pics from Ezra's preschool graduation. I always used to guffaw at people who went overboard with a Pre-K graduation, but I couldn't help it. They all look so cute and are very proud of the fact that they're moving onward and upward. Ezra has been singing his graduation song all the time and it gets stuck in my head.