summer lovin'

To love and be loved

is to feel the sun from both sides.

~David Viscott

one thousand steps

Went out walking with my boos today

and picked what seems to be some of the last daisies of the season...

On our way we sang our new favorite song...

Happy Thursday, everyone!!

Happy MONDAY to me!! 

Off to work :) :) :)

Happy Father's Day!!!

K and I are so blessed to have awesome Dad's in our lives.

Here's a little Poppa's Day montage...

Hope everyone out there is enjoying this day. :) :) :)

 "Any man can be a father.  

It takes someone special to be a dad."

WOOOO!!

We are the champions, my friend...

 K, me, Ry...just moments after the B's won the Stanley Cup!!

(I guess this is my "happy face??")

:) :) :) :) :) :)

This morning I ran a 5k to benefit 

the North Brookfield Youth Center.

 I was representing the B's and pumped I was #9 

(my lucky number)

K and I are watching the Bruins Celebratory Duckboat Parade 

through the streets of Beantown...

and I'm feelin' pretty, darn 

LUCKY!!

sweet summertime :)

I've pretty much only posted about Tornado Relief lately,

since that has been an important part of my life,

but today I am sharing lots of KIDDO PICS

so today's post will be much happier!! :)

Mom and I will be volunteering on Friday and preparing lots of lunches to distribute to those in need.

A HUGE thank you to those who have reached out to help us help them. :) :) :)

Also, I attended my first VBS (Vacation Bible School) planning meeting last night,

I'll be teaching the pre-school class, and we decided that we'll be 

dedicating the week to collecting for tornado victims,

so I am doubly excited for all things VBS!! :)

Okay, so, there has been an abundance of cuteness and sweetness up in here.

I had 5 kids under 5 on Monday, and 3 on Tuesday and hosted playgroup...

(CRAZY, PARTY OF ONE!!)

Here some pics of some fun in the summer sun.

Last week's playgroup (on our way and) at Johnna's pool...

"Want some?"

On Friday, I came home to these super-cute sandals...

Kenny got them for me (picked them out himself!!!)

and got me a sweet card, too. :)

On Sunday we had Children's Week at church,

which is basically the Sunday School closing program.

Our kiddos sang "Father Abraham" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children."

They rocked it!! They were so cute and funny!! :)

Fast forward a week...I had Ethan and Reece (my friend, Kate's kiddos) on Monday and Tuesday this week.  Mix in a little Dayton, Jordan, and Livi...craziness is sure to ensue!! :) :) :)

We made art :) and went to the common. :)

The next day was playdate...

I discovered "Scrabble Cheeze-Its" and we had some fun with those!!! :)

Reecie-Roo and LiviGracie having cupcakes :)

It was a wonderful (tiring) couple of days. :)

Before playgroup, we went to the grocery store for provisions (COFFEE)

and I gave Ethan four quarters to put into the toy-machine.

He really, really wanted a yellow one (his fave color)

In his quarters went...

First one...orange

Second one...green

Third one...orange

 

Fourth one...YELLOW!!!

I'd say Ethan is pretty clutch in the 4th quarter!!! ;)

Speaking of...

Our beloved Bruins are in Game Seven tonight.

I know my DooDooBirdDayton is excited!! :)

Win or lose I am proud of our B's. 

I B-LIEVE :) :) :)

hope

Yesterday, I headed back to Brimfield 1st Congregational Church,

working to aid those affected by the recent tornadoes...

This is my view from the refrigerated truck,

(I happily obliged taking this as my assignment...it was 90 degrees!!)

where I labeled, dated, and organized incoming food donations.

Since the church is basically functioning pretty much like a restaurant,

I felt like I was a big help because I have experience and a

"sense of urgency" as we call it in the biz. ;)

The church is doing an amazing job serving their community.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.

~1 Corinthians 13:13
 

Love thy neighbor as thy self.

~Mark 12:31

 

I'll be heading back over to the church in the morning,

if anyone wants to donate, volunteer, or contribute in any way

please let me know. :) :) :)

Here are some photos of the devastation in Monson, Massachusetts.

As awful as it is, there is still a palpable feeling of hope

rising up from the rubble...

Please pray for everyone affected by this tragedy

as they prove there is nothing stronger 

and more unbreakable than the human spirit. :) :) :)