help!!

Well, hello again blog-friends. 
I'm afraid I don't know where to begin...

Since my last post, tornadoes have ravaged Massachusetts,

mostly a few small towns to the west.

Yesterday, I volunteered in Brimfield at the 1st Congregational Church.

They are serving and distributing three meals a day for the people whose homes were destroyed or damaged, and all the workers and National Guardsmen who have come to help. 

People have been so generous and the donations coming in were overwhelming.

The volunteers, prep, service, and deliveries in and out were a blur...

In front of the church there is a huge refrigerated truck that its owner lent the church,

it was a HUGE help.  Charter set up stations where people could use the internet.

We prepared and delivered meals all over town 

and part of our job was to ask what people needed and get it to them.

Things like paper towels, ice, and can openers.

Things we take for granted everyday...

The devastation was heartbreaking.

This is all that stood of this man, Dave's house...

It was overwhelming how appreciative everyone was.

If anyone has anything they want to contribute 

I will be heading back to Brimfield and Monson as soon as I can.

There is so much work to be done and so much more love we can give!!

Please watch this video 

and let me know if there's anything you can do to help. :)

Thank you!!

remember...

I hope everyone had a fun Memorial Day 

with their friends and family.

We woke up to the sound of thunder and driving rain

and, unfortunately, there was no parade today.

But, it cleared up by late morning and brightened into a HOT, sunny day.

Beth and I decided to let Mom relax 

and took care of the grocery shopping, prepping, and cooking.

Beth is an awesome helper, I told Mom today,

"She does everything I say!" :)

Here's the spread. :)

And here's the boy's idea of helping...

Dad started to fill up the pool today (thank goodness!!)

Fearless little Livi had some fun in the FREEZING cold water

straight from the hose

 Oh, to be young and have such reckless abandon. :)

We also had the summer's first watermelon.  My favorite. :) :) :)

On our ride home, K and I stopped to visit Granddad's grave...

So proud of him and all those who served today...

Please remember Blake and his Unit in your prayers

today and everyday.

God Bless those who serve our country.

:)

This morning at Sunday School,

we made these super-cute paper towel roll birds...

Look at the birds of the air; 

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not much more valuable than they?

~Matthew 6:26

After work tonight, I headed down the street

to celebrate...

 It was a double graduation party for my cousins, Manda and Jackie,

who both graduated from nursing school this week. :)

So proud of you both!!

Looking forward to the Memorial Day Parade

and a couple of cook-outs tomorrow. :)

A happy holiday weekend to all!!

love and lilacs

I'm not much of a baker..
My advice: add white chocolate chips and sprinkles
TO EVERYTHING  :)

I made some cookies for playdate 

and a yummy low-cal snack :)

It was such a beautiful day after so much rain...

Our N.E. world becomes so lush so fast :) :) :)

SOOOOO HAPPY FOR FRESH LILACS!!!!!!

Been so inspired by my friend Koralee

at bluebirdnotes

(her Vancouver Canucks are on their way to the 

STANLEY CUP FINALS!!!!

Hopefully they will meet the B's)

Aaaaand....ready for nuh-nights!! :)

Goodnight, friends!!

pretty people

On Monday, I met Karen for dinner...

How gorgeous is this bride-to-be??

We had a great time catching up and giggling as always. :)

And now, as promised

is a little montage of cute kiddos

from the past couple weeks...

 

Hope some of my fave lil' nuggets made you smile. :)

Have a wonderful weekend!!
(The Bruins went up 2-1 in the Easter Conference Finals tonight...
so that's a pretty great start!!) :)

I was run-ning :)

As Forrest Gump once said, 

"From that day on, if I was going somewhere, I was running."

 Even if it is pouring buckets!!!

 

It started out as a "drizzle" and I thought to myself

this is kind of nice. :)

Then...the skies let loose!!

Let me tell you, I ran faster just to get indoors!!

 

Running tip: Check the weather. :)

If you look close on my right wrist in that pic,

you'll see my new obsession...

These $1.00 watches from WalMart!!

I used to carry my cell phone when I ran because I've never worn a watch.

Now, I have these cute little buggers that let me know how my pace is. :)

Next I want purple and orange!!! :)

I will be running a 5K (hopefully with my Dad)

on June 18th to benefit the N.B. Youth Center. 

NB Cares 5K

Let me know if you wanna run with me!!

I'll let you borrow one of my watches! ;)

Heck, you can KEEP it!!