Sweetheart Banquet

                                                 Eric and I with Jeff and Julie Purswell 
                                                 Eric and I with Brian and Jen Lockhart
                                                                  In the ladies' room
                                Eric looking so handsome in his suit and without his beard!
         Amanda and Josh Jordan, me and Eric, Jason and Tiffany Hansen - our fellowship group

Good Friends

This year in Maryland our family has been very blessed to have good friends that live across the street from us. The first day we moved into our town house we met the Lockharts. Brian and the boys helped move all our stuff in and Jen came over later to help unpack. She didn't stay long...I think all the boxes probably overwhelmed her.

Jen and Brian have five kids Noah 10, Micah 7, Hannah 5, Ezra 3, Gabriella 1, and a sixth child due in June and if you hadn't noticed all the endings of the names have the "ah" sound so my Sarah is hoping if the baby's a girl that they'll name it after her. Anyways, our kids became fast friends with theirs. Ryan and Matthew love playing with Noah and Micah. They play anything from football, capture the flag, riding bikes, skateboards, legos and "Spiderwick". One of Sarah's favorite things is to go over to the Lockharts house to play with Hannah and Ezra and especially help with Ella.

Once a month we take turns watching each others kids for care group. We've also been able to keep the kids overnight a couple times this year for Brian and Jen's anniversary and for a wedding. Nine kids in all....it really was quite comical at times getting meals together and getting ready for church.

We love the Lockharts! Eric and I both admire Brian and Jen's humility, love for life, love for their family and others. Eric has been provoked by Brian's example as a Dad and I have been provoked by Jen's love for others more than tasks and her great heart for hospitality. We will be very sad in June to have to say goodbye and I am hoping and praying that baby #6 comes before we all leave here. Sorry Jen.

Rachel's 13th Birthday

Monday was Rachel's 13th birthday. I can hardly believe she's a teenager. The years have gone by so very quickly and sadly I realize how quick her teen years will go by too.

Rachel didn't want a party nor did she want to go to VB or NYC, all things Eric and I offered, she just wanted to stay here with the family, play Catan and have dinner at Chevy's (she loves their chips and salsa). So that's what we did. Eric took her to a donut shop for breakfast after getting to sleep in as late as she wanted. The other kids and I put up all the streamers, birthday banners and balloons while she was gone. That's a tradition Eric and I have had since the kids were real little and now they love participating in it for each other. We all played Settlers of Catan (even Matthew) then had chicken salad and cucumber sandwiches, cheetos and sprite - all Rachel's favorites. After dinner at Chevy's we came home for another favorite - strawberry cake and ice cream. Helen and Emma joined us and gave Rachel a really cute hat and big earrings which she absolutely loves.  Rachel also got the new Stephen Lawhead book, "Tuck" which completes the trilogy she started at Christmas. Eric and I also gave her a claddagh ring as her promise ring. 

I'm so proud of Rachel. This has not been an easy year for her moving away from a place she's known all her life, friends and family that are very dear but she has grown in trusting God. While in the process of moving we meditated as a family on Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Rachel has embraced and meditated on this verse and the fruit of her attitude and faith in God with all the changes and then many unknowns for the future have amazed me. She has been a joy and a delight around the house, with her siblings and I personally have loved this time here in Maryland to hang out with her more.