2013 Summer Youth Trip

We had such a wonderful time on our trip to the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. We did many fun and exciting activities including Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, and the Virginia Creeper Trail.We drove the Blue Ridge Parkway in rain and fog, sang countless Sunday school songs and hymns along the way, and enjoyed far too many milkshakes and fast food restaurant stops. 
We are blessed to be able to work with this fantastic group of teenagers - some of them I've known since they were toddlers (thanks, guys, for making me feel old) and I've had the privilege of watching them grow into young "adults" who love having a great time but are also interested in spiritual matters. They went a whole week without cell phones (and yes, lived to tell about it), without saying a bad word, and without watching TV. They listened attentively to devotions and preaching services, did what the chaperones asked, and proved that it is still possible to have good, clean fun. 
In case one of you is reading, David and I appreciate and love each and every one of you. 

The most difficult part of the trip was leaving these two little girls behind. They were in the capable care of my mom and dad, but life isn't quite as sweet when they're not around. I missed hearing Riley's endless singing and Caroline's 15 "hi's." Thank the Lord for iPhones and FaceTime. My mom sent me videos and pictures on a regular basis. These girls aren't the best at talking on the phone, but we managed to do that every day. The shouts of glee and looks of happiness on these two little faces when they saw us walk in the door were almost worth the pain of separation.
We're home now until summer camp. As one of the girls describes it, it's a week-long P.E. class. The youth love it, though; and I'm just trying to decide if I'm up to leaving the kids again.  Camp schedules aren't the easiest for babies and toddlers to stick to, but I might just be willing to give it a try so we don't have to be separated again. 

Off the Hook Link Party {Week 19}

We are home from this year's summer youth trip with loads and loads of stories to tell. More photos and memories will have a post all their own, but I will say this: we are blessed with a fantastic youth group. The kids aren't perfect, but I'd put them up against any other group I know. They swam behind waterfalls, collated scriptures, and enjoyed being together. I look forward to uploading all the photos from my "real" camera. 
Now back to this week's party!

Cookie Dough Layer Cake from Tastes of Lizzy

Colorful Summer Banner from the Happy Scraps

Daisy Granny Square Pin Cushion from Little Things Blogged

If you were featured, feel free to grab a button to let the whole world know. 

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Now it's time to get things started, but before we do... you know the drill.

• Link back to Daisy Cottage Designs - grab a button or use a text link. Either is fine with me. 
• MOST IMPORTANT: Comment on some other links - everyone loves getting some feedback by way of comments and we want to help grow each other's blogs.
• Last but not least, it would be great if you'd follow the blog - definitely not a requirement for participation, though. 

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Off the Hook Link Party {Week 18}

This weekend, our good friends Lauren and Levi tied the knot. It was great fun helping with wedding preparations. David spoke and I was the second shooter for a friend who's a photographer. The photo of David and Levi is funny because David is actually a good deal shorter. These are just a couple fun snapshots I was able to have taken after the ceremony.

I feel like apologizing for my lack of posts is becoming standard procedure. To be honest, summers are super busy for us. The church young people are out of school so we're able to do more with them (youth trips, camp, more activities, etc.); that and daily life take up more time than I have in the day. Add in crochet orders and church activities and that leaves very little time for blogging. In fact, this is one of the tasks on my ridiculously long list of things I have to do before we leave for North Carolina/Virginia in about two hours. I think I'm going to crash as soon as we sit down on that bus. At least on this trip I've planned enough ahead that there will still be an Off the Hook Party this week. 

Speaking of which... 

Rainbow Button iPhone Case by Living Well, Spending Less

Rice Bubble Slice Recipe by Happy Little Kiwi

Butterfly Art Tutorial by Grow Creative

If you were featured, feel free to grab a button to let the whole world know. 

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Now it's time to get things started, but before we do... you know the drill.

• Link back to Daisy Cottage Designs - grab a button or use a text link. Either is fine with me. 
• MOST IMPORTANT: Comment on some other links - everyone loves getting some feedback by way of comments and we want to help grow each other's blogs.
• Last but not least, it would be great if you'd follow the blog - definitely not a requirement for participation, though. 

<div align="center"><a href="http://daisycottagedesigns.blogspot.com" title="Daisy Cottage Designs"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8424839689_d5fb7931b7_o.jpg" alt="Daisy Cottage Designs" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An Update on the Chickadees

It has been far too long since I've done an update on "the girls." Both are at such a fun stage right now (I say that about every stage, though). Caroline is starting to have quite the little personality, and we're thoroughly enjoying every new thing bout her. Here's the latest:

• Talking up a storm. She says "look at that," Dada, Mama (RARELY), Papa, Natalie, RJ, ack (snack), Riley, amen, and others that aren't coming to mind right now. They're not perfectly clear, but it's still absolutely adorable when she says these things. 
• Pulling up on everything. Caroline still isn't walking. I don't know how I feel about this, but I'm doing a good job not stressing out that she didn't walk at the same time as her sister. I realize that all babies have a different personality and does things at her own pace. She's starting to cruise and walk when we hold her hands so I know it won't be too long. Maybe Father's Day? We're leaving the girls with my parents for a week while we travel with the youth at church. My parents know how it would make me sad to miss her first steps so they tease me that they're going to get her to walk while David and I are gone. 
• Picking on her sister. Caroline likes to pull Riley's hair and play with whatever toy she has at the moment. Riley is doing a pretty good job being sweet. She often says things like, "No, no, Sweetheart." Sometimes she doesn't use her sweet voice with Caroline, but all in all, she does well. 
• This child loves to eat. This is actually a gross understatement. I don't know how to portray to you how much this kiddo enjoys food. She'll eat everything. Last night I found myself jokingly thinking that she really needs some cardio. Riley was so tiny that it's weird to have a plump baby - I love it, though!
• Caroline dances and "sings" when she hears music. If I play the piano or have some music playing on my phone, Caroline does this funny sway back and forth. Sometimes she'll even try to sing along. Cutest thing we've ever seen (since Riley did it). 

Riley, Riley, Riley. She's growing up way too fast. I'm pretty sure she thinks she's seven. Many of her friends are a few years older than she is, and she fits in too well for my taste. This week she even told me the boy she's going to marry. Big Elijah, you'd better watch out. Here are some fun facts about our oldest chickadee:

• Riley's life is a musical. If you're friends with me on FB, you may have seen the video of her singing in the car. It's not an exaggeration to say that she sings on a regular basis. I'm so happy that she enjoys making a joyful noise. Last night, we all went for a walk. We passed a man without a shirt on and she started singing something like "he is nakey, nakey!" The things kids come up with!
• Riley loves people. Whether it's the kids at church, our friends, or absolute strangers, Riley loves people. She's often heard asking people, "What's your name?" or saying "Have a nice day!" Most people laugh and give a name; others are annoyed; and some people will stop and have a nice conversation with her. It's been very interesting to watch people's reactions to an outgoing child. 
• Riley thinks church is the best place on earth. She asks almost every morning if it's a "church day." She sits through the service like a big girl, but her favorite part is running around with her buddies after the message. 
• Unless you start thinking she's sounding too good to be true, Riley is getting a little attitude. She'll cross her arms and put on a pout if I tell her no. We've memorized the fruits of the Spirit (the second one is joy) and we talk often about putting on a happy face and being polite. I certainly hope we can nip this in the bud. She's improving so I'm hopeful. 
• Riley has a great memory. She can say many Bible verses, sing loads of songs, and remember details from months ago.

These two are so much fun! I'm so thankful that God has put them in our care. To say I enjoy every single minute would be a lie, but I honestly love being a SAHM to these silly little girls. I love hearing pitter patter of feet coming to find me in the mornings. I love seeing Caroline's little face light up when I go in to get her from her naps. Things like that far outweigh the frustrations that might come up in a day. 

Off the Hook Link Party {Week 17}

So sorry, once again, that we didn't party together last week. I fully planned on writing the post on Tuesday as usual, but with a puking daughter and feeling under the weather myself, it just didn't happen. Thankfully, I have a husband who doesn't feel like tossing his cookies when one of the girls loses hers... I don't deal well with vomit. Enough of that lovely subject, though. You can read more about our ultimate road trip here, though. It wasn't all bad. 
Here are "last" week's wonderful features. I had a hard time choosing this week. Harder than usual, that is. I definitely need to break out the old sewing machine and make a replacement stroller seat. Riley and Caroline have worn ours out! I'm super excited about choosing an adorable fabric for the new one.

Crochet Frog Applique by Hanni Craft

DIY Doll Stroller Replacement Seat from Living Well, Spending Less

30 for 30 Remix Finale at Suburbs Mama

If you were featured, feel free to grab a button to let the whole world know. 

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Now it's time to get things started, but before we do... you know the drill.

• Link back to Daisy Cottage Designs - grab a button or use a text link. Either is fine with me. 
• MOST IMPORTANT: Comment on some other links - everyone loves getting some feedback by way of comments and we want to help grow each other's blogs.
• Last but not least, it would be great if you'd follow the blog - definitely not a requirement for participation, though. 

<div align="center"><a href="http://daisycottagedesigns.blogspot.com" title="Daisy Cottage Designs"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8424839689_d5fb7931b7_o.jpg" alt="Daisy Cottage Designs" style="border:none;" /></a></div>