A missed month - what's up with me

Where did June go? What happened to trying to post one a week? Life has been busy and I haven't been spending near as much time on the computer....it's summer and there is much to accomplish!

[God is Good!]
The study my small group is doing right now is amazing - it's on how to be / become a Proverbs 31 woman. It has revealed a few areas in my life that need attention and I am seeking to make changes in those areas. I am so blessed to be part of this group and to have the accountability and prayer of these awesome gals!

[Almost an Aunt!!]
My sister-in-law's due date is SATURDAY - I'm soon going to be an Aunt! She is doing well - she is beautiful pregnant and has had a near perfect pregnancy. Thanks be to God. I can't wait to travel home next month to meet him!

[Latest with Lincoln]
Lincoln is such a character. He is very happy that I replaced the batteries in his laser toy - the light was quite dull and is now a vibrant bright red again - once again I'm enjoying watching him tear around the house - after a red light! His latest trick is to pull the hair rubber band out of my hair while I am still in bed in the mornings....he has done this several times now. It's hilarious! Of course I can't see what he is doing, but once he notices that hair band - he paws at my hair and tugs on the band with his teeth until he gets it out. A little strange, yes, I know.

[Summer Visits]
In late May/early June, my dear friend Laurie and her sister Jennifer came to visit. We had a great time sightseeing downtown and being gals. We met up with a roommate of Jennifer's from college and her husband took us on a tour of the Pentagon, had Spanish Tapas in Alexandria (love it!), and also went to the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. We had a God experience there when we ran into a guy who turned out to be on a mission’s trip with his church from San Diego called the Love Out Loud Tour. It was a group of about 80 people ranging in age from about 20 to 70 whom traveled via bus across the U.S. and did random acts of kindness for people. Read more at their Love Out Loud Tour website.

We took Jen to Baltimore to meet up with some friends there, and Laurie and I went to the Baltimore Aquarium, which was a ton of fun. We spent our remaining few days together relaxing, shopping in Georgetown, at a Nationals vs. Giants game, and of course -- playing Settlers and a new board game I'm forgetting the name of right now!

In the end of June, my parents arrived for their annual visit. Right off the bat we watched the Baseball College World Series final game -- and Fresno State won - GO DOGS!!! The first weekend I had Orchestra at church so it was busy, but we did manage to visit the Colvin Run Mill, which is a historic grist mill close to my house. Interestingly, it is still operational! Wheat is milled into flour on Sundays and is sold at the General Store there. I had never been to a Mill, so it was very educational for me :)

I took a few days off from work and my parents helped me with projects around the house. We built shelves in my garage for tools, etc. and also built a shelving unit downstairs in my basement storage (which was a royal pain in the butt!). We celebrated 4th of July and the following weekend went to the Walter Reed Medical Center for a ministry event my church was putting on. We played for the injured military personnel and their families, and had a big cook out. The rain came earlier than we expected, and had to cut the concert short, moving all the sound equipment and cords (and the tympani!) to cover for the coming downpour, which lasted 45 minutes! It was a touching opportunity to witness and minister to those who have served to protect our country and our freedoms.

[Weight Loss]
Year to date I have lost 24 pounds. I'm still behind my goal; however, I'm catching up quickly. Boy do I love cottage cheese and strawberries!

[Time for work]
You may wonder why I posted this in the morning and not at midnight like usual! I could NOT sleep this morning -- I woke up at 6:20 and decided to get up. I'm trying to do this instead of just laying in bed for another 40 minutes, but it isn't always easy. I figure if the Lord is opening my eyes earlier than my alarm clock forces me to, then it must be for a reason! That said, -- it's time to get ready for work :)