April-June: Quarter 2 Recap

To kick the month of April off I attended an Enneagram conference, "Knowing your number", lead by Suzanne Stabile and Ian Cron.  Hands down it was one of the best experiences I had in 2017.  Learning about the Enneagram has been enlightening and challenging and so very helpful.  Of course learning something new, for me at least, usually accompanies some hard work and growth opportunities if you will.  The enneagram has definitely provided all of the above.  I spent an evening and an entire day in a room full of people with a shared cause.  Professionals, lay people, ministers, church people, non religious people, spanning the generations, all their to understand themselves better, to improve relationships, to help themselves and others.  Truly beautiful.  And in my humble opinion a picture of heaven on earth.  I experienced a spiritual meditation for the first time.  Participated in communion that felt holy, an other worldly moment that is not the typical for me.  So if I can leave you with one nugget here, an encouragement of sorts, learn your number.  Spend some time on yourself, getting to know yourself and why you do what you do.  After my introduction to the enneagram Husband Jared began studying as well, and then our four Things.  As a wife, a mother, a daughter, sister and friend these tools, this self awareness, has been an invaluable tool.  There you go, my ad for the year.  Moving on.

Enneagram, know your number conference at Otter Creek Church in Brentwood.

April also had more footie and time with Thing 4, walks to downtown Franklin, because the weather was glorious and of course Thing 2's highly anticipated return.  There was Resurrection day brunch at our house, a visit from Emme for her birthday, the Martin family's arrival to Franklin, Luca's highly anticipated entrance into the world and our hearts.  The latter meant a trip to California to love on the Stuck family and meet our newest nephew.  Thing 2 accompanied me on this visit and I was so grateful.  After almost 7 months of being apart from each other I wasn't about to let her out of my sight so soon.  Needless to say it was another full month and kick off to "quarter 2".  Here are some photo highlights.

Thing 4 and his best buddy, Dane, preparing footie CV's for their future.

Emme's Franklin visit was a gift for her birthday, we were able to spend the day with her at the zoo, shopping and eating popsicles.  Not to mention a full fledged fashion show with her cousin, Thing 3.  The two of them were inseparable and it was the sweetest to watch.  

S'mores with the cousins.

Two thumbs up for a safe return Stateside.  And an elated Mama, who couldn't really control herself in the airport, as soon as I saw that face come through the doors I sprinted to her.  Nothing like a good airport reunion!  

Easter day, family photo.  Everyone is barefoot except Thing 1, what happened?  

Easter basket tradition.  

Bowling date with Thing 4.

Thing 3 and Rach comparing notes over breakfast.  Right before Rach's new school tour.  And one day after the Martin's arrival in Franklin, TN.

One last photo before the airport drop off.  I promise I had Luca completely supported.  His little head was just fine.  

While in CA we spent the evening with the Strands having fun, eating good food and listening to kiddos tell stories.  Gosh I love being an Auntie.  

Emme ready for action!

Colin trying to go higher! 

Yes, we'll have the larger than your face margaritas for lunch please.  

Family bike ride/run! 

Softball Saturdays.

Luca's first bath, with an audience. 

Walks to the pool.

First snuggle with Auntie LeLe

Thing 3 had a larger than life experience this month as well.  With her high school career coming to an end and her sights set on pastry school she and Husband Jared traveled to London and Paris to tour  the Le Cordon Bleu culinary institutions.  There was sight seeing and a chunnel ride, Eiffel Tower pictures and even a Michelin Star dining experience for her 17th birthday.  Their trip was a whirlwind  with all the tours and sights and celebrating in five days, including travel time, but it was a good one!

Big Ben and two of my loves. 

Typical.

School tour.

Upon their return we had two more momentous occasions to toast to as a family, one being Thing 3's birthday and the other being the initial offer for Husband Jared to join the Austrian Apple team.  Thing 3 had a birthday breakfast, per her request, complete with gold crowns.  We sat at the table stuffing our faces and in between bites and stories from her European tour each one of us shared what we love about her.  These words are always such a gift for me to hear.  Especially when my Things seek something beautiful to say about one another.  I hope they carry these nuggets with them, wherever they go, throughout their lives.  




Birthday breakfast.

Even though Thing 2 was about to enter her 19th year, the tradition of an 18th birthday trip with Nani happened this quarter as well. Nani flew to TN, then the three of us flew to Florida where we boarded a cruise ship and sailed away to the Bahamas for a few sun drenched days.  There were jeep rides, shark sightings and wading with sting rays, star fish, cave spelunking, water slide fun, local markets, delectable dinners, walks through the neighborhoods, piano bars and smoothies.  A few days of cruising to 19, as the hashtag read and Thing 2 hopefully disembarked feeling celebrated and loved.  Here are some photos of our adventures.


Polo was helping us pack.


Nanni driving the jeep.


Spelunking and hiking.


This day was so sad.  Although the scenery beautiful and the company even better, we were spending a day at the beach and I lost my Israeli wedding ring from Husband Jared.  A sweet family that was on holiday gave their best efforts to help us retrieve said ring but to no avail. It was lost to the ocean floor.  I was sick to my stomach all afternoon about it.  And you know what, when I told Husband Jared, he said no worries, we'll just have to make another trip to Israel.  And that is reason 1,872 why I love him.


She couldn't have been more excited.  We were on a sea star hunt and she found a bunch.


Sunset before dinner, our nightly ritual of taking a photo on our balcony.


Thing 2 and our waiter performing a dance for us, who knew it was dinner and a show?

First mango smoothie of the cruise, definitely not the last.


Sting ray found while swimming approximately ten steps away.  Watch out!

Sunset on the balcony and also the night where we witnessed not one, but two proposals!  I cried, Thing 2 laughed at me and Nani didn't know what to do with the two of us.  

Cruising around the island.  We got lost in the ghetto, made a detour for fro-yo and even saw the university where Thing 2 declared she would be spending the next four years.  

This is one of my favorites. 

Nature hike.

Leaving port. 

 Bahamain house.

I think they love each other.

The three of us returned from our Bahamian cruise and then Poppi arrived to spend some time with the six of us. Thing 4 had his state tournament for high school footie and we were able to catch some games, including the championship.  Nan and Pop also witnessed his banquet where he was awarded the defensive player of the year and we all heard his coach's speech about his character, work ethic and commitment to doing his best on and off the pitch.  We couldn't ask for better.  In between all the footie we had some outdoor fun exploring Franklin together and eating some good food.  Our trademark experience when you stay at the Hanson B&B.  There was a birthday celebration for Gpa at the pond, cook outs on our patio, s'mores and we were even all together for Mother's day, a rare occurrence.  Husband Jared made reservations at Pinewood Social and we spent the morning bowling and brunching.  Yes, indeed, it was a good day.


Pop and Thing 1 swinging at the pond.


Intense game of corn hole at the Reeve's house.

Cousin fishing lesson.

Ready set, fish!

Pop and Nan being tourists.


Creek life in Franklin.

Cooling off.

Championship game for FIRE.


Thing 4 with his medal.


Thing 4's Crew.


Pop, Nan and all the Grand-Things.

The Pharmacy, family favorite. 

Me and my Things on Mother's Day, gosh I love them so.


The fam bam, ready to take on the lanes!


Our spread, and this was only about half of our food.  Yeah, it was good.

My Man.  

We didn't stop there.  Shortly after Pop and Nan returned to Cali, the six of us made our way up North for a visit with friends and a wedding.  There were all sorts of reunions and road trip shenanigans and then one of the most beautiful, Christ centered weddings we have ever experienced.  Thank you to the Dahl family for allowing us to witness such a precious celebration and I must say thank you for the opportunity to dance the night away!  It was a party we won't soon forget.

Catching up with the Father of the bride and Pastor Curtis!

The newly married Webbs.

Looking quite smart all dressed up!  

Me and Lori.  

Me and the mother of the bride.  

A few weeks at home of "normal" routine and regular life stuff and then we were off once again.  This time our final destination was North Carolina and the beach where we going to spend a week soaking in the rays and relaxing as a family.  Time was spent huddled on the sand, exploring Carolina Beach, walking the boardwalk, finding coffee shops and donuts and meeting up with our dear friends, the Adams.  Such sweet time together, laughing, reminiscing, and talking about all the Lord has done.  Not to mention listening to our kiddos laugh and pick up right where they left off.  Thing 4 and Kevin spent an afternoon surfing together.  Watching the two of them on their boards in the sea was a priceless memory for sure.

They were swirled.  Touristy ice cream in a cone.

Sunrise shell walk.

You're never too old to play in the sand.  

We also discovered a local pizza joint that served the very best NYC style pizza.  

Thing 4 rented a surfboard and he couldn't get enough.  The current was so strong we'd have to walk a half mile down the beach to call him back to our spot.  Everyday, him and the board and the waves.  

The Veggie Wagon, if we lived here I would be a regular.  

The best homemade ice-cream sandwiches.  Ever.  

Our crew at our fav lunch spot! 

The Things and the Adams Girls. 

Ice-cream on the water, yes please.  

On one of our last nights we were able to watch a fire works show from our balcony!  

Our four life guards.  Or something like that.  

  Back in Franklin I jetted out for the CMA Fest with a dear friend.  I had never experienced the music side of the fan fest before and it did not disappoint.  We may have had nosebleed seats but it was so much fun!  And then preparations began for Thing 4's mission trip to Costa Rica with Royal Servants.  There was packing and shopping and rolling and all the zippies spread across our living room floor.  Thankfully Thing 3 was able to lend her expertise to the process and when we dropped him off at the airport for training camp in IL he was all too ready for this new adventure.  To see him ready and willing to serve the Lord in this capacity, be vulnerable and venture into the unknown was about more than this Mama's heart could bare.  So much goodness and faithfulness from the Lord.

Nissan Stadium: CMA Fan Fest.

Not an easy goodbye.  

Farewell.  God speed.

Zippies everywhere!  

Kaila snapped this photo at training camp and sent it to me and I was oh so grateful.  We met her when Thing 3 went on her Costa trip and she was a gift from the Lord, truly.  Knowing that Thing 4 was able to share in that experience and glean from her wisdom was awesome!  

Thing 3 attended an equine conference with friends that included a camping trip in a yert and white water rafting.  Not to mention all the coffee and bakery stops possible on a road trip.  I was sent pictures of her experiences and I don't think any words are necessary when you see that smile.  That is photographic evidence of a girl having the time of her life.  We were hesitant to send her when we heard white water rafting was involved.  She wasn't too keen on the idea of that when we had gone years prior. Granted, she was quite a bit younger but still, no control over the situation and trusting someone else to navigate you down the river in rushing rapids.  All that to say, she braved the opportunity head on and actually enjoyed it, her words, not mine.  So there you have it.  Just because you didn't like something before doesn't mean you shouldn't try it again, we all change.

Rafting!  Need I say more?

A bakery, oh joy!  

Husband Jared had a birthday that demanded celebrating too.  I've said it before, we are a celebrating family.  Birthdays, holidays and all the in between, mundane and everyday too.  It is worth pausing and recognizing it all.  Anyhow, nothing too crazy for Husband Jared, the family, dinner and chocolate of course.  I took him to a local brewery for an afternoon of cards and samples.  I would celebrate him everyday all day, he's the best!  And we did continue on that road.  Father's day always follows his birthday and we gave him the gift of choosing what we did and ate for the entire day.  The Things did an excellent job of honoring their father beginning with breakfast burritos, homemade cards and words of love.

Birthday date.  

Family dinner.  Red, white and blue decorations because Husband Jared was born on Flag Day!  

Chocolate-chocolate cake and then more chocolate and you have a very pleased birthday boy! 

Family walk and footie!  

Father's day brunch, prepared by the Things.

Father's Day, snacks and Ticket to Ride to end the celebrations of Husband Jared.

(an aside, aren't those peonies just beautiful? Yeah, I think so too)

So I think that concludes our second quarter round up.  Three fuller than full months.  A cup overflowing with gratitude for the house guests, news of an international move and every single day in between.  And there was so much in between life.