Iced Coffee

I finally got around to making my first batch of iced coffee this year. Oh, how I love iced coffee on the front porch in the early morning before anyone else is up. 

Bird and Butterfly Houses

Yesterday, the kids painted bird houses and butterfly houses. They all spent quite a bit of time working on their designs and getting them painted. Sarah actually took some time on hers and she usually rushes things. We had bought these before we left for Bald Head Island, but had not gotten around to getting them done and yesterday seemed to be the day as everyone was looking for something to do. 

We will hang them all tomorrow -- except for Bethany and Tess as they hung theirs today. 

Bella just loved doing this. I haven't seen her so excited to do a project in a long time. She just beamed most of the time. 

I think they all turned out rather nice and will be pretty hanging all over the yard. 

The Good And The Not So Good

We have had some very good news again -- Joey's tumor is stable. We are so thankful and want to thank everyone for their prayers. I am hoping this will be a good summer for him and his family. 

We also have gotten some not so great news this week. Bethany was diagnosed with diabetes. To be exact it is CFRD -- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes -- a type of diabetes unique to people with cystic fibrosis. So, we will have new things to learn and Bethany will have some more changes in her life. We will be getting training on how to manage this and hopefully it will only be a small bump in the road. 

Bethany reading at the beach house on Bald Head Island  -- she did a lot of reading there.

The ride back over on the ferry -- to leave the island. This time we rode inside.

A Garden

Today, my son John came over and tilled a garden and planted it -- cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes and peppers. We still have corn, watermelon, strawberries and pumpkins to plant, but I felt like he really got a lot done today. It took me awhile to decide where I wanted the garden. I didn't want it in the middle of the yard or right in the way of things, but finally we found a spot that seemed to work and he worked on it all afternoon. It really does look great and I am so happy with it. 

It became quite a family affair. Everybody wanted to watch and help. So, the kids played around the area and watched John till, hoe and plant. He planted some seeds and some plants. It was quite a job. 

Meredith brought her kids over and I got this picture of Asher blowing a bubble. He has a birthday coming up soon. 

It was a nice day and we got a lot done -- actually, John got a lot done and we watched. It will be nice to be able to go outside and pick some of our very own vegetables. 

Evelyn's face is a little dirty -- don't you think? 

Pictures From Bald Head

We got home from Bald Head Island on Friday evening. We had a nice rest and Piper and Tess finally got to go to the beach. Piper and Tess had been asking to go to the beach all winter and spring. 

When we arrived we had to park the car and go catch the ferry to take the 25 minute ride across to the island. The kids were so excited to get to ride a ferry. 

Finally we saw the ferry coming. The kids were quite excited. 

Almost to the island and ready to unload our stuff and take the tram to the house. There are no cars allowed on Bald Head Island -- just golf carts. 

As soon as we got all of our stuff to the house we took a walk to the store to get a few things before it closed. It is such a beautiful place. 

We spent time on the beach but not nearly as much as I thought we would, as some of the kids get burned so easily. We had to take it easy and stay out a little each day. But, they all had a great time and we went for many walks and had lots of ice cream.