17th Wedding Anniversary - in NYC

Billy surprised me Monday morning by taking me to NYC to celebrate our 17th  wedding Anniversary. We had a great time hanging out and making memories together. We went shopping, dining and sight seeing.  We decided not to take my camera and just enjoy the day together rather than behind the lens.  We did manage to get a few pictures on our phones though.

On the way to NYC, Billy surprised me with a stop in Hoboken NJ at Carlo's Bakery. This is love folks...to wait in line to get inside a bakery! I just couldn't wait to try Carlo's Canollis and see all the baked goods, speciality cakes and take some pointers. Oh it was sweet, I so enjoyed being in the bakery and seeing in person where all the shows on TV had been taped. They were filming a commercial while we were at the bakery so there was a large crowd on the street. Billy went and bought a cooler to keep our treats fresh until we got home. I enjoyed a Canolli this morning while I read my bible and had a few moments of quietness. This would have been the perfect day if this was the only place that we went, but the day had just begun!!

 Yep, the little ganache cakes! I am so making them very soon.

Wow! That's a lot of people in the little bakery! As you stand and wait there are bakers going back and forth bringing out fresh goods and filling up the display cases.  I enjoyed looking at the large refrigerator in the corner where they store the special order cakes.  There was even a lady there placing an order at the small table you see in the show.

Yep, I have a very thoughtful & special husband!

 Good morning NYC!!!

We took the  ferry from Staten Island to Manhattan. I just love this view on the way over!

Billy had made reservations at David Burke's Kitchen in SOHO for lunch. It is restaurant week in NYC so there were a number of restaurants who were offering great deals on dining.  We had a very nice lunch and one I would totally go back for the next time we are in NYC...well, we might have to try something new but I would highly suggest this restaurant!

Appetizers...I had the Asparagus & Buratta Salad.  Billy had the Tuna Tartare Tacos and I even tried a bite of his, my first experience with raw fish.

Billy's main dish Black Sea Bass/baby spinach/shiitake/tomato/lemon soy

mine...Salmon /grilled eggplant/ baby zucchini/ tomato miso

Oh my! The desserts were a great ending to a wonderful lunch.  We had Peaches & Cream Tart and the Brownie Island.

yes, again it was good and a very creative dish

After lunch we spent time shopping in SOHO and even stopped a few minutes to watch the filming of a movie.  Later we hopped on the subway and rode to Midtown and saw Grand Central Station.  It was enormous and very busy!

Inside Grand Central Station

I totally enjoyed walking through Little Italy! Next time we must eat in this area. I didn't so much enjoy going through Chinatown. It was craziness!  People chasing you down to purchase knock off purses, watches, and who knows what else..sketchy for sure!

We did some shopping while sight seeing ending the evening in Times Square. It is so much to take in and definitely a place to get my fix of people watching!!!

We had a great time together and made plenty of memories celebrating our 17th Anniversary. I am a blessed lady for sure....thankful for God's sovereignty and goodness.

"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Mark 10:6-9

Back on the Road

The kids were all troopers, to get back in the car the next day to head back to Roanoke. We had a family visiting us in PA that were very understanding when we had to leave town (again.) We also had a team joining us from NC to do a camp in Harrisburg.  They arrived the same day we left.  They were so helpful to pull together to minister to us and the RGC family on Sunday morning and started the camp without us Monday morning.

(I will have a separate post with a few pictures from the camp)

 Billy had the privilege of officiating the memorial service for his grandfather. It was a nice service and one that honored his grandfather's life and celebrated his recent decision to accept Jesus as Savior.

Here is Maddy and Olivia with their aunt, Billy's half sister. Welp, we just went with it when they called each other cousins. They enjoyed their time together and stayed in the pool for hours.

Here is Billy and his dad with the kiddos. Breanna was not able to be there because she had left for KY on a mission trip.

Shawn called and said they were stopping in Roanoke for gas on the way to the Kentuky mission trip with the teens so, we took the opportunity to see the group, snap a few pictures and hug their necks!

Billy's dad rushed over to see Breanna as they came through Roanoke.

After the funeral we hung out with family and it was nice to re-connect.

Billy's Dad Ray, Billy's uncle Mike, and Billy.

Fun times connecting with family

Here is Olivia snuggling with Grandma Body. She was very tired and worn out for sure. It was difficult to leave knowing the days ahead are going to be very tough adjusting.

Family-4 generations all together

It has been years since my parents and sisters have all been together. After many holidays apart we decided to make it happen this July 4th. Not an easy task with 2 sisters that have farms, grand kids, great grand kids and everyone having busy schedules! 

4 Generations all together, time goes by so fast.

sitting around the pool watching the kids play and talking with family

Olivia busted out of her life jacket and was doing pretty well swimming. Breanna was just chillin' the best place to be in the heat!

The kids wore themselves completely out! Olivia, was asking at night for someone to take her to bed and kids were falling asleep sitting up!

Hanging with cousins and plenty of snacks at grandma and granddaddy's house!

It was fun to see all the different birds coming and going while getting in and out of the pool.

 It was certainly a much needed break and one that took a turn when Billy's grandfather had a stroke while we were in town. We were able to spend some time praying & reading scripture with him before we left Roanoke.

Here the kids were catching up with Grandma Body just before we hit the road.

We received a call the morning after we left that he passed away so we repacked and headed back.....

One year, One year ago today

One year ago today...

A Reflection of God's Faithfulness

My Cup Runneth Over

I recall pulling out of Brewers Glynn neighborhood the night before moving saying one last goodbye. With a broken voice in between sniffling saying  "Lord this has got to be a big work you have ahead, this is going to be big....just got to be, its just got to be" clenching my steering wheel trying to drive with tears filling up in my eyes.

pouring out, filling up, pouring out, filling up

 the cup remains full

reading scripture, praying, serving...... 

Today,  I am celebrating at least 7 lives that have been changed for eternity and many special friendships that have begun.  God is faithful and I am in awe of His plan as my cup runneth over with His goodness. It is a privilege to be part of God's work in PA.  Too much even to sum up, however it certainly has been and continues to be much pruning & growing, many heartaches, and many celebrations.

pouring out, filling up, pouring out, filling up

My cup runneth over

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably

more than all we ask or imagine,

  according to his power that is at

 work within us, Ephesians 3:20

Here is the link to the post the week we moved to PA one year ago here

Pool day at Little Buffalo State Park

We had a fun (but chilly) time at Little Buffalo State Park Pool. Who would have thought we would have been shivering at the pool at the end of June? 

It was super cold however Laura and I did entertain the kids by going down the slide. Brenda, your going in next time lady!

Summer Days- let me not miss a second of it

Our very first Summer Break AND we are loving it! We are adjusting to the extended time off very well after having the kids in year round schools in NC. We liked year round and we also like having a long Summer Break. I have had many memories rekindled from childhood with having the kids home for the summer. I enjoy our late nights gathered around the front porch talking with neighbors, movie nights as a family, eating late dinners, kids rotating from one house to another creating and playing, going to the pool, parks and day trips to new places. The house has been quiet until 9:30 and sometimes as late as 10:00am with kids sleeping in, we are enjoying this time and it just seems to be flying by so fast.

Lemonade stand!

Hot DOG day's of summer!  Hanging out playing the yard with midnight.

friends and neighbors helping one another

.....or watching logan learn how to mow the grass.

friends over coloring hair...yipers I was one scared mama!

many nights of s'mores for who ever drops by.....

The kids  went fishing with the Dad's on Father's Day

 This little barbie pole catches a fish every time!  All 3 girls have used it and all of them have caught fish every time.

From wiffle ball, bike riding, Nerf guns, sprinklers and games of tag to basketball and beyond the kids are staying very active this summer.  

 Gotta stay cool in this heat!

Breanna learned how to change the oil and brakes on the car...love that girl!  I have many pictures of working on the car with my dad as a kid.

Breanna has biked a lot this summer. One of the perks of living in the city and having a great place to ride your bike along the river. The girls headed out for lunch, went to the Capitol, watched Senate hearings and hung out at the Jazz festival for the day.  

ohh I don't want to miss even a second, memories in the making it seems every day. Thank you God for my family and friends. I am truly a blessed woman.

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! Psalms:47:1