Valerie on July 7th, 2010

In four years, I’ve… – had four children, almost five – celebrated four anniversaries and one second honeymoon – mourned the loss of loved ones – moved – regularly attended four different churches – traveled to Virginia, Pennsylvania, and many places in Ohio – had a children’s book published – grown vegetables from seed – [...]

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Last evening the fam threw me a surprise baby shower. We had cake, ice cream, and I got a beautiful diaper bag and lots of sweet things for Micah. Thanks so much, Carol, Leigh Ann, and Charley! (And Luke:) It is a blessing to live among so many who support and encourage us as our [...]

Continue reading about On Little Birthday Parties, Little Britches, And A Little Baking

Valerie on April 16th, 2010

We celebrated Little S’s birthday yesterday. He likes the movie “The Black Stallion”, so I made a horse cake and the cousins came over to watch the movie. He already appears taller today. I can’t believe how fast time goes- he was never little, but it seems only a short time ago he fit better [...]

Continue reading about Birthdays and “Better Than”s

Valerie on April 2nd, 2010

We interrupt this holiday weekend to bring you a special announcement: Luke passed his rough inspections today! Yay! You may now proceed with your holiday celebrations. Happy Easter, everyone. He is risen!

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Valerie on February 24th, 2010

Last week on Ash Wednesday, I started a Lenten devotional. Neither Luke nor I could figure out how ‘they’ counted 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, until I read in one of our library books on Christian festivals that ‘they’ count only weekdays up to the day before Good Friday, and do not [...]

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Valerie on November 8th, 2009

You might say my relationship with Luke had its beginnings over a Thanksgiving dinner we didn’t even eat together. In college, some friends of mine wanted to put together a night of turkey and stuffing a weekend before Thanksgiving, and I was elected cook. Here’s the thing- I didn’t know how to cook much more [...]

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Valerie on June 28th, 2009

Okay, so he has me close my eyes just as we are exiting the highway, and I figure we will soon be at the dock, or at least in a parking lot (we still have to drop off the rental car before we board, something Luke seems to think will take 2.3 seconds, seeing as [...]

Continue reading about Surprise! Finale

Valerie on June 27th, 2009

So, we get on a plane and settle into our first class seats. Did I mention how giddy Luke was about this? There wasn’t all that much special about it that I could see, apart from a real glass for orange juice and a real mug for coffee. But our flight wasn’t long enough to [...]

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Valerie on June 25th, 2009

Luke and I just got back from a vacation together. It was a combination of celebrations: our tenth anniversary, my birthday, and just being grateful that we have each other after some difficult months. He thought it would be great to surprise me with the destination, so for two months I was preparing (getting a [...]

Continue reading about Surprise! Part One

Valerie on April 20th, 2009

…Only a week late celebrating this, right?! That hymn has been in my head; thought I would share it. I especially like verse three. I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, Whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of [...]

Continue reading about He Lives!