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| Welcome Summer! |
Dear Family and Friends,
June 20th marked both Clara's 14-month birthday and the official start of summer. I feel as though I just finished writing my last blog post yesterday, and now another month has gone by. Overall this has been a good month. We have been busy this week preparing for our big move into Calvary house. We can begin moving boxes into the attic on Saturday, but will not be able to move our furniture until this coming Tuesday, since the wood floors have just been re-done in the house and need time to dry. Moving is never fun, and is certainly more challenging now that we have a 14 month old running all over the place, but we find comfort in the fact that this move will be much more permanent than any of our previous moves. In fact, Joey and I have moved every summer since we were married in 2007. That's a lot of boxes! Fortunately we have managed to squeeze in some fun family time this month. Here are some of the things we have been up to:
Trip to Cleveland
As I mentioned in my last blog, Joey was invited by his former church, St. Paul's UCC in Parma, Ohio, to give a dedication recital for their new organ. We drove to Cleveland from Connecticut, breaking it into two days of about 5-6 hours of driving. Clara handled the drive very well and had no problem sleeping in the various hotels we stayed in. We were so excited and happy to see many of our friends at St. Pauls. It made us realize how much we have missed them since moving to CT. There was a pot-luck dinner held on Monday so that we could catch up with everyone and introduce them to Clara, and the recital occurred the following Wednesday June 6th. The turnout for the recital was wonderful, and the event was a big success.
On our way home from Cleveland we decided to stay near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, an Amish community. We had fun touring Amish shops and an Amish village. Clara was most excited about following around a cute, fluffy, chicken on an Amish farm we toured.
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| Post-Recital Photo, Parma, Ohio |
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| Enjoying an Amish buggy! |
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| Clara's new friend! |
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| Time for school! |
Although we are suffering with a heat and humidity wave right now, June has been full of beautiful mild summer weather. Joey and I were able to experience sailing for the first time thanks to some very generous friends who own an incredible sailboat. We couldn't have asked for better weather and getting to see Stonington Borough from the water was impressive. Our Rector was also kind enough to take us out on his Whaler, and we were able to bring little Clara aboard. I was a little concerned about how she was going to react to high speeds and bumps on the water but, as it turns out, we have a little dare devil on our hands. She LOVED the bumps and got more and more excited as the waves got bigger.
Not only did Clara experience riding on a boat for the first time, she also made her first real trip to the beach. We enjoyed a picnic lunch one afternoon at Napatree Point in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. She really liked playing in the sand and watching the big waves crashing. I have a feeling there are going to be many more days spent at the beach this summer.
Happy Anniversary!
Joey and I celebrated 5 years of marriage on June 9th. We actually ended up going out the following week since we were busy teaching and running dress rehearsals for our Calvary Music School students who gave beautiful performances on the student recital on June 10th. We enjoyed one of the best dining experiences we have had in a long time at "Seasons" restaurant at the Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI. Ocean House is a stunning Inn right on the water, and we had a beautiful view of the ocean from our table. The service was great and the food was excellent. It was a wonderful evening and a good time to reflect on the last 5 years of our marriage. We are especially proud of this past year. Having a child brings such joy and so many blessings to your life, but it can also take away from the time you once had as a couple. We feel like we have done well in finding a balance between parenting and our relationship as a couple. It's something we will continue to work on. We are lucky to have each other to rely on, and we think we make an excellent team!
Family!
My parents were here visiting for almost two weeks and returned home yesterday. It was great seeing them, and they were amazed at how much Clara had grown and changed since their last visit. I got to celebrate father's day with my dad. He cooked his famous burgers on the grill, and he enjoyed playing with Clara all morning during church since she was home sick with a cold. I've been lucky to have such a supportive, loving dad all of my life, and I love knowing that Clara will grow up feeling the same way about her dad.
While we enjoyed many new and fun experiences this month, we also experienced heartbreak when we were forced to put down our dog Cinnamon of 17 years. Cinnamon was really Joey's dog; he got her as a puppy when he was 12 years old. She was a feisty little dog, sometimes bossy, crabby and set in her ways, but also very loving and extremely loyal to Joey. She wasn't too happy when I entered the picture, (haha), but she eventually came around. She added a lot of joy to our lives and even though it was her time to go we will miss her very much. Rest in peace little Cinni. We love you!
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| We miss you and love you Cinni! Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from you life but never absent from you heart. The you cross Rainbow Bridge together...  |
We wish you all a wonderful summer. May you spend it with the ones you love and never take for granted the many blessings in your life.
Until next post!
Joey, Erin and Clara