The biggest weekend EVER at the lake

Whoopsie, kind of forgot about this little blog this week.

This last weekend was the big Phelps Mill Festival. It's the second weekend of July every year and it's a bunch of people getting together to sell crafts, products, and delicious food. Phelp's Mill is a historical site on the Ottertail River and it just so happens that we only live a half mile away from there, so it seems to be a pretty big deal for us and our family that comes to visit (and when I say "we" I mean my parents since they are the true owners of the lake place:) ).

My hubby's mom came out to enjoy the festivities and when they were shopped out they walked around the property of my parents' lake place to try out her fancy camera. I thought that every picture was amazing, but picked a few favorites to give you an idea of what the lake place is like.

Old building in "the woods" behind the house

Lake place from the lake side... isn't it so gorgeous! So happy that my parents' found this place!

The historical "Mill". Sidenote: we also got married here. There is a park right next to it along the river and it is BEAUTIFUL.

It's not really a swimming lake, but it's gorgeous.

It was ridiculously hot this weekend, so we needed to cool down fast. Even though the water is a bit mucky and there are weeds on the shores, we skipped past them to the deeper water to soak in the cool lukewarm water. It helped so much and even though Jo's not a fan of floaty devices, she didn't complain right away at the chance to cool down.

My parents' dog, Hannah, got her swim on

Our pup, Buckley (oh....buckley) so desperately wanted to get his swim on but was afraid to come out where it was deeper. So he paced on the shore and walked in until it was up to the top of his legs. He was happy to just get wet and then lay in the grass too.

There is almost nothing better than dunking in the water when it is humid and too hot outside!

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Baby #2 Update

You all seem to have forgotten my last bump picture here... 20 weeks posted not so very long ago? Check it out and compare because I feel like I haven't hardly grown in the last 3 weeks!

I was wearing black then so I should have looked smaller, but maybe it's just the flattering stripes on this dress (love it - Old Navy Maternity came through).

23 weeks 1 day

I am feeling so great! This pregnancy is completely different than Josie's was. I am less swollen than I was when I wasn't pregnant after Josie and I have had no contractions at all. I am pretty sure that I was having some at this point before. My small power naps really make a world of difference and I'm working hard on drinking a lot of water.


Baby girl is moving a lot now. Of course there is a lot in the evenings when I sit down for longer period of times, but I notice it when I am driving around or even just standing still. I love that reassurance!


I tried to explain to Josie that there is a baby in my belly, put her hand there, said baby like 30 times. She laughed at me so I'm not sure she got it ;). I don't think she'll ever "get" it. Oh well, it's worth trying!


I do have a super strong craving for dark chocolate, or really anything super ridiculously chocolatey. Think brownie mix dark chocolate with chocolate chunks ice cream. If it's only a little chocolately I don't want it. I did not have this before so it's kind of strange. I also am grossed out at the thought of frozen veggies, especially broccoli. It sounds gross just like last time. Funny how some things are so definitely the same while other things aren't.



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Broken Hearted

It may be that I am paying more attention to the news lately, although I don't think that is the case. There have been an ridiculous amount of accidents caused by recklessness, many including drinking while driving.

Last week, a family of three was driving to visit family early in the morning (around 7:00 AM). They were hit head on by a drunk driver that was driving on the westbound highway instead of the eastbound highway. I can only imagine their immediate terror as the looked ahead of them expecting to see a car headed in the same direction as them but instead seeing someone coming straight towards them. More than likely speeding, the drunk driver probably didn't even see it coming as he obviously wasn't thinking clearly. What flashed through the family's minds, I can't even imagine.  All people involved were killed: the drunk driver, the three in the family, and the unborn baby that the woman was carrying. 

My hubby and I were talking about it last night. Can you imagine?  That family is a mirror of our own. A young couple with a toddler and another on the way all gone. It's heartbreaking.


I hate the action/sin of drunk driving. I don't hate the driver. He made a mistake, and although he doesn't have to live with it, he lost his life as well as taking the life of four others (you can bet that the life of that unborn baby counts!). My heart breaks for that man's family as well as I imagine the painful things they will hear about their son, brother, nephew, etc. 


I know people that have gotten DUI's. It's hard not judge, I won't lie, because the dangers are high and we hear so many stories about horrible accidents or situations occurring. I stress again that it is the action these people are taking that is so disappointing, that makes me sick to my stomach. I love these people dearly and their sin is no greater than mine. 


I urge you though, it's not worth it. It's just not worth it. I am sure that this man just wanted to get home, get in his own bed, sleep off his drunken "fog head" from drinking too much. He had no intention of killing anyone. He had no idea that he was so close to his end. Yet that doesn't change anything because what happened cannot be reversed. 


Dear Lord, please be with the family's of both the man and the small family. Please allow good to come from this, even though it seems impossible. Thank you for your greatness and reassurance that even though there is pain on earth, your greater picture, greater plan, is set and sealed. No matter the pain we feel here, you have given us a light, the greatest light of all in Your Son, at the end of the tunnel.

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Reading Corner

I don't want to forget this.

Every day, no matter what, the first thing Jo does when she gets up is head to the bookshelf (behind her in the pictures) to check out what is worth reading right away in the morning. Lately, after making her selection, she'll set it aside and eat breakfast when I insist, or immediately go to the this chair that she got from her grandma for her birthday to read in peace. It is the sweetest thing, and I need to remember it because I know it's a unique thing that just she does.

She's so happy, sitting in the sunlight, not dressed yet, enjoying the day. How can I not also just smile and enjoy it as well right along with her?

Sometimes I have the pleasure of her reading aloud to me. It may or may not be my favorite part of my day.

I hope she always loves to read.

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