jam makin'

I don't know why I never made jam before this summer. It is really, truly, one of my favorite things to eat: toast and jam. yuuuum!!! The process sort of intimidated me, but I got brave at the beginning of the summer, and have become a little jam-makin' machine...we have gone through....more jam than is right or healthy this summer, but...we love it!! Today's concoction was peach-blueberry...mostly because i didn't have enough peaches, but...i am excited to try it once it cools down! i did have a little bit on some ice cream, and...it did not disappoint...so - our late-night snack tonight will consist of fresh bagels and home-made jam.

Dinner, on the other hand...i find myself struggling MOST of the summer as to what to make. this summer our meals and schedule have been all over the place...not having any consistency for meals or routine...so, there is a small part of me that is looking forward to FALL...my favorite time of the year, anyways...and one where hopefully we can implement some sort of sanity into our daily lives. whatever that means.

We are heading to Maine in 2 days to see the fam...its been over a year and a half since we've seen everyone! I'm excited to see everyone, and for Jonah to meet his American family!! He is at such a fun age, and is so easily endeared to people who pay attention to him! I'm looking forward to it! Now, i'll see what i can come up with for supper, since we will, in fact, all be here tonight to eat together!

summer days

I love summer days. I love all the visits we get from people 'from away'. I was thinking this morning, how really blessed i am. i will have seen 4 of my 7 closest girlfriends from Bible school by the time this summer is through. that's pretty neat...and seeing each other's kids and being able to pick up where we leave off...what a blessing old friends are. and what a blessing to live in such a beautiful little island, with any number of beaches to choose from and drive to and see such BEAUTY. Jonah LOVES the beach - he is a true Island boy. just up for anything. i love that about him. he's so easy to lug around, and he loves going places and meeting new people. I debate sometimes whether he should miss a nap, whether we'll get back too late, whether he should sleep in his own bed, or we should put him in the pack-n-play at someone else's house...and he's really so adaptable...i feel very fortunate that we can cart him around so easily and he will go to bed so well at someone else's house. today, i am working, and this will be the first time i have had to pay someone else to look after him. between mom and Erin, and Jason when I'm working, we've been very fortunate that we don't pay someone to babysit. i don't mind paying someone to look after my kid -- he's worth it, for sure, but...i think i am realizing how lucky i am to have family close-by who love my kid and love spending time with him. and i wouldn't want to PAY someone else to look after him while i go off and work. i am happy i have a job that i don't have to work very much, and that i get to spend most of my time raising my little boy. its important to me. and, man, i love that kid. he is really so enjoyable to be around - he's so happy and funny, and just my dearest joy. well - i will be honest - Jason is really my dearest joy...and jonah is a close second. i would not be who i am without these two boys in my life. i love them with all my heart.