Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

After Stephen's parent's left town, the three of us spent a quiet weekend around the house. Stephen was still unwinding from just having studied for and taken the boards, as well as recovering from a cold, and me? well I'll take any excuse to be lazy with my boys for a few days ;) Lucky for us, it was a three day weekend. 

Sunday of Labor Day weekend was the last day of the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic, so we decided we'd go and watch the final "lift off". This day was different than the others because, weather permitting, all forty balloons were going to take off at the exact same time. Apparently it's never been done before at this event and just listening about it I didn't think it was going to be anything spectacular, but I thought it would be a fun morning as a family and I knew Uriah would like to look at all the balloons. You guys, the pictures don't do it justice. For lack of a better word, it was magical. In the crisp morning air with the sun just rising and the distant dramatic music playing... If I didn't already, it might have made me believe in God. Just sayin'. It was awesome. 

Uriah was in awe. He was too interested and intense to crack a smile, once. His eyes were huge taking it all in. He loves balloons and he loves things that fly in the air - it had to have been close to his dream come true. It wasn't until after the event that he even said a word about it - "bug bahs" (big balloons) pointing to the sky watching them all fly off. He still requests the "bug bahs" video every time he seems my phone. (Also, he requested on taking his own balloon with him and didn't let go of it the entire time we were there.)

I used to attend the event when I was little and living in Caldwell, so it was fun to take my family and share that memory with them. It was a pretty great morning snuggled under blankets with my boys on the field watching those balloons take off. One of those moments that make you realize just how truly blessed you are.

After, we stopped for some cinnamon rolls and pumpkin spice lattes before returning home to put Uriah down for a nap and snuggle in bed to an episode of the Office. And then off to church once Uriah woke up. It was a morning I'll gladly relive in my head for many months and years to come.

the one where my in-laws came to visit

I am many weeks and many photo dumps behind on my blog - summer has kept me busy, but as fall starts peaking around the corner I feel like it's ok to sit down with a coffee and write a post while the babe naps, whereas the heat of summer just makes me feel like I should be doing something...? I don't know. But, either way... 

A few weeks ago, my in-laws flew down from Fairbanks to spend the week with us and it was perfect timing. They arrived the night of Stephen's boards so he was done, done, DONE and all ours for the rest of the week! (Heaven, I tell you, heaven!) Their visit fell right as the mornings started to chill and the sun started to set a little earlier, but the days were still full of sunshine and warmth. Instead of a hotel, they found the quaintest little house just a ten minute walk away from ours - the large back yard was a huge hit with Uriah and we enjoyed dinner out on the deck I think almost every night. 

We did a lot of that, eating, and playing outside. Jeff and Stephen floated the river, we did a little shopping, made a trip to the zoo, splashed in the pool, watched movies and Uriah had a sleepover with Baba and Pa, which meant Stephen and I had a whole morning to ourselves (!!!) We went over every morning after Uriah woke up and kept him up past his bedtime almost every night. 

We don't get to see them nearly enough, but it seems that every time we do is all the better and more cherished because of that. Stephen's parents love Uriah and it makes my heart swell to know he is so often thought of and prayed for. We are so grateful they took the time to come see us and can't wait to make the trip up to Fairbanks in November to see them and the rest of the family! 

^^ I realize I should have many more pictures with this post, but this one sums up the week pretty perfectly. Sunshine, smiles and beer. Honestly, it doesn't get any better ^^ 

taking stock 007

Making: plans. 

Cooking: moose! my first attempt will be tonight - wish me luck! 

Drinking: agua. Though if you had asked me yesterday I would have said a pumpkin spice latte and I would have said it with a smile on my face. 

Reading: Psalms and underlining everything. 

Wanting: nothing. ok, maybe not nothing, there are always unnecessary wants floating around my mind, but truly, when I read "wanting", nothing came to mind. I am extremely content today, right now, with this life. 

Looking: forward to tonight and Thursday and next Monday and October 18th and Thanksgiving and April. 

Playing: chase and hide-and-go-seek - Uriah's current favorites. 

Wasting: time on the internet. 

Wishing: for courage. 

Enjoying: some "me" time at Starbucks. Though I could write this blog post and read my bible at home, I'm here, solo, soaking up the minutes without a toddler running around my ankles.  

Waiting: for Stephen to text me and ask me when I'm coming home ;)

Liking: texting my dad. He's a good one, guys.

Wondering: about things. 

Loving: that Uriah is getting comfortable with the church nursery. He still cries when we drop him off, but is always smiling and playing when we pick him up. I was actually happy to find him uninterested in mom returning to the nursery yesterday...!

Hoping: for a moment of clarity, of sorts.  Hoping for answers. 

Marveling: at my nieces. Is that silly? They're just so beautiful and wonderful and perfect and I just love them so much...! 

Needing: to be more intentional with my time and in my relationships. 

Smelling: I wish I was smelling Starbucks, but my nose is stuffed. 

Wearing: the t-shirt I wear every time I don't know what to wear. 

Following: friends. 

Noticing: Uriah's growing, intellectually, and fast. 

Knowing: that's it's going to be ok.  

Thinking: about yesterday's sermon. It was a convicting one and I know I need to take action on it, but I need to figure out how. 

Feeling: tired, but a cozy, ok kind of tired. 

Bookmarking: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, because, sorry Stephen, I fall asleep every night. 

Opening: silly cards from my mom that make me smile and laugh. She always sends the best cards. 

Giggling: over the conversation at the table next to me. I'm pretty sure I'm eavesdropping on a sorta first date between friends. You guys, it's awkward. 

Feeling: ready. 

^^ And some completely unrelated pictures of my most handsome date to my friend's wedding, which, was stunningly beautiful - both the venue and the bride ^^