Meet Zeb

Just a little over a year ago Kelly, from Cozy Comforts,

and I had a plan.  We were going to go to 

Longwood Gardens together.  

We were both looking forward to it. 

Then something unexpected

happened.  

Kelly and her husband Duane received a call

that a little boy needed a home.  I don't think 

it could have taken them very long, at all,

to say yes...because that very week they told us 

that there would be a new addition to their family.

There was no guarantee that this would lead to 

adoption...but there was hope.

Zeb would be with them within days.

No trip to the gardens for us.

Not yet.

However, Zeb has more than made up for

being such a dramatic interruption.

He is such a loving child.

There is not a Sunday that goes by where 

I don't get a huge hug and a cheerful greeting

from young Zeb.

Recently during our prayer time in our Sunday

Service a little voice has piped up asking God

to help him to be adopted.

While we were away this past week Zeb's 

earnest prayer was answered.

You can read about his special day....

RIGHT HERE.

We were so sad to have missed it but

Lord willing we have many wonderful 

years to spend enjoying the sweet spirit

of this little man.  

None of us that know Zeb's story can 

help but to relate his adoption story to 

our own Spiritual Adoption.

From our own sad state of being ~

to being a part of HIS glorious family....forever...

....With much rejoicing!!!

Thanks Zeb.

Mrs. K thinks you are special

and that God has a marvelous plan 

for your life!!

Time Away....It Was Good

Spending time with our family is

so very precious. Given how quickly

our three are growing up and how

busy they are with all of their

own interests it was a joy to go

to "our" mountain retreat and just

be together.

Every year has its own unique

activities but there are certain

things that must happen, as well.

Pastor Mike builds awesome rockets!

Rockets.....check!

Dirtbikes....Of Course!!

My Sister-in-law and her sister.

Hiking....check!

On our way for ice cream.

Perry's Ice Cream...check!

Movies on the wall....check!

Uno....check.

Mikey makes huge fires.

Campfire....check!

This was Bandit's first year to 

join us in the mountains.

I didn't know how she would do...

but other than serious car sickness

she was amazing!!

Chloe is so content here.

She absolutely loves the mountains

and wagged herself silly as soon as 

she recognized the cabin.

I have more photos and stories to share...

but not tonight.

We are tired.

Our days ahead will be full.

So...I will say "goodnight" and hope to 

visit with everyone again soon.

I can't wait to introduce you to a 

very special young friend.

I think Sunday will be a good day for 

that introduction.

Hope you'll come back and 

meet Zeb.

Some of Chelsea's Best Desserts....

Triple Chocolate Dessert

Chocolate Torte

Chocolate cake w/ Peanut Butter Icing

Raspberry Chocolates

Cake Balls

Chocolate/Cherry Cheesecake

Rice Crispy Treat Candy

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Blueberry Pie

Chiffon Cake

Hungry Yet?

Some Favorites....

But the plans of the LORD
stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart
through all generations.
Psalm 33:1

For I know the plans
I have for you,"
declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you
and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope
and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22

First Friday in Lancaster, PA

Sometimes you have a plan laid out....
Sometimes everyone is on the same page....
Sometimes that plan gets adjusted!

That is exactly what happened last evening
when Mrs. Rabe, Emma, Lindsay, Georgia,
Chelsea and I headed into Lancaster for
a good time. Each First Friday of the month
is celebrated by shop owners, art galleries,
churches and restaurants. They stay open
late and welcome the influx of visitors.

We were headed for Rachel's Creperie.
A well known spot in downtown Lancaster.
Alas, there was no on street parking to be
found nearby and the line was well down the
sidewalk so we went to the
WOW Cafe & Wingery instead.

Now, this would not have been a bad choice
IF they had not just lost a server the night
before and if we did not intend to do something
immediately after. But waiting 20 minutes to
have our order taken and an hour for the food
made us a bit testy. We all agree that we were
very kind but finally spoke up and got the
manager's attention.

I have to say we made the most of it and enjoyed
our conversation and friendship anyway.

Lindsay tried the sauce sampler with her
boneless wings. They were pretty colorful
and I think she enjoyed it. Lindsay is very
analytical so she took this sampler quite
seriously....but I must not have been paying
attention because I don't remember which was
her favorite. I did note that the raspberry
sauce was very, very red!



What happened right before we left this restaurant
is something of an embarrassment but it was one of
the funniest moments of the evening. I know there
is no way you can grasp the humor that had Emma,
Chelsea and I doubled over and snorting with laughter.

You see, after two hours in the restaurant we decided
to visit the ladies room before going back into the
heart of the city. After walking down a long scary
hall we entered the ladies room where we found two
stalls and one was occupied. As we took turns I ended up
teasing Emma when she came out with toilet paper stuck
to her shoe...but by the time she looked down it had
come unstuck.

Let that be a lesson to me!!!!

When I came out I not only had one piece of
toilet paper stuck to one shoe but actually
had a piece on each shoe....AND it would not
come off!!! Apparently the moves I made to
attempt to get it off without touching it
cracked the girls up....their laughing and
my situation, after the tension in the dining
room, made for a situation of extreme giggles.
I noticed, however, that there was someone in
the restroom with us and tried very hard to
laugh quietly which led instead to loud snorts.
When that woman came out of the stall there
the three of us were just doubled over. She
happened to be an employee and I don't even
want to know what she was thinking!

Oh, my, goodness! I have traumatized the girls.
Emma has promised to never forget Mrs. K.
dancing around the bathroom trying to get the
toilet paper off her shoes.

Finally outside on the sidewalk I was able to
scrape it off. Want to see the remnants?

Oh, you didn't?
I'm sorry!!!

Well, after leaving WOW we headed
to our friend Denny's store.
He is an amazing business man.

I am so impressed by his skills at
display and choices of merchandise.
Over the years his shop has evolved
and is now nearly all jewelry and
bags...but it is all attractive and
eye catching.

The pricing was so good that I found myself tempted but we have had

way too many medical bills lately for me to spend anything extra.

Maybe next time....

Looking at the girls through the front window.

Denny behind the counter.

Chelsea models adorable sunglasses and a huge necklace!

Oooooh....shiny!

Our final stop for the evening was
The Prince Street Cafe.
Chelsea and I will have to come back
here soon.
It was fun...but packed and loud!
I enjoyed a root beer float while
Chelsea had a chocolate mint smoothie.

On our way back to the car we found one
of the many, many pianos that have been
randomly placed all around the city.
The girls played on it for a couple of
minutes but gave up quickly when one of
the black keys fell off.

These poor pianos have seen a lot of action,
rain and playing time. But they are painted
colorfully and are a fun addition to the city.

We will not soon forget this visit to First Friday
and will treasure the memories.
In fact, I would be willing to go back to the
WOW Wingery Restaurant...but not on a Friday night.

Have I mentioned lately
how amazing our friends are?
We are very blessed.

To Read Mrs. Rabe's take on the evening
CLICK HERE.

It has Not Been an Easy Week

From my Mother-in-law's garden....

So much has happened,

here at Hospitality Lane

and in the homes of several of our friends.

We have two young friends in the hospital right now and one is in surgery as I write.

Your prayers for Josh would be appreciated as he has a surgery on his lung.  He and our boys are very close. 

Jonathan had a root canal yesterday after suffering terrible pain for the past several weeks.

He dislikes the dentist so much that I only heard about it last Friday when he had not slept for five days.  Poor guy.

When he finally got pain meds he kept falling asleep, wherever he was. Sometimes on the sofa...once on the living room floor where he had been playing with the dogs.

He was just that tired.

 

Chelsea's appointment with her new doctor was interesting including the fact that she passed out in the middle of it.  That was scary!

I think we like the new doctor, who specializes in eating disorders,  but will have to see more of her to decide for sure.  Chelsea has been working so hard to get well.  I am very proud of her.  She has another goal that is inspiring her.  I cannot reveal it yet but maybe soon.  Yesterday was devastating as that was dream was challenged and remains unsure.  I'll just say that this is a time of learning how to cope with uncertainty, the possibility of crushed dreams and frustration.   

In the meantime she has an interview this morning with a bakery.

This gives her a "Plan B" in case "Plan A" fall through.

Sometimes none of the things that we think we have figured out are the plans the Lord has in store for us.  We are working together to remember that this is what we want.

HIS WILL.

 

I will not post often next week as we enjoy some time together as a family.

My question for you is would you rather I just leave you with pretty pictures or should I bring back some former posts?  

I am not good at Blog Breaks so we will see how long I can stay away...

I plan to post through Sunday and then hit or miss for a week or so.

Apple Cheesecake

This apple cheesecake earned Chelsea a First Place Photo win

on Allrecipes.com yesterday.

I cannot begin to describe how amazing this smelled as it baked.

It was everything you think about Fall.

Caramel, Cinnamon, Butter and Apple.

Sigh.....

You can find Chelsea's Blog on Allrecipes

by clicking HERE.

She goes by 100Truffles.

Autumn is coming!

I cannot wait!

Judging by many of your Blogs 

you are excited too!