Vacation: so close we can taste it

Dear Sweet Boy,

In a few days we will leave for our first vacation with you.

This past Sunday morning marked Josh's last service for a month. We celebrated the way that we always celebrate Sunday mornings, by letting Neil snooze in bed with us:

But, we also marked the day by going out for lunch. Thanks to Groupon (seriously, did we go anywhere before this was created?) we went to Goldfish in Ossining for a late lunch. It was delicious and blessedly affordable. Then on a whim we headed to Chiboust for dessert. Although they were not overtly thrilled with us bringing a baby into their chic little restaurant, he was of course completely lovely. Just look at the evidence.

We got something that involved chocolate and two cups of coffee. Although Josh has got one more week in the office and a Saturday night service, we are glory bound for some down time in just a few days. We are so excited.

Community in Tomatoes

Dear Sweet Boy,

You are so loved by so many.

This Sunday morning Josh preached about growth. Primarily about how our growth in the knowledge and love of Jesus is so important. It was a beautiful summer sermon. He illustrated this by telling the congregation about our scraggly tomato plants. They've been too cold, too hot, too watered, and currently too dry. Incidentally, they have also been hit by a car. Yet, we are trying to nurture them in hopes that they might still bear fruit.

When we came home to the rectory we found this:

Someone from our parish placed tomatoes and a pineapple at the base of our struggling plants.

It is incredible the love that a church community offers one another. We are blessed bees. That is for certain. I am so grateful that Neil has joined our church family. He has so much joy ahead.

Neil's Baptism, Mother's Day 2011