A visit home...

I went home to Indiana for a week because my friends, Andrea & Daniel, got married at my home church. It was also a great excuse to visit family. It was hard being away from Jeremy for a whole week but it was nice to be able to see everyone. Here are some of the pictures from my visit.

Andrea & Daniel's Wedding-May 23, 2009

Would you believe that I used to babysit her and her sisters?

The happy couple!

I got to see Miss Mardi & Mr. Ken! It has been 4 years since I've seen them!

Me with my friend, Libby. She will be working at The Wilds this summer.

Me with Samantha & Krista.

Me with Heidi. She will be getting married in July. I also babysat her and her brother.

Hannah is Daniel's sister. We were in the same society in college and worked together at The Wilds.

Kat and I went to school together but I met her at camp. Her husband, Andrew, grew up with Daniel.

Me and my niece, Hannah, making microwavable Chocolate Mug Cake.

My cousin, Addie, and her little boy, Jordan.

Me, Addie, and our cousin, Katie.

Katie & I with our cousin, Mona.

Our friends, Mac & Beth, sang at the wedding and had a concert at my parents church on Sunday night.

Me with Katrina and her little girl, Kaylee.

Tomato Cages

You're probably getting bored with all these garden photos . . . but we're really excited! Monday evening we bought some smaller tomato cages so I put them around the plants on Tuesday. It's a little easier to walk between the rows now. Hopefully it keeps the plants a looking a little healthier. 

It's almost time!

I did some weeding in the garden this afternoon. I was also able to pick a few of the vegetables. It won't be long now and we'll have so many that we won't even be able to eat them fast enough! I've posted some pictures of the yellow peppers and cherry tomatoes. Also posted, is a picture of the whole garden and the veggies that I picked today.

Satisfaction

I had my first opportunity to say "no" last night. It was a struggle at first. I wasn't sure if my voice was going to work. My brain was screaming, "Say no! Say no!!" I started to feel faint and my palms were beginning to sweat. I thought my heart would thump out of my chest. I almost gave in and then I heard one simple word come out of my mouth. No. I couldn't believe my ears! That little word came out of MY mouth? Then, the minute I said it, I regretted it. I was worried about what the person might think of me. It was okay though and so I just breathed a small sigh of relief.

However, the night was not over. I was again asked the same question by another member of that family. I thought that I was going to fail this time. I politely replied, "Well, I already talked to --- about that." The person replied, "So is that a 'yes'?" Oh, no! Here I go. I'm going to end up saying yes anyway. "Actually, it's a no." Whew! I breathed another sigh of relief. I thought that would have been the end of the conversation but the person kept at it trying to get me to crack. I couldn't believe it! I almost gave in. I said, "Actually, I won't be here very much in the summer." Then the person said, "Well, maybe when you get back." I stuck to my guns and said, "No, probably not." 

When I got home last night. I was so relieved. I had actually said no! It felt so good. It was like the weight was starting to come off my shoulders. The weight that I have been carrying for so long was starting to get lighter. I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. I was so proud of myself. I will no longer feel bad for saying no when I really don't want to do something.

Another Garden Update

I went out to the garden earlier this afternoon to take some pictures for you. I have posted a few of the better looking ones. We have flowers on one of our cucumber plants which means that it won't be long and we'll have some of those to eat. We have only been able to pull off a couple of anaheim peppers but we haven't had anything else ripe enough to pull. Hope you enjoy our pictures!

                            Cherry Tomatoes

 

Beefsteak Tomatoes

(Yellow tomatoes on far right near bottom.)

Banana Peppers

Yellow Bell Pepper

        (We also have red & green growing now!)

       

                          

Green Beans