The People You Meet

As I set my tray down on the table, an old man sat down across the table from me, put his hands on my tray, and said, "Thanks. I'm so hungry!". He looked up at me, smiled, stood up and walked away. I loved it. There was something great about that momentary contact with someone who was having fun living life.
This interaction with the man at McDonalds today got me thinking about the fun people I've met- people who are oblivious to the possible effect they may have on others. Our neighbor sat outside with Delton and I last evening. She talked for about 45 minutes- keeping us laughing as she simply talked about her life. Standing up to leave, she launched into another story, enthralling me with her hand motions, body movement, and expressive language. It was Terica doing what Terica did best- simply being herself.
Open people appeal to me, and, I think, to others, because they don't have the hang-ups most of us have. I think through my interactions, my words, my personality, as I go about my day. I stifle random thoughts because I think through the possible ramifications. I am safe- but I prefer to be around people that are a bit edgy!
What would it take for me to get edgy- for me to know that I am having fun with life, being who I know God created me to be, and letting others enjoy their unexpected encounters with me? I'll have to think about this.

Fun with Friends and Family

This is Ezra's Great-Grandpa Lehman. They look like they are related, don't they!

Delton is holding Nathan Gabriel Lehman- just 9 days old. Nathan is the son of friends of ours. Delton fell in love!
Ezra is being entertained by Grandpa Lehman. I don't think anyone can get Ezra to laugh like his grandpa!

I haven't blogged too much lately. Life has been busy for both Delton and I- especially for Delton. Delton starts selling for Cen-Pe-Co on Monday. We are very excited about this change. It will be a challenge, but Delton is looking forward to learning the art of sales. Delton is also looking forward to working with people. It will be fun to see Delton dress nice for work- no more work shirts and baseball caps!

I am enjoying my time with Ezra. He is in a pointing stage at the moment. When I get him out of his crib in the morning, he is already pointing at everything around him and trying to communicate to us his opinion of what he sees. We try to guess what he wants. "Yes, that is a light. No, that is daddy's cell phone." Sometimes we have no idea what he is pointing to- he just likes to point! He also loves to wander the house, and is especially content if he has a little toy in his hand as he wanders. He is babbling up a storm. I can't wait until I am able to understand what he is saying.

Soup and Story night ended last night. We had invited some local friends to our house every Sunday night in July and August for soup and a story. We read through St. Ben by John Fischer. It is an excellent, moving story of the friendship of two young boys. It is a story Delton and I have both read many times, and are still moved every time we pick it up. We finished the book last evening. Having friends over every Sunday night was fun. I am sad that we won't have a scheduled time for relationship since the book is finished. We'll just have to be more purposeful in setting up times to get together with people.

Blessings to you. I hope your Labor Day is free of labor and a day of rest and rejuvenation.

~Charity

Ezra is 1!

Ezra turned one yesterday. It is hard to believe that a year ago today I was in the hospital, holding my tiny 7 lbs. 12 oz baby- and a year later my little baby is 22 lbs, 33 inches long. He grew 3 1/2 inches in the last 3 1/2 months. We had a fun party with grandparents, great-grandparents, friends and family. Ezra wasn't too interested in the cake! My sister, Kara, spent hours creating two train cakes. It was so much fun to see them take shape as they were decorated.

More Pict's

We went to Caledonia last weekend- Ezra had fun getting wet with daddy. Ezra has found a new favorite toy- my keys. He doesn't understand that they have a use other than a toy! When I grab my keys to go somewhere, Ezra thinks I need to hand them over. You can tell by his expression that he is quite pleased with himself!!

Fun Pictures

We celebrated Delton's 26th birthday on Tuesday. So much fun to have Ezra there to celebrate with us.

Ezra's second cousin came to play yesterday. Ezra enjoyed playing with him, although Ezra wasn't too sure about sharing his toys!

So much fun!

We had a busy weekend- the Sollenberger reunion at Cove Friday and Saturday, a graduation party on Sunday afternoon, and friends over on Sunday evening. It was a great time. Ezra slept in a tent for the first time, went swimming and loved it, and did great in all the activity. I am posting some pictures from the last couple days.

The Mess picture: I wanted to check email and keep Ezra happy while I was occupied, so I let him play with his diaper bag. Whoops. I saw the crackers in his hand an instant before they were all over him. Oh well, I rationalized. This will probably buy me a few more minutes- and it did! He loved it!

The "daddy and Ezra" picture:This evening, Ezra was tired. He was walking along the couch and putting his head down on the cushions. Delton came over to him, and Ezra laid his head down on Delton. So precious!

I am curious as to who is checking my blog. Please leave a quick comment if you can and let me know that you are checking the site. If you have never left a comment before, it's really easy. Just hit the comment button on the bottom of this posting and follow the directions- you can sign in as anonymous and just put your name in the message. I look forward to hearing from you!

Walking

Ezra has started walking! Yesterday, I had so much fun discovering his abilities. He was able to walk, stop and look around, then keep on walking. Several times, he let go of his support and took off by himself. It seems unreal- like this is just a fluke and next week he'll go back to being my little baby. He is just about 11 months old- which means his first birthday is just around the corner. I was not ready for this! I am enjoying this stage, and look forward to all the upcoming stages, but at times still miss the times I could hold him for hours. Now, I am thankful when he lets me give him a hug! :) What an amazing journey. I'm having a blast!

Fourth of July 5K Run

We did it! Delton and I participated in Waynesboro's annual 5K Firecracker Run. Delton's goal was to do it in under 23 minutes (best case scenario) or 24 minutes (more realistic scenario!). He finished in 22 minutes and 56 seconds!! Amazing! My goal was to finish in under 45 minutes, which is when you have to move to the sidewalk if you are still on the course. I wanted to finish on the road, and I did. I finished in 42 1/2 minutes. I ran the first mile, and ran about half of the next two. After not training for several weeks, and doing very little running during my training, I was extremely pleased with how it went. I felt a euphoria similar to how I felt when I had Ezra- I pushed myself farther than I thought I could go- and succeeded! I'm already thinking about what my goal will be next year...maybe simply to run the whole thing? We'll see!

A Crazy Life

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. My parents and three youngest sisters came in two weeks ago. My parents left my sisters here and left for a conference in N.C. for a week. Delton, Ezra and I, along with my sisters, moved in to Daryl and Rhoda's house for the week (they were in Canada). For a week I got to reconnect with Cameo, Katelyn, and Andrea. We went swimming, shopping, played innumerable games of rummy, scrapbooked, went out to Applebee's (girls night out!), and had a great time. Ezra got to know his aunts, and they were able to experience the gift of Ezra!

Ezra has taken several steps on his own over this past weekend. I saw his steps for the first time on Sunday in the nursery. He took two steps towards me. He is a little over ten months. It is hard to believe my baby is so close to walking unassisted.

I look forward to life slowing down. My sisters got me inspired to scrapbook again, so I look forward to taking time for creativity.

My family is leaving tomorrow morning. I will miss them.

Growing Up and Going Out

My little guy is certainly growing up...I heard Delton getting Ezra ready for church on Sunday. I came into our bedroom to find Ezra wearing this, and Delton wearing a funny expression on his face. "He picked it out," he told me. "He wanted to wear this today." I had to laugh. My wonderful men! (I changed him!)

Delton and I went to Harper's Ferry on Saturday to celebrate our second anniversary. We had a great time. I had never been there, so I was surprised at how historic it was- I imagined lots of shops, and found lots of museums/old time shop replicas. It was a beautiful day.

I'm Back

This has been the craziest few weeks, trying to figure out what is wrong with our computer. It has been at the computer store twice, a computer tech has been out to the house twice, Comcast has been out once, and I have spent innumberable hours on the phone trying to get someone to tell me why my computer won't connect to the internet. I am writing this on a loaner from the computer store...they are flabbergasted and confused- and they are the experts!!!
Life is going well for us. I am soooo excited that my family is coming in next week and spending two weeks. Wonderful! This Saturday, Delton and I are going away for the day to celebrate our two year anniversary. Two years! Crazy! It seems like just yesterday that I felt like my wedding date would never come!
Ezra loves to hold my hands and walk everywhere. Forget his toys- he wants to play with anything but! My calculator, phone, the tupperware drawer, my closet...entertaining him has become a full time job. He is so much fun.
I am looking for a part time, at home job- a few hours a week. Anyone know of anything?
I look forward to catching up with those of you who check my blog. It is good to be connected again!!!

A New Look!

I haven't had hair this short in a long time! It will be fun figuring out what I can do with it. Ezra got used to it quickly. Delton is adjusting to his new wife!