Vacationing at home was the best! No packing, no living out of a suitcase, no major expenses, sleep in your own bed..... I took off the week of our Vacation Bible School.

This wonderful lady flew in from Illinois to help with VBS and spend the week with me! Nita, thanks so much! Thanks for the use of your pictures too. :)

The theme of VBS was Forgiveness--what a challenging topic to teach & practice!

"Man" being let down through the roof to Jesus.

Younger crafts.

Holly always does such a wonderful job with the older crafts.

Ashley & Jalissa

Ashley & Janessa

Chasity & Nita.

This little man even came to Bible School for a couple evenings.

It was fun introducing Nita to the Eastern Shore activities--and getting to enjoy them myself.

Crabbing--we only got 14 we could keep; they have to be 5".

Watching...anticipating...do you have one? "I need the net!" Unfortunately, quite a few got away because we only had one net.

No, they're not eating the chicken legs.

These ladies (sisters) have blessed us over and over by coming to help with VBS yearly.

Chincoteague

Canoeing down the Pocomoke River.

Introducing Nita to eating crabs. She tackled them bravely--and even liked them! This was my first time at the Red Roost--I was excited!

The breakfast cooks

Blueberry picking--the berries were huge!

Pocomoke Tractor Pull

Nita was such a good sport as I drug her all over. We traveled 700 miles--just around here.

Jen, Judi and I did a girls' trip to Florida April 1-5. We flew into Orlando (2 hr., nonstop flight from Baltimore), rented a car and house (with a private pool!), and spent four days relaxing and having fun.

Maps & the Kurtzes' GPS were our friends.

Since we couldn't get into our rental house until that eve., we spent Wednesday at Sea World. I loved seeing those huge, beautiful animals. Reminded me how creative God is; He must enjoy variety.

Yes, we WERE having fun, but it's was a LONG day--traveling from MD to FL, walking all over the park, etc.

Dolphin show

Jen & Judi show their true feelings about the day.

Whale show

Shopping for groceries--it takes some planning to cook w/o the "staples" of butter, salt & pepper, milk, eggs, etc.

We ate good--and even included fruits & veggies in our diet.

Before sun....

After sun.....

Computer time--updating Facebook statuses, staying in touch via Email, and Skype connecting us to our very-missed friend, Marlene, who is half way around the world.

Scrapbooking--we lugged our supplies down; Judi is the one who truly made it worthwhile. Jen & I struggled to be motivated.

UGH! Up at 4; after 2 hrs. of sleep. Headed back to MD.

And then it was over... back to real life. It's only been 2 wks., but I wish I was back there. Sad how one sometimes does not fully enjoy something until it's over.

For Christmas last year, the adults in my family decided not to give gifts to each other, but to put money towards a weekend away together. Here’s how it turned out. Merry Cmas in March!

We had a lovely time at Janes Island State Park in Crisfield, Maryland. I’m convinced it’s one of the Eastern Shore’s best kept secrets! It feels like the end of the earth, but that’s part of what makes it lovely. It’s a gorgeous park on the water with tall pines all around….. And the cabin/house we stayed in was fab for us—nothing fancy, but roomy. Thanks to Beth for some of these pics.

The pier right behind the house.

There were 4 rooms with 4 bunks in each and 3 ½ baths. The boys camped out in a corner of the big room upstairs.

I’m more and more convinced that spending time with people is the best way to cultivate relationships—not giving gifts or spending money or trying to do things for them…. but just being together and talking.

The weather was gorgeous (PTL!) and we were all just so relaxed. The kids are old enough now that we didn’t have to stress about them falling in the water. Mom & Beth went prepared to make the weekend special with extra activities. Beth had craft supplies; Mom had gifts—flashlights, silly balloons, foam airplanes, and a treasure hunt.

Other activities…. Bike riding, playing Corn Hole, Walking, Skating...

Playing DS

Making food & eating it

Sat. afternoon we went on a “field trip” to the Crisfield dock. Mom used to go across the Bay to Smith Island with her nursing job. She did this every other month for 14 years! It was neat seeing her reconnect with the captains of the boats.

I love these little ladies! Mariah, Tara, Taylor, & me

After a quick stop back at the house for a snack (check out that selection!),we headed to tour a house Brian’s working on. It was fascinating.

Brian let Dill try out the fork lifts.

I absolutely love this picture of Taylor. I think it's so cute!

Sunday morning we had our own service—Brian & Tara lead the singing, Dad had a sermon, and Mom & Dad shared their testimony to God’s faithfulness through the joys and sorrows of life.

All too soon, it was time for us to go home. We parted with sad, but full hearts of a weekend well spent.

This past weekend I traveled to NYC by way of Baltimore (just a bit out of the way, but was worth it!). Rosie flew up from SC and the two of us went to an SMBI friend's wedding. So now I can say I've driven in NYC! Our favorite traveling companion was my sister's GPS; 2nd favorite traveling companion was Dad's EZPass.

Was a neat wedding. Really fun to see the couple so happy and excited!

Zach & Mary (Roth) Yoder.

Me, Rosie, & Terri (she was a bridesmaid).

Orange Group girls--lovely, godly women.

Sunday morning, Beth & I visited Rob & Naomi Brunk whose newborn is in John's Hopkins. Was special to spend time with them.

Sunday evening back in Snow Hill, I got to see Joanna (Kurtz) Beiler, who lives in Romania.

Was a weekend of travel and spending time with people I don't get to see often.

Youth Christmas Party--Dinner at James & Christy's

Andy seems fairly happy with his gift (a brick).

Jen trying to rip into the muti-layered wrapping of the present (a flashlight) while wearing oven mitts.

Sunday School Party--I had a little party in my Sunday School class the Sunday before Cmas.

These are my lovely ladies (L to R)--Janessa, Jalissa, Jenna, & Ashley.

Eby Christmas--at Lowell & Pauline's.

We had so much much food! I'm serious, it was RIDICULOUS!

Uncle Lowell had nicely decorated the garage for the occasion.

The Eby men enjoying shuckin' oysters and eating them raw.

The gun shooters & observers.

Family Christmas

Brians came on Christmas Day. We had a nice time with them. Was weird to have such a small table though!

Some of us attempted to finger paint.

Taylor's favorite gift was her DS. Here Gpa is listening (notice the earbuds) as she plays.

Our family christmas with Brians & Kents didn't happen until Jan. 3. It was fun.

Opening presents--we adults didn't exchange gifts; instead we're saving the money we would spend on each other to put towards a family weekend away this year.

Dillon is very pleased with his magnetics.

Mariah helping Taylor shell her shrimp--our traditional Christmas meal.

Playing games--Apples to Apples & Anagrams

"Um, Beth, are you sure???!!!" We argue quite well. ;)

Ack! My nephew, Tim, turned 16! He's working on acquiring his driver's license (It's actually fun letting him drive; he does well!).

The day of our family cmas, he bought his first vehicle--a '95 Jeep Wrangler. It looks light blue, but it's really teal.

He got his dad to give "Gma" and me a ride. It's stick shift, so he has to learn to drive it yet.

I loved being off work for the holidays. It gave me time to hang out, to be spontaneous, and to spend a couple days in Baltimore at Kents.

Youth New Year's Eve Party--at Jen's.

Sierra & Andy playing "Buttons".

Jen playing Caroms with Josh coaching.

Judi & Anthony playing a mean game of Othello.

As Jen said, "she played her quota of games for the year in just one night!" We spent 7+ hours playing games.

Now it's 2009, and it feels different not having any big plans/goals/trips yet for this year. Guess I'm in a "wait-&-see" mode. I know that serving God is an adventure, but I usually want tangible, imminent adventures. It's sure hard to trust!