dream vacation

just got back from a dream vacation 

in Gloucester Massachusetts

where we spent many hours at this beach

and visited Rockport

and sailed across the Atlantic to Martha's Vineyard

and followed the Freedom Trail in Boston

and my son and husband wanted to play golf at the private club

and Samwise and I spent some cuddle time

and I am so missing these three

and now that I am back at work,

my head just doesn't seem to be able to focus and engage...

wonder why?

dream town USA

Just got the newest issue in the mail,

and I happened to turn to this page,

and if you were within 100 feet from me 
you would have heard a slight, or not so slight gasp
emit from my mouth,

as I happen to be jetting across this fine country tomorrow

to visit this dream town and visit these dream kids.

First Samwise (aka Puppycakes) will show me his favorite beach,

 and then Jonathan will show me his favorite beach,

and then kimberlyrenee will show me hers.
btw I stole these photos from her wonderful blog-
hope she will forgive me ;).
Tomorrow I will have my own photos of
dream town USA to share myself.-
if I can get all my chores done...

a Sunday Blessing

Just listening to him preach takes my breath away...

If you need a pick-me-up today

then listen to his words of encouragement.

I know I am bias as he is my son, but...

he speaks poignantly, with a message of hope for all.

If this isn't your thing,

then skip, 

and I will be back this week with 

student art lessons.

http://jtholderman.wordpress.com/2012/06/10/jesus-is-our-only-hope/

so sorry

I do so feel that I am neglecting my little blog.

sorry.

I have so much to share,

but somehow the spunk has just

up and left.

I still have two weeks of school

so after that I should be able to give it some tlc right?

I told you a while back that I was traveling.

We went and visited these two

 and we ate in New York...

and I took my grand puppy for a walk in the New Jersey countryside.

 and my boys got to reconnect

 and time was spent with Einstein

 and we were so proud

 and we partied

 and saw the Brooklyn Bridge

 and visited my favorite art museum

and had fun.

I promise to share the wonderful art I saw

as well as the celebration.

It's not everyday we get to celebrate 

our son completing his M.Div. at Princeton.

so very happy!

a Sunday Blessing

How?

 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you Lord;

teach me your decrees.

With my lips I recount all the laws

that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statutes

as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts

and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word.

Psalm 119:9-16

On this Sunday 

my blessing is my son, Jonathan,

who is in his ordination year.

 He was given this Psalm to meditate on for the year,

and I thought a visual of the verses 

would help instill in him a sense of his part.

So I stamped the brown highlighted words in the verses

onto the background of the painting.

Then I liked the idea of different tools 

to represent how each of us worships God in our own unique way.

Finally I pasted verses from an old Bible 

that was falling apart on to the edges.

Thanks for being such a blessing Jonathan!

Hope you all are having a blessed Sunday.

my firstborn turns 25!!!

Happy Birthday Jonathan -

have a wonderful day and a

blessed coming year!

So rumor has it you did not realize you were turning the ripe old,

oh so old age of 25

and that you thought you were going to only be 24 this year...

so much for math and memory...

well here are some photos to help stir those sleeping brains cells

and help you remember some of your younger days...

we are so blessed to have you as part of our lives

and We love you very, very much!!!

Oh happy day -

you are all grown up!

to Princeton and back...

My husband and I travelled across the country last week

to visit these two in Princeton.

We saw many amazing and wonderful things including...

our new grandpuppy - Samwise...

who immediately melted our hearts even after

he felt the profound need to wash our ears

which we did not enjoy.

There were so many experiences that I could blog about

so I decided to do a little bit each day this week.

So join me as we visit art museums, the Jersey shore and a great store there,

Philadelphia and New Hope, Pennsylvania

where we stayed at a quaint Bed and Breakfast,

and other things I found that I would like to share.

For today I would like to share some of the buildings

of Princeton and the stone carvings and details.

Everywhere I looked there were little details and embellishments

that one does not find on newer buildings.

Just look at these hallways...

minute precision and detail in every inch!

and then the adornments...

Look at those grapevines...

and these angels...

and is he their tiger mascot?

There are dragons climbing walls...

and guards peering down while...

checking your every step.

So thank you Princeton for your amazing stonework!