Save it for a Rainy Day

It should come as no surprise that rainy days are my favorite. There is nothing like a cloudy, dreary day in the great state of Kansas. I feel like the earth itself smiles and heaves a sigh of relief as the trees get rinsed of their layers of dust. The dry, cracked ground soaks in as much rain as it can. It may not rain every day in Kansas, or every month for that matter, but when it rains it pours and its as if the Kansas earth beneath our feet is overjoyed when it does. For some odd reason the last couple days have been absolutely wonderfully dreary. The sky has been overcast, its been foggy and drizzly. Maybe it sounds miserable to you but these rare rainy days are what Kansas farmers wait months for. These rainy days have caused me to reflect on my favorite rainy day activities. There are just somethings that are better saved for rainy days…

1. Pull out that TEA CUP!

Ya, I always love a good strong cup of coffee, but some days its time to pull that teacup off the shelf and enjoy a good afternoon tea. There just simply isn't anything like holding a dainty teacup in your hands. As a girl who grew up rough housing with three brothers, I assure you I enjoy a good cup of coffee underneath the stars on a mountain top somewhere. However, as dad's little princess who watched mom host tea parties growing up, I also enjoy a good antique teacup full of tea. So pull out that Cinnamon, Chamomile, Raspberry, Green, or Earl Grey and get your C.S. Lewis on! Go, enjoy a cup of tea and good old book!

"You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." -C. S. Lewis

2. You know what has to come next…. BOOKS!

I mean seriously, C.S. Lewis said it himself, tea and books just go together. The thing about books is its quiet company. You don't have to talk or move, and yet you can carry on a grand adventure from the comfort of your favorite chair. You meet people, they become a part of your life and suddenly, in the midst of your own living room, with the rain beating on the window sill, you are transported to a whole new world. It's simply magical. Just like an old wardrobe…. ;)

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ― Charles William Eliot

3. Sleeping in :)
Let's face it, there is nothing like cuddling under all the covers and listening to the rain hit the rooftop in a melodious sound. I think raindrops is one of the most magical music there is. And obviously I am not the only one who thinks so…

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." -Langston Hughes

Why else would they make an entire move based not the line "Singing in the Rain." or why are the words "raindrops on roses" some of the most quoted words from the Sound of Music? The point is, rainy days are meant to sit quietly and enjoy! How can you possibly enjoy it if you jump out of bed in a hurry and rush off to wherever you think you need to be. Forget it!! Rainy days are suppose to be days we sleep in. 

4. Worm Hunting! 
HAHAHA Ya, I know, this one doesn't seem to make any sense. But I promise you, it is one of the funnest things you will ever do!! I love the warm spring rains that hit Kansas. And it is during those times that finding earthworms is the easiest. Why on earth would you have a desire to find worms?! Well, there are two good reasons. The first is fish bait, the second is mom claims they help keep her gardens beautiful. So, when we're younger, my brothers and I would walk up and down the cup-de-sac looking for worms that had made their way to the curb. Sometimes rainy days make us feel like curling up in a comfy chair and do nothing, but other times it gets us all excited…especially if Kansas had been in a drought… and worm hunting is the perfect rainy day activity! 

So next time you find yourself in the midst of a wonderful dreary day and don't know what to do, TA-DA!!    

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I don't know about you but I'm feeling 22!!

It is officially Dec 7th, Pearl Harbor day and more importantly, HUNTER JOSIAH's 22nd BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Heaven's to Betsy! Where on earth has the time gone!! I can't believe we are in our twenties all ready little bro! Seems like yesterday we were sneaking out of your bedroom window, trying to avoid school and chores and going on grand adventures on 240 acres in Grenola KS. So, you're probably going to hate me for this but then again you're never on social media anyways…. Here is to your 22nd year of life! 

Hunter, thanks so much for being my brother!!! I couldn't have been given a better younger brother to grow up with….(don't tell Caleb and Garrett. lol) But seriously, we had the best childhood! I mean just look!!!

Just so you know, I am tickled pink you're my brother!!! Always was, always will be! :)

We had some great vacations and made amazing memories along the way! 

I'm glad a had you to share life with :) 

We were always cooler than anyone else….hahaha

I am glad you were around to share with…mostly we shared germs but you know… part of life. lol 

Man did we have fun collecting things! From our honey bee collection to our snake farm to the turtle zoo to the numerous toads we caught, it was a blast!

Thanks for being silly with me. We laughed a lot growing up and thats the best. 

And I'm pretty sure its safe to say that we were the best older siblings these goofballs could have ever asked for! 

We had to endure many, many, MANY family pictures….

And lots of cold winters

And AWESOME youth activities…seriously, high school would not have been the same without you!!

Hey! Looky there, we clean up pretty nice! 

I'm so grateful we share the same passion and vision for Christ and Ministry. It's been fun to be able to watch God lead you and compare notes on the ministries he has led us to. :) 

Ok, so I'm sure I have thoroughly embarrassed you with all these pictures but I just wanted to say I'm so glad you're in my life! You have taught me more than you know. You're an awesome man of God and I can't wait to see where he is going to take you next! No matter how far apart we are, or how old we get just remember I love you bro!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUNTER!!