The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday we had the joy of waking up AT THE LAKE!!!! Even though the day had its struggles weather-wise, we enjoyed some time out on the boat...and watching the hummingbirds that were outside the cottage! Loved spending time with Ryan's family - from sharing donuts for breakfast to hanging out together while a huge storm cell passed through to eating dinner together at Hacienda that night - it was a wonderful, relaxing day!

* Monday morning we woke up to a gorgeous view of the lake...and the promise of a vacation day. Can't beat that for a way to start a week! We enjoyed the day - and helped pack up the cottage to leave - but not before sneaking in one last boat ride for prayer time and Bible study. When we got back, Ryan and Allen had to get the boat out of the water. I just took pictures. It's safer that way. :) On our way home, we stopped in a nearby town to visit our friends Amy and Andy. They got married 6 months ago during the Polar Vortex, and we had to miss the wedding...but still had the gift! We enjoyed ice cream and coffee with them and then came home to mowing lawns, grocery shopping, laundry and real life.

* Tuesday morning, we heard that awful ALARM again...so sad after the lovely weekend at the lake. Against our will, we resumed the real world. That night was our very last Beth Moore Children of the Day study...what a blessing that has been to me! I'm thankful for the things I've learned in it! One of the last exercises was to write in Sharpie on our hands that the Lord is faithful. Lavender Sharpie doesn't show up very well, but thankful for that firm reminder of His faithfulness!

 * Wednesday was a hard day for me. I had a dentist appointment that afternoon and the mere waiting for it nearly proved to be my undoing. Nearly. I did a lot of crying and praying at work - and before I went for the appointment, Lynne gave me a Fear Not bracelet...which really helped me keep my focus. The folks at the dental office were DELIGHTFUL - truly the best experience I've ever had - despite the fact that they diagnosed me with periodontal disease, and I'll have to have some work done next month that will be rather unpleasant.

* Thursday morning I drove to work in this delightful blend of mild fog and sun...it was so pretty! The work day was good, and that night, Ryan and I showed our Marion house to a couple...so it was all nice and sparkly. I love a sparkly house. What I did NOT love was reaching to pull a weed out of a planter prior to the showing...to discover it was a stinging nettle. Never heard of this plant before, but it immediately burned, stung, and my fingers developed welts. Ryan came to my rescue and ended up in the same boat. Stupid nettles.

* Friday morning we woke up to a power outage...happened right when the alarm went off. My first thought?? MY HAIR!! Ryan's first thought?? COFFEE!!! We stumbled around in the dark for a while and then the power came back on - but a bit too late. Ryan saved the day with a trip to Starbucks! That night - we had a good old fashioned pizza/Coke/movies stay-at-home date. It was SO WONDERFUL. We have seriously craved being home for weeks...months...and finally had a chance to do it. Best night ever.

 * Yesterday was our 20 month anniversary! Ryan said his final goodbye to his beloved Old Trusty {aka the Asphyxiator}, and we enjoyed a great date together down by Indianapolis! We recreated the end of our first date by having dinner at Red Robin, and then we walked around some shops for a while and finished off the evening with dessert at Coldstone Creamery! Perfect date.