Summer, it's too soon to go . . .

Between Aaron's graduation, my summer classes, the Karen Kingsbury Book Party and Picnic, fun times with our neighbors (one of whom is from my parent's small hometown in Malaysia - what were the odds?!), hanging out, celebrating our 2nd anniversary, playing at Six Flags, going to The Muny, puttering in Montreal, catching the much-dreaded flu, and attending a friend's wedding in Wisconsin . . . you could say that the past few months days literally took on wings and disappeared.

The 50 degree weather during our time in Montreal and Wisconsin caught us unprepared, and caused me to lose some faith in summer. Amazingly, Mikaela appears *not* to have inherited any of my Southeast Asian cold-bloodedness in her.

Like her dad, she thrives in cool weather, but melts in the heat:

In front of the Notre Dame Basilica, sporting a sundress
on a wet and windy day (Montreal).

Melting like butter on a humid Missouri day.

Scariest thought about Summer being almost gone?
The knowledge that the days Mikaela remains as a baby are numbered.

I mean, c'mon.

Babies don't climb stairs, turn around, and celebrate by balancing precariously whist clapping their hands!

Toddlers do.

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Timber Ridge

Photo courtesy of Isaac B.

Last Friday, we were invited to spend an evening with some of our Canadian friends who were attending camp meetings in a neighboring town. We joined them for supper, an evening service, and a time of singing around their campfire.

It was a delight to bump into several other Friends of friends as well, and match real life personalities to different well-known names and faces.

One of Aaron's lab students was amazed to find him in the crowd! What a small, small world.

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Short stint to Indianapolis

I got to meet Marissa this evening! She was visiting some friends at the Indianapolis Training Center, and Aaron and I were invited to kidnap her for a couple of hours. We drove to Starbucks for supper, and spent several hours gabbing, just getting to know each other better. Meeting LJ friends face-to-face is such fun!

Marissa's a sweetheart, as Chantel would say. I loved every moment we spent talking, laughing, and thinking together. Yes, we actually enjoyed some intelligent conversations! I had been afraid my mind would fail me (like it is failing me right now), but I managed to share at least one credible thought. What a great evening. ;-)

~ Mrs. Arcfide