for the tree

Our newest Christmas ornament.

maggie

Miracles do happen. Evidence? There's a puppy in my house. In fact she's asleep on my lap as I type. For many years Janelle has asked for a dog being the animal lover that she is. She's owned numerous pets and has cared for them meticulously - and independently. She once kept a hermit crab alive for 3 years! Yet I knew that having a dog was very different than a rabbit or bird or hamster and to be honest, I just wasn't up for the task. Unbeknownst to Janelle, I had been praying for her to have a dog one day, but if I was going to say yes I knew it had to be God's doing, not mine. My heart began to soften this summer when Gary and Kathleen showed up at a soccer game with their new puppy, Gus. So we surprised Janelle for her birthday 3 weeks ago and told her she could have a dog. She sobbed - for an hour. Then she went up to her room and came down with money she'd saved for years in a small box under her bed. In another small box she'd written down prayers on little strips of paper folded up tight asking God to let her have a dog someday. Needless to say we were all in tears. The most tender part of it all for both Christoph and me was the way she had submitted to our decision and trusted us, but more importantly, God. What a joy it has been for us to see Him grant her the desires of her heart.

We drove up to the breeder's home in Pennsylvania yesterday to pick her up. She's a 7 week old Golden Doodle. Janelle has been in classes all day so Maggie settled in nicely on Evelyn's lap while she did school this morning.

Welcome home, Maggie

Meet Maggie, Janelle's birthday gift. More pictures to come....

Off Broadway!

My niece Janice (on left) got the lead role in an off Broadway musical production called Dear Edwina. If you're in New York city during the holidays, go see the show! Way to go, JJ! We hope to come up during Christmas break.

Bubba

I got to have my favorite 3 year old over for the day yesterday. Jen thinks I was doing her a favor by watching him for her. Truth is I had a blast being with Caleb! Bubba is a delightful boy. He was such a trooper as I dragged him all over Upper Montgomery County driving carpools, running errands, going to doctor's appointments, cross country practice, a quick visit with Elise at the office, and more. We were actually home a couple of times during the day and of course I made time to stop at the toy store.





I told him I would take him to buy a toy. He said, "Mzzs. Maze I don't need any toys. I have toys at my house." Except that he changed his mind once he saw this Robot Hand claw thing that he called "tweezers." Those are mighty big tweezers, Bub.

Lessee how these tweezers work in Elmo's mouth.



He was a bit unsure of Spiderman at first.....

but eventually decided he was an OK dude.

So when we were actually home for a bit he wanted to watch a movie. "Mzzs. Maze? Can you watch dis movie with me cuz it's kinda scawey." Sure Bubba! "I need this pillow on my lap for the scawey part when da tiger comes."

When the movie got scarier, the pillow got thicker. :)



I think one of his favorite things to do at my house is play with skateboards. (Remember I don't have a lot of little kid toys anymore.) He talked about riding skateboards the whole time we were driving all over the place. "When we get back to your house can we ride skateboards and THEN watch a movie? Maybe we can watch a movie and THEN ride skateboards."

Bubba, you can come ride skateboards at my house any time you want. Please?

Tradition

"Tradition: a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting."

The fall begins a number of traditions in our family. (The Hartnett's understand.) If you are a parent, you know the importance that "tradition" holds in the lives of your kids. One of them is to take a drive through the country on a Sunday in October and ride across the Potomac River on White's Ferry and have lunch in Leesburg. I've captured it on film for the past 10 years. This time I got a few shots of Elise capturing it all on camera.

On the ferry, in the rear view mirror:

"Pray without ceasing..."

Please keep praying for this sweet little girl. Sarah Brewer continues to require a significant amount of medical care and attention. She is a strong girl and holds up amazingly well under it all, but it takes a toll on her and on her parents. Dave and Jen are two of my heroes for the way they have trusted in God and cried out to their Savior for strength and grace to face each day. They live these verses:

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Weekend in Philly

We went to Philadelphia last weekend with Dre and Becca to see the final NATS game against the Phillies. Never mind that the NATS were out of contention long ago; we just wanted to take a road trip and the K's were up for the task. Dre's iPhone directed us north. Apparently mapquest is obsolete now. Who'd have known? (Just follow the purple line, Dre.)

We stayed at a hotel that was originally the Annex to City Hall built in 1926 now beautifully refurbished.

Based on a recommedation from a friend we had dinner at The Fork Restaurant. Really cool place. Amazing food. Fantastic company. :)

After dinner we walked around Philly together. Let me just say that these two have got to win the prize for "Most Endearing Couple." (Just made up that category and they win it hands down.) They are so warm, friendly, funny, godly, and they clearly are crazy about each other. What a joy it was to be with them!





For breakfast Sunday before the game we ate at the Down Home Diner at the Reading Terminal Market. This was one of Rachael Ray's picks on "$40 A Day."





Of course the Market, filled with meat markets, local produce stands, Amish goods, quirky used bookstores, etc was a great place for pictures. Have you ever bought mushrooms for $25 a pound? Or porcini for $48 a pound???! I think I've got that growing under my deck in the backyard!

















Despite the fact that it POURED rain both driving to and from Philly, the rain stopped while we were at the ballpark. Fortunately for us the Phillies had clinched the division title the night before. The fans were not as eager to, uh, well, let's just say they didn't quite live up to their motto as the "City of Brotherly Love" to the NATS fans who'd attended the game on Saturday. They only laughed mockingly and sneered at us. At least there was no pushing or shoving or attacking our car.

Christoph is pretty sure it was because of Dre's presence. Thanks, Dre. :)





The bullpens are stacked at the Phillies Stadium. Christoph took this picture below. You can see both pitchers releasing the ball simultaneously. Great shot, Christoph!



Dre and Bec, we had a blast being with you last weekend! Thanks for coming with us and making for such a fun trip. And THANK YOU for driving through the torrential downpours, Dre!

Word. :)

Birthday in the Belfry

Oh my, what a fun Saturday we had! Janelle's friend Rachel turned 16 in August. A year ago she moved to West Virginia and we've seen her very little since then. So this Saturday three of her best buddies, Janelle, Amanda, Kendall and I secretly headed out west over several mountains to surprise her. We arranged with her mom, Kathy to secretly meet them at Beans in the Belfry in Brunswick, Maryland which is nestled in the side of a mountain just outside West Virginia.

This little coffee shop is a MUST see for any of you who've never been. It is in an old church building and is absolutely delightful!

Rachel's favorite color is pink, so the girls decided to all dress accordingly. Now for any of you who know Janelle you will know that she owns absolutely nothing that is pink! She refuses to wear the color in any form. But for Rachel she was more than willing to do so.

They snuck into the coffee shop and peaked around the corner where they finally came upon Rachel who screamed as she jumped out out of her seat and hugged her friends.




SUCCESS!! What a joy to truly pull off a surprise.






Beans in the Belfry is one of the most unusual, quaint, and refreshing places I've been - a genuinely eclectic coffee shop and bistro. There is even a little stage with dress up clothes for little kids to play with while moms enjoy adult conversation and a cup of coffee. The girls dug into the treasure chest of costumes and hats for this shot.





















We feasted on crab stuffed soft pretzels, spinach artichoke dip and chips, Roma Panini's, and spinach quiche along with frappuccinos, iced tea, and smoothies while Rachel opened her gifts.

Next we headed out of town, over the Potomac River, past Harper's Ferry to Rachel's house in West Virginia to finish our visit.

But first we stopped at a very steep street we'd seen earlier. As I said, Brunswick is built into the side of a mountain so most of the streets are pretty steep, but this one was crazy. The picture doesn't convey how steep it truly was. The girls said it was actually hard to climb.





Rachel dear, we loved being with you today! We were so glad you were surprised. We miss you terribly, but are so glad you're just over the river and through the.....mountains. :)
Happy Birthday!!

: photo credits - Janelle and Jean :