let's go, it will be perfect.

(photo credit: Elliott, age 3)

(again, photo credit to Elliott Quinn, age 3)

The good news is I figured out where they film all those cool east coast movies with the funky college town, beautiful views, and great houses.

Ithaca, New York.

Guys, we all need to pack up and move there immediately. 

It's that good. 

I don't know if it was my frame of mind, the complete exhaustion from going non-stop for the week before our trip, or the incredible beauty that surrounded me, but I got a lot of stuff figured out while in Ithaca. 

And that was good for my soul.

We spent a lot of time hiking and playing in some pretty amazing state parks.  And being surrounded by such beauty, my mind kept coming back to that verse in Luke that says "I tell you," he [Jesus] replied, "if they [the disciples] keep quiet, the stones will cry out."  (Luke 19:40 NIV)

If we fail to worship God, if we fail to praise Him for all his glory, goodness, and honor, the rest of His creation will do it for us.  Because creation screams His name.  It was so apparent during the days we spent in Ithaca that my God loves me. That He has great things in store for me and that if I just stop trying to do things my own way, He's going to write me a much better story.  And it will be bigger and better than my small mind can even dream of.

I'm taking comfort that He promises in Matthew to take care of me.  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  (Matt. 6:26 NIV)

I know this season of unhappiness and discontent is just that, a season.  And while I dream of things I never thought possible, I see doors being opened and needs being met in ways I don't even understand.  But I know my God is good and there is joy in my heart.

You can't come back from such a perfect place as Ithaca, New York, see all the things I saw, and not be moved.

Try it, I dare you.

the honeymoon capitol of the world

You know what's not a honeymoon?  Driving through the night with two small kids who were supposed to sleep.

But didn't.

According to our internet directions, it should have taken us about nine hours to get to Niagara Falls, New York.  Well, because we're overachievers, we got there in well under eight.  And that's with a 4:00 AM dinner (breakfast?) stop at McDonald's.

You know what's open at 6:30 in the morning in Niagara Falls, New York?  Casinos.

And Tim Hortons.  So we got donuts and waited for the city to come alive.  And when it finally did, it was worth the long night's drive.  Because Niagara Falls is pretty unbelievable.

And the movies don't do it justice. 

I'm not sure if it was the beauty of the falls or the fact that they were free from the prison that was our van, but the girls loved Niagara Falls.  They loved running around and getting sprayed by the mist.  They loved the park attached to the Falls.  They loved all the Asian tourists that pointed out the cute white kids.  They loved it all.

This was the first stop on our recent road trip to New York and it was an awesome way to start the adventure: chilly fall weather, exhausted kids and parents, and God's beautiful creation.  It was going to be a great week.

making my story beautiful

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.  These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.  Beautiful people do not just happen.

-Elizabeth Kubler Ros

This weekend we visited Riley Days, an annual festival celebrating poet James Whitcomb Riley near the town I grew up in.  It's become a tradition for Chris and I, but I also have memories of going as a child with my family.

It never fails when I head home (which isn't too far from where I live now) that I become nostalgic and reflective.

I think about choices I've made, where I've ended up, and where I could have been.

I think about the messes I've made, the relationships that I treasure, and the things I wish for.

And I understand what Elizabeth Kubler Ros means when she says "beautiful people do not just happen."  Because this life can tear you down or build you up.  And it's not necessarily the things that happen to you that make you beautiful, but how you react to them.

And I want to have a beautiful life.

The most beautiful people I know have the richest stories. 

Recently I've had the feeling that my story is starting a new chapter.  It's scary and exciting.  The unknown makes me feel too vulnerable, but I'm trying to grow in spite of it.

Because I understand my story, my beautiful, isn't done yet.

visitINDY: Indianapolis Museum of Art

I'm going to admit that The Fault in Our Stars made me want to go to the IMA.

I hadn't been in years (and Chris had never been) so we packed up the kids and planned on spending the afternoon playing at the 100 Acres.  We could spend a whole day playing on the playgrounds, walking the trails, climbing on the bones, and exploring the grounds. 

But once we got there we realized it was way too hot to spend the day outside.  It was pushing 95 degrees and I didn't pack any sunscreen.  Mommy fail.

So we headed inside (it's free!) and cooled off.  The girls only lasted about an hour and we didn't get to see much, but it was enough to make us want to go back.  Chris and I already have plans to return once it cools off, plans to bring our bikes next time and a picnic lunch.  And then someday soon, ditch the kids and spend an afternoon getting lost in the museum because that place is pretty awesome.

If you're ever in Indy, I highly recommend you check it out.

eatINDY: Creation Cafe

Our goal has become to eat local more often.

We live in a city brimming with delicious, locally-owned restaurants and we don't support them enough.

It was easy to go to a chain restaurant when the girls were babies.  We knew who had high chairs, what bathrooms had changing tables, who had good kids' menus.  It was safe, easy, and fast, all things that are very important when eating out with small children.

But now we're becoming more mobile.  Our kids are getting bigger.  More patient.  Better eaters.  So we're exploring our city.  Getting to know the places and things that we knew so well before kids, but had to take a break from for a while.

A couple weeks ago we headed downtown and had a late lunch at Creation Cafe.  Whether you eat inside or outside on the patio overlooking the canal, the view of Indy's skyline can't be beat.  Featuring local breweries, a delicious bakery and ice cream shop, and tons of board games and books for your wait, Creation Cafe has something for everyone. 

Chris and I used to eat their often before kids.  It's the perfect place to end an afternoon spent on the canal.  Now with kids, we plan on heading back down with our bikes and stopping in for a treat before calling it an evening.

As we ate lunch, there was a baby shower happening in the corner.  What a great place to have a shower.  Now I just need someone to get engaged or pregnant so I can have an excuse to throw a party there.

So as the weather starts to cool off, the Grahams are starting a new adventure: visit more local restaurants.  I can't think of a more delicious goal for fall.

my fair lady

This weekend was unseasonably cool.  And we took advantage of it by spending a day at the fair.

Ellie had her first corn dog--a hit!

I got to overpay for some friendship bracelets.  If I had been charging those prices in 5th grade during the height of my friendship bracelet business craze, I would have been out of business in no time.

Harper got to feed some goats and see piglets.  She's getting pretty good at making pig sounds.

Ellie and I got to take a turn on the Ferris wheel and it was probably my favorite moment of the weekend.  The excitement of a child does things to you, I swear.