This year it was intentional. We carefully packed our new picnic basket given to us by the Weavers (thanks, Doug & Kirsten!), brought along our new zip-up picnic blanket from BB&B purchased for these very outings, and of course threw our camping chairs back into the trunk for a magical night at the park. The play was Twelfth Night, my favorite of Shakespeare's comedies ever since our school theater performed it back when I was younger. We got there early, but since there has been so much rain and we chose a night when the Cardinals weren't playing, it was very packed. It didn't bother us too much though, since we both enjoy people watching (like the moment the group of giggling sorority girls realized that the movie 'She's the Man' was crafted after this play when Cesario--think Amanda Bynes as a dude--said the words "I am the man.").
Quick snapshot of the program, picnic basket, and blanket (notice the all-important bug spray tucked in the basket pocket)
Our view of the stage. I wish I had taken a picture of the crowd to the left.
Enjoying our evening out
We couldn't stay for the whole thing since we're old and tired (it started at 8) and don't like sitting in post-event traffic, but we soaked up a good 2 hours of it before heading home. It was lovely to have a tradition, however accidental in its origin, to partake in. I hope to continue attending the event every year as long as we live in St. Louis.
A week earlier, one of our favorite couples from church took us to a Cardinals game. Not only did they give us the tickets, but they drove us to the game and even bought us dinner! And the tickets were in great seats; they sit in the Redbird Club, which has its own air conditioned area for food (think ballgame food AND gourmet eating options). It practically rained the entire game, but we were under an awning and stayed until the opposing team hit a grand slam in the 7th. We are so thankful to have such wonderful friends to share these experiences with!
Our view of the field (tarp down for rain delay)
Pam & Mike
Pam & Me
D+B
Darren and I haven't had a lot of time together recently, with him often working nights and weekends when I am at home. I've also been on call two weekends in a row (including today). However, we did get the opportunity to put together a new wreath for the front door since it's summertime and almost July. I am not kidding when I say that he helped me pick out the supplies and painted the chipboard sign... couldn't have done it without him. Besides. it's fun crafting together. Once he surprised me with painting a matching Missouri to my Texas (see below), I knew I could recruit him for other projects. Hehe.
Here are a few pictures of our finished product:
And finally, I feel like this update on our lives would not be complete without the biggest change that has happened recently. As you may have gathered, Darren and I became good friends very quickly with a couple from our church, Kirsten and Doug. We spent many evenings cooking and talking, playing board games and watching the History channel's Bible series together. I love how happy and in love they are, and so dedicated to each other and God's purpose in their lives. They leave in September to teach English in Rwanda as part of the Peace Corps. As of early June, they moved away from St. Louis to visit family before leaving the States. Selfishly, I miss them terribly. However, I know that we have a few more visits in store before we officially say goodbye, and once we do part ways we will still stay close. In order to help them out, we decided to "babysit" some of their furniture and household items until they return. We also are keeping some things that they no longer want--including a PIANO!!
We haven't had it tuned yet (our poor neighbors...), but Darren and I have BOTH played this piano every single day since we moved it in. We can both read treble clef easily, so we pulled out our hymn book (given to us from Impact Houston Church of Christ when we were there on a weekend trip and they got new books) and have been playing hymns that we grew up singing in church. I don't think either one of us has sung so many Church of Christ songs at such a frequency since we moved away from Texas as we do now. It is MARVELOUS!
Like I said, we both read treble clef easily. I know how to read bass clef, but not quickly and not well. Kirsten and Doug had quite a few books of sheet music for the piano that I am slowly picking up, but it is taking some time. I promised them I would learn how to play the theme song for Downton Abbey on the piano by the time they get back, but if you look at the music and then watch me try to play both hands at the same time you'd probably laugh yourself out of whatever chair you're sitting in. Here's what I'm aiming for.
Nevertheless, we are both excited to have this musical instrument in our home. My favorite days are those when I get out of my car and walk up to the front door and can hear Darren tickling the keys to a church song (we put the piano in the front room by the window we open most often when it's a nice day outside). Thanks to the Weavers for this beautiful blessing!
They also brought Leonard a little something that he rather enjoys:
We miss the Weavers, but we have little reminders of them all over our home now :)
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