3 weeks away

It's almost been a year since Paul was born.  3 weeks away!  We are planning a birthday party at our house.

We pulled the weeds out of the sandbox and added some new sand to it yesterday.

My 93 year old grandfather and his wife (Josie, who have been married since before I was born) sent a package with gifts for the kids.  It was a nice surprise.  No reason...just because. ♥  It made my day.

Today we celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos, literally the falling asleep in the Lord.  When I was in college, a group of about 20 of us went to Russia to have a month of intensive language learning and we were each placed with host families.  I thought it was pretty neat that we flew from New York City to Helsinki, Finland, first.  St. Petersburg is just over the water (the Sea of Finland, which is connected to the Baltic Sea) from Helsinki.

I grew to love the little city of Novgorod (which translated into English means new-city).  For one, their icons are simple, natural colors, very linear, often with cream or yellow backgrounds:  http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/novgorod-school-icon-painting.htm
Also the kremlin area of Novgorod, which is a walled in city (we lived outside this area), protected by brick walls about 30 feet high, containing the large church of St. Sofia, where we often went on Sundays for the liturgy.

Isn't this a beautiful icon?  The hosts of angels above is just lovely!