Summer Break

I've said this before, but I'm always so surprised when I hear from people who say they saw something I've written on here or that they miss me posting or something like that. I take it as a very kind compliment. There were lots of reasons why a summer break made sense this year; from what I've heard only one person guessed it entirely! So, without further adieu, I give you our summer!

June started with a neighborhood stroll!

Cousin's here! And boy did we have fun!

A good mother always lets her baby have the best...

Lots of swinging and park time this year!

Handler time out: beautiful flowers and delicious baking!

It was good to be back with our friends at church!

First beach day and it was June!!

Yay! a playmate!

Lots of backyard family fun nights

Dream come true! her own baby pack! Momming so hard 😍

Kittens! and chasing the kitty to the neighbor's yard 😂

Mooooooooomers with cousins!! Yum!

Happy Father's Day to our #1 dad!

Faithful friends, for whom I am so thankful.

Lake days are good days :)

Safety first!

Pinkies up! It's tea party time!

Ahh summer in the city!

A boat tour for Grandma T's birthday

Happy Fourth of July! It was a full weekend! We're still dealing with firework trauma 😬

Always finding pictures of my grandbabies on my phone 😆

Just when you think you're having a bad hair day...😂

Ice cream! or gross Popsicle things...we're working on their discernment 😆

Buddies 😍😍

Happy Birthday #1 dad!

Kitty lover 😻

Smiling toddlers :)

Ok very creative! I'll take your picture, but then get down before you break your neck!

Blueberries!! Gimme all the blueberries!

Happy Birthday to our sweet two year old! He was so surprised and pleased the fuss was for him this time!

Hello Mr. Bear

Whoa! She does exist! I'm like Santa, our presence is known, just rarely photographed :)

Just hanging around, doing things.

Never a dull moment 😜

And so, the biggest news of the summer 💗💙

August kicked off with a trip up north for more cousin time, we watched their younger two while the others were away, making Molly the oldest, a role she heartily embraced :)

Must take care or manage, (however you want to look at it) the baby brother :)

Pool days are for sharing!

And then the cousins really were here! Dozens of cousins! Our kids looked forward to and now reflect on this week more than anything else, so much fun!!!!

Handler time out: Dahlias! I tried my hand at Dahlias this summer and how fun! I'm really starting to get blooms now but this was the first!

Here fishy fishy!

Jam time! Blueberry and strawberry jam is made and in the freezer!

A morning at the zoo! The legos were really fun to see!

We rounded out the month with being 15 weeks through, yay!

This summer was something else in many ways. With all the down time I was able to spend more time reading and studying scripture, wrestling with the issues of the day and firming up my faith. Our God is an awesome God, fully in control, fully just and fully concerned with you and me and the details of our lives. He's good and we can (and should!) trust him in every aspect. He gives the grace to proceed here on earth while enjoying true comfort and safety only found in union with him.

Fall is off to a fresh start! 

Doing new things, making new routines, and looking forward to what's in store!