More Joys

 Since some of the kids missed getting into the last post,

I decided to add them now.

It was Lacey and Teddy's  turn for a sleep-over.

 We had burgers for supper and watched Christopher Robin.

Papa's bedtime story was about attending boarding school as a boy.

 I love that the kids all share a love for fluffy, sticky dough,

with some of them almost always mentioning that they like the scent.

Add butter, cinnamon, sugar 

 and runny icing ... what's not to like!

And last, but not least, this beautiful girl

finished Middle School!

There's a part of me that wants to keep her little -

like how she's loved after school pick-ups, 

declaring Thursdays to be her favorite day because of it.

Her bubbly entrance into the car 

with stories about her day 

or hoping we could go to the candy store or playground,

made the rides endearing and entertaining.

You add up the years, one by one,

and here you are, Natalie -

responsible, tender, caring and smart -

ready to begin high school.

These few pictures remind me again 

how quickly they grow

and how blessed I am to be their Mimi. 

June Joys

My photo file for June is called June Joys -

and there really are too many to post -

but here are a few related to some first in this house.

Makenna finished her schooling early and was free as a bird.



I love seeing her enthusiasm for baking.

It is sad that she cannot make or meet new friends at this time,

but she is always happy to come over to help.

Paeton and his dad put up a basketball hoop and 

built skate board ramps to make a quarter half pipe - 

fun investments for the cousins too.

I've enjoyed seeing them interact.

These two had their very own sleepover -

to say they were excited is an understatement.

In the morning they wanted to mix pancakes themselves ...

and suddenly they are at an age where they entertain themselves.

Jack seemed happy to see the old toy box made it here.

I had saved one large cardboard box 

and we had fun building and decorating another house.

I picked my first bouquets from the garden,

enjoyed time to relax,

and reasons to set the table again.

To sum it up,
I'll just say what we've heard a lot,
"Be kind, be calm and be safe."
We have so much to be thankful for.

Class of 2020

We were invited to watch Tehya's grad ceremony on Zoom -

with her sitting beside us!

And I want to say that being part of this celebration 

was a blessing we had not anticipated!

When they were home last summer Tehya bought her dress,

not knowing the circumstances we'd be in this year.

And when they hurriedly packed up to come home this Spring,

her school sent her grad gown and cap with her. 

So when we stepped into the home they are staying at now 

you can only imagine how it felt to see her like this.

I admire how schools have made the best of what they can do,

and in this case, including the students who left the country

by zooming them in from around the world.

We listened to an amazing commencement speech 

and exceptional challenge to the Class of 2020.

It was a pandemic that gave us this opportunity to celebrate with her in person,

but I felt for her missing her friends, 

hearing their names called and watching them walk the stage. 

A memorable grad celebration for a special generation

who will go from here,

able to improvise, see opportunities and make the best of them.

These students could not give specifics about their next year 

and it hit me that in reality we never really know ...

we assume we know.

We are all learning to place our lives into the hands

of One who knows 

and desires to give us hope and a future.

May God guide you and prepare the way He has for you,

dear Tehya. 

We love you and are so proud of you.

Papa and Grammy

Celebrating Papa

Father's Day here gets celebrated with lots of cards

and beautiful sentiments written out by the kids. 

 No greater gifts! 

We had a beautiful evening outside ...

a long table full ...

and everyone in a comfy place.

My heart is full! 

I am thankful for this season of family togetherness

and for a husband, Dad and Papa

whose smile, teasing, hard work, pursuit for excellence and selfless giving

continues to win the hearts of us all.

Twenty Years Ago

With three grands here these past few days,

my mind has gone back to this day, 20 years ago,

when their parents made their vows 

and pledged their love to each other.

If twenty years ago I could have looked into the future

I still would never have been able to grasp

the significance, the meaning and the 

cup runneth over type of feeling that reality has poured out on me.

 Becoming a mother of the bride was the beginning of a new journey.

A journey filled  joy, anticipation, apprehesion ... a new season.

That morning she went for her last run with her dad,

tucking a flower picked along the way

into her bouquet.

And then he walked her down the aisle. 

Pictures will never tell the last minute venue change due to rain.

They made the most of it ...

in the same way they have faced every other changed circumstance

in their married life.

Chris and Julene,

It is an honor to observe you on your journey together

and we wish you nothing but continued showers of blessings 

on the road ahead. 

Love, Mom and Dad

The Help

 

As you can see, 

our landscape changed quite a bit today

but what was most enjoyable to see were the eager beavers,

so happy to help make it happen.