swim suits for sweaters



last day at the beach

 summer is over and fall days are here.  back to the books for us. as a home school family our days are full of learning, creating and plenty of whining of course. it is a true blessing to watch grace and jack learn and grow in knowledge.  but the older they get, the faster time seems to fly and i am not sure how i feel about that. i try and savor every moment, but truth be told some days are tougher than others. kids will be kids... and who really wants to sit and do addition and subtraction worksheets!? we will miss our lazy days of picnics on the beach and finding giant clam shells for the front stoop. i guess it's time to trade swim suits for sweaters and beach towels for blankets. thanking God for the sweetness of fall which makes the transition not so hard; cool days, big pots of warm soup, crunchy apples, leaving the windows open, and picking out the perfect pumpkin of course.

loving. summer.

summer seems to be zipping by this year. we celebrated the first {official} day of summer with a little inspiration from maya*made. we made summer crowns, had a picnic, ran through the sprinkler, and actually got out the moon sand (outside!). our flower garden is a buzz with butterflies and bumble bees and they joined us in the festivities!

all the delightful things that come with summer have finally arrived. beach days, picking blueberries, free movies on an extra hot day. and of course all the summer fare we love to fill our tummies with;  ice cold watermelon, sweet corn and warm from the sun tomatoes. we are loving every minute of it.... these lazy days of summer are cherished ones.

a final goodbye

we spent the past few days in northern michigan. bidding a final farewell to my beloved grandparents. a bitter sweet time was had by all. it was a joy to be with family members, share stories and spend time celebrating life. the trip to ‘the lake’ was a bit more difficult than I had imagined, as it is a place that i hold close to my heart. the reality that we will not be able to spend the time there that we once had, and my children will not experience the joy there that i did, was a hard one to come to terms with. the distinct scents, the clear green water, the pockets of forest unexplored, will be longed for. through the viewfinder of my camera i captured my children doing the very same things i grew up doing. hunting for petosky stones, riding the paddle board and discovering all sorts of wildlife. it was a surreal and joyful experience. i didn’t want it to end. but something was missing. an empty place in our hearts translated to that physical place and I felt it. the bold, full spirit of my grandpa and the gentle, sweet soul of my grandma were not there. i pray that they are together for eternity sharing the love that we knew them to share on this earth, tenfold.

day trippers

a long cold winter had us itchin' to get out and away! our first taste of spring was an extra sunny, extra warm one and we headed to dc to soak it all up. what a blessing to be so close to such a full and exciting city!

fighting for joy

...this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

{2 Corinthians 4:17-18}

happily ever after.

three months to the day of my grandpa's passing, my dear sweet grandma closed her eyes and went to be with her love. we should have known it wouldn't be long...for they were hardly ever apart.
my grandma nancy holds such a special place in my heart and i have often secretly thought we were kindred spirits. my love for art, creativity, neatness and organization come from my grandma nancy. she always took the time to make things extra special for all of her grandkids. picnic scavenger hunts, painting rocks, baths in the lake, and hours of flipping through her detailed photo scrap books are all fond memories i have of time spent with my grandma.
the last few years grandma suffered from dementia, and when grandpa died i was able to spend some quiet time with her.  she was unaware of the sadness that was around her, but through her confusion still had a spark. i will treasure those moments.
although we all knew this time would come, it doesn't make it any easier. two people, who loved so great, and were loved by many will be sorely missed. a place in our hearts left empty.
i love you grandma and pray that this day you are whole again.

every girl needs a place.

reading. tv watching. lap topping. stitching. praying. resting.
this has become my new place. a cozy little corner of our humble abode. just for me.
i likey.