Because I took a blogging break this summer (but I surely didn't take a life break!), I thought I'd take a little time for gathering the moments . . . this time not the moments of a month, but those of a season. And a full season it was!
Summer 2018 was . . .
A piano recital. A baby shower, celebrating the new life that was already "growing with love."
Papa teaching the grands to make banana splits.
Celebrating fathers. Trips to the beach. Lemon cream pie.
Making plans for more kitchen updates. Projects.
A luxurious day of coffee, antiquing, and lunching with a dear friend.
Making plans for more kitchen updates. Projects.
A luxurious day of coffee, antiquing, and lunching with a dear friend.
A Grand Summer Sleepover, complete with the performance of an original play that had us rolling with laughter!
Summer 2018 was also . . .
Times spent with little grands. Reading and puzzles and piano lessons.
A homemade ice cream party.
Working at VBS for the first time in many years.
A shrimp feast. (That's even better than ice cream, if you ask me.)
Ladies for lunch and a big summer salad.
Two birthday girls.
Two birthday girls.
A day at the water park.
A birthday party celebrating the July and the August birthdays. Eight in all! We wanted to be sure to celebrate everyone before we went on Baby Watch.
A night set aside for grands who wanted to play Phase 10. When all was said and done, seven decided to come, even some who don't particularly love Phase 10 but didn't want to miss out on the fun!
Three anniversaries (including a couple of milestones).
Six birthdays.
Produce from the garden.
A girls' day out that we squeezed into the middle of Baby Watch. I'd like to say it was a day at the beach, but it was really more like 30 minutes at the beach before the rain began. Snow cones were the consolation prize. But really, being together was the prize.
Did I say six birthdays? Make that seven!
Baby snuggles and kisses. And a newborn photo shoot by Kati. (More photos ~here~.)
A real life science lesson when "Anna" the monarch showed signs of emerging from her chrysalis on a piano lesson morning and was brought along to Gran's house. And emerge she did, right before our wondering eyes. It was Eve's turn to release.
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| Photo by Kati |
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| Photo by Kati |
I can't show you all the "happy" without acknowledging that there is suffering and sadness all around. Life is full of it because we live in a fallen world. But that knowledge reinforces my belief that we do need to celebrate His goodness, to spend time with our loves, to invest in them, to reach out to those around us, to use the time we have for good.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17
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Sounds like a delightful and full summer! Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteIt was, Kate! Thank you for the anniversary blessing!
DeleteLife does go on even if we don't blog about it on a daily or weekly basis. You were busy indeed. You celebrate well and keep those memories growing. Congratulations on the latest little baby boy added to your family. So sweet! A very happy 40th anniversary to you and your guy!
ReplyDeleteBusy, yes, but with lots of good things! There was even time for a few lazy days as we were on summer break from school. We are sure in love with that little boy, and thanks for the anniversary greetings!
Delete"Celebrate His goodness" you did, my friend! Every photo is delightful of all the blessings of a wonderful summer spent with your loved ones. Your Gathering of the Moments of Summer is a splendid thing indeed. Each darling face is full of joy and that is a wonderful thing to see. Happy Anniversary to you and your sweetheart and to your parents as well! It's lovely to see long lasting love. ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for celebrating with us, Martha Ellen, through the wonders of cyber space! We are grateful for all of His blessings, including that "long lasting love"!
DeleteWhat a lovely post, full of holiday fun and family times. Yes, the world is full of sadness and horrors too, but aren't we blessed to know the best of life.
ReplyDeleteYes, we are. Blessed indeed!
DeleteCheryl such a wonderful treat to read your post and see all the blessings you experienced during the summer. I loved your photo of Judah - what a treasure. Pray your autumn season brings you just as much joy. Have a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Debbie, for your kind words! Ahhhhh, that Judah. He is a treasure!
DeleteWishing a wonderful weekend to you . . .
What a wonderful, happy post!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary ~ FlowerLady
Thank you, Lorraine! We are grateful!
DeleteWonderful summer, lots of happy celebrations! It’s good to remember the goodness of the Lord to us, especially in a world filled with hard, grievous things.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Remembering His goodness is what gets us through . . . knowing that He is always good!
DeleteI feel the warmth and beauty and celebration of your post! Such a treat to see all your lovely family photos and especially of your newest member of the family.
ReplyDeleteLoved your last paragraph... epecially the last line "...reinforces my belief that we do need to celebrate His goodness, to spend time with our loves, to invest in them, to reach out to those around us, to use the time we have for good."
Many wishes for many more happy days and celebrations,
Brenda xoxox
Thanks so much, Brenda! I know that you celebrate His goodness too!
DeleteThat post itself was a labor of love. Thank you for sharing your family with us. So glad that the camera did not take time off. Do you have a new laptop now? So nice to find you here again.
ReplyDeleteIt did take some time to "gather" three months' worth, but oh so worth it to relive the moments and record them! Thanks for joining me!
DeleteYes, I finally broke down and got a new laptop. I couldn't afford to limp along with the old one once school began. I did the happy dance when I got it up and running! What a difference!
Yay!
DeleteThank you for this marvelous post. What a wonderful and happy summer you have had. I loved seeing every picture you posted. Welcome sweet Judah! And congratulations to you and your parents on your milestone anniversaries.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Kathy, for sharing our joy!
DeleteI receive your blog updates through email so I don't miss them. Last night I was so sleepy and getting ready for bed when I saw there was an email update from your blog. Yes! The summer blog rest is over. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your words of encouragement, Brenda! That means a lot!
DeleteSo happy to see a post from you again! Looks like a busy fun summer, and how good of you to be honest and acknowledge the hard times as well, with tribute to our heavenly Father who helps us through those times and in whose loving providence we can fully trust. Loved seeing your wedding picture--your girls look like you! Happy 40th! Tell Kati I loved her overhead photo of Judah with all his statistics. How very creative! Now to begin your final year of homeschooling!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dotsie! We are blessed! I will tell Kati that you loved her photo. I know she had a wonderful time with that shoot. :)
DeleteWe are up and running with that final year! Bittersweet for both of us, I think.
What a great summer!!! You were very busy indeed. Congrats on your 40th anniversary and on the birth of a sweet grandson. Good to see you again. Here's to a wonderful Fall ...
ReplyDeleteRosella, celebrating long-time love and a new life are some of the best things there are! I know that you are enjoying your new little grandson too . . . I am sure that he is growing so fast!
DeleteNice to see your family photos and happenings. Happy belated anniversary! Your wedding dress looks similar to mine, we celebrated 41 years. Yes, thank Kati for the cute styling of the babies' stats. And your lovely wooden box that you painted.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the anniversary greetings! I'd love to see your wedding dress! The 70's had their own look, didn't they? I'll pass your words along to Kati.
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