Gathering the Moments | June 2024

I am going to show you some photos of some lovely moments in June.

Even though there are many struggles and life continues to be complicated, our God is faithful. As our Good Shepherd, He guides us through these rugged paths  . . . one day at a time. And in the midst of the hard days, there are lovely moments, beautiful gifts from His hand. 

~ Summer is at the door! ~
I found a large door basket at an antique store at the end of last summer,
and I had been waiting to fill it with hydrangeas!

 ~ ladies' Bible study in the sunroom ~

~ at the beach, one Mom's happy places ~ 

~ theater ~

~ a moment to create ~

~ lunch at Gammy's ~

~ a long overdue outing with my friend Barbara ~

(Yummy food, coffee, antiquing, and a whole lot of catching up!)

~ FATHER'S DAY ~

It was the first Father's Day without my Daddy. I expected it to be hard, but honestly, there were days leading up to the day that were harder. Grief is like that. You keenly miss your person on those "special" celebratory days. but you also miss your person on ordinary days and at random times like when you dip your knife into the orange marmalade and remember that it was his favorite. 

There were some sunshine-y moments on this Father's Day . . . dads with (some of) their children . . . a summer table set with new striped napkins that were a bargain . . . a delicious assortment of pies from a local bakery . . . a happy Gift Fairy . . . the best cards . . . texts and Facetime from faraway children . . . laughter . . . love.

~ a grand day with a sweet granddaughter ~ 

Simple pleasures, a few treats, and time spent together.

~ birthdays ~

~ attending the closing program for our grandchildren's VBS ~

We were thrilled that the theme of the week was TRUTH . . . God's truth that does. not. change. Kids may enjoy the crafts, games, and snacks at VBS, but the words of eternal truth are what it's all about, so when our babies sang out the theme song: 

🎶 There is a rock that stands the test of time
Where the wind and waters rise
And waves are always breakin'

There is a rock where we can build our lives
His name is Jesus Christ
And we will not be shaken 🎶

. . . well, my heart was moved and I was so grateful that these truths are being poured into their hearts!

~ a visit with Ryan and family ~
This visit was a long time coming, and it had been a logistical feat to coordinate multiple schedules. We had car trouble on the way up, had to put the van in the shop, there were logistical hurdles to overcome since we had to extend our stay while we waited for the van to be repaired, and there was grave concern over friends who became ill while we were away.  But our time with family was priceless! We had some much-needed time to relax, plenty of good food (including homemade banana-chocolate chip ice cream, a full English breakfast, and Texas burgers), beautiful music, iced coffees and lattes, a visit to the National Air & Space Museum, games, movies, crazy laughing at right-left face collages, fireworks, and even a bit of antiquing.
(Huge thanks to my sister, daughter, and grandchildren who handled things here on the home front while we were away!) 

~ ordinary moments ~
Cat naps. Summery touches around the house.
Meals in the sunroom. Sunny views.

Yes, there were some beautiful gifts in the month of June! 

I will leave you with a beautiful musical moment. 

(Daughter Bekah is playing the piano and granddaughter Eve is on the violin.)

Gathering the Moments | May 2024

 

Our May was a very busy, bountiful, and celebratory month!

Kati and family came for a visit. Ryan and family came for a couple of days. We celebrated a graduation, three birthdays (even though only one of those was actually in May), Mother's Day . . . and there was even a belated Christmas gift thrown into the mix!  

They're here! 

Bekah graduated from community college with high honors!
Her entire family was here to celebrate her achievement. 

She worked hard and we are all so proud of her, 

the baby of our family (who is sometimes known as "Baby Girl" 😉)

s

Twenty-three of us in Bekah's cheering section! 

The grad with her parents

Bekah with her sister Kristin and her family

Bekah with her brother Ryan and his family

Bek with her sister Kati and her family

Siblings

Mother's Day
As I said, the celebrations were fluid this month . . .
and we celebrated occasions whenever people were here.
By actual Mother's Day, the out-of-state kids and their families had returned home 
and the "locals" gathered with our moms.

The remainder of May
Theater for three grands
(and running into our oldest grandson at the performance we attended and sitting together)
A bird-outside cat-inside the window encounter
Fresh flowers ~ fresh food
A 5th wedding anniversary
Spring

Taking the next steps . . .