florida 2020

never did i ever think this post would be so enjoyable to record...

as you all know things have gotten a wee bit crazy, here and beyond, with COVID-19 currently changing life as we have known it.  that will be another post on another day- hopefully on the other side of this pandemic that's ravaging our world...praying so...

so our week in Florida barely happened, and if it had been shifted a few days later on the calendar it surely would have impacted our decision to leave the country.  however, Florida 2020 did happen and was full of endless sunshine, hot hot hot days, lots of swimming and rest and refreshment.  best of all, though, was that for the first time in a long while, and maybe the last time in awhile too~ we were together as EIGHT!!  a silver lining and crazy fun twist~ Hannah was able to join us when she learned that her university classes were going online.  

fast forward to today.  we are home, in self-quarantine, and all currently feeling well and hoping that continues.  there is much to be grateful for and i see God's goodness and grace both on our vacation and here back home.  Florida already feels like a lonnnggg time ago, but thankfully these pictures take me back and serve to capture that blissful week of time when we actually felt somewhat isolated from the mayhem that was quickly escalating across the globe.  photo credits are mostly to Joelle and Hannah because we all know and acknowledge that my pics are lame in comparison to theirs, because i can't really be bothered to edit lighting and filters and retake the picture ten different times.  like c'mon....so i steal from them when the time comes to blog about the trip, and i'm so happy they let me.

on our way.  travel shenanigans.

Tampa pick up of a special delivery...

Krispy Kreme traditions...

breathtaking sunsets

our cuties...Joelle is in a lot of the pictures because she took most of them! :)

dinner memories...

evening at the pier...

my person...i adore him and every adventure we share~ near and far...

such a gift of time that i wonder if we'll only come to appreciate more and more as these weeks move along.  thankful for new memories made with my bunch.  thankful for road safety and no major incidents as we traveled, including the fact that no one harmed their siblings on the ride home when all six were divided, three to a row. :) thankful for the oasis of rest and beauty and sun and refreshment.  

Florida 2020. it happened.  so grateful!

U Sports

another wrestling post.  bear with me.  these are noteworthy and so significant, particularly for our two oldest daughters.  Hannah~ at her first U Sports tournament since her comeback to wrestling.

Joelle~ at her last U Sports tournament of her university days.  for us, it was blissful to be there, fully engaged and without the littles accompanying us so we could be fully present and soak it all up. 

this all-Canadian event is the real deal.  the best in each province compete.  the cream of the crop.  our girls were so happy to qualify.  they wrestled great, with such grit and character and overall just a great showing.  Hannah finished 6th.  Joelle finished 5th.
 

we loved every second.  so proud of their work on the mats.  so fun seeing them and catching up.  it was a bit emotional for all of us as Joelle wraps up her time on the McMaster team.  she's super grateful for the experiences and the friendships with teammates and the memories made.  it seems impossible that it's over, to be honest...

still, we're thankful it happened for Joelle and that we could enjoy the view as often as we did from the corner of the mat.  Hannah hopefully has a few more years to participate.  great job girls~ super courageous...we love you and will always be in your corner!

U Sports 2020~ Brock University, St. Catherines

wrestling pics

Layla has battled hard this season.  she had grown and developed lots in this grueling sport.

i love these two pictures above and below because they capture it so well...these are taken at provincials and SWOSSAA.  today she's competing at OFSAA.  it's really the pinnacle of high school wrestling.  she's having a great time and i'm super happy for her to be there for the first time.

 the facial expression and hair says it all~ a hard fought win.

congratulations, my Lay...another fun season!