pretty and true

 this post contains a little pretty and lot of true.  some close up phone pics of some gorgeous wild flowers. back on my birthday my big kids gifted me a monthly flower subscription running through spring and summer.  it's been so enjoyable.  looking up really close at these vibrant bouquets i truly stand in awe of the Creator.  the magnificent colours and shapes and varieties are breathtaking and the delicate design is meticulous.  and that's just wild flowers.  

the other bit i read recently was a quote by Savannah Guthrie, from her book "Mostly What God Does"....she writes "God does not require us to ignore or gloss over the sorrows we experience or the unjustness we see but to believe past them.  believe that he is on the case, that his intentions toward us are good, that he is ever inclined toward forgiveness and reconciliation.  that the pains of this world are not his original plan and will not be how the story ends.  This is faith."  

i like that reminder.  

BC

 way back at the start of summer (feels like a long time ago now) the three of us traveled west.  we had a two fold purpose- to see our daughter and to attend the wedding of our dear friend's son.  soooo much fun!  

will drop some photos here to help me remember the highlights always! :)

he thinks he could get used to this "jetting around here and there" thing

we said "yes" to the donuts and took in many cafes

Joelle and Ki were camping hosts extraordinaire.  they thought of all the necessary things (well except maybe the level of technical skill required for the hike :)  kidding...i self-identified as the weakest link and still got it done.  fun accomplishment!) and fed us sooo well.

Cree's first morning waking in a tent

so good to see this kid.  she is so gritty and tough.  she scaled things way back to hike with me.  kind of her.  humbling for me.  that's alright.

my favourite guy

gorgeous day with the prettiest view, celebrating and catching up with dear friends.

any of the best photos were most certainly taken by Joelle or Jeff.  just assume...

FBI agents??  nah...old friends.  really great guys and so nice to be all together.

so kind of C&S to lend out their beautiful spot in North Van (crazy cool location!!)  we had the best time exploring and seeing our dear ones.  refreshing and memorable for sure.  and, while camping for a night i did not encounter a bear on my nighttime ventures to the bathroom, so that was a win.

grateful. 

boy's got hustle

 Cree scooped up the very best award given out at basketball camp.  

the "Hustle Award".  for great listening, effort and genuine drive to give it 100% all week long.  wow. that's my boy. ❤

way back throwback

these got me.  so thankful for these times.  these kids. these memories. random snapshots in old photo files.  how fun to come across them this summer.  

most of my big kiddos are having birthdays around now.  i'm so thankful for each one, for each birthday, for each milestone, and for each day that i get to be their mom.  all of it. being entrusted with the honour of raising them will always be the biggest deal to me.  the most significant mission i've ever undertaken.    

how cute are they?! :)

grateful for each year.  praying and cheering them on, knowing that God loved them first. thankful for God's goodness and loving care over them.  

❤ 

vanilla boys

you wouldn't think there'd be two straight vanilla lovers in one family.  apparently there is :)  and apparently they must not know about moose tracks or chocolate peanut butter...

sweet treats.  sweet memories.  

photo credit to my mom

back in the swing

 back in the swing of things...mostly.  i honestly hadn't intended to take a month long break from this little corner of the internet.  i'd figured on two weeks for a wonderful vacation, and then back at it!  somehow i lost another two weeks, and well, here i am now.  summer rhythms are different than the school months, but consistently the same every year as well...busy, and fun and full and delightfully warm.  

i will post soon about our wonderful time out west, but for today. a quick photo wrapping up June.

Cree with two of his loves.  he adores his big sister Hannah, for sure!  she stopped by on her way to work to see him on his birthday.  also up there is his new orange bike with gears.  he loves riding in "grass mode", he calls it, and is already using it to accompany Jeff on his runs!  he's faster and stronger than ever and just actually growing up way too fast.  i really wish there was a way to slow this down.

six

 somehow the little baby tiny baby boy (who turned our world in a wonderful new direction) is six.  six whole years of loving him and growing right alongside him.  he's sweet and curious and feels so deeply.  he loves family gatherings, so his birthday tracked as one of his favourite events.  the next morning after the birthday party he was quietly eating his cereal when he broke the silence with this statement, "i sure was loving that party yesterday, wasn't i mom?!"

"yah buddy, you sure were!"  

a beautiful day.  a beautiful boy.  a beautiful celebration with a sweet extended family :)