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 :)

Jeff

 an oldie.  but so Jeff, all the same.  hugs that turned into back cracks.  that is what is very likely happening below.  afterward he'd sometimes say "you owe me seventy five bucks" to the specific child who was at the mercy of his unsolicited spine manipulation.  in this case it was AJ... 

Jeff has signed up for more than most dads would ever consider taking on, even under intense duress haha.  that doesn't make him better, not at all, but it sure does make him brave and his perseverance is noteworthy...he shows up day after day, year after year.  he's exceptional.  he's steady and sure footed and as loyal as they come. 

happy father's day, Jeff!  we are all sooo grateful to have you.  

❤

time

 time has not slowed for me.  not one bit.  i think that's maybe a fair indicator of a really full life. no drawn out days or snail's pace weeks around here.  quite the opposite actually.  we are "all in" with work and Cree's weekly activities, and still super aware that this too will be fleeting.  i try to slow myself enough, (almost) regularly, to soak up the moments that all too soon will be rearview mirror memories only.  we know this firsthand with our first round of kiddos.  it's a lot most days, but we are grateful as well, for the abundant life and opportunities we've been blessed to experience with both our big kids and the incredible little human we've been "charged with" in this current chapter.  i pray for wisdom and strength to keep all the core pieces balanced and the many plates spinning.  sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don't.  we know this.  we try to do better and get closer to the mark next time.  many days i wonder- and many days i know.  i am one person- entrusted with much- and knowing that much is also required of me.  i pray that in my weakness i'll have strength.  i see God's care and provision- daily.  i feel so sure that the goodness of God carries me and i rest confidently in knowing it always has and always will.  fears and doubts sometimes lurk (i'm human after all), but not for long honestly.  no time for that to linger.  i sleep so peacefully (low iron helps with that :)) with the pretty clear sense of my calling and purpose. grateful for the clear compass that directs and guides me.

below, six cutie pies in these throwbacks...back when we were in the thick of "parenting 1.0"

daytrip

 we had a great daytrip to a recent Blue Jays game in Detroit.  sometimes it's just so fun to escape routine and go on an adventure.  we enjoyed the full on summertime weather (like blazing hot), the ballpark treats, the great game seats, and of course THE JAYS WIN over the Tigers.  for Jeff and i, it was pretty great to share this with Cree, and to cap it off with a delicious Mexican meal and short trip home.  

the carousel in Comerica park was a bonus! 

go Jays go!

they came!

 Jack and Lay came home.  Jack for the weekend, Layla for twelve days.  it was wonderful.  their return made for a great opportunity to celebrate their recent engagement.  we crowded the café with friends and family.  it was special, it was busy, but it was sooo fun.  their joy is contagious.  the excitement is real.  the wedding planning was really wonderful to share in while she was here.  anddddd, a stunning white dress was chosen, which was such a privilege to share in.  a complete gift for my heart on so many levels.  

a few photos captured by Layla and Kia capture some sweet moments. 

and now they are back in California.  i am adjusting and riding out the new routine, again...i know this feeling all too well by now.  another dear one of ours is also on the west coast (Joelle is coming for a visit soon as well in a couple of weeks!).  when the big kids leave it's a bit of a sinking feeling, a hole, especially when we are aware of parts we miss and long to share in.  Cree feels it every time...still- both Jeff and i agree, it's all overwhelmingly worth her palpable joy.