the windy city

 four really fun days were recently spent in Chicago...there's actually so much to see and experience and enjoy there in the windy city.  we could have stayed longer.  

good times, good friends, great memories.

cool treats

 

not many "perfect for ice cream" kinda nights left, so we're getting them in while we can! ;)

when we pray

Citizen singing When We Pray

"for my brothers and my sisters feeling low, for the orphan longing desperately for home, for the broken ones who don't know where to go, in Jesus name there is hope. 

for the mothers and the fathers on their knees, for the sons and daughters trapped in slavery, for the anxious heart that's fighting for some peace, in Jesus name you are free.  

in Jesus name...amen, in Jesus name...amen, in Jesus name there's nothing He can't do when we pray, in Jesus name.

for the world to know they're loved through sacrifice, for the church to leave the room and testify, for the streets to flow with justice changing lives, in Jesus name, come alive

in Jesus name...amen, in Jesus name...amen, in Jesus name there's nothing He can't do when we pray, in Jesus name

the only name who stands alone, 

the only name that is unrivaled, the only name that is on the throne, the name of Jesus, 

the only name that we believe, the only name that creation sings, the only name for eternity, 

the name of Jesus

in Jesus name...amen, in Jesus name...amen, in Jesus name there's nothing He can't do when we pray, in Jesus name, 

when we pray in Jesus name, when we pray in Jesus name"

cutie Cree

 

my little ninja

 Cree finished his first session of Ninja classes last month.  it was super cute watching him bravely tackle the obstacles and new challenges each week.  i'm probably biased :) but he was the best listener to his coach (to be clear, his listening has lots of room for improvement with me.  like actually lots. :) glad that wasn't the case with his coach, however) and so agile and strong too.  

a few pics to help me remember this adventure...

can't believe i have this chance to watch you grow, little man.  such a joy!

she graduated

 another milestone.  a new beginning.  a page turned.  Hannah did it.  all done her nursing degree at Western and just like that she's moving on and away from that student life.  not always an easy transition, i'm sure.  she's back home again to work and save and pay off debt.  a strategic move and one that we, of course, welcomed.  she has done it with grace and confidence and character.  

her graduation last month caused us all to pause and realize what Joelle missed by graduating during the start of a pandemic. too bad for sure.  she made the best of it of course, but it really felt like an important culmination of four years of determined effort and i was sad she didn't get to experience a typical graduation.  

congrats Hannah!  you're already an exceptional nurse and a gift to those you care for.  keep your humorous, compassionate edge and you'll be a ray of sunshine wherever you land...❤