summer 2024 wrap-up

 already getting into a fall groove here with new routines and patterns taking shape, replacing the more "wide open" feel of summer break....

while the weather has still felt very summer-ish (until just yesterday), the schedule sure is different...

before getting ahead of myself, i'm going to drop a few of the leftover summer pictures here, and now, so they have their rightful place in my memory, always...

below, Cree is ready to "sub in" if there was an injury during his dad's soccer game~ literally took it so seriously.

Joelle, on another insane adventure, wearing her beautiful smile

lambies...oh, the struggle with Cree and his worn down lambies...

many summer birthday desserts. the first~ and maybe the best~ peach pavlovas.

summer 2024~ the time i started pulling espressos and dove into the vast world of all things coffee

Jessie looking like she has one eye, but still adorable

Joelle capturing pool shenanigans

"if we get a pup we'll definitely keep her off the furniture" ;)

 trial run on the school bus.  

it was a hit!

garden grown sunflower by my dad

summer 2024...much to be thankful for!

summer sports

Cree took part in his first summer of organized sports this year.  soccer and baseball.  he did awesome! he grew and learned and loved going each week! that was a win for sure.  we will see what the future holds, where his passions and abilities align, and what he gravitates to in the future.  for now, it's just fun to expose him to different activities and to see the "take-aways" he gets from participating.  

way to go, little man! 

a visit!

Joelle recently came home for a visit.  super special to see her after a longer stretch away, and it filled me up to have her around again.  when she comes she always brings energy and fun and laughter and just her special "Joelle-ness".  

Cree reconnected quickly and Jessie and Joelle became fast friends.

Jessie also liked Joelle's ball of yarn haha...thankfully, i saved it in time.

love you kiddo, and it was good to connect and chat and have you physically near.  can't wait until the next time! ❤

he likes to fish

Adam likes to fish, and sometimes catches some really unique ones.  ones i'd rather not know are swimming in the same waters as us, but nevertheless, still a fun sport for him...

below is a longnose gar...kind of creepy bizarre looking!

and a pike!

cool Adam!  love that you love this!

my grocery sidekick

 this week will be the last of our weekly Friday grocery store runs.  we kind of got set on going once a week during covid, and Cree became a fixture in my cart and loved "helping" me out each week as i tackled my long list and full cart.  as he starts into full time school, i'm going to miss him tagging along with me.  Superstore has some kind employees, specifically Mr. Mike, AJ, Mr. Dave, Miss Irene, Mrs. Lynn and Mrs. Sharon, and i'm sure they will also miss his cheery conversations.  

one of his favourite parts was pushing the cart until we got to the deli meat counter, and then he'd move into the cart to eat a couple pieces of ham, often bagged by Miss Irene, when she'd say "There you go, handsome!"  he also loves to help me move the bags to the trunk of the van, and return the cart back to its place...he loves when i tell him how strong he's getting after he carries a twelve pack of sparking water all by himself.  he seems to love the predictable routine and time to connect with familiar faces.  gonna miss him, for sure.  thankful for these normal everyday memories we made...

Jeff's helper

 Cree describes it like this..." remember that time you went to coffee school Mom and I was daddy's assistant at the college..." Cree and Jeff started the day with the Sarnia Roadrunner's race.  so Cree did 1km first thing.  like a champ.  then they were off to a wrestling camp/clinic being hosted at Lambton College.  Jeff was providing the physio support in case it was needed.  Cree was set to step in and help if someone had an injury.  

well, he loved it!  wore him right out, but he loved it.  he wants me to go back to coffee school so they can do it again :)

below, he helped unload the wrestling mats from the "big truck"...

i hated leaving the crew, but was still happy to know they survived and thrived in my absence...well, within reason at least haha

thirty

 thirty years married.  how can it be?!  feels surreal and impossible somehow.  just the way time passes.  it also feels like the greatest of gifts.  the gift of time and togetherness for three whole decades...marriage is a covenant, before God, and one of truly sacred status.  that remains unchanged.  but being married to Jeff has never felt like an agreement, or anything that i needed to remind myself i'd signed my name to.  the promise remains utterly important, but more to say that my commitment to Jeff has been the really easy part.  he has my whole heart. 

and to think that God in His goodness saw fit to bring us together so long ago, to give me this life partner who is by my side through thick and thin, well, that is no small thing.   

in the above picture we were babies...my word. the picture below~ no longer babies...

but here were are anyway, heading out for our dinner date to celebrate.

grateful for all these years. we've shared so much.  so glad i took the time to seek God's will when choosing my partner.  because i landed "one of the good ones", to be sure...