Summer

It's been some time since I've been in this space. To be honest, long stretches of this past year I didn't even pick up the my camera. I didn't want to share our life here, but instead sought to draw my dear ones close and hunker down. It was just that kind of year. Sadness, stress, and days on our knees is what I will remember. And that my sweet Savior walked through those deep valleys with me... with all of us... drawing us closer to Him and to each other. 

Spring ended with us having to say goodbye to my beautiful, godly, and full-of-spunk mother-in-law. 

Nana. 

Mom. 

Alzheimer's made her last years on earth pretty rough, but she danced and laughed through most of it... just like always. Then cancer took her from us. That woman knew how to live life and she lived it with great joy right to the very end. 

Oh she is so missed.

Nana's memorial service weekend in New Jersey

Then there was summer. It was lovely; a balm for soul. 

Spectacular skies and that sweet smelling air filled our days. 

And rest. Oh blessed rest. 

my sweet father-in-law

We swam and swam and swam.... well, they did. I timed and sat mostly.

"Gangster" themed swim meet. This is as gangster as we can get.

Look at that cute timer. 

The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Orlando with my mom and some fantastic ladies from church. 

Family gathered at the lake for the 4th of July.

Cousins

Blueberries.

And blackberries.

Cheering on the Nationals!

Fun in Linden along the Appalachian Trail.

VBS at church

Visiting Mema and Grandpa's house in Florida.

Summer is too short!