summer days part III

Daily walks/runs/bike rides in bathing suits. Either right before lunch or right after.

Off for the day to visit my good friend Gloria (and her three little boys) from SUNY Canton days.

Her garden was THRIVING and she sent us home with 3 bag fulls of beans! She and I picked while the kids played in the dirt. We talked homeschooling and Jesus. What a special friend I have in her. Our monthly get-togethers (whether here or there) are something we always look forward to.

The kids snipped ALL the ends. I blanched. Our freezer sits full. To me it's just a reminder, He's taking care of us.

Just part of the 'flow'.

I have since enforced a helmet rule for the lucky rider. It was enough to freak me out just a little bit.

Life is just fun and rich with Dad in it and we wait all times of ridiculous minutes/hours just to eat a meal with him here and there. 

Pretty weeds. "Green and white! Your favorite colors Mom!"

For a few months all four babies shared this room. It was SO fun and everything precious. We welcomed a young college aged girl (from back home and who attends our church now when in Potsdam) to stay with us for a summer class she helped to teach. We miss Julia!!!

An impromptu baptism took place right here down Sullivan Rd in our rinky dink pop up pool. How incredibly awesome and special!

I had just the three little boys for a few days. It was crazy fun!

Julia makes delicious Kranz bread, and taught a friend and I how to as well.

He fell in love with her. He is happy to go with others, but I've never seen him so content to just sit and be with Julia.

Four in a room is done. Sophia asked to try her own room for a bit. She's all grown up now you know. Asher was heartbroken due to the 'change', falling all on the same day Julia left, but we're growing and stretching among these four little walls. It has been good. And obviously time. Four boys will one day soon enough fill the other space.

Growing, getting long and lean, and ready for business.

Waiting for his first day (most likely 'couple of hours', Asher and Sophia pull the all days) with Dad! What unique and special opportunities this season allows. Despite the long hours there isn't anything better than just being with/by Dad. As a boy, seeing what it is to work hard and be diligent is simply invaluable these days.

Not yet Bo. Not yet!

vacation and summer part II

Just as soon as Sophia graduated did that very next night begin (for us) the Ockrin annual family reunion. We snuck away for a less than 24 hour rendezvous, but it was one of  the best less than 24 hours spent in a long time. On the agenda for next summer; same time, same place. It was AMAZING, both in sight and fellowship.

Then, I recently left Gabe for a week straight and headed to my childhood hometown where the activities are endless and time with family is feasted upon. It.was.just.what.we.needed. We missed Gabe, but I'm so thankful for this season to be putting our hands to the plow. I'm absolutely amazed, encouraged, and refreshed in the grace I've been given for this season of what looks to be my own putting hands to the plow. It's long days and sometimes even longer nights. A change in pace altogether was fun and I promised the kids that no matter what the schedule looked like this summer, we would still do summer.

First up: A leisurely stroll down my parents dirt road to this, the very gazebo Gabe and I made a covenant in before the Lord. I nearly wiped away tears walking up this little grassy knoll with my babies. He is a covenant keeping God. And look at all those blessings from those very 'I do's'!

9 years later.

"Mom, this was the hill you went sledding down as a kid in the wintertime right?!"

These two love dogs.

Morning, noon, or evening. Didn't matter much the time of day. "Wanna go for a ride again?" "Sure!"

Kickball

Lem in on the mix! He was SO cute and grew up a little more that week. He started eating more food, as in lots more. Lasagna. Apple sauce. Cheerios. Then we came home and he wanted NOTHING to do with it. Yup.

My sister, Randi, who was ready then to have her baby!

Still waiting...

Schroon Lake, now that's a lake!

Asher learned to ride the dirt bike. He couldn't have felt more cool and proud if he tried! And I couldn't stop smiling at him.

Great Escape. An afternoon visiting with two friends from childhood and their little ones. Being and doing with family. It was jam packed full of fun and yet relaxing in every way needed.

I love our families!

sophia and summer part I

Graduation night. My little Kindergartner.

Then, she turned 6 and requested a pool party with Sergis pizza, salad, and ice cream cones. I tried not to show too much of my own excitement in her choice of menu, but rather took it in stride that this year I definitely got off the hook! Ears were pierced. And we called it a great celebration. 

The friends were only slightly unsure of this Grandma who said it was OK to eat the orange flower part of some veggies from her garden.

A baby Sophia.

Lem LOVED Grandma! 

We had a blast and I've concluded, summer birthdays are simply some of the best!