an ockrin occasion: June 2015

lemuel

Our Lemuel, better known to us as Little John or Johnny, turned two! He gets to remain the baby for a bit longer, though his days most definitely are numbered. He is my beautiful boy (often referred to as by others) with sharp features and his daddy's chin, my favorite.

We have a celebration penciled in later in the month when my parents will also able to visit. I didn't cry or feel sad with the turning of two. I like (love in fact) too much of who these babies slowly start to turn into to look back and wish I could keep them small forever. I love each season I'm given with them. They really only seem to get better! I love being a mom. I love being a mom to these unique and specific individuals. That's a gift worth celebrating, daily.

Our Lemuel John is growing up to be a fine little lad! We can't get enough of this kid.

an anniversary to celebrate!

On June 25th, Gabe and I celebrate 10 years of marriage. While this honestly has come faster than one could ever have anticipated (I hear the years just go by faster the longer you're together and the older you get), it can mistakenly appear to seem rather insignificant, comparatively speaking, to our parents and those who have been married even longer. Some time to just think about it and give thanks reminds us, it is anything but insignificant!

This marker will realistically get lost in the shuffle. We've never been big on actual dates/days to celebrate our anniversary, maybe something a little extra special (like dinner out) some 6 months later. Come this particular June 25th we will hopefully be winding down with opening another shop! By default, we will most assuredly be wrapped up in the throws of busyness and details too much to think about much else.

So... we wisely took advantage for anything special on our recent getaway and turned it into a small 10 year anniversary precursor celebration of sorts. Turns out we're both just as simple, cheap, and easy to please as we were ten years ago! Walks together alone (after little 3 were sound asleep by 7 pm! and various families were readying their own younger gangs for bed before adult hang-out) provided the perfect opportunity to catch up and laugh. It seemed everything perfect and fitting, for us. And such a treat! Gabe never has time for walks?!

The older four stayed back for a few days between Grandma and Grammy, leaving us just Lemuel. We took the long way home that day through Keene, Keene Valley, and Lake Placid; the exact place we spent some time honeymooning. And most of it outside hiking many many miles together! I was tearfully happy and thankful just to stop for a (foggy) viewing and some pictures of the range we tackled. Wow, what a time flash!?!?!

The miles and places we have covered in ten years. I can only hope for 60 more just like them! They have been awesome and simply amazing.

I love my husband.

we got away!

Two whole days (and small portions of two others) were spent with family with the scenery always breathtaking, the break in relentless cycle appreciated like none other, and the company of family never to disappoint. Demands are real. Life and responsibilities have a way of giving hands and feet to those unending demands. What a gift and testimony of God's faithfulness, provision, and great blessing these past solid two years to break away for more than 24 hours on what actually felt like a real vacation, just to take it all in.

I walked everywhere. So much. Always a moment to slip away (early morning or late evening) for a stroll solo or with someone else to just stare at this place.