In Christ Alone our Hope is Found

One Saturday night we went to Port. It's rare that we all go out on a Saturday night. But I was super organized for Sunday and the wind felt blustery at our house, so we knew it would be even more so at the beach. We go to the beach more for the beauty than to swim. It didn't disappoint. You can see in the first picture that the waves were washing over the pier especially here at the rocks. The kids were mesmerized. The waves were fabulous, the sky was beautiful and the wind just felt so good. I think these may be my favorite pictures of the summer. These pictures were all taken within one hour in one place. From every different angle, the sky was different - from angry to blue and sunny. It was really neat. I love how Tessa is trying to be big like the rest instead of just being content to look through the bars. I am so paranoid of a kid going over that I felt fear watching Tessa stand like that. It hits me in the pit of my stomach. But in order for her to fall through, she ...

Last Friday Ken took Micah, Natalie, Josiah, and Grace camping for a weeeeeek. He decided to do this last January. He is so amazing with the kids. I am so blessed in so many ways with and by Ken. They love to rough it. We all miss each other, but I think it's good for everyone. Ken is so fun and it's a different feel without mom there. Ken loves to drive away and be away, so it's great for him. It's his happy place. It's good for me because I crave quiet. I get filled up with alone time. I am an introvert to the max. Tessa loves time alone with me as well. I have been looking forward to this FOR MONTHS! I had plans to plan my school year, go through clothes, cupboards and toys, clean my cupboards, fill some holes in the wall and paint over them, clean carpets, clean a stinky fridge that is in our garage so I can bring it in the house (exciting prospect), clean baseboards and walls. I was prepared to tear this place apart and work 12 hour days on my schedule. That is...

We were given a tremendous gift - 4-ish days a Birchbank. We had never been and it was so incredibly fun. We hope to go back someday. I got some amazing pictures. Here is a glimpse. I love these two pictures, but the light was really odd and I couldn't make them bright and shiny. Kind of too bad. But the people are still cute. (: Siah's face was just too weird to keep in. Sorry Si! (: In the last bit, Grace has matured quite a bit. This girl played for hours by herself. Our favorite times to be at the beach were morning and evening. It was so peaceful. Grace's dream came true - A kayak small enough for her! (: Natalie loved kayaking too. That expression though!  She is not always roses and sunshine! (wink) It would be easy to caption this one! He got the board back, but she insisted on floating with him. Micah and I thought this picture was a masterpiece with the ball in the air! lol Micah in the low light at night. My kids wo...