Grateful for days

So there is this book, Ten Thousand Gifts I'm not sure who wrote it, but I haven't read the whole thing. I need to go back and do that. It was very popular one year and everyone was posting things they are grateful for. Yesterday I read a devotion about being thankful. 

I sure do have a great amount to be thankful for. I have been on a wonderful vacation in Michigan where we have had wonderful weather. 

Progression of the beautiful sunsets. 

Then my 12 year old cousin got a phone call last night for his new heart!!

Doesn't that look like a happy face??!! We are so excited for his surgery today and so grateful to the family who is experiencing a loss that can be our great gain. 

I can't even begin to explain how thankful we are!!

Splish Splash

That's all we did today! Splash in the water. It felt so good! I'm really thankful for these days. The water wasn't too cold and the air was really warm. 

I floated out in the water for most of the day. When I wasn't floating, I was crocheting. This is what I was making

At the lake, we always (or almost always) take baths in the lake. It can be difficult sometimes, when you try to balance, hold the soap and wash your leg with it up in the air. I have found that the sunscreen I lather up in won't come off easily without a wash cloth. 

This makes it so much easier. I put a little handle on it, so the soap won't get away. Mostly, I just relaxed in the water though. 

Here are some pictures from other days

Stir fry we made last night and ate outside because it was so hot inside. 

Lake Michigan with a cute little red head

Catapulting squash out to the sheep at Pond Hill Farm

Saturday's breakfast, which is a highlight of the trip, they have the best homemade bread that they use for toast

Hot up here

So today it is so hot up here. By that, I mean you have to sit in the shade and be where the wind is blowing. It is warm inside the house and there isn't a good breeze blowing through the house. 

It is so funny to think that it's hot in the house and you just have to go outside to get cooled down, not turn on the air conditioner.

We had a very busy past couple of days. We were on the water a lot. Sailing, skiing, kneeboarding, eating huge breakfasts, traveling around, cars breaking down, and lots of fun.

Saturday, we went to eat an amazing breakfast at Wood Winds in Onaway. It was so good!! It was so good, we didn't eat again until much later in the day.

We went to Harbor Springs after that, which is absolutely beautiful! There are so many really expensive houses, boats, and shops. 

We went to a farm there and catapulted some food at sheep. Which the boys loved. 

After we got finished with that we made some other stops, at one point, the van wouldn't start, which was a little exciting. We thankfully have several really smart men with us who can take care of anything. 

I can't get over how beautiful the flowers are up here. They are alway so full and colorful!

I have really enjoyed boat rides with my husband. It has been warm enough to have some later in the evening. Usually it has been cool and you have to be all bundled up to enjoy a ride, but not this week. 

Crazy hair, but it was great!

What about you? Anything fun going on?

The perfect day

Today has been the perfect day at Black Lake. The wind was calm, the sun was out and the water was great! 

This was my view for most of the day. I did get on the boat for a bit, then the jet ski, then helped Jake try to get up on the water skis. 

Grilled delicious ribs for a late lunch. 

 Enjoyed the laughter from the water. 

What would be your perfect day?

Sins of our father

Currently, I am reading in 2 Chronicles during my quiet time. I am at the parts where one king will follow the Lord and then the next one won't, then the next one will. It amazes me and blesses me to know that no matter what my parents do or have done, I have clean slate with God. Thankfully, my parents are also believers. But even they make mistakes. God will not hold those against me.

It also goes for me when I have kids. The mistakes I have made and will still make, won't make a difference for them. God is so good!

I don't know if that makes sense or not, but it does in my mind. 

Three years

Three years ago today, I was marrying the man of my dreams. 

How did I become so blessed? I knew for quite some time he was the man for me, he just didn't know it yet. So I waited. Thank goodness I did too!!

I love you sweet husband of mine!

Slow down, feel the breeze

This morning, at around 8:00, I woke up to the sound of waves, birds, and felt the cool Michigan breeze. I laid in bed for a bit. Then got dressed and grabbed my Bible. This is where I enjoyed my quiet time this morning.

It's so nice, many people aren't up yet so it's still very quiet around here. Today is going to be the same as yesterday, reading and relaxing outside, with maybe a little crocheting, and maybe a boat ride. 

I think the boys are going to get the sailboat out again and have another go at it. 

Our neighbors will be here soon and that will be lots of fun as well. 

I'm so thankful for this time and all the crazy memories to be made, kinda like this one.

This is how you eat when you're in the shade, with a breeze, but can't move because you aren't finished yet. 

Then there is this too, the German girl who has been vacationing for 5 weeks wants to mow the grass. We kept telling her the boys would, but she insisted!!!

Travels....

So we are on our way to Michigan. We have a quiet little spot on the lake up there. It is so peaceful and relaxing. I brought lots of books, food, sunscreen, and way too many clothes. 

There will be several other family members up there, which can get a little crazy, but we enjoy it. 

Here is my backseat buddy for the drive

So thankful for the time to relax!!!

Where does the time go?

So Saturday is my sweet man's 29th birthday! Last week was wedding. Where does all this summer free time I dream about go? 

I am excited to share some more about what the past week has been like with pictures. And the next few weeks too, because we are leaving for Michigan soon!

It has been very busy around here, which I enjoy, but I will be glad to not have anything to do at all for two weeks!!

My goal is to blog every single day. If I start on the summer, it might be easier to keep up with. I don't know if anyone will ever read this, but it is keeping track of memories for me. 

Back to the sweet man I married, when we first got engaged, we were listening to podcasts of Focus on the Family. He continues to listen on a regular basis, but I have slacked off. I remember one that we did listen to that was talking about spending time with your spouse doing what they love, even if you don't. Like spending time in the garage learning about things, being interested in your spouse. This evening, I sat outside while he worked on lawnmowers as we both enjoyed the time. 

Our time is very special to both of us. 

What do you enjoy doing with your loved ones?

Feeling down...

Do you ever have a day when you just fell down? I don't know what it is, but sometimes I feel that way. 

Today was one of those. Sometimes I think it has to do with the fact that things don't go the way I want them to. 

I actually said something about this last night at Bible Study, I'm afraid of my plans and desires not being what God's very best is for me. 

I am so thankful for my sweet husband and how caring he is. He had supper ready for me.

Grilled pizza!!! It blessed my heart that he would do that for me. 

I am thankful for the little things that make days that don't seem so good end on a positive note. 

What helps you get through tough days? I hope the Lord is a major part of that.

Wedding and beach trips

Oh my, we have been working on wedding decor all week! My fingers hurt, we have done so much. Not really, but I feel like we have done a whole lot. 

I'll be okay if never see another pretty E again. My cousin Abbi said she was going to make sure everyone took their keepsake, which is this lovely jar, with them and knew how much hard work went into them. It's all for a good cause, Hannah is getting married. How often does that happen?

We got a new laundry sorter, which only makes grown ups happy.

We have been using these giant buckets that take up a lot of room, so this will be nice. 

We are currently in our way to the beach and stopped here for supper.

They have the best and longest french fries ever!!

I am started to pray about a new opportunity that might be lots of fun, but lots of work as well. I hope to be able to share that journey soon.