Monday, February 7, 2022

The time in between...

January often feels like the time in between....the down between the holidays and spring, the moments when new things are forming, the time spent waiting for what is next.  I'm trying to focus on those moments that seem little, but really are the beginning of something so beautiful.

A cancelled trip and forced hard STOP for our family brought some movie, puzzle and hang out time to welcome in 2022...and I'm thinking this would be a great way to start every year!


Ahhh, beautiful mornings spent going to church to serve and learn. 

Eeekk....it's beginning to come to life!  As 2022 creeps along, the Waymaker Fund is really coming to life! We can't wait to help students this fall with where God is planting them.

Morning smiles...that time in between the big kid drop off and the littlest drop off!  Soaking in the smiles, the fun music and dance parties, the lipstick, the sunglasses and time with my gal!

Mom...it's Saturday, let's DO this, GO there, PLAY this, and on and on and on!

The tribe that naps together...


Our new favorite spot...Crystal Cafe, not sure how it took us 13 years of living here to find this little gem, but breakfast for dinner is a HUGE hit for these kids!

Grammy and Papa got their ALOHA on, so LJ and I had daily play dates with the pups.

How simply blessed that the same God that paints the sky decided he needed me in this world too!

And it was time...so I'm challenging myself to 6 months!  6 months to focus on getting and staying active!


The in between the storms a wonderful trip to the park!



And it was a cold Sunday afternoon but we decided it was time enjoy the quiet of the lake!


My partner...the one I CHOOSE to do life with, all of life!!! The one who will worship with me, fish with me, pray with me, laugh with me, binge a show with me, raise kids with me, challenge me, support me, do the IN BETWEEN with me, and sometimes get on my very last nerve!!

And Grammy and Papa are BACK!!! All smiles for this one!


Documenting the 1st blow out...she's my crazy haired girl but it was fun to see what her hair would do!


Time...my love language and this one got a special Christmas punch card, "ChickFilA and the Gym" dates with mommy!



Wildly successful!

These two have a new commitment and it is fun to see them work together.  God placed some special people in our life and these 2 are adventuring together with TrailLife. 

Next up...Millie's time (with a tag-along).  Her Christmas punch card was the pedicure of the month club and it is so fun to spoil her a little each month!



Haircuts for the Little and the Big...the middle goes with mommy to the "special" salon! Yes, I'm creating a bougee monster and I love it. 

All cleaned up and no where to go :)

Home for Saturday night movie night with the family and these are the moments of the "in between" that I cherish!

BIG day...this young man has decided he is ready to get baptized and joined a prep class at church.  Rich, Griffin and I are planning to be baptized on May 15th. It's amazing to be a steward of your child's faith journey and I am so proud of him. 

When you go somewhere in 2 cars...but end up at the stop light next to each other.

Another mini home project...


about 87% complete.  We need to finalize the counter top and the trim, but such a fun change.

When the boys are off to Trail Life and mom is at bible study...the girls get to have some fun with a friend.

And the Christmas punch card continues...this guy got the Taco night of the month club!  Win, win!


 And I couldn't leave this guy out, he's part of the coffee and smoochy smoochy of the month club!

This little has grown up so much...always asking for more babies!  Looks like she has her hands full.


Just 3 goofballs doing their thing!!!

And in the in between...sometimes you just have to play hooky and get out of town.


Now they are awake....now they are sleeping!!!

That moment when you crest the hill and you are moments from pure bliss!  May I NEVER take this view for granted or the feelings I get when we arrive at the lake!

We snuck away for the weekend to unwind and also get the property ready for the start of the shop!


We had lots of family time, tried a new restaurant and really settled into what life at the cabin will be like for many winters to come...AND we loved every second of it.



Rich could spend every moment working on projects and I'm so dang proud of him.  His vision and drive really propels this family.  I might be the planner, but he is the doer!  What a blessing to have a partner that pushes me to do things that are outside my comfort zone!

Did someone say they wanted to have s'more fun?!?!



A quiet Sunday morning walk to the beach...the in between the noise of it all is where I find my heart!



I stare at this picture today and can't believe how blessed I am.  I promise not to take my life for granted and will continue to do my best to live each day.  There will always be challenges we face, but through God, I know that the in between is the time I will cherish forever.

Multiple failed attempts of the family at the property! 




Ahhhh, it's already changing so much over there and before we know it more weekends will be spent in between...may the time spent in the car be filled with Joy...may the time spent waiting to go be filled with Patience...may the time spent at the lake be filled with Love...