Happy 38th Anniversary!! to two people who have modeled a godly marriage for me for as long as I can remember (and refused to stop kissing even when I thought it was ewwwwwww!).

I love you, Mom and Dad!

p.s. And I’m chuckling to myself right now, because Dad reads my blog posts from work (Honda Engineering North America–Marysville, OH), but his computer blocks photos, so all he’s going to see is a big white space up there. You’re kissing Mom through a brick wall, Dad. It’s super cute.

Feel free to leave anniversary wishes for the sappy couple!

After four years of being dragged to her big sisters’ soccer games, it’s finally her turn.

Nina had her first soccer practice tonight, and she had giddy seeping out her pores. She wore a mile-wide grin on her face the whole ride to practice and loved every minute of every drill and mini-scrimmage.

I can’t believe my baby is so grown up already.

I have this bittersweet feeling that we’re leaving a season of life behind for good. But while I might cringe at the thought of time flying by entirely too quickly, I absolutely love our girlies and the young women they’re becoming.

Here’s to soaking up every minute of them!

How about you? Any changes on the horizon that have you feeling a little verklempt?

Well, technically I’m not related by blood to my brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, or husband, but whatever. I guess we all share DNA, right? I don’t really even know what DNA is.

Anyway.

Since one of my sisters lives in South Carolina, my whole entire family (my parents, siblings, their spouses and kids) only gets together twice a year. There will be bits and pieces of us together on several different occasions, but the whole gang congregates just at Christmas time and usually once in the summer.

Here we are in all our glory. Back row: Daniel (holding Mia), my sister Stephanie, Jess, my brother Josh, Dad, Mom, Stewart (holding Isabelle), my sister Bethany (with a baby in her belly), Gabe, me. Front row: Nina, Anna, Gavin, Ava, Ethan, and Livi (the 3 that aren’t mine are my brother’s).

All the grandkids (Nina, Ethan, Livi, Mia, Anna, Gavin, Ava, Isabelle).

Gabe, me and the girlies:

My brother Josh, his beautiful wife Jess, Ethan, Anna and Gavin. Josh is a youth pastor in Jamestown, OH and Jess is a world-class knitter and homeschools their kiddos.

Stew, Bethy, Isabelle and baby (due in February–I think it’s a boy, but I’m never right). Stew is a youth pastor in West Milton, OH and Bethany is his fabulous right-hand woman.

Daniel, Steph (and no baby in her belly unless she’s not telling us something, which I wouldn’t totally rule out), and Mia Noelle. Daniel is a youth pastor in Columbia, SC (are you seeing a pattern among the men in this family?), and Steph makes cool jewelry (among other things).

The grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa. Do you see them beaming?

I heart my family. Thank you, God, for this really cool blessing.

After my 42 hours of alone-ness over the weekend, I headed to church Sunday and then on to Gabe’s parents’ cabin on the river. The highlight of our day (at least for me–well, besides the grilled pork brisket we had for dinner) was the pontoon boat ride we took at sunset.

It was delightful. And as much as I like to commentate, I think I’ll let these pictures speak for themselves. Feel free to add your own captions in the comments though.

Tomorrow I’ll post pics of another boat ride that was also delightful but super sobering as well. And talking about the Hard Stuff of Cambodia begins…

Have a great day!