Cousin weekend

 Me, Amber and Kim got together this weekend.  Sadly Cora couldn't come because of work.  We missed her.  The three of us went to Washington (IL) for lunch and did some shopping.  The girls spent the night at my house.  Mike went to Texas for the weekend to visit the Ausili's.  Here it is Monday morning and it's back to reality.  

Happy 250 Birthday, America

Happy 4th of July!  We celebrated once again at Erin and Neal's house for the annual 4th of July Shrimp boil!  Interestingly enough, this was also the 10 year anniversary from when I broke my ankle at the shrimp boil in 2016.  Our shrimp boils look different only because none of us have little kids anymore.  But the nice thing is a few of our older kids join us.  Jay, Aaron and Reece seem to be yearly staples.  I love this picture of the boys with their girlfriends in the pool.  Jay, Aaron and Reece have been friends since 1st grade.  Hannah encouraged me to bring Lenny to the party so I did. I was glad I did.  I set up his playpen and once he settled in, it was great.  He enjoyed all the people petting him.  

Erin is such a dear friend to me.  I look like an absolute mess in this picture.  By this point I was super hot and it had rained so I look a bit like a drowned rat.  But I digress.  It was another great shrimp boil and I'm so thankful to Erin and Neal for hosting it every year!  

*Nick and Rylan went with friends up to Wisconsin!

 

Lenny, Luke & Hawaii

When I realized I hadn't blogged since May 17 I actually thought about just dumping my blog but then I remembered how much I enjoy looking through them each year, as my blog is a great way to document the events in my life.  So here goes.  First, on June 29 we picked up 8 week old, Lenny.  Mike really wanted another puppy.  He actually wanted two puppies but I told him that was a hard No.  I said I would NEVER have 3 dogs again and yet here we are.  Our beloved Cole is just getting to be an old man so we decided we'd go ahead and get Lenny.  Lenny is the sweetest puppy but Cole and Walker are not amused by him.  It's been a lot of work but nothing I wasn't prepared for.  Mike and I pretty much decided to shut out summer down and devote the rest of the summer to training Lenny and getting Cole and Walker comfortable with him.  I am confident that by September things will look much better.  God willing Lenny will see Mike and I into our retirement and he will be our last puppy so I am loving on him big time.  

Vizsla's are truly the cutest puppies.  They want so much to please you and thankfully they are smart breeds.  

In other big news, Luke made a confession of faith to join his grandparents church two weeks ago.  Glenn and Sharon are wonderful people and they are bursting with pride to have their youngest grandson join their church.  Kim, Craig and Lauren go to Song and Sword with my family.  I love that Luke made this choice.  He has such a heart for Jesus.  

And finally, our trip to Hawaii.  The best part was seeing Mike bond with the girls and really get to know them, especially Hannah.  In this picture we had just finished an ATV ride with our 4 kids.  Hannah got the muddiest and Mike thought it was hysterical.  

One moring, Mike and the kids got up and drove to the Napali Coast where they hiked.  The views were beautiful! 

A picture of the 8 of us.  This picture is classic!  Everyone is cracking up and having a good time! What a blessing family is! 
 

Time with Faith

 How blessed am I that last weekend I got to spend with Jenny and this weekend I got to see Faith?  Faith and I did our traditional old fashioneds at Reality Bites then we went to Jay's house.  We hung out on Jay and Hannah's patio.  It was delightful.  Jay is holding Hannah's dog, Rocco.  My sweet niece, Lauren and Kim came also. 

52 and Mother's Day

Well I'm 52 today.  It is also Mother's Day.  It's been a whirlwind weekend.  Jenny flew in on Thursday and has been staying with us.  She flies back to TX today.  What a wonderful treat it has been to spend my birthday weekend with her.  On Friday night my girls took me out to my favorite restaurant, "Reality Bites."  

Last night I hosted a family birthday dinner for Nick, me and Kim.  Here I am with my dear boys!  Love them so much.  

 I had 17 people at my house last night.  I didn't get any pics with my mom or Kim last night.  They left early to get mom back home.  What a blessing it is to have my family and friends surround me on my birthday.  

Easter

We had such a nice Easter this year.  The sun finally came out after days of rain.  We met at church then we had brunch at Kim's.  My boys and Hannah were at church with us.  Rylan went to her church with her family.  I was able to catch up with Rylan later in the day so my heart was full seeing Jay, Hannah, Nick and Rylan.  The picture above is mom talking to Jay about all things happening at L.O.  

Kim and Hannah!  I just love Hannah!  She's been a part of our family now for just over a year and we all just adore her.  

I always invite Uncle Steve to our family get togethers.  He never says No.  I am thankful for relationships with extended family.  John and Judy are still in Florida but are slated to come home in early May.  

Nana and her grands minus Nick.  After church Nick went with Rylan to her familys gathering.  This morning as I got up I was reminded that God's mercies are new every morning (thank God for that) and the song, "Thank you Jesus for the blood" keeps going through my head.  The older I get the more I realize I am such a wretch.  I will keep running my race until the day I see Jesus face to face.  Thank you Lord for the gift of eternal life, thank you for making a way.  One day when I stand before God and he asks me why I should be let into heaven, it will have nothing to do with anything I did but all because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.  If you ask me that alone is a reason to celebrate and worship our Lord and Savior each and everyday.  
 

A visit with Faith

Sarah and I were blessed by Faith last night.  She came to town and we had dinner with her.  We poured into her, encouraged her and got caught up on all things.