I know it's been a long time since I've blogged. I've been adjusting to my "new kind of normal". Things haven't gone they way we thought they would. Life is very different, but we are adjusting. We are learning, growing, being challenged in our faith. We are finding God so faithful (why do we doubt it, sometimes).

I'm still here. The past two months have been a time of great adjustment. Hanging on and working through it all.

It has been an eventful summer! We've just returned from Colorado where our daughter was married on Saturday. We were able to travel with several dear family and dear friends! It was truly an amazing week and we were constantly reminded of how truly blessed we are!

The bride and groom just after we entered Colorado.

The Rockies!

The bride and groom overlooking Rocky Mountain National Park

View of the Flattop Mountains from Stillwater Reservoir

The moon coming up from atop a mountain!

Heading up to our favorite spot overlooking some glorious scenery!

Some of that scenery!


Some more of the view

A very friendly chipmunk!

Sheriff's Reservoir

Beautiful stream flowing down from the reservoir.

How can anyone deny there is a God!

Our lodge

The Colorado River

Relaxing in the lodge

Me and my dad!

More relaxing in the lodge night before the wedding.

The lodge

Wedding day!



Mom and Dad


Dad and daughter

Happy Mom and daughter!

What a beauty!!!

Two happy moms!

We were surrounded by those we love and those who love us! It was an amazing week, an amazing day, and an amazing wedding! We made memories to last a lifetime!

Just a few highlights from our bridal showers!

How well does she know her fiance? Marshmallows for wrong answers!

Perfect gift for my girl who loves to bake!

Grandma made her this awesome afghan!


Our favorite little one!


Three of our favorite girls in the whole world!

My new daughter-in-law sharing some insights from God's Word.


Rug woven by my mother-in-law.

Quilt by grandmother-in-law!

This time I got to answers questions, too!

Before the shower began, I dropped a table on my ankle. Lots of ice and trying to keep it up. I'm not able to spend too much time at the computer because it starts to ache. It's a nasty bruise! I've never had one quite like this before. Maybe I'll get caught up on my knitting now!

A whole month, gone! We're down to less than 4 weeks until my daughter's wedding! We actually only have 3 weeks left to get things done though! We've had two showers in the past week and have two this week for another friend getting married. We've got over 50 dozen cookies to get baked and frozen!

Not only has it been a physically demanding time, but we've been on emotional roller-coaster. God is faithful! He's getting us through! So many things we're looking forward to, yet so much sadness for a time of our life that's now ending. We are truly blessed and I can't be more grateful to God for taking two sinners and loving through them with His grace and mercy. I can't thank Him enough for giving us life and hope and joy and peace. For opening our eyes and letting us see Him. What an awesome God!

Summer always brings back so many memories, sensory memories, not just the memories of my mind.

My grandfather was an amazing baker. We lived on an acreage with strawberries, peaches, pears, apples, grapes and the most amazing patch of both red and black raspberries. The patch had been there long before we had moved onto the place and was easily tended. It was sandy soil and I would often crawl in among the brambles to play in the sand. I can remember the warm sand on my legs even now.

June was often the beginning of a very fruitful berry, fruit, and vegetable harvest. We would enjoy strawberry pie and Grandma would make jar after jar of strawberry jam. Many quarts were frozen for later use during our long Iowa winters.

Strawberries were wonderful, but I really loved the raspberries, especially the extra sweet black ones. We could pick on the patch almost all summer it seemed. Quart after quart went into the freezer, but many of the berries were used the same day they were picked. Grandpa would make the most amazing black raspberry cobbler! I can taste it even today. The warmth of the filling, the flakiness of the crust! He didn't do a traditional cobbler, but instead, made an extra thick pie crust for the top and bottom. For an added treat, we would often make homemade ice cream on the front steps while the cobbler baked and cooled a little. I can still hear the sounds of the birds quietly chirping to each other in the heat of the late afternoon. We lived amongst over 50 oak trees and the sound of the leaves rustling always seemed to calm my spirit.

I am often amazed at this time of the year just what will make my senses soar, memories come back to life. Time was so simple, summer was truly a time of relaxation and joy. Swimming, reading quietly under a tree, and eating black raspberry cobbler with freshly made homemade ice cream. Life was so good!

Love having more template options!

Learning how hard it really is to let go and move on. Getting a better understanding of God letting go of His Son!

Wow! Time is flying by so fast lately!! I've been wanting to blog, but just had no time. We've been in a whirlwind of activity! I'm going to let pictures tell most of the story.

Our first shower at M's church.

The next shower at her aunt's home.
The shower at our church.
Beginning the cleaning and decorating.
Putting together the arch.
Rehearsal
At the rehearsal dinner, my best friend gave me this beautiful knitted beaded bag pin. I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me! I've been making beaded bags for special brides and a couple of special moms for years, but this was the first time someone made one for me. Inside the bag, the word Havarah.
M opening the shawl I knit her for her wedding day.
The beaded bag which quickly filled with written blessings for the couple from their family and friends.
The knitted wedding cake I made them for a centerpiece.
Our family
The kids
Waiting for the bride
Just about time!
Giving her to J
Vows
The beginning of the kiss.


The kiss



The happy couple!


And, now, as of yesterday at 5:30, our daughter is officially engaged!!
So, now a new whirlwind begins! We are looking forward to the wedding later this summer and to truly being empty nesters! Thank you God for all the wonderful people you've put in our lives to support us and love us!!