Oh Me, oh My, It's Now JULY!

Oh me, oh my, it's now July.

This year has just been strange...well different.  It keeps flying by and I can't seem to catch my breath.

From Texas rains, which has still left us with closed roads, and lakes that use to be cow pastures, this has been a very unusual year.

June brought more rains and many milestone events in our family,

Our four son, and fifth child graduated from High School as a Distinguished Graduate.  This is my first child to graduate from a public school.  He is now deciding what he next steps will be.  This always brings mixed emotions as I launch another child into the world.  Did I do all I should have to prepare him for this world?  Parenting is such a walk of faith.

Both of the twins made it home, after Thomas' extended time at NICU.  They are doing great.  Now at seven weeks, their mother has it down.  She is a natural.  She is loving her three boys under age 19 months.  Grand Mommy has enjoyed cuddling and holding all three little boys.

The Lord provided a little time away to explore Arkansas before our son ventures out into the world.

Lake Catherine was a wonderful place to refresh.  We went back over sites where we had vacationed  years ago with our older children.  These last two enjoyed Hot Springs, Silver Dollar City and Eureka Springs like their siblings before them.

We hurried back home in time for Benjamin to go to violin camp at the local University. He made the 5th and 6th grade orchestra, even though he will only be entering 4th grade this next school year.  To hear him play is a total joy.

He shares his talent with the whole family.  He plays Joshua to sleep and inspired Joshua to try on a very, very small violin.  His prayer this summer has been, "Lord, make me wise for my nephews and future nieces."  He takes his roll as Uncle very seriously.

My Mother-in-Law celebrated her 100th Birthday in June!  She is still in very good health. She loves hearing her son play the piano.  She was once a piano teacher.

Summer has meant making memories with Benjamin and the Grands.  We went to the Wizard of Oz exhibit in Grapevine.  Each visit with the five grandsons deposits the joy of life in my heart.

Trying to continue a tradition, part of us met to enjoy the Fourth of July Parade on the Square in Denton, Texas.  The twins are in their little hats.  Our daughter-in-law made shirts for her boys, she is expecting our sixth grandson in September.

This Wife/Mom/Grandmother's hands have been full these last few months.  As the joy overflows so does struggles in life.  That means we are alive!  It has been a season of stopping to release so much to the Lord and know that it is He that will complete the work He has begun in all of us.

He is faithful.

As my mind had turned with words this season my hands haven't come to the keyboard.  Perhaps that is good, perhaps processing before I type is good. 

Happy Summer to you All.  If you plan to come to Texas...just know...our landscape looks different this summer with all the rain, but our heat has arrived this week!