Oregon trip, part 2

While in Oregon, we took a trip to Pacific City with both sets of parents and Ben and Anna. We had a great beach house big enough for all of us and the weather was gorgeous. It was very relaxing family time.

What a beautiful girl (this is at the top of the gigantic Pacific City dune)!

The kids loved snuggling and reading with Grandma Nee and Papa Dave at their house:

We enjoyed a visit with Stephanie and baby Cora:

My mom and I went out for lunch and when we got back to her house, we found two kids asleep with Papa Dave:

John and Hava helped Billy and Bill build this little picnic table, which they enjoyed eating at (inside the house!):

Mimi and Hava:

Such a nice vacation!

On weeks like this one...

This week has been marked by disappointing news--for both us and our families. It involves recharting our course and reframing our mindset. Yet I feel so secure in God's personal attention to our lives.

Because he has good things for my life--for our lives--he leads me to a place I didn't put in my plans, but that I can see is part of a greater plan. For my good. I do believe this wholeheartedly, even on hard weeks.

When I was little, my mom worked with me and Shawna to memorize Psalm 121. I remember lying in bed at my Nonni's old house in Snohomish. I could see the sheep out in the pasture and Shawna, Mom, and I repeated these verses several times:

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

The LORD will keep me from all harm...He will watch over my life...He will watch over my coming and going--this week and forever. I'm so thankful for that.

Cousins!

I'm alive!

Some people were wondering about that--and some people suggested I might even be through blogging. But I'm alive and I'm here with a couple posts for this week. First up are the cousins!

We went to Oregon at the end of January-beginning of February for an excellent trip that we absolutely packed with family and friends. During that time, we spent parts of two days with Jason and Elizabeth and their three kids, Cambria, Ezekiel, and Sophia. The kids hadn't seen each other in ten months but they picked up exactly where they left off last year--deep in cousin love!

Fairy girls:

Sophia had just turned one, and all five of us loved snuggling her:

The big kids:

The middles:

The babies:

A cousin tea party:

Have I mentioned that John loves babies? He does. Sophie stole his heart instantly (well, she's simply adorable, so I don't blame him).

On our way outside for a fire and roasted marshmallows:

My kids are suckers for wagons--and their Dad--and especially their Dad with a wagon.

More of the babies (and doesn't David look like a giant??):

Did I mention that John loves Sophie? Oh yes, he does.

All ten of us:

Thank you Jason and Elizabeth for hosting the family time!