Around The Home

Our family spent the past week at the Conference Grounds, which is located along Lake Michigan. It was a BEAUTIFUL week, with rain only the first two days and then the day we left. Even those days were not complete washouts. For being the 2nd full week of June, we were surprised and thankful for warm and sunny weather!

We had never attempted camping as a family of 3, let alone done many vacations as a family of 3 except family vacations and trips back to Michigan to visit family while living in Minnesota. We did go camping with my older sister who is a pro, so we were not alone, but it definitely was a success! We had SO much fun and were quite sad to leave. We were glad it was raining because otherwise I may have teared up. Dan’s parents generously let us borrow their camper for the week and after getting the camping thing figured out, we totally fell into the routine of the day and LOVED it! Of course cousin time for Mazy is worth everything too. They are sisters to her and we are so thankful God brought us closer to them!

I realized as I was going through my pictures that I have quite a few of them, but I just couldn’t eliminate any, so this will keep you occupied for awhile! At the end there are some not-camping pics too. Enjoy…

Oh how I just LOVE Lake Michigan and living close by it!

We knew that when Mazy wanted to “just” put her toes in the water that she’d eventually end up in the 53 degree lake and sure enough…

Cousin love!

This picture cracks me up! She’s got some MOOOVES!

How many can one fit in the bike trailer?

Getting her nails done with a paint marker – way to improvise!

Secrets, secrets…

Noelle built a giant trench!

Swimming out to the sandbar

Can you tell she loves her baby cousin?

Craft time at The Cove

Mazy receiving instructions to put Ava’s paci back in if it falls out…

Mazy is a professional jump rope twirler

She’s got some big shoes to fill!

And while we were camping, A Heartbeat of Grace arrived at our house!!!

And because I’m terrible at secrets, I had to let it be known that it was available to buy!

A decent storm was passing through Grand Haven, just north of us – so magnificent to see!

Building a sand castle with daddy!

This girl loves her cones…it took a few wipes to clean this one up!

This girl loves her “doggie” Caz!

A sweet and generous friend dropped off this BEAUTIFUL quilt! The love and heart behind it meant so much to me that it brought me to tears. There was a card attached with it from all those who’s hands were a part of it – those praying for healing in my life. A gift that I treasure! Every time I look at it, it gives me that hope that indeed God can heal this heart of mine, but also that others are joining with our family in praying for that healing. Thank you!

Which speaking of my heart, I should probably give an update again! We are kind of in a holding pattern currently. They are waiting to see what my new medications do, to see if the rhythm issues improve. I’m feeling good and know my limits, so that has been helpful. Humid weather isn’t always easy, but I am thankful we have a home that has air conditioning! I feel I am becoming less and less limited on what I can and can’t do, and am just thankful to not be in the hospital! It has been a month now, and things I feel are improving. I will go for another blood test next week and we will go from there. They suggest that I still wear the LifeVest (external defibrillator) for my protection, but Dan and I have decided that if I feel good, to just put it aside, so that I can live. It is a bit cumbersome and is difficult to wear with a 3 year old, so if I’m having a good day, I take it off. They are having me keep it for my protection, but it has never once gone off, even during my most extreme rhythm-issue days, so not that I’m trying to “test” my health, but God has given me the gift of motherhood and I want to enjoy that time too. Like I said, I know when things don’t seem quite right, so I’m thankful I have the option to put it on. They said if I don’t want to wear it, that it’s up to me, so I’m taking the liberty to make that choice.

I’m living with the faith that God has given me peace about this whole situation and that my life is truly in His hands! Every minute. Every hour. Every day. That sure is comforting to know!