June gathered family far & wide together
real close
cozy close
for priceless days that melded one into the next

from hither and yon they came & we shared close quarters
& played loud inside & out
joyfully eating great big messy meals around a table too small
there always seemed to be a trail of footwear
in the oddest places
but far surpassing all the beach fun & the games
the blazing firepit & the bike trail jaunts
was my niece's baptism at the hand of her dad,
in the bright blue bay on the sunniest afternoon ever
& my sister's grandbaby, the sweet girl they call MK,
didn't miss a single beat,
soaking in the joy of family doing life together,
even if only for a few short days
*
sharing summertime with
oh! this was beautiful! gorgeous images and precious moments! wishing you a beautiful July!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, friend! Hugs to your beautiful little ones ...
DeleteAll the pictures are beautiful, Linda, but that last one---oh, it steals my heart! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh she is a sweetie! Everyone is just plain crazy over her!
DeleteHappy 4th to you, friend ...
Beautiful. Every last bit of it. What is it with the shoes?! We find white, boys gym socks in the silliest places! : ) And usually, just one.
ReplyDeleteWhen you find out what it is with the shoes, please let me know, ok? I'd like to avoid tripping and flying down the stairs and right out the front door!
Delete;-}
I can guess through pictures that you had a lot of fun in July. Family trip is a real celebration for us. It is a way to spend a lot of time and fun with family.
ReplyDeleteSo much love for your cutiepie.
~Dr. Diana Hardy
You're so right, Diana. When all is said and done, the mess and noise and exhaustion is music to my ears.
DeleteI'm so grateful for each and every gathering.
Happy 4th to you and yours!
It was a wonderful, wonderful time!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry I don't have a pic of your sandals, K!!
Deletexx
We love that beach babe in the white sun hat...now if only she could learn that sand is not for eating!
ReplyDeleteOh it's so yummy, daddy!
Delete;-}
Love the agape tattoo your niece got
ReplyDeleteOh she is a beauty ... inside and out.
DeleteLinda,these images make me so happy! I am so thankful for your JOYs in June. God has a way of turning our mourning to gladness, doesn't He. That is my prayer for you and your family. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYes, friend, there were many joys just begging to be scooped up, acknowledged, and shared.
DeleteI am grateful for God's healing stream ...
LOVE this! So much fun to see your family enjoying one another! Have a great weekend, my friend!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your holiday weekend, Pam. I know your dear family is on your heart ...
DeleteLovely lovely Linda!you all had fun.
ReplyDeletePS: I'm sending a little gift your way😍😜😄
YOU'RE a gift, friend ...
Delete;-}
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI loved looking through a window on your life with family and friends, sharing good times, sunshine and memories! So good to see you in a season of enjoyment!
Looking through a window ... yes, that's a winsome description of sharing our lives online, isn't it.
DeleteHappy 4th to you, Valerie ...
Thank you so much for sharing these memories with us, Linda! (And Cape Cod Potato Chips are the best, especially Salt & Vinegar!)
ReplyDeletehttp://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/06/your-dying-spouse-175-protecting-who.html
Wow! Who'd of guessed that Cape Cod Potato Chips would be found in your neck of the woods, pal!
DeleteCool!
Hope you're feeling strong enough to enjoy a snack or two this weekend ...
Beautiful! I can't help but laugh at the trail of shoes. I am an obsessive neat freak and yet somehow I still leave my shoes lying around. It drives my husband crazy but I might fit in with your family!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you'd be right at home ...
Delete;-}
Beautiful photos, and what an amazing day and location for a baptism. I'm glad you enjoyed your family time.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I was ever at an outdoor baptism ... it was simply glorious.
DeleteGod smiles down ...
What a beautiful tattoo!
ReplyDeleteCelebrating agape ... love unceasing, never-ending, sacred, and true.
DeleteAmen!
All the shoe pictures made me smile! It's what my house looked like this past week with everyone home again!!!!!! Much love to you, friend.
ReplyDeleteThese are the golden moments we tuck away to unearth when days feel lonely and family is scattered far ...
DeleteBut shoes on the stairs? Really?
;-}
What lovely fun, Linda. Who would have thought to capture photos of all the shoes? :-) (I'm also intrigued by the Victorian House coloring book ... never seen on like that before.)
ReplyDeleteColoring with sparkly gel pens is my therapy of choice! I'm a big fan ... and so are the little ones who much prefer my books to theirs!
Delete;-}
Fantastic memories of irreplaceable family time, Linda! And that littlest one? Oh, what a cutie!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Irreplaceable? Absolutely!
Delete;-}
Beautiful pictures of special family moments, and the beach memories are the best! Love the pictures of the shoes, games played and sweet beach faces! How lovely that a baptism took place too! :)
ReplyDeleteAh, the beach. Always and ever ...
DeleteI"ve been saving this post in my emails until I could sit and really enjoy the pictures. So glad I did! Blessings to you in this listening life!
ReplyDeleteGosh, Michele ... I am touched that you'd squirrel this away til you had a bit of time. I know that life is busy for you these days ... your words have been a lovely gift.
DeleteHappy 4th, friend!
Card games and board games are always a hit with my cousins.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
When it comes to connecting, it does beat everyone sitting around staring at their screens, yes?
DeleteWhat precious moments you've shared here, Linda! GOD bless you and your family, beautiful friend! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift to find you again today, Tai ... welcome back!
DeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time. Nothing like family reunions and relaxing summer days together. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, Betsy!
DeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful joy! Family time is the best time in my book. You make it look so lovely with your photos and words. Thank you for letting us be a part of your wonderful June.
ReplyDeleteIt was a special month. I'm grateful for these gifts of grace to our family.
DeleteThanks for celebrating with me, friend!
;-}
Linda, thanks for sharing your life in pictures with us! My favorite were the pair of shoes on the steps, as if someone was so excited to get out of them...they shook them off and ran! Visiting from #CoffeeForYourHeart
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth! She had much more urgent matters to tend to!
Delete;-}
Have a lovely day, Meg ...
I admit, I have a wee bit of envy for families that gather in big groups from all over. As ours grows up they seem to scatter more. That only makes our times together more precious and I'm so happy we got to spend a few days in Indy with our son and daughter-in-law. Big or small, it's wonderful! Love your snapshots.
ReplyDeleteI hear you Debby ... the extended family is scattered far and wide, so anytime we can find a time and place to gather is golden. The days may be chaotic for this ol' introvert, but I wouldn't trade one single second.
DeleteLet's hear it for family get-togethers, be they large or intimate ...
;-}
That is pretty much my house on a daily basis-especially the shoes. ;)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your niece! What a reason to celebrate!
Ah ... the shoes! Let's hear it for great big baskets by each and every door where random footwear can be easily tossed ... and later found!
Delete;-}