I miss you

The last 2 weeks of extreme weather (super hot one week and pouring rain the next) were not kind to my peonies this year.  It seemed they bloomed and within a week were done.  Their scent was extraordinary this year.  I do miss them!!

Lunch Buds

The Whole Gang

Dance Party

My brother and his family were in last week.  I adore these pictures of the cousins doing Just Dance.

18 years

I know I already posted about our anniversary trip but I couldn't resist this picture.  On our 1 year anniversary we were living in Iowa and Steve planned a trip for us to go to South Dakota.  We rented a cabin, saw the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, etc.  17 years later we rented a cabin in Vermont.

I love what this side by side represents.  First off, way better hair and shoe selection for me...but vanities aside, a lot has happened these years.  In many ways I look at that handsome young man with a bit more hair and don't even know if I really knew him.  5 kids, a move across the country, job changes, 2 (almost!!) college degrees, it's been a marathon for sure.  We've learned so much along the way and I'm so, so grateful for the hard years that are bearing fruit these days.  We are learning to love and though it still isn't always pretty, we are seeing and feeling the kind and sweet grace of God in our marriage.

Spring beauty

First Place

Three years in a row...