Holding Onto Family

We held onto our family a few weeks ago as we celebrated my in-laws fiftieth anniversary by renting condos at a fabulous resort. We've recently learned that my husband's other sister will begin her own battle against cancer and so that weekend is a little dearer in my memory and my family a little more precious. 

 

Gratitude:

1445. how he insisted all of us join in one room for a Sunday morning devotional 

1446. this beautiful square filled with shops and restaurants and this fireplace right in the middle

1447. these two crazy people and their special kind of love

1448. late night hot tub runs!

1449. how he always talks of owning one of these someday

1450. their closeness and how they'll be supporting each other through it all

1451. how she calls us the "out-laws" :)

1452. this time of year and how God paints everything so I'll notice just a little more

1453. impromptu photo moments

1454. trying on hats over and over in many stores

1455. for this exhilarating ride--Ridge Runner

1456. how I was able to control my speed--yeah, that works for me so much better than other roller coasters!

1457. how he kept his distance from me but could have easily caught up--yikes!

1458. how my mom-in-law is such a good sport and joins us in everything!

1459. this sweet soul and how I look up to her

1460. how he's always smiling

1461. one of my dearest "besties" (such a blessing for a sister-in-law!)

1462. never-ending laughs with this guy

1463. watching him help her and how she was feeling well enough to enjoy the weekend!

 1464. how he can always make me laugh with his ever-ready antics

1465. night scenery here

1466. how we stayed in there, all through the hail--woo hoo!

1467. the good-natured competition that flows through their veins

1468. my husband's older brother--his stable personality and how he laughs easily

1469. this beautiful mini-golf course between two ski hills

1470. for fabulous, delicious, patriotic, scrumptious Beaver Tails, which I should never eat again

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. I Chronicles 16:34

100 Years of Beautiful

She's a little package of beautiful and she just turned one hundred years old.

We celebrated Oma's birthday as a family and it was nothing less than sentimental and lovely. She sipped tea while we all watched a pre-recorded interview with her on the big screen as she shared her answers to the many questions her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had prepared. She told of her faith--that she hoped was still getting stronger. She recounted memories to the camera of the Dutch Liberation in Holland. She was asked about her thoughts on heaven and her favourite colour. Her thick, Dutch accent is a quality that rang in my ears as a sweet instrument that evening. Maria Dam's children sang and so did her grands and greats. We each held battery-operated candles in the dark and chimed in together for "Happy Birthday". At the end of the night, we all moseyed outside to watch the surprise fireworks display. It was a true symbol of the bursting joy I felt to be connected to her life lived well.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 100th birthday, Oma! We love you very much! May the Lord bless you richly as you serve Him for as long as He allows you to be ours.

Celebrating 50 Years of Marriage

Loving this family a WHOLE LOT!

Congratulations Mom and Dad Vanderkruk!

You are an example of God's beautiful plan for marriage. xo