Reflections on Summer 2009

There are times I think about our summer and realize it certainly has not been the "normal" summer and it almost feels like the summer that never was. But, then I look at all our pictures and realize that even through the storms of life ~ we have been blessed with beauty, friends and family that we love. As I think about our end to summer ~ I am thankful that we're entering a new "season" in our lives which will bring two wonderful events, a new life to cuddle up and love and Mom and Dad DuRoss back home with us. Here are some pictures to share in the joys over the past few months.

So ~ how can you have joy without friends and food I ask you?? To me, IMPOSSIBLE! Here are some shots from our "girls get-away" to Lake Milton. God has been so good to give us friends that are able to walk through life with us and just enjoy life's simple pleasures!

How can you have summer without extreme croquet ~ and how can you have this summer without the new and very much beloved hand-engraved croquet set??? To the men, IMPOSSIBLE! So thankfully they were given amazing weather to play as many "rounds" as they desire, wives who let them play for hours at every family gathering, and good times trying to beat the other!

Another great week that we didn't post pictures of yet was in July when Chris, Erika & Finn came to visit us from Utah. I ask again, how can you have a DuRoss family gathering without heading to Chautauqua for some boating time? To all of us ~ IMPOSSIBLE! Although the week was filled with the sadness of mom's diagnosis, it was also filled with lots of love, fishing off the dock w/ lessons from Papa, and lots of laughter watching the cousins play, play play. And yes, this picture had to be blogged to prove even Uncle Chris joined in the play time!!!

Last, but certainly not least ~ is our end of the summer pictures from Geauga Lake Waterpark. Do I need to ask how you have a summer without spending the sunny days catching waves at the wave pool, dancing with Snoopy and the Gang and riding the wild slides? To the "Austin" cousins ~ IMPOSSIBLE! It was amazing to see how brave Selah has become this year, literally throwing herself under the waves and to watch our little man trying to keep up with all his big cousins. Good times for sure!!

What I am able to reflect upon now is really quite simple ~ our God is good, faithful and truly a constant through it all. "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God" Psalm 90:1-2