Happy Father's Day

Faithful
Attentive
Trustworthy
Helpful
Eager
Respectful

These are all the things I celebrate in James today, for the wonderful father that he is to our two children. (Oh, and he’s a pretty good husband, too!)

Father’s Day, is, of course, the day we celebrate our earthly fathers. However, I have been reminded today of the Heavenly Father’s love for me. I was one of the lucky ones (though I don’t believe in luck) who was blessed with a Dad who loved me and never hesitated to tell me so. It’s hard for me to fathom the fact that the Heavenly Father’s love far surpasses that which my earthly father had for me. But, it’s true. Today I mourn that it was exactly two years ago that I had my last face to face conversation with my Dad. It was the next day that my Dad became ill and ultimately ended up in a coma for a week with severe brain trauma, from which we were told he would never recover. I recently read a post on this Mama’s blog about clinging to God in the hard times in our lives (and she went on to further say that we should cling to Him ALL the time), and I could totally relate. I clung to God with all my might that week, and in the weeks that followed. God did not provide the miracle for which we had been praying, but He did envelope us in His love. Never in my life had I so strongly clung to His promises…promises that He has a plan…and though it may not always add up with what I think should happen…His plan is the Right Plan…the Perfect Plan. Never in my life had I felt so much peace, peace that could have ONLY come from God…given the circumstances. I am an only child, and the overwhelming weight that I felt on my shoulders to care for my Mom, and to help her through her grief, was much too much to bear on my own. I had NO CHOICE but to lean on God. It was during that time that a popular praise song kept coming to mind, and kept coming up on the screen at church, and on the radio in the car…you get the point…I heard it ALL the time. That song was “How Great is our God”. It really spoke to me, and even though I was grieving, I was able to praise God…because I KNEW He loved me. So, with that said, I am missing my Dad today on Father’s Day. Even more so because it starts a painful week of memories regarding his death. On the way to church today I was thinking to myself that I really hoped that song would be part of worship. Like I said, it just really speaks to me. Guess what…the closing song today was just that. Seriously. Oh, and the way our church sings it is to include a portion of “How Great Thou Art” in the middle of the song. Did I mention that that was my Dad’s favorite hymn? Seriously. Once again, I just felt my Heavenly Father’s arms wrapping around me and letting me know that Yes, everything is in His hands…and it is well. So, yes, I’m missing my Dad today…but how GREAT is it to have a Heavenly Father who loves me…and who knows my every thought…my every need. How great. Now, if only I can remember to give Him the praise for the good times as well…when everything is A-Ok! I’m a work in progress…what can I say!?

I’m looking forward to celebrating the rest of the day with my husband, and with his parents, and to relish in the blessings of family. May you do the same on this Father’s Day!

Vacation

James went back to work today after an almost 2 week staycation/vacation. We started his vacation off at home...with a little work! We sent the kids to James' parent's house for a night and used that "kid-free" time to put down a patio. As you have seen from past posts, our back yard is in a state of disarray! There used to be a deck off of our dining room, but the wood was starting to rot so with a little help from some family members, we tore it out. Thanks to our home's previous owners, we had all the supplies we needed to make a paver brick patio. Here are some before and after pics...

Bringing in some top soil to level out the ground


James hard at work on his first day of vacation!


The finished (well, almost...we are missing a step down) project!

After a few days at home, we headed off to Maine. We stopped for a night at my Uncle's house and from there went to separate locations. James went to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway for a fishing trip, and the kids and I traveled on to my Mom's house in northern Maine.

The bridge from New Hampshire to Maine


LOVED seeing this sign on my many long drives home from college! Never had a picture of it until now!


Ryan napping in the car

James' fishing trip was bittersweet. It was two years ago this month that James and I took off to New Hampshire, where my parents were living at the time, so that he and my Dad could go fishing in the Allagash with some of the same men that went this year. It was the first day of that trip, once they crossed the lake to get to their campsite, that my Dad fell ill and had to be air lifted to the hospital in Portland, ME where he passed away after a week of being in a coma. I know it brought back painful memories for James, but he felt that my Dad would have wanted him to go on this trip and to experience the beauty of the Allagash (a place my Dad loved so much and where he spent time with his brother and father every year since he was in his 20s). Despite the bitter memories, James did have a good time on the trip and even caught a few fish!

Uncle Mark, James and Andy waiting for a bite


James got one (actually, I believe he got five!)


Up close and personal with a Moose

Make that two Moose!

After a fun, though brief, visit with my friend Sarah and her kids, Ryan, Ella and I went on to my Mom's house. It rained the WHOLE time we were there, but we had fun visiting anyway!


Lydia, Ryan, Eliza and Ella...the best picture I could get!


Ring around the Rosy


Lydia holding Ella


MiMi and Ella


MiMi with Ryan and Ella (I snapped the picture before Ryan could tackle them!)

James still had two days off when we got back, which was a nice way to unwind after a long trip and a busy vacation! Now it's back to work...and back to real life. Sigh.