It’s been weeks since I’ve posted, just wanted you to know… we’re still here! Or maybe I should say we’re back! 😉

We spent a couple weeks in upstate New York to introduce the three youngest to more of their family and share our childhood memories with them.

All of these things we hold even more dear because apart from God’s grace these three would have had no family. They’ve never known grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins until God brought us together. He is good!

The majority of both Jeff’s and my family live in New York. This is my grandmother’s home, the place that holds the happiest of memories for me; the place I breathe the deepest and slowest. It’s a place where time kind of stands still for a while.

The kids met about 100 new aunts, uncles and cousins! Every single person went out of their way to welcome them just as they would welcome a blood related newborn.

Meeting their Great-Great Aunt Betty, she’s 93.

She’s a hoot! I wish I had half her personality!

We spent the two weeks showing the kids the places we grew up, where their baby sister is buried, the church we were married in, along with visiting a couple amusement parks and beaches.

Peach playing where I walked thousands of times as a child on my grandparent’s farm.

I LOVED watching Cherish make pies in the same kitchen that I cooked in ever since I could hold a spoon. There is just something satisfying about that.

I loved watching Aaron ride a bike on the same driveway that I learned on.

We spent a couple days to help my grandma with some home maintenance.

Stopping a lot to play with their new cousins.

Went blackberry picking at grandma’s with Great Aunt Linda.

This is me. I even got to rake some hay. I haven’t done that in about 30 years!

We also had two family reunions, one on Jeff’s side of the family and one on mine.

The kids had several mornings on the porch with Grandma and Grandpa (Jeff’s parents) watching the deer and turkeys out in the corn field.

Aaron got to ride on the tractor with his grandfather, something he would have never of had if it weren’t for the mercy of God through adoption.

He even got to fish with grandpa.

The girls spent some time in the garden with grandma.

Days getting to know more cousins!

Spent some much needed time with my cousins, aunts, grandmother and mom.

Grandma with some of her great-grandchildren.

Second Cousins

Late night ice cream run!

It was an action packed two weeks with a LOT of memories!

Don't forget...