Hermitage

Parish Hermitage

While the girls were enjoying “Cousin Camp,” Mom and Dad went back to “Parish Hermitage” … an amazing place of respite, rejuvenation, reconciliation, restoration, learning, growing, wrestling and just being with the Lord. I have never, that I can think of, known a family who is living out their calling from God with such reckless abandon. Words cannot express how God continued to knit our hearts together with His. We praise Him for that! To find out more about “Parish Hermitage” click here.

Cousin Camp

July is the month for “Cousin Camp.” This is the time of year when the cousins/grandchildren go to Grannie and Paw-Paw’s for a “no adults allowed” week. A tremendous time is had by all and awesome memories are made to treasure for a lifetime. This year’s adventure included minnow catching, paddleboats, swimming in the river (a staple at Ole’), painting sawhorses, “Princess for the Day,” showering in the outside shower or bathing in Grannie’s trough tub, reading books and a trip to the bat cave. I’m sure there are other wonders that were not shared but are held closely in hearts. Thank you Lord for the blessing of involved, caring, Godly, loving, fun grandparents and for cousins growing up together with them!

Peyton, Megan, Amanda and Madison ... an amazing group of cousins!

July 4th

Camping … oh what fun! We joined the Wilson’s on the Red River July 3rd & 4th for some fireworks, swimming, marshmallows, fossils hunting and backwoods fun. We had our own private beachfront, if you will. We enjoyed a great fireworks display compliments of big Toby, roasted marshmallows, told stories, hunted fossils and swam. But, the best part was hanging out with friends and getting to know one another in this journey of life. What more could you ask for?

Sparklers ....

Building castles ...

Get that boy ....

Finally!

… she’d been waiting and waiting and waiting and enduring the wait and watching friends and lamenting and finally on June 22nd … baby girl loses her first tooth!

Swim Lessons

“Momma, I really want to learn to swim. When do swim lessons start?” I am the swimmer in the family. I swam in high school and played water polo for a year. The only place I am athletically inclined (translation: coordinated) is the water. You never know what you’re going to get when you sign up for swim lessons, but God led us to just the right place … Mrs. Black’s … private lessons from a precious, but no nonsense Christian lady, in her backyard pool. The girls finished with confidence and grace and pretty good-looking and mechanically correct swim strokes. Go God!

One-on-one instruction ...

Getting the mechanics right ...
Ready, set, jump!

Look at me!

Faces that delight in swimming ...

Thank You, Lord, for oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, and swimming pools!

The Boys!

Canton First Monday Adventures

We adopted “the boys.” Yes, you read right. We went down to Canton to explore the options for getting a dog … one dog … and because of two little girls with big eyes and big hearts and “Daddy, pleeeeeeease ….” we came home with two. Our sweet lap dog, “Cocoa,” a long-haired Chihuahua, and “Gilbert,” our Chinese Crested Powderpuff, who has a feisty and fun nature and loves to play. Actually, they are the greatest playmates … just like brothers. It is precious and we are really enjoying them. Not too sure how they feel about being hauled around and treated like baby dolls, but they are rolling with the flow. The boys are (finally) sleeping all night and God uses them to wake me up early so I don’t miss my quiet time.

Madison and "Gilbert" .... aaah! Peyton and "Cocoa" ... sweet!

Hoopla

"Dunham Family Hoopla.”

Memorial Day Weekend

This year, our 8th year, we explored a new place, Lazy H Ranch, and it was great … our own little paradise in a canyon in the Hill Country. Big Grannie was able to get around in the great room and play her fair share of dominoes and cards. The cousins and second cousins swam, laughed, joked, danced, ate, played poker, caught up and shared stories. Oh, and did I mention ate? We only had one snake sighting … well two, same snake though. Praise God! This year marked the beginning of the “Hoopla Olympics.” Fitting for a competitive group … I mean, we did all inherit the competitive gene from Big Grannie, right? It was TOO MUCH FUN! Crazy races and water fights. Thank you Lord for family … with all our warts and weakness and yuck … we still love each other and enjoy each other and see one another’s beauty and embrace the fun of being family. I always look forward to Hoopla! '

"Mistress Mary" holding court at the card table.

Time for a nature hike ... I mean drive ... with Aunt Kelly, the cruise director.

My sweet parents!

Can we go swimming yet, pleeeeease?

Ready, set ... jump!

Olympic three-legged race ... Go!

Water races ... hurry, fill up the bottle, not my head!

Poker faces ....

An engaging conversation ...

Love birds ... ahhh!

Thank God, I'm a country girl!
Cousins ... growing up together, but way too fast!