We heard about furlough. We heard about the rushing and the busy-ness and the constant activities and coming back all weary.

So we began to plan for our furlough with intention long before it arrived.

Wide open spaces in the planner

Focused goals

margin for more or less....

and lots of lists...

It paid off.

We came back rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to dig in again,

with plenty of good memories to think on besides!!!

The children did SUPER well with traveling. Thanks to Mom, they each have their own carry on, and back pack.

They each carried all their personal clothing and fun things for travel . This certainly eased up a lot of disorganization on my end, and we had very few check-ins tied up in clothing.  I'll do this again!

We had arranged our trip home over the time Jess's family was together at a cabin.

What a great time!!! The cabin itself was so accomidating, so beautiful, and we

enjoyed being able to see family we don't see very often.

Def a highlight of our trip!

Enjoying Eicorn scones from my little sisters kitchen....

And taking a walk back the scenic field lane... drinking in the beauty of Autumn in Pa....

Mom's moon pies will never be beat by anyone else. Even a torn rotary cuff didn't stop her from making some for all of us!

Thank you so much, each and every one of you, who made our stay so enjoyable. Thank you for the grace you extended, the ways you gave, ( time, monetary, gifts, babysitting, encouragement, and support) We are so blessed to have each of you in our life!

Sunday evening family time

Sundays are a mixture of rest and fun for us here. Yesterday was a day just like that. We went to one of the village churches, then had lunch with Mary, who was here from Pa, working on some hurricane relief efforts.

Jess slept off a headache, and the rest of us visited with Mary, watched the littles do their "daring" skateboard escapades, and read books. Around 4, we packed up the marshmallows and grahams and choc, along with Aunt Ev's famous Sterges seasoned pretzels,  Uncle David's yummy summer sausage, some ice coffee,and we headed off to the rocky beach.

It was beautiful. The sunset was perfect, the waves a perfect rhythm of sound that

somehow reach the soul, and renews you from the inside out.

Away from the busy-ness and noise of the village, this

space is a special reprieve.

I have more pictures to post, but for some reason I can't load them.

Just picture gooey, sticky marshmellows,

a tiny little fire ring,

and some adorable children making memories and having fun:)