The Essence of August

September is just around the corner, and here is a condensed glance at our August.

One thing that just shouts August to me is Blueberry picking.  The crop was a bit low this year due to the awful Michigan winter we had, but we did manage to go picking twice.

On our second outing Theresa and Baby Robert joined us.  Baby didn't really help all that much... :)  Just sat in the shade and snoozed the entire time.

It was classic picking weather, hot and a bit muggy. The berries were a little harder to find than usual but we all had a great time anyway.

Plink, plunk... it's amazing how long it takes just to cover the bottom of the pail, especially when you have to taste half of them... it's important I tell you! :)

We were happy to have both Dad and Josiah join us on this trip; it made things go faster with four of us.

Beautiful blue berries.

Snoozing little blueberry boy.

We called it quits after an hour or so and headed up with 2 full pails of berries.

Queen Ann's Lace is another thing that just say's August!

I love when they turn into green bird's nest, and then morph into the brown winter skeletons that are so picturesque. They are so beautiful at all stages of their lives.

Bee on a Bee Balm! :)

August is also the Monarch season.  I think we have had 3 butterflies hatch out this year.  We collect the caterpillars when we find them on our Milk Weed, and we bring them in and enjoy them while they grow, turn into chrysalises, and then hatch out into beautiful butterflies!

Try in the busyness of life to still take time to appreciate the little things - to smell the flowers, catch the lighting bug, and find the essence of each day.

~Chs  

Birthday Bash and Visitors

I know August is already over half way done, but back at the beginning we celebrated a birthday!

Mom made this awesome cake for him, with one of his favorite verses (it was hard to select just one of course...)

We had a wonderful small family party the evening of his birthday.  But the next day we kind of extended the celebration, because Dad's sister Aunt Kathy from Utah, who we haven't seen in 6 or more years, and Dad's Aunt Bee (who Aunt Kathy was staying with) came for a visit!

Both "Aunts" loved visiting with little Robert Gabriel who was over as well!

Aunt Kathy enjoys researching our family history and ancestry, and had found some interesting information in the Bay City area which she shared with us all.  

Great Aunt Kathy

We enjoyed a lovely lunch under the willow tree; the weather was just perfect for it.

Dad and the Ladies! 

We managed to get a photo of all of us more or less smiling at the camera, even Momma Sadie Rose!! :)  It was a wonderful visit, and hopefully it won't be another 6-7 years before we get to see them again!

~Chs

Newest Addition

So, I realize it had been a little quiet around here recently.  Hopefully that will change, but meanwhile I think this story might explain some of the reason why. :)

It was Saturday evening, July 19th, it had been a crazy busy weekend, and I finally got to crash on a sleeping bag next to the new puppies to keep an ear on them during the night.

~~~~~~~~~~

Suddenly my eyes flew open, my nerves jarred awake by the ring of my phone laying next to me, before my eyes could focus on the bright screen, I knew..  I knew that this was the call I had been waiting for the past week.  I answered trying to sound awake, ready, in control.  "Hello, this is Christianna" (it didn't come out as clear as I hoped)  On the other end came my brothers voice. "It's time! The baby is coming today!"
As succinctly as possible at 5:30 in the morning I told him I would be there as soon as I could, then staggered to my feet to collect my camera and a back pack.
Soon I was driving east to their apartment trying desperately to stay awake, and see through the thick fog.
I arrived at the apartment, thanked the LORD for safety, and tiptoed up the stairs.

The next few hours, were full of whispered encouragement, filling the pool with water, getting people drinks, taking pictures....

Baby Robert Gabriel Sauve, arrived at 9:47 AM on July 20th 2014.  Only seconds after his entrance into the world, he opened up his little eyes and looked around at his new home!

Brand new Daddy, with his little boy.
"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection."

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."

Holding on to Daddy.

"Aside from new babies, new mothers must be the most beautiful creatures on earth."

"Babies are never common, each one is a miracle."

Grandparents for the first time. 

"We never know the love of our parents for us till we have become parents."

"Until you have a son of your own... you will never know the joy, the love beyond feeling that resonates in the heart of a father as he looks upon his son. You will never know the sense of honor that makes a man want to be more than he is and to pass something good and hopeful into the hands of his son."

Joshua, who  is in the National Guard, is heading over seas for a month.  We are so grateful that he got to spend time with his "little man" before he left.  Please pray for him and for Theresa and the baby here.

~Chs

Cheaper by the Dozen... Almost

The day we had been holding our breath and waiting for arrived.  On Thursday afternoon Sadie Rose had her puppies.  

The first little girl arrived at 4:30pm, and after that boy after boy after boy popped out.  By 7:00 we had 6 puppies, 4 boys and 2 girls.  

 {Tux, the second puppy and biggest boy!}

She took a bit of a break after that, but an hour and a half later she started again.  At 9:30pm the 9th puppy entered the world, the 3rd beautiful girl.  

We all kind of hoped that, that was that!  Sadie had been 1 of 9 and she only had 9 nipples so 9 was a good number we thought.  Sadie had other ideas and an hour later made it an even 10.  For sure that would be it! I mean that's quite a large litter!!  Nope.  11:30pm found us welcoming Mo (short for "the last of the Mohicans") who as his name implies was indeed the last puppy.  She almost made it to a dozen... just not quite. :)   

They all have temporary identification names.  Just to be able to tell them apart. :)

This is Major.  Handsome little guy!

:P

Sleepy Stubby.

Little Dash didn't want to show his adorable peanut butter eyebrows. :)

Some of the puppies got "re-named".  This one is now called Skunk.

Sleepy girls, Fan and Solo.

Of course they are growing up SO fast, changing each day (these pictures are a few days old...) Their eyes should open any day now!!  

Puppy visits are open by appointment only.  Comment for reserving your time slot. :)

~Chs

Farm-sitting and a Sunday Walk

This past weekend we have been farm sitting for a family, and one of the animals we have to take care of is this darling little calf!

Hungry little fellow!

The "big-bad bull" Maverick.  He is a short legged Dexter bull. Emphasis on the "short legged".

Goofy little Kittens.

A week or so ago Josiah, Faith and I took our Sunday evening walk at Algoe lake.

There were pretty dragonflies everywhere....

And lots of snakes too.  Can you spot him?

I have some big blog posts coming up; we have lots of new arrivals around here!!!

~Chs