A Splash of Summer

Guess what?! We have a new, BIG swimming pool in the backyard now!
It's wonderful. I think we've used it every day since setting it up. Thanks, Papa!


Papa set up a "jumping board" (it's two shallow to dive).

The two little girls spend the most time in the pool - hours each day.

Cuties. I love them.

 

Touille! (I still get a kick out of the fact that we etched "Touille Hall" on

her tag. The resemblance does not readily present itself, apparently.)

Daniel's botanical beauties: Hibiscus and Bellflower

Winsome patio decorations from Nikkia's birthday celebration.

Time for a rest on the hammock.

 
I love this girl.

Six Month Update

My goodness! It has been six months since I last posted here on the family blog. To those who have not been following the periodic post of a family picture on Facebook, be reassured: we do still exist.

UWM poster featuring Nikkia

School is out with two Hall graduates this year. Nikkia graduated with her master's degree in Violin Pedagogy from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (her senior recital was beautiful), and Amanda graduated from high school as the fifth graduate of Heritage Halls Academy. We nearly had three graduates in one spring, as I have only an Elementary Greek class to take before I earn my associate's degree at Bethlehem College.

What have we been up to aside from all the study? Well, there has been a ski trip to Lutsen with friends from church...

Lutsen Ski Trip (January, 2013)

...and a trip to Lily Bay by the three older girls and their beaus for a lovely visit with Papa and Dama.

Jessimine & Mike, Nikkia & Jordan, me & Daniel at Lily Bay

There have been ballets...

After Amanda's performance with Ballet Royale: Cinderella 1944 - A Love Story

...and, of course, there has been the start of summer, with all its accompanying ventures.

A few other happenings to note are these...Mom is presently in California, visiting her sister and having way too much fun; and, Stefan and Sarah just moved into their first house and are expecting their first baby...a boy! =) God is good and life is sweet. Hope you're all doing well and enjoying summer!

It's [Still] Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

The nostalgia of Christmas is surprising strong for me this year. I've been almost giddy seeing the lights on trees in the parks downtown and on every bedazzled home. Still, I can't help thinking, even as my mind looks back in time and lingers over the glory of God in the manger, the best is yet to come. 

Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice.

Now ye need not fear the grave:

Peace! Peace!

Jesus Christ was born to save.

Calls you one and calls you all

To gain His everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save,

Christ was born to save. 

(Latin Carol)

Our pastor's wife is in the hospital tonight. She's fighting a cancer that has all but taken its final toll on her weak frame. It's a cancer that may very well overcome her body, but it is not a cancer that can overcome her soul. Jesus is her King, and He is reigning in her tonight. Jesus is her Emmanuel. God is with her. For her family's sake and ours, we are praying she will "gain His everlasting hall" at a later time. Not yet, Lord. We love her so. But Christ be praised that it is not a matter of whether she will go to be with God, but of when. Rejoice with me, saints: the best is yet to come. 

Now ye need not fear the grave:

Peace! Peace!

Jesus Christ was born to save.