Up North continued...

I just realized that I never completed our Up North trip.  As I am sure that you can tell by the pictures that I kept posting, we had a blast at the cottage.  We got to do some of our favorite things such as mini golf, sand dunes, Leland and Fishtown, the Leland Beach, and Glen Arbor.  However, Rylan was able to do some new things this year as well.  He went kayaking with Uncle Jim, Liz, and Ben and he also went fishing on the boat with Uncle Jim, Papa, and Ben.  They did not catch anything, but they got "bites."  He was also old enough to "drive."  :)  This is a tradition that my brother and I used to do growing up.  When we got to the end of the road, my brother and I would take turns sitting on my Dad or Papa's lap and "drive" the rest of the way to the cottage.  Rylan did not forget when it was his turn!  We were leaving a restaurant one night and he said to my brother, "Uncle Jim, when we get to the dirt road, can I drive?"  Can't let anything slip by him!

Rylan had so much fun playing with his cousin.  My brother and I found it amusing a few times because the boys started wrestling like brothers, so of course we let them be boys and be rough and tumble.  It was a perfect time to be Up North and was very relaxing.  Thanks Mom and Dad for taking such good care of us and keeping Rylan entertained for 2.5 weeks!

Everything happens for a reason.

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason and once again today it was reconfirmed.  God knows what we are capable of enduring in our lives and is always with us through every experience, even the ones that hurt.  It was almost a year ago today that we found out that I was having a miscarriage and would have to undergo a D&C.  What seemed to be such an awful and painful experience led to a year of incredible changes in my life.  Right around that same time, Rylan also began school and I was introduced to an amazing group of women through our church, St. Peter's.  I have since become very close with many of them and value their friendship more that I could ever express.

In addition, another great friend of mine invited me to come along with her to a MOPS group, a Christian based Mothers of Preschoolers group.  MOPS is another group that is loaded with very inspirational and strong women that I enjoy having friendships with.  During the first meeting one of the mom's husbands, who is minister, came and gave us an inspirational opening talk.  I said on that day that I would love to go to a church where he was the minister.  As of June, Scott, the husband, is now the minister of our church, St. Peter's.  Now really, what are the chances of that happening?  I knew something was missing in my life last summer after that miscarriage, but the more that I look back and review this past year, I know exactly what was missing.  God and St. Peter's has become such an important part of my life.  I love being on Council for Rylan's school, the friends I have made are so faithful and irreplaceable, and the worship service with Scott each week is inspirational and fulfilling.

Wow!  What a year!  And today we got the icing on the cake....we are expecting Baby Eckel #2!  It still has yet to fully sink in because I have been really guarded since the beginning, but I think as the next few weeks progress, I will begin to become much more excited.  As it was with Rylan, the first several weeks were a little interesting and felt like a roller coaster of emotions, but now at 11.5 weeks and a great appointment today with an amazing new Doctor, I think we can officially announce the news.

God has blessed me once again.  I feel so honored to be able to be pregnant one more time and to bring another child into our family.  Thank you to so many of you that have prayed for us and continue to do so.  I would have been lost the last several weeks without the strength of so many of you holding my hand and your wonderful hugs.  You are all an inspiration to me.

Glow in the dark swords!!

Went fishing today on the boat with Uncle Jim and Papa

Drivin' with Papa on the dirt road

Let's go Uncle Jim!

Getting ready to kayak

Yee Haw

Liz bought the boys cowboy costumes. They are getting ready to go search for their treasure.

Where's my treasure?

Pittin' cherries

...naked of course ;)

Pittin' cherries for cherry pie

Projects with Gma/Nana

Rockin on deck all by himself ;)

Rylan is really enjoying the perfect temperatures up here. We have spent most of our time outside. I will be sad to leave the normal temperatures next week. At least we will have gotten through about half of August by the time we get home!

Putt putt

Fun in the waves

A little piece of heaven...

Lovin' on Lucky

Monkey man

Ashlyn and Ry at Geenfield Village

The boys playing Sequence for kids

MI fun!

Rylan and I had a great week at my parents house in Allen Park. My mom and nephew Ben picked us up in Midland on Monday. We all went to Bronners Christmas store in Frankenmuth and then ate chicken dinner at the Bavarian Inn. We left with my childhood favorite frosted raisin bread, which I've been munching on all week :).

My best friend Katie, and her daughter Ashlyn, came to visit on Tuesday and stayed through Thursday. We, and the kids, had a great time visiting. Our time together included a trip to the park, lunch and ice cream in Wyandotte, visits with GG and Mr. Gump, and a fabulous trip to Greenfield Village. While at the Village, we rode on a train, Model T car, horse and carriage, and the carousel. Ry and Ashlyn really enjoyed each other and lots of hugs were exchanged.

Rylan also was reintroduced to some of my family that he has not seen since he was 3 months old. He adored GG and Mr. Gump! We were at their house or them at ours each and every day. He was really sweet with GG, giving hugs and kisses, kicking the ball with her in the yard, and thanking her "for this" (chocolate peanut butter fudge that she made for us). We also had a short visit with my Aunt Margaret and Katie. In addition, we were able to spend an evening with my Aunt Janet and Anna from Colorado, and Grandma Honey (my Grandma).

Today we all packed up and headed Up North to what I consider a little piece of heaven. Lucky and the boys have been playing since we arrived and I look forward to the next week and a half!

So far I have enjoyed many of my favorites: Frankenmuth buttered noodles, frosted raisin bread, the Gumps, GG's homemade peach pie (bless her heart), Olga's, my sweet Grandma, and now the best part...Up North! (I love how most of my favs are food ;) )!

~sarah~

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