The Docken Life: July 2013

I've been thinking about calling it quits with the blog. It's hard to believe I've been blogging for 5 1/2 years. I started the blog just a few days after our miscarriage. It was an online journal, for me to process, chronicle and see a transformation unfold. Later on, it was a way of documenting my growing family. I was so, so thankful to have this blog when I started creating my family photobooks and especially when I went back in time and created books for 2009 and 2010 earlier this year. After awhile, it became more of a little ministry for me. Mostly, to me. Now I think it has more or less run it's course. As a full-time mom, full-time worker outside of the house, I have a long list of priorities. And I'm feeling in my heart that this one isn't serving it's purpose anymore and should fall off the list. Personally, I crave deep, deep relationships. Some people prefer to have a small group of friends with deep and lasting ties. Some prefer a larger group of friends. I have a large circle from various parts of my life- childhood, work, mother and baby class, family, college, high school. But, I crave pierce-into-the-heart relationships all the same. With these same. And I don't think the blog is a means to that end. I'd rather share my heart and hear yours- your joys, your struggles, your faith journey, your fears and your victories. And I think this blog has become more and more "surface" level and that's not what I want and how I operate, at my core.

So, without further adieu, this is perhaps my last blog posting of pictures. We had another incredible weekend at the cabin (following right after an amazing 4th of July at Aunt Sue and Aunt Julie's house). And the best part? The kids actually SLEPT. Like, ALL NIGHT. And were so exhausted by the time they went to bed that they didn't put up any fuss and fell right asleep. This is drastically different than the past three years at the cabin and I am so, so thankful.

I love this series of photos. Max was plopping into the pool and thought it was the most hilarious EVER. I really wish he would be joyful and show some facial expressions once in awhile, ya know?

This is shortly before my Mom and I capsized the jet ski in the middle of the lake, before it really even started. At least I redeemed myself with my two year old the next day.

The guy on the left is Cannon Falls' most eligible bachelor. Isn't he good looking? He's extremely hard working, very kind, absolutely wonderful with children, and loves to laugh. His story is truly one of redemption. If you know someone that could be a good fit, let me know. :)

Friday night we did a fish fry and made home-made french fries.

Max was a rockstar with the potty thing at the cabin. In the three days we were there, he only had one accident, and this was just one week after he started training. I can't take any credit for it- it's all him! He was ready.