Summer Is Here, 10 Years

It's already been a week that we've been on summer break, and it's flying by. We had a visit from our dear friends Sydney and Tate...such a special treat to host friends in the middle of the week.

Just this past weekend was the annual North Whatcom Relay for Life. It's such an important cause for our family for multiple reasons, and we put forth so much hard work and effort toward it. This year our efforts landed our team 3rd overall for fundraising, raising over $10,000! Our 1 family in 1 year raised $10,000 for the fight against cancer. Go Team Van Diest! I think that's pretty awesome, and love that even though it's hard work to raise money, the reward is so great! What's even better is that we all come together no matter what...wind, rain, cold...and still ENJOY and TREASURE every moment of each other's company. Thank you to my wonderful aunts and uncles who shower us girls with love and support...you know who you are. Your support means so much. It helps us remain positive.

I came across this picture of Jack...so typical of him just lounging in the yard with one of the dogs, and this one of Jovie being such a girl playing dress-up. 

Finally, Rob and I will celebrate our 10-year anniversary this week! This picture was taken back at the beginning of May at our first annual Relay for Life Barn Dance, and it's probably the one and only I will post of me during pregnancy. I hate pregnancy pictures of myself, and if you think my belly is big here...! Anyway, 10 years...we've done so much, accomplished so much, been through SO MUCH. I just can't believe it when I look back at what our lives were like at 20 years old! My, how many changes occur...my, how much shaping and molding takes place. Sometimes life is easy and we just seem to float on. More often though, life is hard and it goes on testing and trying us. Either way, we have been blessed.