It’s hard to believe that once it was a major feat to have gone on a walk with Nora up to the mailbox. Gradually as the weeks passed we ventured further and further away from the comfort of the family room. We made it to Nana & Papa’s, then all the way to Aunt Sarah & Uncle Dan’s house almost an hour away. Today we embarked on the unimaginable…
After an almost 10 hour drive Nora is on her very first vacation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Island No. 8 in the Les Cheneaux Islands on Lake Huron. This little remote corner of the world is my most favorite place to be. I first visited here when I was just 3 months old – same age as Nora, and just about every year of my life thereafter. Although we no longer stay at the quaint little cottage in the woods that once belonged to my Great Grandmother, it is still just as special. I am over the moon happy that we’ve actually brought Nora up here. My parents are here, as are my sisters and their families, all of us together on our vacation we so greatly enjoy every year. William and I weren’t sure we would be able to come along this year — but HERE WE ARE!!! Gavin and Greta came up a day earlier with everyone else and it was sweet to be reunited with them. Thank you so much, Schmidts for lending us your cottage this year! It’s perfect!
Nora got to dip her bare little toes in Lake Huron, which was considerably warmer than I’ve ever known it to be. That mattered not to her. It was NOT the warm bath water that she is accustomed to and she was very angry with me. I was given a strict warning never to do that again!!
That deserved a rest after that whole ordeal!!
Around 9:00 we made our way back down the pine-lined path to the dock and watched the sun set over the water.
I was thrilled, but unsurprised to see the 3 geese floating past,”I am with you… I am with you… I am with you…” It was beyond perfect.
As I stood there by myself at the end of the dock, mesmerized by the 3 geese – I couldn’t help but think of this song:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9 NIV)
iwillcarryyou 
I CANNOT EVEN BEGIN TO PUT IN WORDS HOW EXCITED I AM THAT ALL YOUR FAMILY ARE TOGETHER ON VACATION, EVEN LITTLE NORA. HER FIRST VACATION!!!! I LOVE SHE GOT TO PUT HER LITTLE TOES IN THE SAND AND THE LAKE, THE PICTURE IS SO CUTE. THANKS FOR SHARING THAT MOMENT. THE GIRLS LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE HAVING A GREAT TIME. THE SUNSET IS GOD’S WAY OF “LIGHTING UP THE SKY”, AND THEN HE EVEN SENT THE 3 GEESE FOR YOU ALSO. PRAISE GOD, HE IS SO WONDERFUL. HAVE A GREAT TIME AND ENJOY EVERY MINUTE WITH ALL YOUR FAMILY. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS. LOVE YOU ALL
Wow!!. Sounds like a wonderful place!!.
I’m so happy for you and for Nora, although she only likes to take a bath in her private spa, lol. Get rest, Aleisa. You deserve this vacation this year more than ever. Enjoy !!.
Have an incredible vacation!!!! You all deserve it!
So sweet Baby Nora will be on vacation for her big 100!!! Talk about prayers answered and hope and dreams fulfilled beyond imagination! -Blows me away when I think about it.
So glad you were able to take Nora on vacation and celebrate with your family in such a gorgeous spot! Ruth is so right…answered prayers are evident and amazing in Nora’s little life.
Love the three geese, and I love that song, as well!
Have a wonderful trip, making lots of new memories to go along with the old ones 🙂
SOOOO perfect! I am so happy you guys were able to get away and to your most favorite place at that! It will no doubt be a special time. Relax and enjoy your get-a-way! XO!
I recognized that bridge before I read what it was! You are vacationing in a most memorable, serene place. God bless your family!
First, Welcome to Pure Michigan! (I live 45 minutes Southeast of the Mackinac Bridge.) Second, while I do not have children (yet) your blog has reiterated my conviction to carry any child I am blessed with for as long as God allows. I say often that Doctors are NOT God. Enjoy your vacation in the UP!
Yay! What a perfect family vacation! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!
we lit a candle in church for God to light the way for a safe trip for all of you. so when I saw your song choice today it filled me with joy. LesCheneaux has always been a place of spiritual renewel.There is something so simple and satisfying about going for a long walk and soaking in the beauty.Nora Rose is so lucky to have her adoring family surround each other. Love to all !
I also am going through what you went through, I am 23 weeks pregnant and found out our son has Trisomy 18!!! I thank God everyday I am still pregnant!!! It has been so hard on our family but I have faith in God and I hope I am one of the lucky ones who makes it to full term with him?? You and your family are in my prayers!!! God Bless you and your family ❤
Sounds like paradise. I’m so glad you got to go and have quality family time.<3
So glad that you and your family are getting a much needed break and some quality family time. Hand Ms Nora over to relatives who, I am sure, are more than happy to take her off your hands for a bit, and enjoy some much needed down time.
I’m sooooo happy for ms nora’s first vacation!!:)
I love that Nora has been introduced to “Pure Michigan”…God is good! What an amazing way to celebrate the big 1-0-0…with the family vacation that you weren’t sure you would be taking this year. I love the way God is visibly working in your lives, and heck, all of our lives through you.
Love to you all!!
What a wonderful blessing God has given you and your family to be all together on vacation in Michigan. I pray that this vacation will help to give you rest – physically and mentally as you enjoy the beautiful place you are at. The pictures are wonderful…thanks for this blog.
There is nothing like vacationing with family in a place filled with traditions….it will allow for the complete relaxation you are in need of. Enjoy!
I’m so thankful that you were able to get away to this beautiful place and share this special time with your family! Love, prayers and blessings to all!
What a beautiful weekend! I have been following your blog since 2 days after your baby was born. My son, Sawyer, was born the same day as your sweet Nora. I have been moved by your story and praying for you both. I thought it was very sweet to see the pictures of her at Lake Huron. We went to Lake Michigan this weekend and dipped Sawyer’s toes in the water and he also expressed his displeasure with the chilly water! So, our babies born on the same day and experiencing God’s creation at the great lakes on the same day 😉 Your family is on my heart and in my prayers.
SO glad you, Wm, and Nora got to go!!!! Enjoy my friend! Love ya.
SO happy that you, Wm, and Nora got to go! Enjoy friend! Love ya.
OMGosh! Les Cheneaux Islands are my favoorite as well! I usually tell people of them, and they scrunch their noses and say “huh!” We stayed at Patrick’s Landing in Cedarville every year for like 15 years! I had my 1st birthday up there! LOVE that Miss Nra got to travel over the Macinac Bridge! A big feat for a tiny person! We would go to the boat show every year in Hessel too! And also go the 60 miles north to Sioux St. Marie!!! My grandma now lives in DeTour Village (estern most point of the UP…acrossed from Drummund Island!) FUN!! ENJOY YOURSELF!! ENJOY NORA’S 1st VACA!! Bury the other 2 in the sand and also make sand/mud pies!
I am still finding it awesome that we seem to have similar things everywhere! Miss Emma Faith (T18), Kings Island and now this! Bless our Lord for conecting us through this blog! Everything has it’s purpose!
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecc, 3:1