First… sorry I’ve been MIA! I promise I haven’t fallen into the Thames or been permanently shelved somewhere in the Bodleian Library. Oxford apparently believes that four classes should each have the reading load of a small nation, and I’ve somehow convinced myself it’s perfectly reasonable to do that while still working a full EST workday from the UK. Turns out… less reasonable than advertised. 😄
That said… I couldn’t not pop in after seeing this week’s post.
First of all… those river photos. Gentlemen… you are making it unnecessarily difficult for the rest of us to concentrate on the actual newsletter. 😂
Second, I absolutely loved the father-daughter afternoon. Those little one-on-one moments always end up becoming the memories that stick. I was lucky enough to spend the 4th with Anaïs in London before classes really kicked into gear, and it ended up being one of my favorite days of the trip so far.
Also… only you two could casually own 20 acres on a river and then write, “Oh yeah… we forgot about that.” My New England brain short-circuited at that sentence. 😄
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with approximately 600 more pages of reading and a library that somehow makes me feel simultaneously brilliant and wildly underqualified.
Hope you guys have an amazing beach trip. Stay cool, keep making memories, and I’ll eventually find my way back to the PJ & Thomas cinematic universe once Oxford loosens its grip on my soul.
Cheers back from NY! I'm loving ..."I have a date with approximately 600 more pages of reading and a library that somehow makes me feel simultaneously brilliant and wildly underqualified."
Alsoooo LOL simultaneously brilliant and under qualified. What a perfect spot. And my brain short circuited too. The amount of land but also entrepreneurial projects?? Wowza!
EJ!!! I laughed and nodded and clapped and love this whole thing. Miss you so, dear human! Hope Oxford is treating you well, even if her expectations seem a bit steep. 600 pages and a full time job all while maintaining such levity and humor? ICON. LEGEND. OXFORD better appreciate her fine fortune!
Hi both, I would love a little dip in your river ATM, we have had another warm spell!
My grandson's 10th bday party! We went to a lovely country park in Kent, gorgeous and he got a Beautiful new bike from all of us! Still in London, going home tomorrow after church, very sleepy after all the fresh air! So good to spend time all together!
Bits and pieces to do this week, but expecting rain! My garden will love it!
I really think I need to watch that Netflix film, so that will be an evening's viewing.
My son in law has also finally got me sucked into the football!
Love the blog as always, sending love and hugs always xx
aww! nothing like a little family time. I bet his bday was such a lovely afternoon. I hope you stay cool this weekend, and let me know what you think of the film!
I had to read, again, your day with your daughter - to my wife. I love reading your newsletters. It’s exciting to hear that you guys are planning a home on your land. Can’t wait! And…can’t believe it’s been seven years since you went from 2 to a family of five. Time. Stop.
As always, thanks for the weekly summary and the beautiful pics. It’s nice to revisit the events that you share throughout the week.👨❤️👨 I was particularly happy to see everyone taking advantage of the riverfront land – especially since you’ve expressed desires for a pool for the kids in the past. I hope things have improved with the timeline of work on the fences. I’m sure PJ’s eager to have it done so Ocoee’s sheep can "spread their wings" onto new pastures! 🐑
Thanks for the Netflix recommendation – purely based on the pic, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it! (I’m looking forward to watching the upcoming YouTube post, too.)
Have a good weekend. Stay happy, well, and safe...🤗💞🌈🦄🗽
P.S. – I can easily see why this beautiful NYS farmhouse would be an inspiration for you. Stunning is an understatement! Your own homes already reflect how “Upstate NY + farmhouse” are a part of your love language. I can’t wait to follow along as your collective plans unfold for the anticipated build! 😉 😊
I loved what you wrote this week! Your Daddy and Daughter date was so sweet,I love stuff like this! Please don’t go to upstate NY without visiting me first!!!🤭I wish you the best with all of your housing projects!!🙏🤗
I look forward to this every week. What feeds the Ocoee River for the water to be so cold. I live on the Pamlico River in eastern NC. The river is 4 miles across in front of my house. Since the 90 to 100+ temperatures the water is like bath water. That’s more typical for August instead of July. The New York house is beautiful. I’m sure you could come up with a plan that fits your needs. Keep us posted.
okay so this is from Google and it's put way more eloquently than I could ever write: The Ocoee River stays cold because it is fed by bottom-release dams operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Water is drawn from the deep, cool bottom layers of upstream reservoirs and released into the riverbed, resulting in temperatures ranging from the upper 50s to upper 60s Fahrenheit during the rafting season.
I cried watching the video of you guys becoming a family of five officially. What an emotional roller coaster with such steadfast love and presence. I’m so in awe and just holding you all with such big love.
That house! Movie!! THE RIVER!!! WHATTTT I have so many questions but oh so magical! And daddy daughter date sent me. So precious! Hope you get som restoration this week and at the beach! We’re at the beach this week with my in law family (they call it in love family, if that tells you anything) who introduced me to my now husband (I went on his family vacations for years before I met him!!), and it’s way too much since having kids but never enough and I’m not sure what time it is and it’s more than a vibe, it’s a whole darn life.
That river looks so inviting as we too are suffering from oppressive heat and humidity. What a beautiful memory you created for your daughter. The story touched my heart. You really are a great father and the children are so fortunate to have such a loving and giving dad. As someone who lives in a old upstate New York house the style and architecture are incredible. One of the best features is the porch off of the upstairs bedroom. My husband and I love sitting in our rockers catching a cool breeze and being up in the trees looking out on everything below. Our house was once the Mill House for the Mill next door. Farmers would come to have their corn ground into meal and the mill was powered by the waterfall which is part of our back yard. The waterfall creates a cooling breeze and it is beautiful to sit there on hot summer nights. Hope you get some relief from the heat. My husband and i look forward to your newsletter. God bless you and your family.
Hey guys!!
First… sorry I’ve been MIA! I promise I haven’t fallen into the Thames or been permanently shelved somewhere in the Bodleian Library. Oxford apparently believes that four classes should each have the reading load of a small nation, and I’ve somehow convinced myself it’s perfectly reasonable to do that while still working a full EST workday from the UK. Turns out… less reasonable than advertised. 😄
That said… I couldn’t not pop in after seeing this week’s post.
First of all… those river photos. Gentlemen… you are making it unnecessarily difficult for the rest of us to concentrate on the actual newsletter. 😂
Second, I absolutely loved the father-daughter afternoon. Those little one-on-one moments always end up becoming the memories that stick. I was lucky enough to spend the 4th with Anaïs in London before classes really kicked into gear, and it ended up being one of my favorite days of the trip so far.
Also… only you two could casually own 20 acres on a river and then write, “Oh yeah… we forgot about that.” My New England brain short-circuited at that sentence. 😄
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with approximately 600 more pages of reading and a library that somehow makes me feel simultaneously brilliant and wildly underqualified.
Hope you guys have an amazing beach trip. Stay cool, keep making memories, and I’ll eventually find my way back to the PJ & Thomas cinematic universe once Oxford loosens its grip on my soul.
Cheers from the UK!
EJ
ahhh EJ!! we have missed seeing your name pop up on here!! how is Oxford?
"My New England brain short-circuited at that sentence" made me LOL. good luck on all of your studies!! sending you all the love!! xoxo
Cheers back from NY! I'm loving ..."I have a date with approximately 600 more pages of reading and a library that somehow makes me feel simultaneously brilliant and wildly underqualified."
Hi EJ, I hope you are enjoying Oxford, I was there on the 4/7 for the ordination of my friend - it was so 🥵 hot!
Take care with the studies and hopefully we can catch up, and discuss this particular universe we belong to xx
OMGGG I AM JEALOUS!!!! Yes!!! AMAZING HUMAMS meet up!!!!! Please take pictures!!! 🫶🙌🙏
Alsoooo LOL simultaneously brilliant and under qualified. What a perfect spot. And my brain short circuited too. The amount of land but also entrepreneurial projects?? Wowza!
EJ!!! I laughed and nodded and clapped and love this whole thing. Miss you so, dear human! Hope Oxford is treating you well, even if her expectations seem a bit steep. 600 pages and a full time job all while maintaining such levity and humor? ICON. LEGEND. OXFORD better appreciate her fine fortune!
Hugs hugs hugs!
Hi both, I would love a little dip in your river ATM, we have had another warm spell!
My grandson's 10th bday party! We went to a lovely country park in Kent, gorgeous and he got a Beautiful new bike from all of us! Still in London, going home tomorrow after church, very sleepy after all the fresh air! So good to spend time all together!
Bits and pieces to do this week, but expecting rain! My garden will love it!
I really think I need to watch that Netflix film, so that will be an evening's viewing.
My son in law has also finally got me sucked into the football!
Love the blog as always, sending love and hugs always xx
aww! nothing like a little family time. I bet his bday was such a lovely afternoon. I hope you stay cool this weekend, and let me know what you think of the film!
We've also been sucked into football! The more matches I watch, the more I love it!⚽
Aw I did not expect a shoutout! Thank you for the unnecessary but appreciated spotlight! 😊
thank YOU for being here with us Justin :) always means the world
I had to read, again, your day with your daughter - to my wife. I love reading your newsletters. It’s exciting to hear that you guys are planning a home on your land. Can’t wait! And…can’t believe it’s been seven years since you went from 2 to a family of five. Time. Stop.
awww!!! we love having you here Mary. say hi to your wife for us!! xoxo
As always, thanks for the weekly summary and the beautiful pics. It’s nice to revisit the events that you share throughout the week.👨❤️👨 I was particularly happy to see everyone taking advantage of the riverfront land – especially since you’ve expressed desires for a pool for the kids in the past. I hope things have improved with the timeline of work on the fences. I’m sure PJ’s eager to have it done so Ocoee’s sheep can "spread their wings" onto new pastures! 🐑
Thanks for the Netflix recommendation – purely based on the pic, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it! (I’m looking forward to watching the upcoming YouTube post, too.)
Have a good weekend. Stay happy, well, and safe...🤗💞🌈🦄🗽
P.S. – I can easily see why this beautiful NYS farmhouse would be an inspiration for you. Stunning is an understatement! Your own homes already reflect how “Upstate NY + farmhouse” are a part of your love language. I can’t wait to follow along as your collective plans unfold for the anticipated build! 😉 😊
he cannot WAIT to have the fence completed! hope you enjoy the Netflix movie :) Nick Robinson is so sexy!!!
lastly, the last thing you said it the biggest compliment ever thank you!
🤗
Great post! Love the house!
isn't it so dreamy?!?!
I loved what you wrote this week! Your Daddy and Daughter date was so sweet,I love stuff like this! Please don’t go to upstate NY without visiting me first!!!🤭I wish you the best with all of your housing projects!!🙏🤗
you know we wouldn't go without visiting you!!! :)
Awwww I love you guys so much!!!
Hey guys,
I look forward to this every week. What feeds the Ocoee River for the water to be so cold. I live on the Pamlico River in eastern NC. The river is 4 miles across in front of my house. Since the 90 to 100+ temperatures the water is like bath water. That’s more typical for August instead of July. The New York house is beautiful. I’m sure you could come up with a plan that fits your needs. Keep us posted.
Ed!! how are you friend??
okay so this is from Google and it's put way more eloquently than I could ever write: The Ocoee River stays cold because it is fed by bottom-release dams operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Water is drawn from the deep, cool bottom layers of upstream reservoirs and released into the riverbed, resulting in temperatures ranging from the upper 50s to upper 60s Fahrenheit during the rafting season.
I cried watching the video of you guys becoming a family of five officially. What an emotional roller coaster with such steadfast love and presence. I’m so in awe and just holding you all with such big love.
That house! Movie!! THE RIVER!!! WHATTTT I have so many questions but oh so magical! And daddy daughter date sent me. So precious! Hope you get som restoration this week and at the beach! We’re at the beach this week with my in law family (they call it in love family, if that tells you anything) who introduced me to my now husband (I went on his family vacations for years before I met him!!), and it’s way too much since having kids but never enough and I’m not sure what time it is and it’s more than a vibe, it’s a whole darn life.
Stunning NY Farmhouse, I can see why it gives you the feels/inspiration! 😍
That river looks so inviting as we too are suffering from oppressive heat and humidity. What a beautiful memory you created for your daughter. The story touched my heart. You really are a great father and the children are so fortunate to have such a loving and giving dad. As someone who lives in a old upstate New York house the style and architecture are incredible. One of the best features is the porch off of the upstairs bedroom. My husband and I love sitting in our rockers catching a cool breeze and being up in the trees looking out on everything below. Our house was once the Mill House for the Mill next door. Farmers would come to have their corn ground into meal and the mill was powered by the waterfall which is part of our back yard. The waterfall creates a cooling breeze and it is beautiful to sit there on hot summer nights. Hope you get some relief from the heat. My husband and i look forward to your newsletter. God bless you and your family.
Exactly right!