Summer Camp experience

I had the opportunity to go to our church's jr high summer camp this year in Ohio. 3 nights, 4 days. They were looking for a couple more cooks. Lindsey was going & she didn't care if I tagged along. Not knowing what to expect, I journeyed along with the 100+students & adults. The first night, after all our work was done, I found myself out by the water (always a fav place for me). I could hear the kids behind me having their worship time & it was great to just be able to get away & spend some alone time of my own w/God.

Here is where I slept, with 2 other ladies from church; the head cook & the nurse. Unfortunately no air conditioning & a very HOT week, but we survived.

This is the kitchen where we cooked all the meals. It was GREAT because it did have air conditioning. It was always a cool 68 in here & we hung out as long as we could.

Over all a GREAT experience, I would do it again next year & I even got my sunset pic!!!

unexpected changes

So the storm last Wednesday night really came at us hard. As Brian was running to the basement to join us, we heard the small whistle sound outside & knew it wouldn't be a pretty sight when we went back upstairs. Well, we sent Brian up the steps first & he warned us that it looks like a war zone out there. Big tree branches everywhere, flag pole bent, silo roof completely twisted off & on the ground, there was a big branch that came down & ruined my clothes line, knocked the grill over & landed in the pond its base just a couple feet from my kitchen window. But thru it all, God's hand was so evident. All this that was ruined, is just "STUFF" and can be replaced. We still have our house & each other. My parents house had a electric pole that broke off & landed in their tree, live wires all around their house & 6 electric poles all the way down our road had either broken off & landed in the corn fields or were bent.
So thankful we have generators that have kept our power on enough to be able to run all that needs to be ran. Today is day 6 of the poor John Deere tractor still running non-stop fueling the generator. We spent 2 days cleaning up branches, cutting down trees that were ruined & just walking around being amazed at how something so quick can do so much damage.

Here are some pics

3 Things

So today I have accomplished 3 things that i really dont like doing.
1. Washed windows (big one for me)
2. Weeded the strawberry patch
3. Got my eyebrows done! (1st time ever & will never again!)
the last one was the worst. I thought I was going to come out of the chair! Luckily it was my sister & I could scream in her face as she was tearing my precious hairs out! I wonder if she was secretly enjoying herself. Isn't that what big sisters do? At 40 yrs old, she is still picking on me! ha ha.

My 15 yr old

So I must brag a little, isn't he handsome? :) Brycen is such a quiet, kindhearted kid. We are so proud of how much he has already accomplished. I can't believe he is 15 already. God has completely blessed us as parents and I am thankful for who he has become & am excited to see all that God has in store for him.

Happy B.day Bryce

Gradu - tations!!

Cannot believe that my oldest will 15 on Saturday. Man i'm feeling very old! He is so ready to enter high school. Tonight is the 8th grade graduation. They say it isn't a very exciting ceremony "like watching paint dry on the walls" we will see how bad it really is.
Lindsey will have her 6th grade graduation next week. She is nervous to go to the high school, but I know once she gets there, she will be fine. MY BABIES are growing up too fast!

Spading with a puppy.

I did not say I was spading my puppy, I said spading with a puppy! Very stressful. She loves to follow me around during the day, yesterday I got out the shovel & started with the idea to spade around all the landscape in the back flower beds. She of course was right there with me. Everytime I threw a clump of sod she picked it up & carried it through the yard. Of course, after seeing me digging, she thought she could do the same. I tried to be patient with her & it was nice to take a break & sit down & play w/her.

Laundry is also fun w/her. One of the first times I hung out the laundry, she of course was right there, digging in the basket for a treasure. Before I knew it, she had one of Brian's white socks & was dragging it thru the dirt. I yelled at her, she looked back at me & with a strut, took off through the yard, finally I caught up with her, hung the dirty sock up on the line, knowing it wouldn't matter to Brian. I told the kids if they find their underware in the driveway it is not my fault!! :)

We have told the kids that they can't leave anything important in the grass (shoes especially) or she will take & chew it up. Well, I have not listened to myself very well because one of my crocks have been missing for over 24 hrs. now. I have walked through the yards & still cant find where she carried it off to.
We love Bella & are thankful she will grow up!!!

I'm so excited

This is the 1st year that I didn't have to help put up the trampoline!! My kids are getting so old and it is really nice. I didn't even know that they were putting it up until I looked out & saw them. I usually put it off for as long as I can because it takes a while & once it is up, it is just something else to mow around. they were so proud of themselves & stayed out there most of the day. Can u see the monkey in the tree??