My campers return!

My campers returned from Taylor with Chelsea and Bo so excited! They LOVED camp! Mercedez actually said, "It was better than Mid South, really!" BIG words from my camp loving teenager. All the kids had so much fun with the sports, ropes swinging into the creek, singing and playing and learning from some wonderful Christians! The Bible is so strong when lived and taught by those who are on fire for God! I am so thankful for the opportunity for my 4 kiddos to be there this week:)

I did receive an email early in the week that said "Volleyball accident". My first thoughts were "Oh no, one of the kids are hurt!". I opened it to see this picture:

BO!! In the middle of a very exciting and apparently aggressive counselor volleyball game Bo caught an elbow to the lip! An ER trip and 5 stitches later he was back at camp and said, "at least it wasn't one of my kids"! Bless his heart, or lip! He and Chelsea are flying to San Antonio this weekend for Bo to officiate the wedding of his good friend, sure hope he is feeling better by then!

Who would have dreamed?

I have had a small household this week, only 6 "little" people here. While I was sleeping(sick), I had a very unlikely duo team up to do incredible things!!! Isabella and Daniel are both workers, no doubt about that! But they are neither very big with "team" activities. A serious issue in my mind. I am not worried about their "work ethic" but I do worry about their "life"...we all need to be able to work with others. In a family, in the church, in school, on teams, WHERE-EVER they go in life it is a must to be able to work successfully with others!

Well, these two found the value of one another, teamed up and did incredible things in the kitchen. They not only kept it clean all week, they cleaned and organized cabinets, both pantries and all 3 fridges! Sarah said, "Well, the bad news is you have no spices left (they "cleaned everything out they felt was "old"), but the good news is that if the health dept. came you would be good to go!" And I am:)

I am especially proud of them for helping and for working together! I think pigs flew:)

Whitworth family reunion!

Always a joy to be with family! The last Friday of every July has always hosted the Whitworth family reunion. Although it will change next year, moving back to accommodate school schedules. Scott always enjoys being with those family "greats" and being able to enjoy them while we still can!!

I did smile and had to really think when I wished Aunt Sandy a happy birthday. She celebrated just yesterday. I made the statement that I have thoughtlessly made for years "it's better than the alternative" always meaning I am glad for another year. But this time Sandy said "I hope not!" I was caught off guard slightly until I stopped and thought, humm! TRUE! Heaven IS better than here! I suppose the only time that is true is should heaven not be in your future!! I can say today that I shall no longer be using that glib statement!

I think part of family reunions that always make me smile is the young people...the future....so so important! Here is Sweet Hannah, (her friend) Lauren, Mercedez and Isabella:)

And it's always fun to see the surprises!! Scott's sister Julie surprised all by sneaking in with the girls to enjoy the time with us too!! Above is Julie and Scott's mom Nancy:)

Birthday Girl Sarah:)

I have had a yucky week. I am so far behind on my blogging. I had oral surgery this week (unplanned and thankfully quick)! I seemed to loose a whole week in the process. But now am better and very far behind! These are Sarah's birthday pictures:) A great day and bless her heart for being "momma" and not having any "special treatment" on her day! I will be making it up to her:) Sarah got her "dream" a new sewing machine! Thank goodness momma planned ahead on that!


Paden covered her other love...cameras and bought her just what she wanted! A very nice boyfriend!

A Beautiful Day!

Today is a wonderful day, it is the day my Sarah turns 21! Scott reminded me this morning that 21 years ago a lot of "7's" happened. Sarah was born in the 7th month on the 27th day at 7:07am:) It was a beautiful day and today is equally as beautiful as we celebrate the day with Sarah!

I actually owe Sarah another special day, today I have been super sick with an abscessed tooth(which will be extracted tomorrow) and Sarah has "run the show". Scott is traveling and very missed today! We will be celebrating again this weekend with Caleb, I should be better by then!

But I could not help but post this picture of my sweet little girl...we are about 17 years forward from this picture but this is how I think of her:)



Happy Birthday Sarah!!

What next?

Who would have thought receipts would be dangerous? I mean, perhaps the bad news they bear might be, but the actual paper? Read this article...

Oh Brother!

Saturday night Jacob was pulling into the driveway, after most of my kiddos bedtime, and noticed feet under a tree in the yard. You can see the tree in the background of this picture of Jake. He backed up to shine his lights under the tree, getting out of his vehicle and leaving his vehicle running. As he walked toward the tree he thought someone might be trying to steal his lawnmower. As he got close a person ran from the tree into the back field. Jacob yelled "STOP!" and they did. When he got close he realized it was a "kid". Funny to hear my "baby" say that, although my baby is 18 and 6'1" so I suppose the boy, who barely came up to his chest, did look like a kid. When he stopped in front of the boy the boy began back pedalling thinking that the explanation of "I was just trying to talk to Mercedez cause she wont answer my calls" would get him some understanding. It didn't. Jacob smiled in the retelling, although NOT at the moment when he grabbed the boy up by the collar and told him he better never catch him in our yard again. John pulled into the driveway just minutes later, missing the action. They woke Mercedez to demand answers. Another funny of having these "big brothers" fall in the middle of our ages is that they know everyone, and if they don't they can figure them out in about 15 minutes with a couple of well=placed calls. They know the boy, his family, his brother, his middle name and GPA:) Well, maybe not he last two, but they do know all the others...

I get tickled just thinking about my little (middle) girls. Our oldest girls never had big brothers to intervene. They might be thankful for that? I am thankful to have big boys, I am thankful my girls have big brothers. I am thankful for the love and respect they demand. They sure are good guys!

I did take time at Sunday lunch to go over(with everyone) the consequences of talking from windows, letting people in the house, or leaving the house without permission. Mercedez was not actively part of this situation, but it still had to be addressed. This is one thing we will not give second chances on! Years ago we had this happen by my trio and they remained in rooms with no windows and door alarms until they left our home. Those rooms are sitting empty and ready to be "filled" by any how think they might skirt that issue. But, I guess we have that consequence all settled:)

Thank you Jacob:) I love you!