Camp

As we sat at the table last night talking to the kids we smiled and laughed. Several funny things happened(likely a whole lot we will never know about too)... Daniel came home saying, "They all called me pork chop...isn't that funny? I don't know why they did that? Some people called me chocolate cake too!" To Dan,personally, it was no insult because food is one of his favorite things. Scott and I have talked about "how to broach" the subject of name calling with Daniel. Ironically Dan can't stand being called any names....but food?

Tori wanted to be baptized this week. Apparently 3 little girls in her cabin were all baptized and there was a "fever" going around. When we arrived she actually had her swimsuit on under her clothes (a very clear indication she would like to just head to the pool). The camp director sat down with me and said he had talked with her and didn't think she was ready....very much coinciding with mine and Scott's belief at this time. He had asked her if she could give him an example of a conversation in the Bible. She said "ummmm....it has something to do with heaven doesn't it?" He smiled laughing as he told her "It sure does and you are on the right track!". We will be talking with her and studying more....I do love that camp is a place where God is shared and talked about and I love the examples my children have in others and especially the neat camp counselors! It was a blessing:) PS....one of the biggest indicators that Tori was perhaps not "thinking about the right things" was the fact that the neatest part of baptism in her words was that "you get to jump off the high dive after you get baptized!". :)

Seth did well to be there for his first ever week. I am so thankful Doug was there to nudge Seth to "make it great". Doug said the first day they were lined up at the pool. Swimmers and non swimmers(meaning they cannot yet swim well enough to pass the swimming test)....Seth was standing with the non swimmers. Doug said he saw Seth and said "What are you doing over there?! Get over here and pass the test!" lol:) Seth did and had a great week of swimming jumping off the high dive (a huge deal to all the kids...lol...obviously). I am glad that Doug was there to watch out and encourage Seth....he had a great first week at camp! I am not sure why I really worried about it? I have never had a child that didn't fall in love with MSYC!

We had some who had "moments"...of course! We have some who did awesome, some who did awesome things and some who had awesome attitudes. We heard the "...wasn't nice,... was mean..." talks. I have a serious issue with bad attitudes, perhaps ever more when those attitudes are not kind and loving to EACH OTHER....meaning within our family. So as we sat around Scott and I asked, "Which brother or sister was the nicest to you this week?" Not something we usually focus on, but we did feel that the attitudes and behaviors of the person "named" are something that ALL need to acknowledge and emulate. No surprise on the named person....Lita lead and Mercedez followed ....surprisingly we laughed because Doug was not considered a mere "brother". Doug is a BIG brother (there is a big difference) and when we asked he ranked side by side with Lita:) A HUGE accomplishment for even Doug! lol:)
The questions is a precursor to a privilege some of my kids will receive. A "awww I get it!" moment to jog memories when the time comes...

MSYC had been part of my kids summer for 17 years. Hard to believe!!

MSYC

Scott and I went over to Henderson this morning and picked up all our campers:) Everyone had a great week! Ryan and Mercedez said enough memory verses to get ribbons...I am especially proud of them!! Along with Ryan and Mercedez' memory verses there were some ribbons won by several of my kiddos for athletic and silly awards won by Lita, Tasha, Mercedez, Ryan and Rosie:) It was a great week and my crew would all go back tomorrow!

A big brother to look up to:) Doug was at camp all week, a non-paid week at camp. Doug is a great brother and I am so thankful he hung around to watch my campers all week:)

Tasha is a great athlete and I could only smile as she got up time and time again (about 5 times) to get a ribbon.

Isabella:)

Awards.....


Michael is a funny guy! He has the most beautiful blue eyes, which paired with sweet freckles(don't tell him I said "sweet"..lol) make him a real cute fellow!

It seems Michael has lots of girls who like those freckles and blue eyes too:)

Tori had a great week at camp. She loved being in a cabin with NO sisters:) A nice change.

A Camo Gun

Jacob bought a new gun. A camo one, or to be really specific a Max 4 Remington 887 12 gauge one. I am fairly gun illiterate, but I did sit at the table with Jacob as he looked through the TN wildlife magazine trying to figure out what he could shoot with his new gun. Seems only squirrels are in the hunting forecast.

Blessing of the Little House:)

My dad and Clara Ruth have worked hard to fix up the old home place on their property. They intend to use it to have family reunions. We had a wonderful day with my family eating at the Walnut Grove Fish Fry and then going to the Little House to each dessert and visit:)

Me, Jennifer and Sandy....my little sisters:)





The little house is filled with "family" treasures. This picture includes my Granny Holt's dining room table. All my life I sat around this table enjoying wonderful meals....very nice memories were included in a lovely way!

Michigan

What an incredible week in Michigan! I traveled a thousand miles, along with my wonderful Sarah, to see Matt and Katie and their two angels Caleb and Mattie. I also got to spend the day with my brother Randy.

It is really a special thing to watch my younger brothers and sisters grow up. I am so much older than them (lol..seriously) that it is a lovely thing to see their success. This week I saw my baby brother Matt's beautiful family. How neat to see my way-way hyper brother being an incredible dad! Matthew has made some smart decisions in his life. He began with choosing a wife, not just any ole wife, a beautiful helpmate. He and Katie love God and they have a wonderful family in that far far away land (aka Katie's parents, sister and her family and brother). They have a lovely church family and friends of like age and priorities. Matt and Katie make being parents a sweet priority, and recognize it as the blessing it is. Miss Mattie, their almost 2 year old, is likely one of the most precocious little things I have ever met! As I drove home I called my dad and told him I was so sorry that he was missing out on knowing Mattie, I told him of her sweetness and personality, of her intelligence and smile. The new baby is wonderful, hard to hold a "new Caleb" without thinking about my Caleb....so quickly those days pass!

My brother got up each morning and made a huge breakfast....did you hear that? lol:) The second morning he even had my bread sliced and toasted. I so enjoyed being with him. I also enjoyed the afternoon with Randy. I have three brothers, all of whom I love so much.

I would love to have my whole family in Michigan to witness the love my baby brother has....but am very grateful they were enjoying a week at church camp rather than asking the age old question, "Are we there yet?".

These are some of the 800 pictures I took:)

Sarah on Marquette Mountain

Me and my little brothers, Randy and Matt

Sweet baby Caleb:)

Sarah and Mattie

Me and Mattie

Mattie(age 2) and her sweet cousin Addie (age 1)

Caleb and his mommy's hands

Katie and Mattie

Sarah and Caleb

My brother Randy

Matt and his two little ones:)

Why we do what we do?

This morning I was up and thinking about the visit from a friend and her youth group girls(about 25 all together). They came today to talk with me, to find out about the life of my family. Early this morning I sat down at the computer, pulled up my blog (an old one) and began looking. Scott asked what I was doing? I laughed and told him I was trying to find a blog that told me why I do what I do!? We laughed. There are days I need my blog ...to look back...to peek at good time and hard times. I have always maintained this blog is first about me ....sharing my thoughts....working through my thoughts and if nothing else....being able to blog and walk away from that issue. I blog for my children too. I could never preserve all these memories and frankly I do a poor job even when I am blogging lots!

Today, with tears in my eyes (and running down my face) I read about a mother who died of cancer after a very short 2 1/2 month battle. Such a loss! Such sadness! I don't have to know much about her at all to know she will be missed. I read this blog post of hers and it really made me think about my blog. I am thankful for the years of blogging I have "under my belt" and if anything I lament I did not blog sooner! I am thankful for the avenue of sharing blogging gives me....if ONLY for my children!

I sometimes find my "brain" here. I look back at dates and times and smile at the sillies. I am grateful for each post, and for the ability to spend time sharing and keeping those memories alive:)

A week of Horizons:)

Seven of my crew all enjoyed a week at Horizons. I spent time traveling to visit boys and a wonderful evening and night and morning visiting with my super neat friend Susan. Susan and I went to college together, Susan even played the piano when Scott and I married. As time goes by and distance separates us it is really hard to keep up! It's neat that her boys were at Horizons with my kiddos and she came to spend the night and we were able to sit and just "visit" as my Granny would say:)

Friday morning with all my kids collected we headed home to begin the pretty big task of getting ready for MSYC this Sunday. Washer and dryers spun and tubs were repacked and the van reloaded and all is ready to go!

I took Rosie, Daniel and myself to the Doctor this morning. Daniel got a shot for poison ivy, Rosie and shot of penicillin, and myself the yucky news that I now have tendinitis. So, I am not to do any of my normal activities. And I'm not...I, along with Sarah, am leaving tonight to drive to Michigan (actually the UP) to see my baby brother. 1000 miles so I can sit and rock my new nephew and play with my sweet little neice who is almost two! I am looking forward to it so very very much!!

This afternoon we are all going to my dad's farm, pictures will have to wait to be posted until next weekend.

Make it a great week! I sure will:)