Summer 2011 Part 2

This summer we also..

Read books, 

Played with play dough in our pj's; put stickers on our faces and did lots of laundry

We ran races and got in the way,

made ice cream in my $5.00 yard sale find  -worked great!

Took a Sunday night hike and threw stones,

lots of stones

and we held some stones in our tight fists that we should have let go...

We played together and payed little attention to fashion

And we ate corn.  Isaiah told me that if he could choose between bags of candy or just 2 little kernels of corn he would pick the corn!

We also took a trip to Thunder Bay.  Pictures on that coming soon.

Summer 2011 Part 1

 I have no idea where to start with posting about our summer. I think I'll just start posting pictures and see where I end up.

5k race -July 4th

My cheer leaders -they were rather tired of the whole thing by this point. But having them there  was very special.

My grandparents (and aunt -not pictured) also came.  My Uncle Daryl ran the race as well.  Much faster that I did I should add.  He recently qualified for the Boston Marathon.  I'm proud of him, but have no desire to join him!   

Later that day we went to my grandma's for ice cream.  Here Callie is playing with her second cousin Lilly.  Sweet girls! 

To Nap or Not to Nap

To blog or not to blog.  I hate it that it has been over a month since I blogged.  If I remember correctly I was behind on blogging when I posted the last time also.  I just keep thinking I can't blog until I catch up on all the stuff from our summer and I can't do that until I have pictures to post.  The pictures are finally on the computer (not this piece of junk) so one of these days I shall catch up.

In the mean time here is a question: when do you have a child stop taking naps? Oh the agony.  Right now Callie sleeps every day -she's is not the problem.  Isaiah and Nathan both have quiet times for about 1 hour.  More times than not they both sleep, but then I have to wake them up or bedtime is not fun.  I feel like for my sanity they must take a quiet time.  Am I a bad person for that?  I don't really care if they don't sleep, but often they fall asleep.  Sometimes they don't fall asleep then they are complete bears till bedtime and even the next day until nap time comes around again.  Then I think maybe I should let them sleep longer today.  Bad idea.  As I started this post Nate was pretending to be a fireman on our bed (where he was sent when they had to be separated).  I have no idea what the correct answer is to this and I don't really expect to get one.  However, if you have suggestions they are welcome!

My main reason for blogging was just to get back into it again.

Home

I was home from church this morning when I started this blog.  It is now 6:17 and I'm back to finish it...

It's now 8:49 and I'm back again...

I remember a time when the thought of staying home from church because of a sick child was almost a welcome thought because it meant a relaxing morning at home.  Times change with 3 children.

Several of us are fighting colds.  I guess we picked up something at VBS last week.  Do you ever regret not forcing your kids to wash their hands every 10 minutes like it or not?  Combine 50 kids, sweat, small rooms and 5 nights and there's a good chance someone will end up with something.   I know it's wrong, but I kind of wish one my kids would have brought home one of the other kids toys or something -not their germs!  This is life with small children, it is a phase and today I will embrace it.

It seems there has been lot going on around here lately.  Here is just a few things:

As of July 1, 2011, Jeremy is now the lead pastor at our church.  Or maybe it's the senior pastor, possibly the head pastor.  I'm not sure.  The title doesn't really matter.  It's a time of transition for us.  Our church is one of the most amazing, supportive congregations I've ever known.  They are such a blessing to us.  I could fill up a lot of blog space describing the emotions that I have processed through due to this new path God has opened up for us.  I'm learning a lot about humility and my lack of ability to do anything apart from God.  God has been so faithful and the confirmation that this is where He wants Jeremy (and all of us) right now is the grace that He provides.

On July 4th I participated in my first 5k race.  I didn't finish in a great time, but I was still pretty proud of myself if I'm allowed to say that.  Especially considering that a year ago the thought of running was not something I thought I'd ever do.  I hope to do another race sometime and hopefully run it with someone right beside me.  I think that would help me push harder.  Several other friends did it run the same race, but we got separated.  Over all it was a fun experience.  Someday I might post pictures.

VBS was the next big thing in our summer.  It went well, but I am very happy it's over.  Just being honest. :)  The kids loved it and did learn some good stuff.

The next event will be the CMC conference and Among Women.  Among Women was an unexpected journey for me this last year.  Little did I realize when I agreed to be part of this that I would learn things about myself I never realized were there.  I started to look at some things in my heart face to ugly fact and had to work through it.  It's one of those things were I think I gained more than I gave.  It was an honor to be part of this and the women I met through Among Women will be life long friends. Now if I can figure out how to represent my sphere, stay at home mom of preschoolers, at a conference where those preschoolers I'm mom to will also be in attendance.  Not only will they be there, but they will be out of their normal schedule, sleeping in a strange bed, eating different food, meeting new people.  Oh boy.

After conference we're onto Thunder Bay to visit my parents.  I plan to relax! Oh, I'll do a few things, I might even pick a few blueberries, but other than that I plan to enjoy some Canadian summer.

Beauty Queen

I was at our Christian bookstore a few weeks ago.  I found this little girls play set for $.99.  It was a great hit for a few days.  She was pretty serious about it all. :)

"I have always wanted one of these!"

"If my mother would just comb my hair, I might give you a smile"

"Yes, yes, I'm way overdue for a pedicure, but look, look at these shoes!"

The body gaurdy.  Someone has to keep her in line!

Vacation Pictures Part 2

To celebrate the completion of the first night of Bible school last night I am giving myself a few minutes to blog.   The first night went great.  I'm always so blessed when I see so many people all working together toward the same goal.  The kids loved it.  Tonight is night 2 of 5, we shall survive.  

Here are more pictures from our time with Jeremy's family way back in June.  Where is this summer going?!!

Getting ready for the big sleep out.

These pictures are slightly out of order.  This picture was taking  at our cookout.  Kassidy was in charge of the marshmallows.  :)  She did a great job.

Lydia and Isaiah enjoying some s'mores

The troops heading to the campsite to set up the tent.  Kind of hard to see, but that is what they are doing. :)

Lori doing a craft with the kids.

Yes, that blue thing in the towel is a water balloon.   What you don't see is Jeremy and  Jonathan working on the septic pump just below the deck where Alex and Lori are standing.  I don't think the plan worked, but it was fun to watch. ;)

Hard to see, but this is Jeremy testing how far he can throw the old pump.  If you look closely on the right of the picture you'll see Jonathan with his camera.  There were some pretty interesting videos and pictures that came out of this event! I can't remember what the farthest distance was, but yes they did measure it.  The pump did get fixed and the guys proved that they can have fun while working.

Vacation Pictures Part 3

More vacation pictures.  These are from Lake Tobias.

An albino python I think.  I didn't stick around the find out.

The petting zoo was a BIG hit.

I laughed when I saw this picture.  Note the goat trying to eat Lori's backpack.  Note Hans and Jonathan  just watching.  :)

Six of the seven grandchildren all in one picture.  Who cares that half of them aren't looking at the camera, they're all on one picture!

This is to prove that I was not the one with the camera for most of the day...

We took a really fun ride in one of these buses and fed the animals crackers.  

I didn't take this one either...