Campwhatchagot!?! Spring 2011

The Flag Guardian and Princess of the Mulch Pile

Well, we braved it - camping in the rain - and I have to say that we survived! The good news is that not ONE child complained or even noticed that the weather was drab - even saying things such as (and I quote) "This is a great place to go camp!" (I'm not sure any adult agreed on that one) and "This weather? What? It's called camping people!" (another actual quote from a second source). The great thing I think we all agreed on was that it was fun to be out there together - far enough removed from our everyday - and to play games like kickball & volleyball. A little competition didn't hurt us (well.........actually, no - never mind).
Behold: The Flag Guardian and Princess of the Mulch Pile

When we returned the boys finished up their last week of the school year. So fast! I know summer is going to fly by too - and I just can't say how excited I am to spend it with them! I feel as if the days, weeks, months, & years are now fleeting - like we are on some kind of downward slope to them flying the nest. Well, probably because it's true. I want to enjoy this summer with my three children still hanging out (in and around) our family nest. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed and frustrated with the chaos, the reminders, the clean ups - that I forget that this is supposed to be enjoyable! This is our family time - a fleeting time - that I hope we all recall with great thoughts,memories, and an overwhelming nostalgia of happiness.
God, help me to remember this throughout each and every day of this summer. Help me to recognize oppurtunities to teach and guide my children and give me the tools and wisdom for each specific moment. I know each child you have given us is uniquely designed by You. Help us to let each be themselves, to encourage them, and to provide them a place where they feel comfortable and can grow.

Our adventure in pictures

Okay, who can believe that when Will, Brielle, and I went camping we forgot our PILLOWS???? That was really ironic, since I was the LIST QUEEN. Ah, so much for that. Brielle LOVED camping!!!

She just kept wanting to explore:

My favorite picture:

The boys are back from Grandparents' house in Arkansas:

That was the end of Spring Break.

What I've been thinking about:

Well, I finally planted a few things in my garden, with the help of my good friend Tiffany. Fortunately she knows a lot about what to plant, when to plant it, and where to locate it in the garden arena. It was fun, very hands in the dirt, and gritty. I am excited, but skeptical still.
Our trip to Arkansas went well. We didn’t get to go camping there because of the weather conditions but I did have a great time seeing my friends there and visiting with my Gramma and my Grandma. I learn more about their histories and heritage every time I visit them and I find that to be both fascinating and important. Sometimes I have to admit more than I want to: the importance of an older mentor in my life is sorely lacking. I try to keep my antennas up for one of these ladies entering into my life (preferably she’d be local) but our society is just not set up this way, and many people just don’t really think about the idea. Sometimes I just want someone to show me how to cook something or how to crochet or whatever, but maybe I’m not being as open as I’d like to think and I know, I know…I am generally busy most of the time.
Which brings me to another theory I’ve been thinking on a lot lately: electronics. Televisions, computers, video games, music devices, cell phones, etc… they really get in the way. Oh we THINK we are better for them and couldn’t live without them and blah, blah, blah. But in all honesty some days I wish I could just trash them all. And then just get on with life in REAL TIME.
I finally finished The Shack. Great book. Read it if you haven’t. I am still thinking on the thoughts and ideas laid out in that book. Especially this one: If anything matters, it all matters. That’s deep! and yet, so simple.
As I type this I am sitting on my front porch tuning in to Spring arriving around me while Brielle sleeps away her afternoon nap in the car. Yes, I know, I’m typing on my laptop, the item I just said I want to junk sometimes. Hate it and love it, I do. Just another confusing topic, I suppose. If it weren’t for yours you wouldn’t be reading this either, I presume. But I’d sure appreciate sharing our lives together in other ways too, ya know. It’s just that society isn’t set up like that. How hard it must be to break through that when one becomes so used to it. Why can’t we all just live like the Amish (without their hardcore religious beliefs though)? I know, the grass is always greener.
Guess I’ll just have to make efforts where I can, and go CAMPING more often!!!

Camping List

You may think I am crazy. But I am So ready for Spring!!!! I am so ready that I already have a camping PACKING list, reservations in Indiana, plans to camp in KY, TN, and maybe even AR this summer!!! I also have seeds to plant in my FIRST EVER GARDEN!!!
Don't get me wrong...I am still enjoying the cool fresh air, and even sometimes brisk and cold, but nevertheless refreshing wind on my face in in my lungs. But when I see the chance of buds on trees and birds exercising their vocals I get EXCITED! I am enjoying no bugs, no humidity, and less business right now....
but I'm still writing my packing lists!!
If you're excited, read on and ADD anything you think might help:

water shoes
rain ponchos
outdoor picnic-type blanket
sunscreen
bug spray
citronella candles
long lighter
lighter fluid (just in case)
newspaper to start fire (twigs are usually gathered around campsite)
firewood and ice can be bought at camp store
travel high chair
plastic baggies and a few clothes pins
fan
beach towels - 1 per person (use the same one 4 everything)
line - for towels/clothes
trash bags (2-3)
hammer
citronella candles
lantern, flashlights (with new batteries)
tarp (to go under tent)
pack-n-play, crib sheet, blankets
blow-up mattress
pool float for Brielle
sleeping bags, pillows, blankets
swimsuits, hats, a few swim toys, life jacket
1 basketball, 1 volleyball (large orange), 1 wiffle ball and bat
smallest hand pump ever
Frisbee, cards, dice
aluminum foil
cooking spray
can opener
skillet
sos pads
1 gallon of water
BBQ spatula and tongs
metal sticks for hotdogs/marshmallows
small pot for boiling water (4 coffee/cocoa, oatmeal)
1 roll of paper towels, 1 roll of toilet paper or box of tissues

Weekend Camping Trip

We went camping this past weekend. While we were there, I wrote (by hand) as often as I could (about the camping experience). But, I don't have time currently to type all of that in. We are having a slightly difficult week, since we have no air conditioner for the main level of the house and we are doing cubscout camp every day. So I am just going to post the highlights here.

It was HOT at times.

Best thing the kids could have ever wanted to do while camping: ride bikes.

Brielle's first time in a Lake (too bad it wasn't in Arkansas water)...

Josh caught a fish:


Tyler discovered a disabled turtle (his back left leg was not really there). Turns out it made him more cautious than most turtles and he was pretty fiesty!

I was happy most of the time:

Actually, this picture was taken the Friday we got there, and I was pretty happy about being outside. What I didn't know is that the great outdoors would not entertain my sweet baby like I thought it would. I also didn't know that she would dislike the heat that much, or that she would sleep very little, which would cause her to be quite grumpy.

We did enjoy some fairly good meals thanks to some of my new friends at GCM, and we learned how to make campfire donuts! YUMMMMMM!!!!!

There were fierce sets of thunderstorms that roared through our campsite area on the 2nd night we were there and I was certainly reminded of the awesome power of God. I also had a defining revelation while I lay there in amazement and fear. God is so powerful! And He is also so gentle, so loving, so very patient with me.

We were glad we went camping...but I think it may be a while before we get excited about going again.