Can you believe...

Can you believe we're surviving a summer of EVERYTHING IS CANCELLED and still having fun? Me neither. It's been tough. I'm going to try REALLY HARD to gloss over the garbage that we're going through, still sort of quarantined but not really, still hearing on the news that everyone's going to die and also that almost no one is dying so everyone calm down. Who even knows about school in the fall. Nothing's for sure anymore.

Ok, I didn't succeed at glossing over the garbage BUT let's try again. Take two. Despite some setbacks, we're managing to Get Stuff Done.

1. We're working on the deck. Still. Hardware Store has back ordered the last of the materials we need to finish.

2. I started a project of re-painting my wooden chairs and that's been going really well. Then Epic Storm rolled through last week and blew one of my chairs away like it was a little feather blowing in the wind. It was damaged beyond repair (thankfully it wasn't one of the chairs I had just finished painting). Silver Lining: Eli had the time of his life using a hammer to smash the broken chair to bits. He loved it. What more can you ask for entertainment for a 9 year old with a desire to destroy everything???

3. Epic Storm could NOT defeat our new windows (victory!!) but our back door had a tough time - the rain was blowing in at the TOP of the door!!!!!!!!!!! There are not enough !!! to express what that storm did in our neighborhood. I swear there were waves of ocean smashing up against our windows. The back of the house wasn't the only one taking a beating, the tree in the front of our house lost another very large limb. It had already lost a very large limb a couple of years ago in a snowstorm. Now our sad little tree was just done. I met someone while I was out for a walk and asked him if he could cut down our tree. I left to go to the hardware store and when I came home, the tree was in pieces by the curb. And then two days later, it was picked up by the Village Highway Cleanup Crew. So, the tree we've had for 12 years is now just a stump in the middle of our yard. Sad. Moving on...

4. Roller skating is back! We can't practice together inside, but we've been getting together in pairs and small groups to skate and walk and exercise. It's so good to see my friends again. I'm just resigned that I'll forever look like Bambi on ice when I skate and fall down all the time, but I haven't had any new major injuries so I forge ahead. Sometimes one of the kids will go for a bike ride with me while I skate, that's nice.

5. We had a 4th of July celebration. Actually, three events at our house in six days. So much cleaning and shopping for more food but it was so worth it. Tuesday we had dinner with our Scout friends, they're such great company and it was nice to get caught up on what everyone has been up to all summer. Then.

Usually we go to the lakefront for fireworks but that was out so we invited our friends over for a campfire and food on the fourth. Also, my parents. So everyone shows up (including my parents! yay! I love you guys :) ) and we have a great time and we're wishing there were fireworks but this is so great, we don't even have to use the outhouse by the fish cleaning station at the lakefront, we have actual bathrooms and air conditioning if we need it AND the campfire. So many friends that we haven't seen in so long. And right around dusk, this is when it began. The Show.

People have been shooting off fireworks in our neighborhood for months. This started when lockdown started back in March - a couple are shot off every night. But this was NOTHING like that. The rockets started and didn't let up for an hour at least. We're watching to the south, now east, there's some over there in the west and if you run to the front of the house, you can see the ones to the north. They surrounded us, they were everywhere and they were BIG. Huge bangs, huge flashes of sparkling lights wherever you look. I have never experienced anything like that. My measly little cell phone pictures cannot do it justice. The community rejected the cancelling of the Fourth of July and responded with better shows than we've ever seen before.



{Disclaimer: Yes I know it's illegal. People get hurt. My children only did safe stuff like smoke bombs. Please be safe everyone and make good decisions.}

Alright, ANOTHER Fourth party, this time on the Fifth with all the Fortiers. We hadn't seen each other since CHRISTMAS!! We needed this, we needed to check in with each other and the cousins needed to see who's driving and who's working and what's up on social media. Mamaw and Bampa showed up AGAIN! Bonus visit! It was such a sweet time, we enjoyed each other's company so much. We tried to keep the food simple without too much grilling or prep required so that we didn't have to spend the whole afternoon in the kitchen. It worked out well and we had a very nice time.

And let's not forget. Smooshed in between all those other things was our traditional Fourth of July Pool Party in HC. A wonderful day as always - snacks, pool time, good conversation, all the stuff.

Probably the best Fourth of July of my life. Because absence makes the heart grow fonder and we've all been absent from everything for too long.

6. David and our friend Mary talked Tom (a guest at the party on Saturday the 4th) into giving them some tips. A couple days later we all met up at the local driving range for golfing lessons and lunch. He's a pro. (Literally. Also teaches golf, for a living.) What a pleasure to enjoy the sunshine and get to see the improvements as Tom patiently guided them through their posture, swing, all the stuff.

7. I'm training for a triathlon which I switched to a duathlon so I won't have to swim and Mary's signed up for the same event. Oh the stuff we talk each other into, when will we learn? We did a little mini duathlon with walking, biking and walk/running last weekend. It was nice to have a partner in the moaning over not liking running and it's too hot and I live in the Caledonia Desert (???) and people are jerks and WHAT did we get ourselves into AGAIN????

Anyway, if you've made it this far, nice work. I just spit out everything that's been building up in my brain for the last two months. Every one of these pictures is a story and if I told them all it would be a novel.

No Shoes Shelly
Mandy & Amy, bank parking lot, hoping we don't get kicked out
Friends!
Machete & Mahem after Mayhem wiped out after only 10 seconds on the track
Mary & Amy, post mini duathlon
Golf lesson!
Tom & Mandy, Fourth
Eli & Amy, sometime
More friends!
Everyone who happened to be sitting around outside when we decided to take a pic :) (Kim, Bampa, DavidAmy, Kim, Mamaw, Grandma)
Eli. Hiding.
Friends!
Dance party on the deck w/ Mary & Heather
David. Stoic as always, or something :P
Bampa & Mamaw
Mayhem & Hella

Summer Vacation 2018

This summer has been filled with the most wonderful moments. I so often think about stopping to write a blog or take more pictures but more often I think - just treasure this moment right now. Yesterday we went to State Fair and a stranger complimented us on our kids' good behavior. Archer was carrying Eli, they pressed their cheeks together cuddling and loving as can be. Tonight all three of them were crawling around on the ground, animal noises and made-up noises and cuddles and a little bit of wrestling. Eli told me at supper he couldn't eat anymore because his stomach was sore from laughing so much. He laughed so hard that he cried!! I keep treasuring more and more of these moments, closing my eyes and picturing all of them having the time of their lives and I get to see it all. What a blessing. What sweet sweet moments. I cannot imagine how life could be any better than this.

So - quick recap.

Archer and I took a bus trip with his school to Washington DC in May. I met some of the kids he hangs out with, we spent SO MANY HOURS on a bus and never quite got enough sleep. I don't know about him, but I learned a lot. I hope our family can visit there someday. I'm glad I got to spend so much time with him. It was the opportunity of a lifetime for both of us, and I'll treasure it forever.

June. 8th grade graduation. (I may have shed a tear. I'll never be back to that school, he's a high schooler now! He's so much more mature than when he started 6th grade, etc. etc.) 5th grade transition. (I may have shed another tear. She's getting so grown up!) Last day of First Grade. (I loved Mrs. Powell! E has grown so much!) Many thoughts about transition and change and moving on/up.

Visit to Nana, dragged her around to all the antique shops we could find just for the fun of looking at old stuff. It was great spending the day with her and talking about times old and new.

Archer attended National Youth Leadership Training for Scouts. Sounds like it was lots of work and lots of fun, he came home with a few stories to share. We're still hearing the stories 2 months later. Also, maybe he'll be staff next year? Something to consider. It rained every day, they ended up in a cabin when their tents were all soaked. But he looked happy when we showed up on the last day, and I'm proud of him for completing it.

July. Our most laid back 4th in many years - no attempt to make it up to HC for a run, just hang out at home till we go to the lakefront to stake out our spot for the fireworks. And someone stole our spot!!! Wait! They moved! We got our spot! Mary and her family joined us for yet another great night at the fireworks. I almost forgot - before that we hung out at Rachel's house with her boys for a cookout (where David kindly grilled all the food while the girls sat around chatting (gossiping?)). That was enjoyable for all of us, except maybe David who looked awfully hot once the 20 pounds of chicken was all cooked.

David and Eli went to Day Camp where they had many wonderful Scout activities for 4 days. By the last day, Eli was seeming more and more run down and David took him home early. We worried that he had heat exhaustion but that night, both Archer and Shelly went to bed early. They had either contracted heat exhaustion from Eli, or all 3 of them were sick. I think there was a little sickness running through our house , and within 24 hours everyone was back to normal.

Archer went to Scout Camp with his Troop. He was kept busy working on merit badges and cooking dinner and whatever else Boy Scouts do at camp. They all came home exhausted and smelling like... well, actually, Boy Scouts don't smell that bad! Part of the Scout Law, a Scout is Clean!

Shelly was at Anokijig again this year. Photography, games and HORSES! Shelly read lots (borrowed a book from a friend she knew from last year, and read instead of slept during quiet time), read some more (hid inside her sleeping bag with a flashlight, why does that not surprise me?), hid some more inside her sleeping bag when a big storm rolled through camp one night... But the best part was the horses, she enjoyed it all.

Let's not forget Camp Snoopy, where Eli hung out while Archer and Shelly were at their camps. So much to do - fishing, kayaking, swim swim swim! Eli actually stayed at Camp Snoopy for most of the week while the older kids were away, so he had his own version of camp and being away from home. I don't think he missed home at all, the Camp Snoopy Counselors (Grandma and Grandpa) kept him WAY too busy to think about missing home.

More stuff
Kingfish Baseball game with F5
Walk with friends at the lakefront
Brewers Baseball game with work peeps
Pool party sleepover with friends
Pool party with Nana
Making windchimes with Shelly
Beach pizza picnic with the kids

There have been a few more days here and there for more Camp Snoopy (kids trying to escape via kayaks), fishing, lefse making, so much swimming, and I forget everything else.

And now I store up these moments in my heart. What a wonderful summer. Time with family, time for the kids to find adventure on their own, so much good. It's winding down and we're starting to think about school supplies and school schedules but we've got a couple more weeks to go. Let's enjoy all the days of summer to their very last minute and find joy in each and every one we come across.

Happy Birthday E!

Hey Mr. 7! You asked for a birthday party, I felt like I had about two minutes to put it together but we all pulled together and had a great time. Mr. First Grader, Mr. Cub Scout, Mr. How Did You Grow Up So Fast?

Love you Eli!!

Friend Time

We ordered pizzas for the kids, hopped in the Party Bus (aka Family Van) and went out for a a few hours without the kids. All the inside jokes and teasing each other for past indiscretions and complimenting the outfits and it was just a wonderful evening. Thanks Girls! And also thanks Husbands.   :)

The next day David treated me to a Brewer's game. We're at the end of September but it's practically 100 degrees so we roasted our way through a great afternoon. Thanks honey! And thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for one last Pool Day before the season ends.

Piano Recital / Birthday Bash / Fantastic Fun!

May 6 was a day that will go down in history... It was the day that my firstborn, Archer of many names (I won't list them all here, to preserve his integrity and avoid embarrassing him to death) came into this world and I proclaimed to everyone who would listen, "Isn't he the most perfect thing you've ever seen?"

May 6 will ALSO go down in history because it was the day that great Piano Concertist (is that a word?) Shelly debuted on stage (actually the front of the church)... Shelly performed beautifully in her first Piano Recital.

These kids never cease to amaze and impress me.

Archer. Yes, I gave up pretending that you haven't outgrown me. You're taller than me, you weigh more than I did when I graduated high school, you're wearing Grandpa's running shoes. I say you have Ski Feet. Eli calls you Big Foot. Sometimes you look like you have jelly legs, how are you so floppy and scrawny and tall? Hey Mr. Tall Guy, you're growing up into someone I'm proud to call my son. Normally I don't like to brag about this stuff publicly, except for this blog is pretty private now so mostly I'm just bragging to myself. You were on the High Honor roll last quarter! Not just the regular one, the HIGH one! With your name in the paper! Also you were the champion of the school Geography Bee! Also you're a track star!! Ok, I know you say you're only doing track because I'm making you, and I know you pretend to not like it, but you look like you're having a great time with the other kids on your team. And I see you out there, running HARD and taking pride in your finishes and I'm so proud of you. Keep it up, keep up all the hard work, keep up the antics, keep being you. I'm proud of you, Kid!

Shelly Anna, my love. You decided to try something new this year and WOW have you ever flourished! Every week we go to piano lessons and you speak with Ms. Heather in some other language that I don't understand. From the very first week you seemed to know exactly what she was saying to you, and I sat there having no clue what the two of you were talking about. Every week it gets a little more foreign to me, and you settle further into the music and the notes flow from your fingers. I love when you practice and our house is filled with your music. Beautiful.

We invited family and friends over to celebrate Archer's birthday after Shelly's recital and we had a crowd in the house from early afternoon to late into the night. If 9:00 is considered late. I guess it is for me, I'm getting too old to stay out too late. ;) Anyway it was a wonderful day. Moments of kids chasing each other with weapons, lots of shouting and laughing, some games and accusations of cheating, etc. etc. etc. The perfect kind of fun.

Piano Plus Some

Shelly's started taking piano lessons from a friend of mine, Ms. Heather. Tonight, the boys came along and we waited in the car. No time for sitting around, we decided to check the air in my tires. It's never too early to start learning proper automobile maintenance. Or it's just fun to play with the pressure gauge.

And then I lost them. The boys ran off into the woods at the end of the street and I knew they were gone for good when they discovered a fort.

Archer discovering the fort, Shelly holding the cutest guinea pig hamster she's ever seen

When Shelly's lesson was over she ran off into the woods to join the boys. I had no choice but to stay for dinner with Heather while our kids wore themselves out in the woods, and enjoying a Grand Nerf War and grabbing a piece of pizza occasionally as they ran through the house chasing their next foe. I completely lost track of how many kids there were and who they even belonged to (there's another kid? who was that? where did he come from???).

Finally, at 9:00 we were ready to leave. And it wasn't until we got home that I realized, Archer had ended up with a big scrape on his face and black eye. I'd never even heard him complain that he was hurt. All he would say when I asked him was, "You should see the other guy's face." So.... I wonder if Ms. Heather will still teach Shelly piano after this? I wonder what the other guy's face - her son - looked like?

Game Day

The boys have left the country and Mom is left with the two young cubs. We certainly weren't about to let the boys have all the fun. Bring on the baseball!

We brought Mary to join our fun and she was a great sport. We were such tourists, taking pics at every possible opportunity and enjoying every possible type of garbage food that we could find. We were just about bored out of our minds and ready to leave when FINALLY there was a home run and Bernie came down the slide and we got super excited to be there. Go Brewers! It wasn't enough to keep us there, though, we were done. Tired and time for bed.

Enjoy the pics!

Beach Day

We met up with some friends for a beach day, and when we got there, there were MORE friends, bonus! 

We had planned on just staying for the mornng because the weather elves in my phone said there would be stoms in the afternoon. But then... the elves were wrong, the storms never came, we stayed too long and all ended up sunburned. 

I hadn't brought much food because, you know, we were only going to stay a little while. So... My starving children stood with their sad puppy eyes in front of Willie's mom until she offered up some chips - Shelly snatched them up and retreated with her friend Sarah down the beach. Once those were gone, Sarah must have turned her sad puppy eyes on her own mom because the next thing I know, the two girls are sharing some other treat with some other family... Does that qualify as "beach bum"? Begging food off the next family down the line? 

Anyway, we finally went home where I decided we should ge a picture of the four of us together and we broke out the selfie stick. Seriously, why do I even own one of these things? And if I'm going to own it, I should probably practice a little more... I don't think you're supposed to SEE the selfie stick in the selfie picture. Oh well, we had fun with it!

Other notes:

1. The water was like ICE which didn't stop the kids but I mostly sat on the beach and roasted rather than freeze my feet off in the water.

2. We saw a BALD EAGLE! WOW! Pretty rare and unexpected for our neck of the woods. Except there are no woods here - our neck of the city?

Up Up and Away

We've been working up to this for a few years now. Archer joined Cub Scouts way back in second grade, we camped out a time or two every summer with the Scouts and one of us (David or I) always went along as helper/leader/chapperone/crowd control on the "Scouts only" events.

Anyone who's ever purchased popcorn or batteries or wreaths has helped send Archer to camp. Anyone who's helped Archer with important life skills like baiting a hook, rolling a sleeping bag, making his own sandwiches has contributed to his confidence in taking this next step.

This year we decided to let him go it alone. Not really alone, he's known these leaders for a few years, he's known the other kids since kindergarden, we've spent a lot of time with these people. So not alone. But without family, he's going without family and we're all excited for him on his new adventure. He packed his own bag, made his own lunch for the road this morning, and off they went. Seven boys, two leaders, lots of snacks and joke books for the road.

Last night I asked him if he was going to call me twice a day to let me know he's ok. "No." Will you send me a letter or two every day? "No." Cry yourself to sleep every night because you miss us? "No." Every question made him laugh at me more, and I was glad. I'd hate to be the one that holds him back from getting out there into the great outdoors with friends!

We spent the day wondering what Archer was doing at that moment, "Probably having lunch now... I wonder if he's already done the swim test?... Probably dinner time for Archer... Do you think he's sleeping yet? Nah, maybe a campfire right now."

Anyway, we really are excited for him, and eager to hear all his stories when he comes back home to us.

In the meantime, Shelly's come up with a project to keep us busy - she made a  mailbox and we can all write notes to him, so he comes home to a mailbox full of letters.

Have fun Archer, and don't forget to change your socks! And take a shower. And USE THE BUG SPRAY FOR GOODNESS SAKE! And deodorant. And have fun.  :)

Who has time for work when...

There are so many other things to do?

Getting boys unstuck from little puzzles

Getting boys off my desk

Chasing rabits out of the garden (hey wait, its only eating the weeds, maybe I should let him stay?)

Watching children dancing in the street (only 5 more days till soccer camp starts!!!!)

Celebrating the last day of school

And spending the morning in the hot sun playing instead of learning on the last day :)

Movie party with friends

http://youtu.be/XQCDEgoKh_c

And FINALLY Soccer Camp!!!

Trying to cool down because we STILL haven't bothered to turn on the AC (not that we've needed it, its barely been warm enough to even THINK about AC)

Bike rides

http://youtu.be/h0QlHqyqbwQ

More games

http://youtu.be/9Z4eEeHNnjg

More magic at the library

More... I don't know, what IS that thing??

That's been the beginning of summer, but it feels like its already halfway over. Oh well, we'll make the most of every single minute!

Shelly's Seven!

We did something this year that we’ve never attempted before. Its surprising, considering we’ve been parents for almost ten years, and this is an American cultural standard that our kids have been exposed to beginning way back at four and five years old. The Birthday Party with Friends. We’ve avoided it, passed it up, and this year we’ve finally succumbed.

 We held a birthday party for Shelly’s big Seven. Two cousins, ten friends, and lots of screeching girls… One dad said to me, “I feel sorry for you” as he closed the door behind him. I just smiled and let him know we were going to have lots of fun. And secretly inside I was completely intimidated by the mob of little girls circling around me. Are we going to have fun? Will they tell their parents it was a good time? Grandma Sue and Aunt Niecy came to help and I kept asking Denise, is it going ok? I guess it went ok.

We were inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder and came up with crafts and games in the spirit of Laura in her Little House. The girls made rag dolls, lavender sachets, button necklaces, wooden tops, butter, and shopped at the General Store. The boys were in charge of the store, taking pennies from the girls and dishing out giant pickles, marbles, paper dolls and countless pounds of candy.

In the end, when it was all over, I felt like I had planned a wedding, all timed out and choreographed. I knew that David and I couldn’t have done it without all the help we got from Grandma and Aunt Niecy. There were no major injuries, no home-wrecking catastrophes (only bits of rock candy everywhere that we had to pick up for days afterwards), and the girls left with their goodies and smiles on their faces. Best of all, Shelly said she had a good time. She thanked us a thousand times. And hopefully she’ll remember the BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER for a few years to come.

Out for a Walk

We had originally planned a beach day, but at 10:00 it was only 64 and none of us really wanted to suffer the cold on the lakefront for a couple of hours. So we opted for a hike in the woods. Going for a walk in the woods with some friends just was NOT enough time with them so we invited ourselves over for more quality time at their house. It was so nice of Mrs. S to even feed us lunch!! And as if that wasn't enough fun, we're already planning another playdate next week, although we're hoping for warmer weather and a beach day. We're working hard to cram every bit of fun into the last month of summer vacation, anything else on the list we haven't accomplished yet? There's only a month left to get it done!

Another Zoo Adventure

We were just at the zoo on Tuesday with family, but we were invited to go again today with some friends. Last night when I checked the weather, there was a chance of rain. This morning when I checked again, the weather app said 60% chance. Scattered showers. After a few text messages back and forth, we decided to try it. Despite the looming clouds and a few sprinkles, we met at the zoo with our rain gear and kids in tow.

We lasted an hour before we took shelter for lunch. Another discussion ensued, stick around or give up? We decided we'd go to the far end of the zoo to see the giraffes and then we'd go home. When we got to the rhinos (almost but not quite all the way to the giraffes), it started really raining. For real, no more sprinkles, rain. And we all started running, constantly looking around to make sure we hadn't lost any kids (SEVEN of them!), then running, telling the kids not to poke someone's eye out with that umbrella, keep up, GO!

By the time we got to the car we were all soaked from head to toe, laughing and the kids were saying, this was the BEST day of my life! (Archer) And, this was the BEST zoo venture EVER! (Shelly)

We certainly didn't plan it that way, but it made for fantastic memories of a zoo trip we won't soon forget!

In All Directions & Catching Up

There's a whole lot of planning that's required for one simple little weekend at Cub Scout Camp. Phone calls, text messages, notes on the calendar, check the calendar again, check the packing list four hundred times...

Tomorrow Archer and I will go to camp, Grandma Sue will come watch the other two until VBS starts and Shelly will go there, then Grandma will take E home with her. David will pick up Shelly from VBS and E will stay with Grandma until Saturday. Shell and Dad will have some special time together at an art studio painting a canvas and who knows what else. E will have some special time with Grandma, and Arch and I will be... I have no idea what we'll be doing, except this. It will be REALLY hot out, and we'll be outside all day long, baking in the sun. We get to sleep in a tent two nights in a row, enjoy camp food, and who knows what else. After about a hundred trips in and out of the house to pack more and more stuff in the trunk of my car, I'm already exhausted and we haven't even left yet! It should be a great weekend, my only small bit of sadness is that we'll each be off in different directions, E south with Grandma, Shell north to the art class, and Arch to the west at camp.

On another note, four of us spent the morning at the beach today with some friends, together, first overheating in the sun, then freezing in the water, back and forth until finally, at 1:00, the kids were "STARVING!!" and we had to get back to our air conditioned houses and food.

This week Shelly has been at VBS with her cousins while I hang out with the boys. On Monday we had another archery lesson. E enjoyed watching for blackberries along the trail as Archer tried out a range we hadn't seen before. This archery thing is kinda fun!

We also went to school to help with some weeding and playing in the sprinkler, followed by a visit to a friend's house for some playing in the mud, I mean more sprinklers.

Pictures courtesy of Mary

There was a visit to the office to water the new shrubs (brought back a LOT of memories for me doing the exact same thing when I was pretty close to Archer's age!), followed by a trip to DQ.

Way last week (I can hardly remember it) we went to the Pack Movie Night with all the other scouts. There were water games, great food, a piece of Swiss cheese on the pavement (?) and finally, we all settled down for the movie in the parking lot. Followed by a screaming loud game of "Cheese Touch!!" (you and I would know it as tag, you'll have to watch "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" to know what that's all about).

And finally, here are a few catch up pictures that I never got around to posting before...

Back in May, Archer had his spring concert, Bampa Bampa (that's Grandma and Grandpa, of course) came along, it was a bit rainy that day.

Thanks for the pics Bampa!

When we took our little road trip to the farm, David caught this nice fish, I was only just a little envious after spending the whole time reeling in weeds. :)

I guess we've been just a little busy over the last week or two?

For the Love of Shelly

For her ENTIRE WHOLE LIFE, Shelly has wanted to be a Girl Scout. That's right, for 2,278 days Shelly has wanted to be a Scout, meet with other Daisies once a week and play games and do crafts, and whatever else cute little girl scouts do. FINALLY, after a bazillion million days of waiting... Last week, on Sunday night at 8:30, I got a phone call.

"Hi, this is Liz with Girl Scouts... blah blah blah... see you tomorrow night!" That's right, a scout troop had started up. There had already been meetings and discussions with other moms. None of us would volunteer to run a troop. Finally the official Girl Scout Council found someone for us and started a troop. On Monday morning I shared with Shelly the great news, and she was so shocked she couldn't even believe me. "REALLY?? For real???" YES, really! And so, that night, there we all were. In the gym at a local elementary school,  introducing ourselves and watching our girls play games and learn the Pledge. Or Promise, or something.

Here's where it gets fun. Our second scout meeting, I drive up to the school and see the leader (remember, that's Ms. Liz) banging on the doors of the school and looking through the window. It was dark inside, the janitor wasn't there to open the doors. I left the kids in the car and went to talk to Ms. Liz (in the rain). We couldn't get in (we were all standing around IN THE RAIN). Meeting cancelled (still raining). Ok, we'll see you next week. I get in the car. Shelly is sitting there and I break the news. "I'm sorry honey, no scouts tonight." Then the real rain starts. Tears. She's crying, this dream of Girl Scouts being dangled in front of her and then cruelly taken away at the last second. And that's when I knew I COULD NOT accept "no scouts tonight." For the love of my precious little daughter and her dream of her very own scout troop... "Wait here."

I marched back out into the rain, to Liz and the other moms gathered around her, and made the offer. We can have it at my house! Address given, directions, that's my car you can follow me and we're off! Caravanning to my house. Instructions to the kids on the way. The second we get home, you clean up this, pick up that, put everything away, unlock the door, show your friends in, we're home! Run go do everything! And in 15 seconds flat all the toys were thrown into bedrooms and doors shut, backpacks and shoes thrown into the laundry room and again door shut and OH I'm so glad you could come over, welcome! And the meeting began. And Ms. Liz thanked us a hundred times and the ONLY thing that mattered to me was that Shelly's day was saved.

And that's what happens when you love your sweet little Daisy Scout, you don't care what the house looks like, that its not quite clean enough or you didn't plan to spend your evening this way. You invite 7 girls and their moms and a leader into your home for a scout meeting and everyone gets to plant seeds and play in the dirt around your dining room table. The rest of it doesn't matter, just your love for that precious Shelly.

Getting Ready

Packing snacks and swimsuits, making a list and checking it twelve times. It seems like we are always running off to the next big adventure.

Last week's adventure was the Pinewood Derby with the Cub Scouts. David and I spent five hours helping set up on Friday night and all day on Saturday helping run it. It was a great success, thanks to David's great ideas and the wonderful parents who organized and ran the event. I loved all of the encouragement and good sportsmanship the boys showed with each other. And it WAS a lot of work but the time passes quickly when you're hanging out with great people!

Now we're again planning, we'll leave tomorrow for another little road trip. We're trying so hard to surprise the kids but they ask a thousand questions. Every time I answer I'm in danger of slipping up and ruining the surprise.

Now Shelly and E are playing puppy and she's coaching him on his bark. "More fierce, like this! Fierce! Fierce! Good, now lets go hunting!" Happy Hunting Puppies!

Through the Woods

It's not every day you get to walk through the woods to get a great breakfast of pancakes and sausages with real maple syrup. What a treat, it was cold but sunny and we explored the woods with friends after we ate. Yum!

Oh Blessings!

Tonight I experienced something truly amazing, and I was so blessed to experience it with family and friends by my side.

Tonight we went to the airport and waited for endless hours until finally, after fidgeting and telling the kids the rules and snack runs and restroom runs and trying to count heads to make sure everyone was still all there...

Finally...

The flags rounded the corner. The crowd rose to their feet. Cheers rose. Chanting, "U.S.A.!" filled the air.

The color guard neared and applause filled our ears. Mobs of people, so divided everywhere else in our lives, so different, strangers, we all lined the way with our flags and signs.

The flags passed and the first Hero appeared. And then another. Another. They kept coming.

For over an hour, we stood, we cheered, we shouted "Thank you!" and "God Bless You!" over and over. We reached out our hands to shake the hands of the men and women who fought for our freedom.

 

 

Each time one of these veterans came close enough to us we reached out. They saw the kids lining the path and slowed down to grasp each little hand. Occasionally they took mine. I looked into their eyes, I was so filled with thanks for their service, for what they had done for us, their country. They left their own families. They risked death. They saw friends dying around them. They pushed on. They came home, and now today I held these people's hands, and looked into their eyes, and cried as I thanked them.

After the veterans passed, we had the honor of also welcoming those currently serving. And when the parade slowed down and these men and women stood in front of me, I thanked them again, I told them how proud we are, how much we appreciate what they're doing, and I wondered what's ahead for them.

I don't know what's ahead for them, perhaps they'll travel to some unknown place and spend day after day in harm's way. Perhaps they'll end up sitting behind a desk somewhere. Maybe they'll love their assignment or maybe hate every day of it. But this I do know. Each of these people signed up for an adventure that I was never willing to consider. Each one of them was willing to put their own plans aside and serve our nation. And for that they deserve our thanks. I thank the Lord for them, those service men and women. And I prayed over and over tonight that each of those that passed us would know how much we appreciate what they're doing for us, and that they would find confidence in Jesus tonight to take them forward, wherever their paths may lead. What a great nation this is that we call home, and what great people we can thank for the privilege of living here.