Summer Lovin'

We've had quite a month. Emotional reserves: gone. Tensions: high. Patience: nonexistent.

Except there's more. More of Him when there was so much less of me.

"My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Thank you, Jesus.

My theme song on my more-than-usual long runs:
Desperate for changing. Starving for truth. I'm closer to where I started, chasing after You.
I'm falling even more in love with You, letting go of all I've held on to.
I'm standing here until You make me move, I'm hanging by a moment here with You...

Forgetting all I'm lacking, completely incomplete,
I'll take Your invitation, You take all of me...

There is nothing else.

(Lifehouse "Hanging by a Moment")

Thank you for bringing the joy back and reminding us that you've got all of it already wrapped up in your perfect plan. And really, there is nothing else.

Not to mention summer is my absolute favorite time of year. School books be gone (except math, I'm that kind of teacher), pool's open, VBS just around the corner, and neighborhood craziness in full swing. In my backyard. Sigh. You can't win 'em all.

Started the summer with a Dad + 5 kid camping trip:

"Like the ceiling can't hold us!"

Pool's open!

At the Poolapalooza Pirate Party

Jungle Jack's Landing and Zoombezi Bay

(Much more Jungle Jack's considering it was 59 degrees that day!)

Summer reading on the back deck:

And our first attempt at a Summer Bowling Pass.

This could be interesting. Right Hand Man prefers Connect Four. 

Good thing because taking six kids bowling is not really that fun. Trust me.

Summer Fun

So we finished Preschool Adventure Week with a trip to the mall playland and some time with friends at the zoo. A great week in general, plenty of time for the little boys to feel like it was all about them.

The girls were looking for a fast way to make some cash so we founded "Basket of Love Baked Goods." They went around the neighborhood selling cookies and treats and promising to give 10% to charity. (Which they did by way of the church offering plate). The first day of business was a nice success. They made $22 and found out how hard works pays off (grocery shopping for supplies, lots of time in the kitchen baking and CLEANING and then the actual selling). 

In other events, my friend calls me up on on Tuesday and says she's bored, how about a picnic?  About six hours later we're back from Ash Cave, having road tripped with our combined 11 children and lived to tell the tale. A great day if you don't count the twig that got caught in one of her children's eye and one of mine getting stuck on a rock wall, having climbed too high and was afraid to come down. All in a day's work!

Finally, Hubby camped out with the kids last night - a midweek treat for all. 

Brothers sharing an oatmeal breakfast on the porch after their night in the tent. Love it!

Me and Him

Me and my littlest had such a sweet day today. Hubby took the four older ones into the wilds for a camping getaway, leaving me and The Patriot to our own devices. Whenever I have a little quality one-on-one time with any child, I get all nostalgic about how wonderfully uninterrupted parenting can be. I used to know this feeling on a regular basis. Not so much anymore. In our best moments, there is nothing more beautiful than the rambunctious - and LOUD - symphony of a big family. I never dreamed I could love so many people so much. But there are the crazy times too; when if one more person needs one more thing it might be the end of me. You know the feeling.

But today was about me and him. I'm trying not to be hurt that the majority of our conversation was, "Mom, where Ellie?" or "Mom, where D?" (his name for David, which we've now all adopted). Still, dinner on the deck a deux was a highlight. Love you, little man.

Long time no post...

I'm not sure what has been keeping us so busy, this and that I suppose, but nothing has graced these pages in awhile.

News:
One more week of our "formal school year," although I'm not sure any of what we do is formal or correlates to a regular year. We do our standardized testing after this week and generally that is when I say, "You're in the next grade, congratulations!"

Summer plans still taking shape. Hubby starts intense rehearsals for the VBS production tonight and that will produce big excitement for the whole neighborhood as we anticipate another great year.

The first overnight camping trip is also in the works for this weekend - provided the rains stops. This involves all children over three - and Hubby of course - so I'll enjoy a relatively quiet 24 hours with only the wee one.

Bobo and buddies just had a great book club meeting after reading Soul Surfer. They wrote letters to Bethany Hamilton and attempted various activities with one arm in a sling to experience what her life must be like post shark incident.

The children helped us host a luncheon for new members this afternoon after an already long morning at church. It honestly could have gone in a lot of different directions - being nap time and all - and I'm proud of all of them for their composure and sincere efforts to help. It didn't hurt that the youngest was continuously fed countless goodies and treats as he worked the crowd.

Boys

After we finished school on Thursday, these guys helped me make their graduating sisters a cake - with two types of frosting of course.

It was supposed to be me and the two littlest boys for a couple of days while Hubby took the big three to "Man Camp." (Dads and kids camping at a farm owned by one of the dads - no moms allowed). Toddzilla got to the camp only to get sick, so he joined us early on Friday evening. As you can see, he rebounded pretty quickly.

You have to be three to go camping in this clan, so these two are still in training.

And Now We Rest...

We've had a busy but fun filled weekend. Our Friday science group had a field trip to see the Manatees after their individual study of seals and sea cows. God definitely created some strange but wonderful creatures! (Did you know it takes $30,000 to feed one manatee for a year, and their basic diet consists only of lettuce? I thought my little brood was expensive to keep fed).

Hubby gathered the big three for one last camp out of the season. It's been a beautiful weekend; sunny and 70s with the prettiest fall colors all over. Crockett and I had a quiet night at home. (He went to bed at 7 PM. I dug in to A Thomas Jefferson Education. More on that later).

Around 8 AM, I hear my oldest burst through the door, yelling, "We're not back for good! I just have to get Toddzilla some new clothes." He managed to get the only outfit he packed wet, and it was chilly in the morning. They convinced me to come along for the rest of the morning, so we took a gorgeous hike through the state park, had some Jiffy Pop over the fire, and took down the tent.

After a little down time, we headed to our first Buckeye football watching fiesta at a friend's house. I have to say I haven't gotten all that excited about Ohio State football, but it's basically sacrilege to avoid the whole thing altogether. So off we go, usually the only ones not completely decked out in red and white.

And of course, Sundays in general are a bit crazy for this pastor's family. I'm ready for the week to begin - it's much quieter around here!

First Camping of the Season

Toddzilla got his much anticipated, first taste of camping last weekend. The girls had peppered him with such enticements as "we get to stay up as late as we want!" and "we don't even have to brush our teeth!" Needless to say, he was more than excited to go.

They left with a forecast of thunderstorms, drove 2 hours to their destination, and proceeded to enjoy a warm, sunny day. Hot dogs over the fire, s'mores, a pyromaniac strange fire ritual Hubby performs to the delight of the children... All were in bed by ten.

The storm came in the middle of the night, soaking more than the outside of the tent. The girls, especially, woke up in a puddle. They headed home earlier than expected, but a good time was had by all. Toddzilla ran to greet me with, "Mom, I LOVE camping!"

Fear Factor For Moms

A successful camping trip with the big kids despite severe thunderstorms, a flood watch, and tornado warnings. I was at home with the babies biting my fingernails. But our weather was much worse than theirs - they were about an hour and a half away - and the girls slept through it all!