Get a CLUE

SWEET Katelyn is explaining to Jordan how to play Clue. Kate starts the game setting up the premise: "Someone has killed someone."
Jordan: "Here?"
Kate: "No, not here, these are just plastic characters."
...
Jordan: "It might be her, (looking over Mrs White) she has a pan in her hand."

Lunch with the Kids

Took the kids to Cracker Barrel on a Sunday. It was PACKED! However, I was sitting with 6 of my kids and knew it was going to be awesome. Within a couple of seconds each big kid had their head together with a little kid. They were playing games on the kids' menu, playing the wooden game on the table, and deciding what to order. It's a good thing I'm sure. My blueberry pancakes were awesome.

VBS week

VBS week means a million things to me. Historically it's my most favorite week of the year, but this year was a little different. For one, I wasn't working in any capacity in our VBS this week. Secondly, it was Jordan and Cameron's first time to ever go to VBS. Thirdly, I don't have the songs, stories or experiences I usually have running through my head.

For now, let's just say, I loved hearing the kids' stories about their week. Even though they were mostly excited about the snacks for the first 2 days, they did finally start singing songs (with motions) and were very anxious to attend the Family Night on Thursday.

More importantly, Jordan was interested on Thursday about beginning a relationship with Jesus. I volunteered to go during that time to be a prayer partner. It was a divine match as we got to visit, pray and also commit to pray for her as she continues to seek Him. My heart is full, no matter how different this last week was for me.

 

 

NOW.

Woke up this morning and read about those horrible Pharisees who followed all the rules but didn't offer grace to anyone. They filled the pews, primarily so others would see them, and wore things with the purpose of someone noticing. And then I was wondering which group of people I was in.

I do think I love on people, but RIGHT NOW, my mission field is here at home. I don't see many other adults, and I don't actively look for people outside my house to love on. I feel like I have my plate full, and yet, as much as the MISSION is right here in the living room, I DO NOT WANT TO BE A PHARISEE. I'm definitely guilty of judging others on the points I'm most convicted of. I'm guilty of going to church for years out of obligation and not devotion. Lord forgive me.

I'd like to be humble and loving to all. I'd like to be the person that Jesus would've wanted with Him. I want to use the gifts he has given me, because I know the TRUE JOY I get when He works through me while using them. I pray for that place, while waiting here at home. And yet, I KNOW He wants me to use those gifts HERE AT HOME.

THE MISSION is here, and so am I. God give me clarity. God give me strength. God give me contentment.

A Word from Camp

From Lauren's FB page today: "As of today, I have officially been in Oklahoma for a whole month. God is doing amazing things here, including 868 salvations. I pray this every week: Thank you, God, for you've done, what you're doing, and what you will do. Six more weeks. Bring it on."

I'm so thankful she and Erin got to see each other this week. I'm posting some of her pics from FB, because, well, that's where I get most of my news...

And while she's not at work...she's help lead worship at FBC Davis, and been on a few weekend excursions with her co-workers. I remember that...getting out of camp and getting dressed nice (not a tshirt and shorts), with our hair fixed (not in a ponytail) and going out like real people. I LOVED SUMMER CAMP, and I'm glad my girls do too!

 

 

Almost home

I can't wait to hug him and hear his stories. The pictures he has sent have been not at all what I would've pictured as a military deployment in Africa. He should be home next Friday. Not a moment too soon. And I have no idea how long he can stay!

 

 

Summer Craft Time

We brought out the paints again today and it was a good 3 hours worth of creativity and entertainment. (not all at one time, of course) Little birdhouses were $1.99 at Hobby Lobby and they might have been on sale when I picked them up. Clearly our influence toward the Hogs is going well. Good project. Dad is gone. Ryan is gone. Lauren is gone. Erin is gone.

Outside Fun

I scored a couple BIG boxes from the furniture store and we made a couple rooms out of them. Since imagination is one of our developing skills...the interest level in the houses didn't last long. I folded them up and put them in the garage, I'll pull them out in a couple of days. It's just gotten really hot...even in the morning, so we play outside early...but then have to come in and shower before we start our days!

Pic from Camp

THIS PICTURE FROM CAMP MADE MY DAY.

Happy Father's Day

I married well. No matter how much he deflects, no one else would've have put up with the things I've taken him through in the last 21 years. Twenty of those years we've been raising children together, and I could not be more humbled by the way he sacrificially gives (over and over) to our children. We've always parented as a team, but there are many, many days and nights when he give me a "time out" with no guilt and his blessing. He keeps the fun in our family and keeps my feet from going where I shouldn't go. He understands more about raising our girls than most men would, and he listens when I tell him things that are absolutely nonessential details about our day...just things I need to say. He understands me needing 100,000 words a day...and realizes I don't talk to many other adults on any given day. He lets me talk, and he talks me off many a ledge. I never do well with holidays...and I've never made Father's Day a HUGE event. But, I want him to know, and his children to know, that God has made an ordinary man, EXTRAordinary. Happy Father's Day Richard, everyday.

Classic Erin

Erin left on a bus for church camp this morning at 6:30. SO very thankful she's headed toward Lauren at Falls Creek for a week. Lauren works 14 hour days, so I'm not sure they'll be able to visit much. However, I did bake 2 batches of my semi-famous chocolate chip cookies to send to her. I knew Erin and friends would want some, so I included a Ziploc so Erin could make sure to get some to Lauren.

Lauren just sent this picture captioned : "Look who I found!"

Then a quote from Erin: "I have cookies for you...
you're down to 4."

Summer - Day 2

We're working hard to stay busy and learn new things. This morning we walked the nature trail and brought home 2 rocks each to paint and make our PET ROCKS for the summer. The kids love painting and they're learning to be a little creative too!

Baby Girl turns 19!

Lauren is at camp. Five hours away. We've sent her pictures and greetings all day. We sent her a big box of random things to hopefully give her a smile...and then, at dinnertime, she finally was able to call us...and Facetimed us! I hate sticking my face on that phone, but to see her smile, and to hear her laugh, to see her friends and talk to my baby girl, it was priceless. Happy Birthday to my sweet Lauren!  

Summer Day 1

I've been kind of crazy coming up with schedules for our summer days. It's not like last summer when we got up late, took things easy and played and went wherever we wanted. The kids need structure, they need direction, and to keep my sanity and patience, so do I. I've bought craft supplies, listed games to play, picked a book to read together, and scheduled table time for school work. We'll be fine, and hopefully, by the end of summer we'll be able to be a little more relaxed. But for TODAY...and it was raining hard this morning, I'm glad I had a plan. TIE DYE WITH SHARPIES!

 

Thankful

God has blessed me with a great business that I enjoy. He added extra blessings by giving me friends to work with too! Melissa, Lauren and Kristie own very successful franchises and are funny and smart ladies!

SUNNY FUN!

Big Cedar Lodge, Branson, Missouri...less than 3 hours from home and FILLED with fun things for us to do! Our friends had an extra room and invited us to spend 2 days pool hopping with them. I said, "YES!" I took the 3 little kids and we played miniature golf and shuffleboard, went to a s'mores cookout, played on the grounds, climbed the nature tower, floated on the lazy river, ate ice cream outside, went to 3 different pools, and soaked in some sun.

This was the first time my kids were paired with 3 other kids and they did so good playing and getting along! We even all shared a club room and cooked our meals in our kitchenettes. It was two days that Jordan and Cam missed during the last week of school, but it was a good highlight of what fun we will have this summer. We missed our dad and the big kids, but it was very special for me and the 3.