Camping

Well here I am blogging again after a very long hiatus. Ever since summer started I have hit the ground running. I could not wait to be done with schedules and getting kids up super early and keeping track of homework and countless things that needed to be turned in. Now the reason I am busy is doing the things that I love. We have been to six flags at least 5 times, the zoo and science center a few times each. We go to the pool to meet friends and the park and last but not least, camping. I am so thankful that Scott and I have this passion to share with our kids. I get the most fulfillment from our weekends away. Away from computers, telephones, tvs and in the most serene settings I find myself so much closer to God than in this house full of noise. I don't mean noise of 3 screaming kids either. I am talking about a noise that is so damaging that it leaves little room for love. When we camp, I still have my regular chores but for some reason, all that extra stuff falls to the wayside and it is just me and my little family. Last weekend the girls and I were riding our bikes and stopped to take a break and I looked over and 15 feet away was a deer in the woods eating leaves. The girls' eyes were huge! We just stood there for what seemed like an eternity just watching it then it crossed right in front of us over the road. Amazing! I love to see the dyanmic between Scott and I when we camp. whether it is setting up or breaking down or just handling the kids while we cook, we are a total team. There is no fighting or bickering or dictating, we just jump in and get er done! My dad had pointed that out last year when he camped for a weekend with us and it made me pay attention. It rained most of last weekend when we camped and I just gave up and let the kids have fun. It was a total mudfest and they had a blast. I love that they want and appreciate all that the outdoors has to offer. That is truly God's creation, not this laptop or my cellphone.
We went swimming in a river closeby with my dad and had so much fun. He showed up in shorts and I have not seen his legs in at least 20 years, neither has the sun! He sat with his feet in the river while ben would pour water on his lower legs. Each time ben walked away, grandpa would splash some water at him from behind and pretend he did not do it. Well, after a few times, little ben got his revenge. He filled his bucket up and walked over to dad as if to just put it on his lower legs, but then he dumped it all over his clothes. The water was pretty cold and dad let out quite a scream. they both laughed so hard and so long my heart was just so full it could burst! I wish I could just lock those little images in my heart forever to show Ben when he is older. It was great!