The Summer of '11 - Half Gone

What a crazy summer! Didn't it just start?! I guess it's a little more than half over. I don't know where it has gone!



We started our summer vacation with a trip to South Dakota. What fun we had with my sister and her family out there! It is a whole different world. Not just because it makes me realize what a city girl I really am! I joke that when I'm out there I can "literally see the curvature of the world!" Out there in the flat lands you can see for miles. It almost seems like the horizon line is way below me. I don't really know how to put it. I miss the mountains as soon as they are out of sight, but there is no doubt about it, the sky out there is overwhelmingly huge. It is beautiful! At times I feel like the sky can just swallow me up. It makes me marvel - whatever state I'm in God's artwork is amazing!

Included in our trip to SD was a visit to Mount Rushmore.  So awesome! If you haven't been you should go. While you are there don't miss the museum and the video - very interesting! One great point - the cost to see the faces is just $10 per vehicle and no per person charge! I love that! I was there years ago when it was just a nature walk, a viewing area and a gift shop. Everything has changed! You just have to see it for yourself! I love the stark contrast between the rustic mountain scenery and all the new modern architecture. Beautiful! 

A few weeks later we started swimming lessons and then VBS at two churches in the same week! The kids enjoyed a great week of Bible camp which for us meant another trip to SD. Every year we go up there and have a great time, but after the long trip home we think "this might be the last summer at that camp. "There are just too many great things about going to camp at Richmond Lake Bible Camp in Aberdeen, SD. Tops on the list is the chance to see my sister. Whether it's me or my parents or all of us making the trip that IS the one reason we can't pass it up. Add to that the sweet friends my kids have made at camp over the last three summers, the camp directors and speakers are all uncles and cousins (more family to see that we don't get to see very often), Uncle Keith is a counsellor, and the cost of camp is great (Although after gas etc. we don't save any money.). All those pros add up to another trip to SD for Bible camp each summer. Please be in prayer for us as we make decisions about Bible camp next summer.


While the kids were gone at camp and in-between the two trips to take them up there and then to bring them back, my uncle Ned and aunt Marilou were here with aunt Marilou's dad. Uncle Ned is my dad's twin brother. It was so fun to see them! Aunt Marilou's dad, Jim Wright, has written a book about his life. It's not completely finished, but the part he has completed he has put in mp3 form. Dad and I listened to the book all the way up to Aberdeen and then most of the way home. We did finish it right as we got off I-76 and we were almost home. We quite enjoyed it! Although, the conversation was lacking as we were so engrossed in this book. Sorry, dad (coffee dates to resume in a few weeks!). 


Summer soccer at Tri-City Baptist Church started the week we were up at camp, so as soon as we were back we jumped right into practice and game schedules. Jordan is the only one playing this year. We will see if the girls have any interest as they watch him play and maybe sign them up next year.


The 4th of July was a blast as always! We spent it with a few friends in their back yard WITH a perfect view of the city fireworks and WITHOUT all the crowds and traffic. We have the best seats in the city... no, the nation! Hahaha. 


Calvary Baptist Church in Golden celebrated it's 60th anniversary this last Sunday. We attended The services over there. It was a packed out house! The testimonies of what God has done through that ministry over the years were a great blessing! Jordan played a solo trumpet piece for the first time in the afternoon service. He is a beginner, but I think he did a great job! All glory is given to God for every talent and gift we posses. May He be glorified, and may we each use our talents for His will and purpose! And, may we be good stewards of the lessons He allows us to have by practicing diligently!

The two older kids are going to attend basketball camp next week. That will add a bit of busy-ness with the drive back and forth, but they definitely need the activity! - or maybe I need them to have the activity?!?!

Swimming lessons start again after that and a few weeks later - SCHOOL! I know that is a bad word in the middle of July! It IS time to start thinking about the shopping list before all the supplies are picked over however.


I've been hoping and praying for a trip up to Casper before school starts. Don't know how that is going to work out, but God can fit all those pieces together if He wants us to go.


A few unspoken request from here if you don't mind adding me to your prayer list. Thanks so much!