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!

A Whirlwind of a Week

What an eventful week! While we were out tonight I asked a friend how her week was. After her answer she asked me the same. As usual I could not remember anything past this morning. After we were home from this evenings fun, had the kids in bed, Jerry went off you work I took time to remember the events of the week. It has been a crazy fun one. Allow me to share the highlights.

1. Sunday was a blessing to be home and in our church. I jotted down a few notes from each service - Sunday school, morning worship, and the evening service. I knew I would forget if I didn't write them down. I have looked back on my notes a few times during the week and have been repeatedly blessed and encouraged. Also, we went to some friends house for Sunday dinner. Very fun! I am so thankful for the sweet people God has put in our life. So thankful!

I sure missed the mountains while we were gone.

2. The kids and I went to the Bolder Boulder with my parents on Monday morning. I was up bright and early - as early as a school day! What! During summer break! We first had to stop at our favorite coffee stop - Panera.  Then on to Boulder. I will admit, I always thought the race was called the Boulder Boulder. I really wondered why they couldn't come up with something more creative. I had never been there, never done that, never even saw the "T" shirt before Monday. When I saw the "T" shirt... "I get it!" I was exhilarated just watching the real runners come in for the finish. We stood, clapped, cheered - my first goose bumps of the day. Then the Memorial Day "stuff" - we heard a few short bios of two true American heros - goose bumps again. The plains few over head. Don't ask me what they were. I don't know. They were military plains. They were cool! Then came goose bumps number three. The five paratroopers jumped out of another plain one at a time. The first four flying the flags of each of the branches of the military and the fifth jumper carried a very large American flag all while we listened to Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" over the loud speakers. It was thrilling! There was more. Guess you had to be there. My kids all want to run the Bolder Boulder next year. Guess we better start saving our pennies now.

3. Tuesday spur of the moment fun, we had two of Jordan's friends come over for most of the day. Walked to the park. Had some pizza. Laughed a lot!

4. Wednesday fun at Arbor Lake Park with some awesome friends, and Yea! Church at the park! Yea summer. We stayed after to play and visit till dark.

Kyla made a fun treat.

5. I went out with my mom on Thursday while the kids spent a few hours with their friends who just got back from their vacay. Taylor said, "It has been almost two weeks since we've seen them. That is the longest ever!" She's right. We "babysit" these friends all summer and they go to the same school, we see them almost everyday. They are all like siblings at this point.

6. Yea for friday - family movie night!

7. Saturday was our first experience with the MLS. We went to the Colorado Rapids game. Even Kyla was into it - cheering and singing - but no booing! Also, we experienced our first tailgate party. :) It was a blast! Visiting, fellowshiping, getting better acquainted with some great people... I am all wound up. "I'm too excited to sleep." Oh, you're supposed to say that before you do something fun? Not after? I'm sayin' it can go either way.

All that fun, but I have to tell you the highlight of my week was a walk around the neighborhood just Taylor and I. She is growing up so fast, y'all. I wish I was better at savoring the moments. Why do the dishes always seem so important?

So I think this blog may sometimes be the way I save my memories. Hope you don't mind reading about them.

My man who worked everyday and every night this week at home, on his routes and mowing lawns. 

talking about teachable moments

A few months ago my kids and I were in the car on the way home from school enjoying some very yummy Dove chocolates. If you've had some lately you may have noticed there are quotes on the inside of the wrappers. We were reading our wrappers to each other. I remember my foil read, "Always follow your heart." I was bothered by this and the realization that we hear this a lot in our society. In fact I just heard it on a TV show the other night. A young girl was telling about the night her dad passed away. She said she was with him in his last moments. His last words to her were, "Always follow your heart."

While reading my wrapper I was reminded of a few Bible verses, and I asked my kiddos what they thought the Bible had to say about this "advice." We then discussed these verses. 

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Matthew 15:18,19 "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"

And Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."


Matthew 4:19 "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."


Matthew 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

After a very neat chat I asked them what they thought the correct advice would be. It was unanimous  "Always follow Jesus." 

I hope I never forget those sweet moments in the car.