Kayaking

Quite a few years ago, hubby bought a double kayak. It was a fun idea. The only problem was that it was for two people and at the time of purchase none of my little people were big enough to hold the front end down. And then paddle.

This last beach trip, the kids were finally big enough to go for a little ride. Obviously NG and LM were able to go further out in the water. Which made me super nervous because there were tons of boats zooming around. I thought I had a pictures of each kid taking a spin but I guess not. Those who were not kayaking spent their time fishing.

The kids had a great time going out. We have since sold the kayak because it spent more time sitting than actually being used. Go figure . . .

Crack Me Up

It is no secret that most law enforcement officers will never get rich doing their job. Many of them, including hubby, make much of their money working details. Extra jobs, over and above their 2 week, 80 hour shift work, that private citizens or businesses pay them directly for security. We were told many, many years ago, never to count on detail money for survival. And we have done that. Many of the extras we have been so blessed with come from that extra detail money.

Well, we returned from our week at the beach on Sunday. We no sooner pulled in the driveway then a neighbor we have just recently met came up to our driveway and started talking with hubby. Hubby explained during the conversation that we literally just got home from a week long vacation at the beach and were getting unpacked.

That did not phase our neighbor. He leaned up against our mailbox, preceded to pull up his pant leg and show hubby a dog bite he had just received. (He exercises in the neighborhood.) All the while asking hubby whether or not he should call animal control.

I had to laugh. Maybe my husband should hang out a shingle that says Attorney for Hire. Or maybe Doctor. I guess our neighbor takes public servant very literally! Don't misunderstand. My husband is more than happy to help and he answers questions like that All The Time. And is totally fine with it. (As am I.)

I, of course, just felt we should have charged $600 for the consult . . .

In a Nutshell

I could go on and on about the girls bike trip this year. But, it would take too long and I wouldn't finish so I decided to just write down the few memorable moments they shared with me so we would have it down for posterity.

The first biking day was hard. Really hard. Little Mama didn't make it along with two other girls. They were a couple of the younger riders. It was super hot and crazy hilly and 50 miles. Daddy used his parental discretion and had LM get in the truck. Had it not been for her hospital stay 10 days prior he might not have been so gracious because he knew she could do it.

They next day they spent the whole day in a really nice, really huge retirement community. Their Youth Choir director went up to what he thought was an outside restaurant type deal filled with Vietnam Vets. He asked if the kids could sing for them. Turns out it was a bar and while the kids were signing all of the people passed a hat and collected like $70. They insisted that our pastor take it and walk down the road and buy all the kids ice cream!

Next, they "opened" for a local band called Randy and the Rockets or some such name. They really couldn't stand on the stage because they would have needed a permit. But, while the concert goers were waiting for the main attraction, the kids sang off to the side.

That night they performed for a dinner show. (I think it was that night.) Members of one of the church bought spaghetti dinners and the kids served it and then sang their performance. They people very graciously recorded the whole event and put it on Facebook.

The next day I was a mess because it was another 50 mile ride and I wanted LM to succeed. I knew she could do it. I also wanted the other two girls to finish the ride that day. I spent all day praying and checking Facebook to see what I could see.  Finally daddy called and I knew she had done it. Along with the other two girls. I was so, so thankful!

LM shared with me that instead of thinking about herself on her second 50 mile ride, she concentrated on encouraging those around her. Taking the focus off of her and putting her focus towards others. And it worked! She said it was an "easy" ride! The night before, the student leader of devotions, talked about encouraging others. Not just how encouraging others can help one another but in an off hand way it can bless you as well.  And Little Mama was paying attention!

The last day was a short ride, 30 plus miles to the beach. When they arrived, they stuck their front tire in the Atlantic, sang one more song to some people on the beach and had a great time just playing around.

A few of us moms drove the four hours to get them. Literally pulled up to the beach and loaded them up and headed back for home. I had a car full of girls. I thought they would sleep. They didn't. They talked and laughed and reminisced the entire time!

Nature Girl was worried that it wouldn't be as much fun as serving at the children's home last year. But she worried for nothing. She liked how last year they biked some where and stayed for a bunch of days. Getting to know kids and serving. But this year NG said she really enjoyed the fact that they got to sing a whole lot more. They sang at least once a day, if not more.

The trip is in the books. More memories made. They days of these youth are not being wasted that is for sure. . . .

(There are well over a hundred pictures. These are just a few in random order. I don't think I will ever have them all. I am not even sure I have seen them all.)

And They Are Off

I will be sharing a lot of pictures on Facebook of our church's Youth Choir Bike Trip. I dropped a bunch of them off yesterday afternoon around 4. They got organized, did a sound check, ate dinner and performed for the church's Sunday night service. Then it was devotions, getting set up for the night and in bed by 10. Up at 5:30 I think it was, traveled down to the beach, sang for the park ranger, put the back tire in the Gulf of Mexico and off they were off.

Fifty miles today. Maybe singing tonight. Service projects tomorrow at a huge retirement community and then some R & R. Then back on the road Wednesday for another 50. Singing that night and then Thursday on the road for 30 and front tires in the Atlantic.

Just a brief overview of what I know is going on. I will get periodic updates from hubby. So, so thankful he is on the trip. Such a great group of kids (and adults) who are so willing to serve in this awesome adventure of Coastal for Christ . . .

Dodgeball

Yup.  That's right.  Dodgeball.  Co-ed dodgeball no less!  In the early part of fall, our church youth group decided to participate in an area Dodgeball Competition.  At first I was like "no way."  We don't have time for this and it was dodgeball for goodness sake.

But, both girls were recruited along with all of the girlfriends (mostly because the boys needed at least two girls on a team) and the excitement started to grow.  After Sunday night youth they would get together and practice.  We would all go just to watch.  But, the next thing you know daddy was playing along with a handful of other men and it turned out to be a really great time!

It was so fun to watch the grown up men get really competitive.  They even let Boop practice with them and any other siblings who happened to be there.  The little girls would be ball getters and cheerleaders.

For all the practicing they did, unfortunately, they did not fair very well in the tournament.  I think we had the most teams present but didn't win a single trophy.  It was fun to watch, though, and the kids had a blast!

Just a great group of fun loving kids . . .

Thankful for Hope

This past Tuesday I had to do one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life so far.  A deputy on my husband's shift was shot to death by a man who hated government and law enforcement and first responders.  My husband was on scene but not part of the ambush.  I went with my husband to the funeral.

Because the deputy was on my husband's shift, his shift was treated as part of the family.  All of the deputies on the shift met in a parking lot before heading, together, in their patrol cars, to the church.  It was rainy and gloomy.  I sat in his patrol car as I watched grown men, weighted down with bullet proof vests and 20 pound gun belts, with red rimmed eyes hug each other, asking "Are you OK?", "How are you doing?" Grief so visible.  It was surreal.  Almost like a movie.

The phone calls from my husband the day of the shooting provoked so many emotions in me, I can't even begin to describe them.  I confess, most days, I don't think about what he does.  I think if I dwell on it for too long, I would probably go slightly crazy.  There have been times when my mind has gone there.  The times when I try to call him and hours go by and I don't hear from him.  The time I answered the phone only to hear that he had been in a shoot out but was unharmed.  The time when there was a knock on the door and all I could see was a green law enforcement uniform on the other side.

Our life is different.  I get phone calls from him when he hears a gray van has been in an accident.  We are super protective of our kids.  There are places we are just are not able to go.  It is OK.  It is a small sacrifice to give him, me, peace of mind.

I was a mess Tuesday morning.  But, as we approached the church I was encouraged by the outpouring of law enforcement and first responders.  They filled the church.  Two thousand strong including friends and family.  I was even more encouraged by the service it self.  The preacher was retired law enforcement so he got it.  He understood the sacrifices made by these men and women and their families.  And was able connect with the majority of people in attendance.  To share an eternal hope.

He said that the greatest gift that the fallen deputy could give his wife was the guarantee she would some day see him in Heaven.  A number of years ago he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  He acknowledge that Jesus lived a sinless life, He was sacrificed on the cross for our sins, died, was buried and rose again.  And is now sitting at the right hand of the Father.  So is the fallen deputy.  What a gift to his wife and kids!

She was the picture of this hope.  All. Day. Long.  I watched her.  Amazed by her peace.  She was gracious and loving and abundant with hugs for all.  I even saw her laugh!  She knew.  She knew.  She knew there will be hard days.  But, she knew this life was temporary.  She knew she would miss him terribly.  For as long as she is on this earth.  But she knew she would see him again some day.

It gave me such hope to watch her.  She was faith in action.  Her life, his life has affected thousands.  Affected thousands for the loving, saving, grace of Christ!

There are no guarantees in this life.  There will be great sorrow.  But there is also great joy.  And there is an abounding peace in those who have trusted Christ as their Savior.  I believe it with all my heart and soul.  And God has aloud me to see it with my very own eyes.

Thank you Chris and Erika Smith for sharing your love of Christ.  And a hope that is eternal.  At the most sorrowful time in your life . . .

(Pictures from the Law Enforcement Procession from the church to the gravesite.  I have heard there were 700 cars, 20 miles long and traffic was at a stand still for 45 minutes.  The streets and interstate overpasses had people saluting, holding flags, saying "thank you.")

Are You Ready for Some Football??

What is a dad to do when he has two tickets to one of the biggest games of the season?  And four kids?  And one wife?  We agonized for over a week about which kid would be able to go.  Of course, I could have gone.  But, going to the games isn't for me anymore.  I like the comforts of my own house where I can scream and yell and cheer on the team with my family.

This was a great opportunity and it came down to reverse birth order.  Yup, that's right.  Reverse birth order.  Boop had been to a game with daddy the year before.  So, it only made sense for Little Mama to go.  Which worked out pretty well.  She was willing to pay her siblings money that she has been saving for a possible missions trip in order to go!  She wanted to go that bad.

Boop and Nature Girl were good sports.  They didn't whine or complain at all!  We spent the whole night watching the game on the TV trying to find them.  Sissy was at the game and able to find them and hang out a little bit at half time.  And, they saw a bunch of kids from our church Youth Group selling peanuts there.

It was one of the most exciting games.  Ever.  So glad my Little Mama and her daddy got to share it together. . . . 

"Training" So Far

So, I am in about the fourth month of training for my half marathon in February.  I know they have a couch to 1/2 in like 12 weeks or something.  But, I have learned, for me, it is important to go super slow.  I am still working on a 10K.  But, that is OK.  The one week I did four miles pretty fast, under a 10 minute mile and I couldn't walk for about 3 days.  The only thing I can think of, is that I just went way too fast.  I took it really slow for the rest of the week.  Ran the 4 miles again the next Saturday and didn't hurt at all.

Somethings I have learned or just want to share:

-Mondays are hard.  I am sluggish.

-When the sun is coming up among the clouds I can't help but picture Jesus, coming back, riding on those     clouds. (I have seen some spectacular sunrises.)

-I am a firm believer that the days I walk for strength and endurance really help in being able to run much better for longer distances.

-Apparently muscles take up more space than flab.  I put on a pair of jeans the other day only to find them    tight.  Not what I was expecting.

-I have a deathly fear of stray/loose dogs.  I see one at least once a week.  And I have called hubby more than once to come and scare the dogs away.  I carry this ridiculous stick with me when I run.  Hubby says it won't do a thing to protect me.  I say it will buy me time and it is kind of like a security blanket.

-Just like everything else in life, we make time for what we think is important.  And right now, running kind of is important for me.  I get up crazy early, have my quiet time and off I go.  There are many days where it is super, super hard.  And the last thing I want to do before the sun comes up is lace up my shoes.  But, I am serious about this for a bunch of good/different reasons.

-My kids have been phenomenal.  If they wake up before I get home, they either get started on their stuff for the day or just lay peacefully on the couch.  I have my running schedule worked out so that my long days are at the end of the week and have less interference with school.

-I never thought a 2 mile run would be a short day.

-I didn't realize that I would have to do additional/different types of exercises to tone different parts of my lower body.  That will have to be next year's project.

-Hubby sometimes shows up part way through my exercising.  He likes to talk.  I can barely breathe.

-Heart muscles develop faster than leg muscles.  So, even though I feel like I can run more because I can breathe, I really need to stop because my leg muscles don't start screaming until I am done.  And then it is too late.

-This past Saturday I ran 5 miles.  Tomorrow I am to run 5.5.

-I have met a neighbor who also runs the same time I do.  We ask each other how far we are running for the day.  It is kind of encouraging.

-My first and probably only race before the 1/2 will be a Turkey Trot with me and my big girls.

I think that is it for now.  I am so glad I started this.  So thankful for friends and family who encourage and grateful to God for a body that can still run at this age. . .

Start 'Em Young

Every month we try to go shooting.  The three bigger kids have been doing it for over a year now.  When I mentioned to EG that we were going shooting again, she had a fit.  She did not want to go.  It is hard for her.  There usually is no one out there her age.  And we are there for a couple of hours.  She has to be so careful where she goes.  And she has to wear eye and ear protection.  Sometimes it is hot and buggy.  Well, you get the picture.

So, when she voiced the fact that she didn't want to go, I mentioned that maybe, just maybe she could shoot this time.  It would depend on daddy and on the rules of the range.  I had asked once before and the gentlemen that run the range said usually around 6.  Just because of the ability to concentrate and the ability to follow directions etc.

As much of a handful as EG is sometimes, I knew if shooting was something she wanted to do, she would do what she needed to do to make it happen.  And I was right!  She wanted to shoot.  Hubby said fine.  As did the men at the range.

She did awesome!  It took a little bit for her to actually hit the target but ya gotta start some where.  She was patient and attentive.  She listened and didn't argue.  By the time we were done, I think she had hit about four targets.

(EG listening intently to all of the safety rules.)

I don't know if she will be interested in shooting.  Or any good at it.  But, she definitely got the best start possible.  And she has the very best teacher . . . 

New Digs

In the middle of summer, we finally got around to updating and refreshing Boop's room.  I am not sure how long it had been since his walls had a fresh coat of paint!

Awhile ago one of Boop's friend's dad made him a loft bed.  It actually hangs from the ceiling I think.  Anyway, Boop loved it and wanted one of his own.  It actually made sense for us to do it in his room because it would give him a ton more floor space.

So, while we were painting his room a nice taupe, daddy went ahead and made him a loft bed too.  It is super high and I was a little nervous at first about him being up so far up there.  But, it has been a couple of months now and it has worked like a charm.

We still have bookshelves to make and a little reading nook.  Not to mention a place to put all of his Legos.  Hopefully we will have it done by the time he graduates from high school.

An additional benefit is, EG got a real bed in the girls' room.  Which she loves.  It is a little tight in there but it looks nice and every one seems happy.

The big girls are talking about redoing their room.  We shall see.  First things first, we still need to make a ladder for Boop to get up in his bed . . .

(The bed on the bottom is now EG's.  And hubby built a nice looking wooden side so Boop won't roll out.  And right now he uses a utility ladder to get up and down.)

Last Beach Day

We have been back and into the swing of things for quite a few days so my memory of the details is kind of fading.  All I know is, these pictures are from our last day at the beach on Friday.  Because of the Labor Day Weekend we didn't even go near the beach.  Also, I think it was the first Saturday of college football.  So we swam a little and watch a lot of football.

It was super windy and overcast.  Although the storms never came ashore.  At least not by us.  Boop and daddy had a great time trying to fish with the crazy waves.  At one point they were so strong, they knocked daddy over.  Needless to say I had my eyes on them the whole time!

We packed up Sunday and I would like to say I was ready to come home but that wouldn't be exactly truthful.  I hope we will have the opportunity, again, next year.  In the meantime I will look at the pictures and smile . . . 

More FishingI

If someone asks me about my vacation, a huge grin still comes over my face.  I can't help it.  The thoughts about it just warm my heart!

Because it was the beginning of Labor Day Weekend and the official end of summer, one of the hotels had a fireworks display.  Because we had fished at this jetty during the week, we knew the perfect place to go to watch the fireworks, away from the crowds and spend a little more time fishing.  This is such a great picture of my husband.  Doing what he LOVES to do!

And I love this picture too.  There is just something about a beautiful girl, hair done just so, white shorts, monogrammed t-shirt with the backdrop of a beautiful sunset, trying real hard to learn how to cast a net!  She loved the fishing!  Boop helped her put on the live bait.  When daddy would catch little fish for bait, she could be seen picking them out of the bucket and releasing them.

Little Mama had no problems baiting her hooks.  She would stick her hand in the bucket, grab a little wiggling fish and just hook it on and cast away!  She was a champ.  She was determined to catch a fish but it just didn't happen.  

Boop was the go to guy.  If anyone need help, he was ready.  He helped bait hooks, when I was standing around with a reel he would ask if I needed him to cast it for me.  He was daddy right hand man.  Learning all he could about fishing and reels etc.  He has been scanning fishing magazines ever since we got back.  He is saving up for his own really good reel.

Love this picture of LM and Boop with the backdrop of the hotel that was having the fireworks.

Part of the festivities was a fly over by WW II planes.  They did all kinds of acrobats in the sky.

To keep entertained while waiting for the fireworks, the kids buried themselves in sand.  Of course they did.  Thankfully every night usually ended with a dip in the pool or a soak in the hot tub.

The fireworks were great and worth the wait . . .