Ducking the throw of rotten food........

I read the comments from last time. To those who were inspired. AWESOME! To those who hate me and now feel guilty. STOP IT!! It's not about guilt! And it's not "all or nothin'" Way to GO Bridget for keeping off that 12 pounds! WOW! 12 pounds is no easy feat, seriously. You should be VERY proud of that.



Having small children, definitely does change things. I hear ya.
Besides the time factor, a lot of times I remember being just TOO TIRED!

However, if I had known then, what I know now about excercise and nutrition........... Would I have done things differently? Honestly, I don't know. I mean tired, is tired, but I'd like to think that I might have made a few changes for the better.

One thing, would DEFINITELY be the nutrition side of things. I would have seen to it that my family ate healthier, lower fat meals on a regular basis. I am positively sold out on eating delicious, healthy meals! With this one step, you WILL lose weight and feel better. And you don't need to go around hungry all the time, either. We switched to eating 5 smaller meals a day. This is a great way to go. Not only are you not hungry all day, but you also learn what proper portion control is.(This was a biggie for us).

When the kids were little, I did a lot of walking........(I had no car, we had to). If you strap a kid to your back, and push one in a stroller, you've just added resistance to your work-out!!

Anyway, the thing that hits me now, is that I'd like to try be around for my kids. We don't get any guarantees, but you don't have to look far to see folks not much older than Race and I who are already riddled with health problems and are on lists of medication and in and out of the doctors office constantly. I don't want to be there, ya know? I want to *feel* good. Youth will only get you so far. I don't want to be out of breath climbing one flight of stairs. I just don't want to settle. I want to be thankful for this body, for these muscles, for any abilities that I have to just MOVE.

And whenever I forget, or think it's just too hard, THIS is what does it for me. I watch this all the time. It totally inspires me. It makes me push harder.

My father would make me tell you that this all comes from a girl who flunked PE in highschool.

G'night!

At the risk of losing the 2 faithful readers that I have...

(BTW, thanks for reading mom and grandmama...y'all DO still read my blog, right?)

Way back in March of 2005, I wrote a sad, sad post. I was lamenting my age, my slowing metabolism, as well as my sagging butt. You can read the whole thing HERE .

But I'll post the most pertinent part, so that you can avoid my rambling..(ha!)Here's what I had to say back in March of '05:

O.K. here is your warning: COMPLETELY SELF ABSORBED,VAIN, FAT BLOG TO FOLLOW: (Race, if you're reading....STOP.seriously)
I have NEVER had to worry about my weight. Even after kids. It has just never been a problem. Well......It’s happened. They always tell you that it will hit you in your mid thirties. I am forced, as of late, to admit several things:
* My “fat jeans” are no longer my “fat jeans”.
* My old, dust covered scale confirmed what I already knew: I have gained weight.
* Those low-rise jeans are actually more comfortable than you think. They allow excess belly fat to flow over the top of the waist band. Quite convenient.
* My butt has taken to sliding down the back of my thighs so far, that it is no longer recognizable.
* I can no longer continue my current habit of downing several vanilla latte’s or mocha’s a week without it showing.
* I MUST WORK-OUT. This is no longer an option (shudder).
* I am not firm, I am flabby.
* I must get out my……. STEP. I must get out my …(dare I say it) my FIRM tapes (double shudder).
Now, look, I am still a ways off from "fat", but I ask you.....dare I look the other way?? Dare I ignore the tell tale signs of age and a slowing metabolism?
“Ohhh……help. Help. Oh woe is me. Oh damn that slippery, slippery eel called “Motivation”. Will you ever be within my grasp?” Spring……summer….. shorts……. SWIM SUITS!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O.K. I feel better. I really needed to let that out. AND I have been working out. Which is good. The bad thing is that I can't tell if it is muscle or swelling that I am seeing right now. Can we say, "Out- of- Shape" ? Seriously, it's killin' me. But I'm doing it. Yep, I'm doin' it. I'm hatin' it, but I'm doin it. That's good, right? How do you stay motivated??



I spent a good 3-4 months or more (this post being in about the middle of those months) doing those Firm tapes and absolutely killing myself without much improvement in the...fanny area. Sure, I was in a little better shape, and certainly more healthy than before because of all the cardio, but I wasn't seeing any REAL changes.

Then in April of 2006, Race had just come home....and he had been doing some serious working out and running while he was gone. I was looking for a way to spend more time with him. So, like any well-meaning, devious wife would do, I made him my personal trainer. He put together a weight lifting program for me that involved light weights and lots of reps. He showed me how to perform the lifts properly so that my weakling body wouldn't get injured. He also got me MOVING. We biked, ran, hiked....whatever. We just DECIDED to get active.

And you know what? It was life-changing. And it was fun.

After that, I threw away my Firm tapes. THIS was fun.....and it was working. I was seeing results in my body. And my whole family was becoming much more healthy and fit, all the while learning new activities and just having a good time together.

It is a natural progression after you become more active, and start seeing great changes in your body, that you no longer want to mindlessly shovel the same crap into it that you were before. You actually CARE about the fuel that you are giving your body to run on.

SO this was the next step: Nutrition. I began keeping a food journal. This was the most eye-opening thing that I could have done. I wrote down everything that went into my mouth, and then made a column for calories, fats,carbs, and protein. At the end of the day, I added it all up, and could see what was going into my body, and what I was asking it to perform on. After a week, I started making changes in the way that we ate. Real changes.

It's been a year!I just can't tell you how much better my whole family feels. From taking away mood swings, to giving us more energy, as well as improving the overall appearance of everyones skin, hair........everything! (And don't forget I have 2 TEENS!)

Honestly, when I think back on it I am so thankful. This is a learning experience for us. But it has improved the quality of our lives so much, and I owe it to Race!!

I have more to say on this whole subject, but I'd love to hear your thoughts about nutrition and excercise....love it? ....hate it?.....just don't get it? Let me hear it people! And if you'd like you can yell at me for daring to post about diet and excercise without warning you.

Stories from scouting

This weekend Austin went on a scouting trip. He was recently promoted to First Class Scout. He, along with a handful of other high ranked scouts, hiked over 15 miles on the Appalachian trail. 15 MILES!!!! His pack weighed a mere 23 lbs, and he was responsible for all his water, tent,sleeping gear and FOOD. Way to go, guys!

The funniest story that I heard from the trip: (As told to me by the Assist. Scoutmaster, because Austin never tells me anything)


Late one night, up in the mountains, the boys had pitched their tents, eaten dinner, and were about to turn in for the night. It was getting cold. The fire was going down. And then........... A sound! Just 2 scouts and one assist. scout master were up.

An Assist. Scout Master: (lowering his voice) "Oh My gosh! Did you hear THAT??"

Scouts: (in hushed tones) "Uh-huh."

Assist. Scout Master: (still quiet) "There it goes again! That's a coyote!"

Scouts: (silent)

Assist. Scout Master: "That's a Coyote.....Do you here it?"

Austin: " Mr. Woods?"

Asst. Scout Master: "Yeah."

Austin: "Sir........That's an owl."

Assist. Scout Master: "Oh. .................Really?? An owl can sound like THAT???"

Scouts do not laugh until far away, tucked into their tents.

Poor guy. He's great, though. As a matter of fact only a few of the assistant Scout Master-dads know ANYTHING about the outdoors at all. But the difference is that they love being with the boys and learning along side of them. ANd they definitely contribute in MAJOR ways when it comes to the NON-outdoorsy stuff!

In case you didn't know, a large part of the population in VA is terrified about coyotes these days. It's the "in" thing to do. (shrugging shoulders) I really don't get it. I mean with all the hype, you'd think that the coyotes were taking over our cities and giant packs were roaming through the streets.
Any of you Mid-westerners want to weigh in on the "coyote" subject??? It seems like a lot of misinformation to me. Whatcha know about coyotes???

Johnny Law........or.......Johnny Bad Ass?????

A long time ago Race used to be a cop. He was a good cop.

I'll let you in on a little secret: Used-To-Be-Cops make the worst kind of criminals.

It's a mighty thin line that they walk between law enforcer and law-breaker. A mighty fine line indeed.

I give you the evidence.
What you see before you is Race's jeep. Oh, yeah....it's been in the mud....and it's seen it's good times...that's fer sure. But- this is the work of a deceiver. This, my friends is Race......on the run from Johnny Law. You see....... there is a purpose to this mud. It is hiding the !!APRIL 2006!! Inspection sticker.

(The state of Virginia cares about it's residents SO MUCH that they require you to have your vehicle inspected every year to guard against the dangers of burnt tail light, or tires that have worn too much........Thank -you Oh Great Law Makers for saving the lowly ignorant sheep...thank-you)






A closer look at the obvious deception that has allowed this man to drive for A YEAR on a dead inspection sticker. (BTW, he DOES clear a good sized portion of the windshield when he is actually driving...... I mean he's good an all.....but, C'MON!)





I am thinking that the following sticker on the bumper of the jeep doesn't help a thing. Can you read the bottom of it? It says : "Backpacking , Climbing, French Kissing, Paddling, Adventure Racing"


And the Arab Chic? Well......... who can blame him? That one DOES turn heads around our small town. (BTW, Moosejaw sells awesome outdoor gear....and gives away free stickers when you order)

G' night!We miss you Race! (You law breaker, you!!)

Dad's Back Home

Dad is home, and everything went very smoothly. He is following doctors orders and taking it easy for awhile. (Which for him, is probably the most difficult part of the whole thing!!)

Thomasina went to the hospital to stay the night in the hotel with Mom, and keep her company while everything was happening. The kids and I went by for a bit to visit after the procedure, and then came on to Mom and dad's house from there.

But I think the highlight for dad happened after he arrived back at home. He had just gone back to the bedroom to lay down and read the paper, when Em arrived with her 3 boys. Q was carrying an enormous boquet of flowers that was so big, it was shielding most of his face. I am not sure if there is anything more charming than 2 little boys carrying flowers, who are very aware that something very important is taking place, and that they are a part of it. Q and W walked over to Pap-paws bedside, as he raised up to happily greet them. Q reverently handed him the flowers while W had a steady running commentary, "Here's your flowers Pap-paw, They make you feel better. Uh-Huh. They do. They make you feel all better, Pap-paw". It was so sweet, and dad was so touched by it.

The kids and I will be on our way back to our house today. Thanks so much for all the prayers for my mom and dad. They are so appreciated, and we are so thankful that it has been the Lord's will to keep our parents here for us. I still have so much to learn.

Have a great day!
Melissa

The next few days are going to busy ones for us. My dad is going back in the hospital for angioplasty. So we will be on the road. We will be praying for dad. We'll be looking forward to seeing him.....and mom........and Race.

The events at VT are right in our backyard, and almost everyone knows SOMEONE involved in this tragedy. The following was sent from my pastor, and I felt that it was such an apt response for Christians that I wanted to reprint it here:

Beloved,

I grieve with you over the evil events at Tech yesterday. What a
sobering reminder that we live in a world which is in rebellion against
its good and glorious Creator. It is not supposed to be this way. One
day, all evil and death will be swallowed up and life will reign in
righteousness on the earth, in the presence of God. Until that day we
trust and pray, we hate evil, we repent of the evil in our own hearts,
we show compassion to the destitute, while being amazed that such things
don't happen more often.

We grieve with those who lost children, knowing the greater horror our
Father experienced at Calvary punishing His Son for the sins of His
enemies. We're thankful that God hates the shedding of innocent blood,
and that justice will be done in heaven. We know that no place is safe
on this earth, save for the everlasting arms of Jesus. To be in those
arms by sovereign grace is profoundly comforting. May it lead you to
worship.

Perhaps God is showing Americans what it is like to live in countries
where terrorists regularly torment others with their acts of vile evil.
We need to pray for them, as for ourselves, that our world would be
increasingly hungry for the good news of the gospel, the only sure hope,
the love of God in Christ.

Pressing on together for the renewal of the earth, humbly by unfailing
mercy,
M.
G'night,
Melissa

Jack is sitting beside me eating gingersnaps for his dessert. he took a look at my blog and said, "Man mom, we need to get a new picture of you for your blog. That one's hideous." Well...o.k.

Today is a sad day for everyone in my state, because of the tragedy that took place at VT. God be with those families.

I will continue to carry a handgun.

This morning, Race was up at 5:00 getting ready to hit the road for his week of "training". I got up, fixed his breakfast, filled his thermos and then watched his car go down the road until I could no longer see the tail lights on the car. I went back to bed, and then got up a more decent hour. By the time I fixed breakfast for myself and the kids. Race called. He was on his way back home, due to a power outage. So, we got an unexpected day at home with dad! By the time he got home,it was lunch time (they just refer to me as Feeder Woman these days), and the younger two were finished with lessons, except for Latin, which we all do together.

By the late afternoon, there was an all out laser tag war going on in the woods behind the house. I figured that if anyone was pinned by a falling limb or tree, surely we would hear their calls for help. After all, it was only GUSTS of 60mph winds, right? ;-) Anyway it was the mother of all laser tag wars, with text messaging, human shields (O.k., that's ALWAYS savannah, and she's used by both sides), and even the dogs were released for a distraction and evasion technique.It lasted for over an hour. Great fun was had by all!

Have a good night.
Melissa

Baseball pics for John!

Dy's son, John, wanted a baseball video. Well, we don't have any video of the boys yet, but here are a few pictures from one of Austin's highschool games. He plays second base for the Gryphons.
Play Ball, John!!!

As always, thank-you to Thomasina for the awesome pics!

The Hotness

To me, Race is "IT".
I mean, seriously, since the first time that I met him, and then later saw him on the football field in college, he has been my definition of "hotness". It was his manyly masculin-esity that got my attention , and it is that very same quality that continues to catch me off guard today. Let's face it, when it comes to pure, potent, muscled, fitness, Race isn't the guy you want to compare yourself to. He IS the illustrious warrior.

That's how *I* see him.

But I was taken aback the other day while sitting in the salon. I was having my hair taken yet another shade lighter, on the LONG road back to being platinum blonde...(which, I have decided, is indeed, "more fun").... and the salon owner, whom I have known for years, slides up to my chair for a little chit-chat.
You should know, that I started getting Race to go to this salon for his hair cuts a few months ago. He would be working in D.C. for awhile, and they give a much more executive-professional looking cut than the barber with his shears.

So, anyway, there I am- foils all in my hair, staring down at the latest STAR magazine, to see what Brittney's been up to... and I hear her the click-click of Ms. Salon Owner's heels on the floor over to my chair. The words that flowed from her perfectly painted lips could not have stunned me more. She says....and I am quoting here...."I just want you to know that we are all just talking and salivating over that good lookin' husband of yours every time he comes in here." END QUOTE

As I gave out a little nervous laugh, several thoughts randomly flashed through my mind: WHAT??!!... "What was he wearing?"...... "Are they going to make my hair look like crap now, on purpose?"....... "Am I gonna tell Race?"...... "Oh my God! Does Race KNOW????"....... "Yeah-I think she's doing my hair like that on purpose".

But I think that it was only the nervous little laugh that actually came out of my mouth. There was a bit of conversation that ensued among the salon gals, all in agreement, and then on to something else.


So. There that is.

It's somethin' to think about, girls. Somethin' to think about. And why was I so shocked? And also...DOES Race know?????? Does he???? How would you feel about that??


I know this one thing, for sure: When I see my Johnny Bad Ass, my definition of all-that-is-hot-in-this-world, being the patient, understanding dad that he is with our kids, helping them be the best that they can be.........well, (swoon) I'll tell ya- it just sends me over the edge. It makes me realize a thousand times over why I married this man. I'd take my skinny butt and fight off an entire clan of Amazon warrior-salon-women, including Sheera herself for Race. I luv 'im. (sigh)

Fixed it!

O.k., there are a few things that you should know before watching the video. First of all, this is my first shot at the whole You Tube thing....so..bear with me and be sure that your sound is on for the full effect.

Next- *this happened this morning. As in A.M. I had just stumbled outside with my coffee, onto the safety of the back deck to watch this scene unfold.

* Race saw a rat snake slithering out of the hole of one of our bird houses this morning.

* Race does NOT like snakes (accounting for a few of the shakey camera moves).

*Race calls Jack out of bed with the news that there might be some fun snake herding and poking this morning. This sent the sleepy-eyed boy straight out the back door, and into his waders ..(for protection against possible bites, I am guessing).

* And lastly and most importantly, what happens at the end of the movie, we did NOT expect. WE ABSOLUTELY HAD NO WARNING THAT THE BOY WOULD DO THAT!! We tried to temper our shrieks with more excited.."way to go!" voices. Shock and Awe, baby. Shock and Awe!

Jack's snake

I am trying this again.

Come back in just a bit!

I'm workin' on You Tube!!!!!!

SHE WON!!!

Savannah won a first place ribbon in the art competition! Here she is standing in front of her first place entry in the computer art division. It is titled "The Unknown". It is beautiful. I wish that you could really see it in the picture. I'll take good pictures when we bring the artwork back home, and post them.

She was really thrilled, and has been inspired to enter other competitions now. Computer Art and Pen and Ink are her favorite media, so far. And it is her goal to write and illustrate her own books. She is amazingly talented, and when you see her draw, or paint, or create something on the computer, it is absolutely mind-boggling. It is as if you are watching it flow out of her like some sort of silky-smooth liquid, and it is creating a beautiful image. And most of what she creates is done with lightening speed. It's as if what is inside of her MUST COME OUT.




Her other works received Honorable Mentions. In the picture you can see "Sparring Squirrel" and below that one of a single eye, done in charcoal. I can't remember what she called this one, but this is one of my favorites.


This was really a wonderful experience for her. Thanks to Emily for pointing it out, and turning in her artwork for us. And thanks to Thomasina for helping her to matte her pieces for display. She can hardly wait to do more! We are so proud of her!

Outdoor Pursuits......a defense

Our kids love the outdoors. This is one thing that Race and I have been successful at passing on to them.

But, still. Pictures like the ones below, undoubtedly make some folks cringe. Like we have abondoned our child to grow up with nature, as nature would have it. Like race and I have dreadlocks, and are living in a van down by the river. But, let me explain...

For Jack, the outdoors is like one Giant Treasure Hunt. The motherload, if you will of amazing, mindblowing mysteries to be solved.

I kid you not, when I tell you that this child skeptically, and correctly critiques "Survivorman".

He is very well versed in the dangers in our "neck of the woods". (Due to his own curiosity and the paistaking training of MANY family members! Thanks, Mam-maw, pap-paw, Aunt Thomasina, Austin, Savannah...just to name a few!) He can identify all the plants, reptiles, mammals, fishes, and all manner of living things here where we live. He knows which snakes and lizards are O.K. to catch, and which must be avoided and reported. So, we haven't just let the little guy grow up like Tarzan.......exactly. And we do wrangle him up on Sundays, clean him up and sit him in chuch to keep him civilized and religious. Really. There's no cause for alarm.

Look! Blissful childhood!! There it is! In action..


Behold! ............The Booty!! (No, I don't mean the quarter...stick with me, here)

Jack found this little baby snapping turtle in the creek yesterday. I thought that the kid was going to wet his pants! He was so excited that he wanted to sit down and write( YES. WRITE.....With a pencil and paper, and everything.......have I mentioned that this kid is a total pencil-phobe??) a letter to his little cousin(and fellow critter catcher) Q, to tell him about it. Complete with photo.

So, while he is, maybe, some sort of modern-day Mowgli, his father actually holds a very respectable job, his mother wears make-up, and much-too-rarely-, gets her nails done. And sometimes, on a weekday, we even make him discard his loincloth and wear civilized clothing. So......no worries.......we're good.

have a good day!

Melissa

Good Gear. Very Important.

I was going to try to put together my gardening post tonight, but I found that I just didn't have it in me right now.

So I thought that I'd go ahead and expound on something that Dy touched on last night. Dy's no slacker, and there's not much that the girl misses. After gazing at our camping pictures, she noted my most prized camping gear. Thank-you, Dy.
Check the photo below, and you will see.......

MY CAMPING WINE GLASS

This little baby was a gift to me from Race.

(Who, besides being a sucker for all things "GEAR", was probably tired of seeing his wife slurp wine from a tin cup, and then wipe her mouth with her sleeve.)

This little glass is a sheer stroke of genius. It is made of the same unbreakable material that the new nalgene water bottles are made of. You can drive over the top of it, and it WON'T BREAK. (this was definitely a selling point, because I tend to break all things fragile).

But- WAIT. Here is the best feature. Do you see the stem of the glass? It screws off, and nests upside down in the cup part! So you can throw it in your backpack, without worry, and without taking up precious room that could be used for something more important.......like an extra pair of wool socks...........or a bit of brie to go with that wine.

Of course someone still has to carry the bottle of wine. But this issue can be quickly solved by slipping the bottle into your oldest's backpack when he isn't looking.

Yeeeeeeessss.....................that's MUCH classier. Right?

Pick up your very own Camping Wine Glass at the outdoor outfitter nearest you and be the envy of all of your camping friends.

We have been busy!!!

I actually typed out an entire post the other day detailing the caving trip that Austin and Race had recently gone on. I had pictures and everything. But Blogger said it was a no go. So, I had to take a hiatus, and cool my jets. Now I am ready to blog again!!

As I said, Race and Austin went caving (spelunking?). I'll post the pics another time. They had a blast.

We went camping with Race the past few days. We had such a wonderful time. It was Race's birthday, and we surprised him.

We got up out of our tents before him and got the campfire going again. When he got up the kids and I handed him a pan full of hot cinnamon rolls (his favorite), and we sang happy birthday to him. With only the sound of our own voices, the rushing creek, and all the birds who were waking up for the day, it was really an awesome sound.

And, you can bet, that all this was not lost on Race. he was really touched. He enjoyed it so much!

We got him several things that every cool-outdoor-dad should have, but the best gift was a new camping hammock. This thing is the bomb! It sets up ANYWHERE, in less than 5 minutes, and packs up the size of a computer battery, and weighs only ounces. AND-you haven't heard the BONUS- you can attach a rain cover/bug net to it, and use it for sleeping in instead of a tent!! And, yes. 2 people can fit into it comfortably! (O.K., 2 couldn't SLEEP in it comfortably, but for just lazin' around, yes, most definitely a 2 person hammock).

So here are a few pictures from our latest camping trip:



Here is Race, enjoying his new hammock! (You can open it up, or close it in a coccoon fashion like he is doing here.) Will hold an amazing 400 lbs!!!

I took this picture standing under one of the giant pine trees where we camp. The tree is very much alive, and it is HUGE. But in the picture you can't see the pine needles. I thought it was cool.
And Oh LOOK! It's me! Someone took a picture of ME! I am recorded. I was there. With the Fam. Frolicking about, camping, and having a good time. There it is. The boys. Roasting marshmallows, and generally just being goofs.
We put that big dead pine tree on the fire, and it took 2 days of hot campfires to burn through it, before we had 2 pieces of nice pine logs on the fire!
Below, you see Austin and Scout. Scout's a good dog.
Hmmm.......not sure about this one. Reflection? Surprise? What are they looking at? Is someone speaking to them? Who? Have they made the aquaintance of an unusually well-mannered Yedi and invited him for coffee?? I just don't know.

In other news, Austin had his first varsity baseball game of the year. He played really well, earning himself the new title of "Aus the Hoss". BWAHAHAHA! Is there anything funnier than teenage boys?????

I have a whole gardening post that I've been itching to write about, so maybe I'll get to that tomorrow. Caving, camping, gardening........

G'night,

Melissa

One of the Mysteries of Humanity

Have you ever thought much about the fact that we, created by God for his own pleasure and glory, are permitted by the Creator Himself to deny Him? Even though we are totally dependent on Him for our next breath, with that breath we may declare that He does not exist or that we refuse to do what He wants us to do. We live by the life He gives us, moment by moment. We enjoy rain, sunshine, the growth of crops and flowers, sensations, delights, satisfactions of many kinds. Yet we often act as though we were sufficient in ourselves, needing no interference from Him.
I can, by the power mysteriously granted me by my Creator and Redeemer, declare myself master of my fate, captain of my soul, and say, "My will be done." That the Lord should expose Himself to this effrontery in a million forms, for millions of days and nights, is the mystery of love and grace. Still He draws us with cords of love, calls us to come, waits (amazing grace) for us to bow and say, "My Lord and my God!"

The above was written by Elisabeth Elliot and was in my inbox this morning. Thought that I'd share it with you, too.

Hope that you had a great weekend! Ive got some new pictures to post, so hopefully I'll get to that this evening. Have a good Monday.

top THIS!

O.K., so Dy posted about her less-than-stellar-parenting-moment. And then another friend sent me an email that reminded me of one of my own "moments".

When our oldest offspring/guinea pig was about 8 yrs old. He was going to his first sleep over with some of his very best friends from church. In fact, they were sleeping AT the church. And the adults were very good friends of ours. They had organized a super fun night filled with games, and candy, and food, and some Bible time as well.
He was looking forward to it, but as has always been the norm with our oldest, he was completely subdued, showing little-to-no- excitement. He just sat there looking all small in the seat, in our old clunker of a car, clutching his sleeping bag and pillow.

We finally pull up to the church where his friends (and mine) are waiting for him.

*Now, not to place blame....but my mother raised me on a healthy dose of fear. Strangers were to be avoided, as well as going to bed with your hair wet, running with a stick in your hand, and swimming after eating. I was RAISED on caution, folks. So the following conversation (which I recount with equal shame and astonishment that this child seems to be turning out well in spite of the up bringing that I have provided for him), was just good parenting to me, at the time.*

So. back to the story.

We pull up to our church:



ME: "No matter what, you stay inside."

Austin: "O.K."

Me: "Do you understand? Don't you go out those doors."

Austin: "Yes ma'am"

Me: "I meanit. No matter what ANY of your friends do, you stay in the building, with (our friends)."

Austin: "O.K., I will."

Me: (louder, and yeah, I have pretty distinguishable accent) " If that buildin' CATCHES ON FIRE, I better find you standin' in those ashes.....da'you understand me!??"

Austin: (quietly)" O.K."

Me:(all perky, now) " O.K. sweety!! You have a good time! O.K?(kiss,kiss) We love you Bubba!! Have fun!!"



Yes. It's all true. ......................All of it.


Even the "Bubba" part.



So- Top THAT!

Have a great weekend!

Melissa

C-C-C-C-CAMPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We love being outdoors. We spent the whole weekend camping!

We have an awesome spot that is a short hike from the house, at the back of our property. We had the most beautiful weather this weekend, so we packed up and headed down to our favorite camping spot. Not only is it beautiful..................IT'S OURS!!

Race and I headed out to the grocery store and grabbed the essentials: marshmallows and hot dogs for the kids; sushi and wine for us!! By the time that we got down to the campsite, the kids had their tents put up, and the fire ring repaired from last fall, and Austin had a great campfire going.

Here are some pictures from our weekend. Jack was sittin' pretty on the overturned bucket, while he and Savannah competed who could burn and eat the most marshmallows.

Above, behold the worlds most amazing, functional, and comfortable tent. It's MSR's "Hubba Hubba". It is a 2 man tent with zippers on EACH side, so that your partner doesn't have to flatten you out like a pancake just to get up and go to the bathroom! This thing packs the size of a loaf of bread, and weighs a mere 4 lbs.
Here you will see the oldest of our offspring assembling a bench. He was tired of sitting on the dirt. We have found that if you don't GIVE the little beggars every little thing, (ya know, like CHAIRS) they can be quite constructive!
Our beautiful creek! Teaming with all sorts of fish, water bugs, and fresh water crustaceans to make a little boys heart sing to the heavens!
Ummmm.....I don't know....maybe he smells something bad. That's always a likely possibility with my boys.
Above is an example of sheer boyhood bliss. (Buying that boy those waders was a stroke of genius!!!)

Jackson modeling the latest in head lamp gear!
I really wish that I could explain this one. Really. I do. The underwear. The saw. The log. All of it. I just don't know.
We had such a wonderful weekend. It was just what we all needed to re-charge our batteries. It was one of those weekends that makes you feel sorry for anyone who isn't you. ;-) And we could all use one of those once in awhile, couldn't we? Oh. And did I mention that there was wine and sushi???

Another 1st degree Brown Belt!

Yes, we have another 1st degree brown belt in the family. Jack passed his test, showing that he had learned the skills and had the physical fitness to earn his Jr.brown belt in mixed martial arts. We are so proud of all of his hard work. He did a great job!! Check out those push-ups!! And Race was home to see it.








The kids in the background were playing a game while Jack was being tested. And, yes, his coach is married. LOL!!

Way to go Jack!!