camp.

Sophie went to camp last week. Her first time away from home by herself, other than staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Pretty big stuff for an 8 year old. 

She went to the church camp that I grew up going to. King Solomon Christian Camp. I went there as a camper for 10 years, I think? And was a counselor for 4 years. I have so many fun memories from my time here! (and it has changed so much! They have bathrooms in the rooms now! And air conditioning!) 

Sophie was so excited to go to camp... until the morning we left. Then the nerves started up. But when you're with your best friend, you can handle pretty much anything, right? (It didn't help that it was storming pretty good the morning we drove them up there. Rain, lightning, thunder, hail. Just what every first time camper wants to experience.) 

I sent her with my teddy bear, Honey Jo. I told her he had spent 10 years sleeping at this camp, so he would help her feel better.

I so wanted to spend time wandering around looking at all the bunk beds. I know my name must be written on several of them!

These girls were excited, but really, really nervous. They knew no one except each other. Most of the kids who come here come with their youth group and many have people from their churches who come as counselors. They knew no one. (But the director is the music minister at my parents church, so he was at least a somewhat familiar face to Sophie. And he promised to keep an eye out for them.)

We pulled a couple Sharpies out of our purses and did our own little version of "The Kissing Hand." We promised them they would be safe, they would have fun and that we would pick them up the next day. (Camp lasted all of 27 hours. It was a perfect way to start them out!) 

Thankfully, it stopped raining shortly after we got there. We sent our girls off, confident that they were going to be okay... hoping and praying that they would have fun.

Then we snuck back up to their bunks and left happy little notes on their beds...

The storms let up... they got to go swimming... they made new friends... they slept well... they loved the food... and they had fun! We picked up two very happy, very silly girls the next afternoon.

They've commented about "next time" more than once, so we'll see what happens next summer. Camp for 3rd graders is 2 nights/3 days. =)

We loved so much that these girls had fun, but the ride home with 2 silly, slap happy little girls wasn't near as enjoyable as the drive with just Danielle and I. We decided next time we should send the daddies to pick them up. =)

drive-in.

Good friends. Good times. Sleepy kids the next day. 

Drive-in movie crossed off our summer list. 

(But I'm pretty sure we'll go back again soon! Maybe without Gretchen next time. Someone knew if they sat still too long, they would fall asleep, so she opted to just keep moving. And moving. And moving. Mommy might have missed some of Kung Fu Panda 2.)

my dad.

This picture is old. 2001, I think? 

But it's still one of my favorite pictures of my dad and I. 

Thank you, Danielle, for making me realize this week just how lucky I am.
You're right... he really is the best dad. (and grandpa)
I'm a lucky, lucky girl.

superdad.

Happy Father's Day to our favorite daddy! 

These little people are so lucky to have you in their lives. (even the big furry one) 

They will never doubt your love for them. 

No one can make them laugh as hard as you can. 

I read an article yesterday about dads who aren't involved in their kids lives. I'm so glad that's not you. 

Someday these kids will realize how lucky they are. And they will be forever grateful. 

Thank you for being such an amazing daddy to these little people that I love so much. You are the best! 

We love you so much! 

garage sale.

If you're local... don't forget Crapapaloozah this weekend! Friday 5-8 and Saturday 8-12! It's gonna be a great time!  

spice cabinet.

I found a little motivation yesterday and managed to conquer the spice cabinet. It really was a mess. 

I started by taking everything out. Obviously we couldn't really tell what all was in there... these are all the duplicates we had. Who really needs 3 bottles of chili powder?! And what is the difference between Onion Salt and Onion Powder? Garlic salt and Garlic powder? I really don't know. 

This was the best thing I did... stealing a couple containers from our Tupperware cabinet. The cabinet is so skinny, but it goes back into the corner a long way. There was no way to see what all was in there without pulling everything out, and digging clear to the back was such a pain. Now, we pull out 2 containers and can see everything. 

The things we use the most are just up in front, easy to access... 

It's so much more organized and such a good feeling! So happy to look at! 

Now if I could only get motivated to tackle the desk...

uncle earl's.

{This is a couple weeks old... I've been busy organizing and got behind on blogging! Trying to play catch up now!}

My kids had so much fun last year when we visited my uncle and cousin's Funny Farm. So they were really excited when my cousins from back east came for a visit and we went to join them for a BBQ. 

We loved these brand-new baby ducklings!

The babies would sneak out through the holes in the fence, but as soon as we would get close, they would all scurry right back in to their momma.

This little miss liked the ducks, but she was happiest just to be with her Grandma...

And she was kind of excited about the kitties...

These two just adore her. She is one loved little girl.

My second-cousin, Caitlin, and her daughter, Faith. I used to babysit Caitlin when she was about this size. There's something neat, yet depressing about seeing kids you used to babysit with kids of their own.

The baby kittens got lots of love this night...

Lawson even asked Uncle Earl to take us on a "haystack ride." It was their favorite part of the day. =)