A Week for a Week

I give up.

The more I think about how to post about our week at Family Camp, the more convinced I am that I cannot contain it to just one post. Or even two.

Camp just means too much to our family {ask anyone who knows us well and they can affirm that Life Action Family Camp is an attribute that defines our family. Such as: "I'd like you to meet our friends, the F family. Every year they go to family camp in Michigan. Oh, and they have four sons and think they live on a farm. . ." etc.}

So, I am going to dedicate this entire week to posting about the latest round of memories we've accumulated. Thanks for listening- and if you are interested in visiting camp with us one of these years, please let us know. We would be happy to direct you to Ernie who can get you all set up to come. But be prepared: Your lives will change. Most definitely.

And you will be sorry you didn't decide to come to camp sooner. I promise.

*Oh, and about devoting this entire week to our camp experience, I reserve the right to report any breaking family news that is not directly related to camp, if the occasion arises. Such as my boys doing something really, really funny. Or weird. Or dangerous. For that matter, if my husband decides to do any of the aforementioned as well. Thank you.

{The lakefront playground - calm before the storm (a.k.a. when the campers pour in) }

{The beachfront}

{A tree and blue sky. Because everything is prettier when you are on vacation!}

Farm Princess

This post is for my Gramma.

So, if you are not interested in seeing more from John Deere, Moline, or if you are not interested in seeing what happens when I pass the camera on to another member of my family, feel free to move on to your Saturday morning laundry. Or baking. Or that pedicure you've been needing to update.


P.S. That one other time I let someone else hold the camera, well that picture is at the very end of this post. I think it will be pretty obvious, minus the pretty part. You'll see what I mean!

From the store - LOTS of fun.

Hide and Seek with tractor wheels. I love my farm kid wannabes!

A new chair for their bedroom, perhaps? {To match Dad's new tractor??}




My new friends. Seriously. Somehow, if you carry a Nikon around your neck, people automatically assume you can take a picture, and take it well. I just wear the Nikon, although after owning it for 2+ years I have finally just read the owner's manual and think I am ready to start taking real pictures. Maybe.

Anyway, this group of Harley Riding friends labeled me *photographer* and I was honored to take each one of their cameras and snap a group photo over, and over, and over, and . . .you get the picture. {Hee Hee} The very last camera in the pile was my own, and I asked them to stay there for one more shot. They will now live in infamy in our family picture album.


Oh, and here's some chick who found a pink John Deere pillow in the store and held it up for her Nikon-wearing husband to see. He took the picture, but said if the tractor had to stay in Moline {ahem} the pillow did too. Or something like that.


There you are, Gramma! Proof that I am not completely selfish with the picture taking. But I sure think that there are better subjects in our family to use memory card space on.


After Moline? A little corner in Southwest Michigan, which we love, love, love. Stay tuned!

Pit Stop

We've been home almost 2-weeks now and I wanted to share some of the fun times we had on our trip, despite this feeling like old news now. {Illness has a tendency to throw my most well-intentioned organization and timeliness right out the window. . .}

Our first stop on the way out to Michigan was in Moline, Illinois. For some reason, I thought our family would enjoy stretching our legs at the John Deere Pavilion.

Stretch our legs, certainly, but it has caused 5 of 'us' to dream in green ever since. I'll plan better in the future. . .

This beautiful building is full of tractors, old and new, of all sizes and purposes. It is staffed by knowledgeable persons who admittedly told me they love to see little children come in and fall in love with John Deere Green from the get-go as it guarantees a next generation of customers.

{Not to miss out on an educational moment we used this discussion to teach our children about marketing!}

How many blondes does it take to drive a tractor?

Was it wrong for me to tell Braden to 'study up' as I was going to give him a pop-quiz in 10-minutes? What?? Pop-quiz and family vacation do not go together? You don't say. . .

We were amazed at the size of some of these tractors.

For some reason, I was particularly entranced by this tractor and large scoop - the possibilities for use around my home and yard excited me.

These cute little farmers stole my heart.

Gettin' serious during a test drive.

Dad says "Safety First, Farmers!"

I'm not sure what they are thinking.

{ It's probably best that I don't.}

My Guys!

Ryland found a place to put his feet up.

I didn't even have to tell Langston what to do - apparently farming is an instinct in my kids!

{That excites me very much}

Stay tuned for the next edition of 'Vacation Outtakes', where I endeavor to post pictures of our family vacation before Christmas is upon us. . .

the {impossible} mommy nap

Mom to 4-year old son: "Ry, I'm going to take a nap now so you'll need to play quietly."

{pause}

"Okay."

{pause}

"Should I wake you up if something bad happens?"

Closing my eyes, head on my pillow: "Yes."

{pause}

"What about if there's a fire?"

"Yes." {does this not fit into the 'bad' category?}

{pause}

"Should we call Dad if there's a fire?"

Pretending to sleep, hoping he'll catch the hint: "Yes."

{pause}

"Should we ask him to come home then?"

"Yes." {or now, so he can field these questions and I can get some rest}

{pause}

"Will he have to go back to work after he puts the fire out?"

"Yes." {is he thinking of starting a fire?}

{pause}

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"What about guns?"


Suddenly napping doesn't seem like a good idea any longer.


"Mom?"

"Mom, where are you going?"

"Mom, are you done with your nap already?"

"Yes, Ry. Napping for Mommy could be bad for our family it seems."

I tried!

Sick, sick, sick. . .

Sick before vacation.

Sick during vacation.

Sick after vacation.

{Making the most of it with lots of snuggling}

We have so many wonderful new memories to share from our recent trip out to Michigan. As soon as the antibiotics kick in for ear infections, pertussis and the goop goes away from the pink eye, I anticipate being able to share with you all that God has done for us. Prayers for the health of our family are greatly appreciated - thank you.

-One tired {but grateful} mommy

Why do I go mourning? Psalm 42:9

You will yet, amidst the splendors of eternity, forget the trials of time or only remember them to bless the God who led you through them and works your lasting good by them. Come, sing in the midst of tribulation. -Spurgeon

A Side Effect of. . .

Home Education: Vocabulary

This short post can otherwise be known as 'Reason number 341 to home educate':
Your 4-year old will have a stellar vocabulary {and he will even know what stellar means!} For instance:

Dad: "Langston, why do you have such a long face?"
Ryland (He answers for his younger brother, because that is what older brothers do): "That's just because he's been so cross today!"

Or, during a Saturday morning snuggle, when Ry came running to Dad with his Bible:
"Dad, I was coming to see if you were available to read to me?"

Or, upon explaining something to him and he replies:
"I'm concerned about this."

And, on a typical Nebraska afternoon (umm, that means WINDY for those out-of-staters)
"I believe it is too gusty to fly my kite today."

There are many more 'Rylandisms', but I wanted to share just a few of our latest favorites with you. And also encourage you, especially mothers, to read {and don't read twaddle, either. Charlotte Mason, anyone?} with your children, discuss the stories with your children, use real language with them {no baby talk!} and then see if they can narrate {explain what they understand from the reading} back to you. Even a 2-year old is capable of this, at a 2-year old level of course. It is fun and rewarding, and the mothers who are reading this and have already discovered the treasures listed above can affirm with their own testimonies the incredible vocabularies of their own children. {Disclaimer: your child may blurt something out in Church. This is not a reason to avoid conversational style learning with your children, just a friendly warning. It's not a reason to avoid going to Church, either. Please don't ask how I know. . .}

*And*, this is just my own personal belief and speaking from my experience, I truly believe that if children have the words and ideas to express themselves correctly and in context, they tend to be less frustrated in general. That's a good thing. Anyone relate?

Concluding, Hollie :-)

P.S. Almost forgot to mention - we haven't even started 'formal' pre-school yet. Hmmm...

Ordinary Thankfulness

". . .give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Looking around at the ordinariness of my day, and my home today, I found so much to be thankful for. How often I overlook the ordinary, take these things for granted, when they are some of God's greatest gifts to me on this earth.

Lord, I am thankful today for the rain you are giving us. It is making this world colorful and vibrant. It is growing our garden strong and healthy. No one makes water like you, fresh from the heavens, it is pure and healthy. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the little plants that are thriving and will provide food for my family, neighbors and friends in a few months.


Thank you, Lord, for laundry. My family is clothed - amen! The dirt speaks of healthy adventures, hard work you have given us, funny spills, good times. Thank you that I can wash our clothing with the simple push of a button, instead of down at the creek {although I'd like to try that for fun someday, I am thankful that I have the choice not to.}

Thank you, Lord, for dirty dishes. My family is well fed, because of your faithful care for us. Thank you that we have fresh water in our home with which to do dishes and prepare food with. Thank you for all the helping hands that are learning lessons in keeping a home, that they will one day be able to minister to their families in the same capacity.

Thank you, Lord, for a small place to keep pretties and earthly treasures. Though I know material things have no lasting value, this pretty little place gives my eyes a place to rest and refresh. I am so thankful for this area of our home.

Thank you, Lord, for the books you have graced our home with. Thank you for the incredible blessing of being able to give our sons a home education. Thank you for the many people you have graced with wonderful words, that we can enjoy the gifts you gave them and be fed by their ideas and thoughts to make ourselves better people.

Thank you, Lord, for rest. This is one of my favorite gifts, I am so thankful. Sweet, sweet, rest.

So thankful.

Thank you, Lord, for the friendship you have given my sons with each other. I will continue to pray that you will keep them as each other's best friends. Thank you that they enjoy being with each other, encouraging one another, cheering for each other, playing with each other. I'm even thankful for the fights- thank you that you allow us to learn about unconditional love, giving preference to one another, forgiving each other in a manner that honors you. Thank you that we are able to learn these lessons in the harbor of our home.

Thank you, Lord, that you have given us a place to rest our heads each night. My Lord grants rest to those He loves- thank you for loving me so much, Lord.

Thank you, Lord, for shoes on our feet. That we may accomplish the work you have for us to do, and also that you give us enjoyment in doing that work and being together. I am so thankful for the coming warm summer days.

Thank you, Lord, for the full life you have given us. We have so many activities that bring us good friends and fun memories.

Thank you, Lord, that we were able to register for 2011 Life Action Family Camp. Thank you, Lord, that we only have to wait 8 more weeks until our week in Michigan, surrounded by like-minded families that desire to love you and live fully surrendered lives to you. Lord, you know the prayer in my heart concerning our family at Life Action. Please bless and supply abundantly beyond any human comprehension. May you keep your hand of blessing and protection over Life Action and your servants there. Thank you for Family Camp, Lord. Thank you.

Thank you for Creation, Lord. Oh how we have enjoyed watching the hummingbirds feed and play outside our window!

Thank you, Lord, for the door that welcomes us in at all times of the day. Thank you for the desire to welcome any and all into our home. Thank you, Lord, for making the walls of this home a safe haven for all who enter, that they may feel your presence and experience your glory. May the walls of our home always reflect your glory and prompt praise to you. May we always stay humble before you as we desire to minister as your hands and feet to each other and all who enter. Thank you, Lord, for our home.

Thank you, Lord, for green grass. We are so blessed by this springtime carpet you have given us.

Thank you, Lord, for Mother's Day flowers. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful and loving family.

Thank you, Lord, for my husband. He works so hard, thank you for blessing him with strength and wisdom. Thank you for the unconditional love he faithfully gives to our family. Thank you for protecting him, bringing him home safely every night to us. Thank you for his dirty boots, that he has work that he so willingly does for our family, and his enthusiasm and conviction about raising our boys to be hard workers, but mostly thank you that he wants them to love you more than anything else. Thank you, Lord.

So thankful for the ordinary things. Count your blessings, name them one by one. It is so amazing when one stops to really do this. I deserve nothing - worse than nothing - I deserve hell. I am so thankful for the grace that has saved me, so thankful for the ordinary gifts that are miracles that He has given me.

Gratitude is a choice. Today I choose to be thankful.