Silly dog!

I couldn't figure out what she was doing...and then I saw where she was looking.  Her shadow on the wall!

 

Kids at Camp....WILDS 2015

Camp Updates from Facebook 2015

 Our teens loaded up on Sunday night and left at midnight to make the twelve hour drive down to the WILDS on our new to us bus!  We are thankful for two of our couples who take the whole week to drive the bus and hang out with our kiddos.  We appreciate the consistent updates via pictures.  We know they are having a great time.

 Breakfast stop...at the Golden Arches!

 One of the first games...

 every picture I see...there are smiles.  I know..."Smile for your parents!" but I look at how the smile reaches the eyes...

 even tired eyes...

 Alisa celebrated her 13th birthday yesterday!  WOW!  I'm thankful for leaders who made a big deal and had an ice cream gathering to make her feel special.  We have great leaders who really go the extra mile...and good friends to help!

We have been asked several times, "Do you have any special plans while ALL THREE of your kiddos are at camp?"  Ummm...we are working!  And then we come home and crash.  Ted has had a crazy (early) week with training.  Real party animals are we!!!  We had two dinner dates and have an outing planned for Friday exploring Detroit.  The house is quiet and Chevy is lonely.  We look forward to hearing all the details about this special week!

Sunday...getting ready to go to camp...

 Some rain chances rolled through the area and I watched the interesting cloud formations from the nursery window.

 Later on...rainbows!

 We were at home getting the kiddos to be ready to meet the bus to leave for camp!

 They had a chance to relax and talk to Grampy!  Chevy started moping while Ted and I yawned our way to the time to drop the kiddos off.

 They loaded up and left at 12am and made it down to the Wilds after lunch time.

 All checked in and ready to begin their week!

 We are thankful for the updates all week!

 Uncle Pastor and Mr. L stopped by on their way through NC.  That was a surprise for the kiddos!

 Good week!  Good food!  Good weather!  Good preaching!  New friends!  Fun activities! 

 Headed home on Saturday morning...

 That turned into a much longer trip due to a bus break down!  The Tennessee and Kentucky border now hold memories for this group...a place to hang out safely and free Slurpee refills.  We are thankful for Mr. J., Mrs. A., and Mr. H. and their great care for our kiddos while God wanted them off the roads for the 7 hours.

A tired group arrived safely at 6:40am Sunday morning!  Our three collapsed into beds after a shower and a little unwind time.  Sleep has been caught up on and laundry finished!

The wrap-up to a good week!

 Double date to DQ after church!  "Honey, you look like you need some ice cream."  I do?!  Ok!

 Thursday and Friday I hung out with my little girlfriends.  I laughed out loud...and kind of startled this little one as I was feeding her.  I was doing the whole mouth help motion typical of most people who feed small children...yet look at her face!  It is hard to hit a moving target...even with my concentrated effort.

 I called them "High Maintenance" this week!  Yeowchi...they are all working on teeth...lots of droole, fussiness, nasty diapers, and chewing on everything.  It was nice to come home to my love and a date night!  We had to get groceries...the kiddos are coming home!!!

 And...we had to pick up a couple things for our double date on the lake!  God gave us a beautiful day to spend on Wolverine Lake!

 Pretty homes with gorgeous flowers and several swans...

 Yummy sandwiches and delightful company...

 Feeling the need for speed!

 Yep...the boat works great!  Teddy is going to be ready to take his buddies tubing.

 About 5:20pm I checked the phone...and there had been a text that they would be home by 6:30ish.  As we waited for our turn to load up, this pontoon passed by and I couldn't help but laugh.  I tried not to be too obvious...there were about ten umbrellas being held by the passengers!

 We quick did a turn around and change to head over to pick up the kiddos.  They had a great week and are worn out.  We have lots of laundry to do too!

Showers helped them perk up a bit.  The one request..."Could we please have grilled cheese sandwiches for supper?  And a big glass of milk?!"  We sat together around the table and they began telling us about their week.  It is good to have them home!  It was quiet here!!!
It was a good week for them on many levels. 
We told them before they left that God had everything already worked out...how He wanted it to go...and He had it that way for a reason...for their good and for His glory.  It was a good reminder for us as parents too!  How many of us want everything arranged just so in order for our kiddos to have the best experience possible?  That isn't being realistic!  Did you take time to prepare them for when your plans all fall apart?  We worked hard to prepare them...money, packing, snacks, and prayer.  I sat at the table and heard Alisa say, "My suitcase was on the floor of the bus...and it rained so hard...the rain was coming in from the top of the bus and from the floor.  Guess what clothes got wet...the clothes for chapel...I had to wear shorts the first night."  I knew of the water issue from texting with Mari...never considered Alisa's suitcase...it is more leather/vinyl.  I was concerned about Teddy's duffle bag...clothing, towels, bedding, Bible...all in one bag.  Other camper travelers were affected too...not an ideal way to start the week.  Alisa smiled and shrugged her shoulders..."It all got dried out."  I think back now to our family vacation...with a little more rain than normal...it was good for all of us...but in particular...it prepared our kiddos.  Rain is water...water dries!