Due North

T-minus 12 hours and counting until all the boys begin their trek north for a camping/canoeing/treking extravaganza in the boundary waters wilderness of North America. Otherwise known as no-whereville, Minnesota - just across a pond from no-whereville, Canada.

This family tradition began more than thirty years ago when Hubs set out for his first man-cub voyage at the age of 3. He and Papa have been going back to the same area ever since. From the moment we knew that our first offspring would be of the male gender Hubs was pitching his tent in his mind to get our sons back to the boundary waters. About five years ago, Hubs dad, Papa began taking groups of fathers and sons on week long adventures to the land of pristine sunsets, spectacular lakes, unhindered views of sky and stars and some of the best fishing in the world.

Big Guy went for the first time in 2005, when he was seven years old. What great memories he made with his dad, grandpa, uncles and cousins.

Look at that not-so-big Big Guy! Hiking with his life-vest on, to make momma happy.
Or maybe it was just for the photo-op.

Good thing too, because you never know when hiking would turn into this:

Big Guy spent his seventh birthday in no- whereville,
otherwise known as his favorite place on earth.

This year he'll turn 11 while he's there. This morning he said,
"This is the best day of my life mom."

Here is Papa with the first three of now fourteen grandchildren, giving them a navigating course. I can promise you those boys eat about three times what they did then.
Pack extra peanut butter Papa!!!

Our guys took a year off in between trips and went again in 2007.

Little Man was only five. Was I a bit more nervous about my baby?
Um, yes. Look how tiny he is? He still took naps, for crying out loud.

And I guess being half a world away from me didn't deter his nap-taking.
The boy needs his rest.

And nap he did......

and did some more......
That little red riding hood has a sleepy head inside.


and a little more........

and just a wee bit more......

and couldn't quite make it to bedtime.

But in the process he grew up a whole bunch
and learned how to be tough and help the men.

His job was carrying paddles and poles during their portages.

And when he wasn't sleeping, he was having the time of his life with his big brother.

catching fish

and other things......

and just generally getting his cute on.

Not to mention hearing from Papa and Dad and Uncle David about the wonders of God's creation, His greatness, His goodness, His beauty, how the heavens declare the glory of God.
And when you spend 8 days in the boundary waters -
you seem closer to the heavens than normal.

So, with only hours left to go, a car loaded down with waterproof luggage and magic food that comes to life when you mix in water, hair buzzed off for low maintenance, and tackle boxes organized, you can imagine that the girls and I are not getting a word in edgewise around here this morning.

Hubs is putting in his last full day of work, and loving every minute, I'm sure. They will set out tonight to drive to Northwest Arkansas to caravan the rest of the way with Papa and the canoe trailer. 22 hours total driving time. That's approximately 6.3333 viewings of Prince Caspian and one of Kung Fu Panda. Because that's all you can take of Kung Fu Panda.

Especially in the car.

I told Hubs to take my. word. for. it! HEeee-yahhh.

I told the boys to make a few calls this morning because they will not have cell coverage for the next week. Go use the potty and toilet paper as much as you'd like - because you know, it may or may not be you and some bush ......... taking care of business.

And have an extra helping of my delicioso scrambled egg surprise before you commit to 10 days of anything and everything imaginable wrapped in a tortilla.

Get an ear full of your sisters singing now, because you know
you'll be missing that in about 24 hours.

Speaking of missing........

we'll be missing them something terrible
but knowing and loving that they are together
laughing, working, learning, praying, loving and changing.

Because God put it in the hearts of fathers to
spend time with their sons.




And put it in the hearts of sons,
to love their fathers.

This is a much more than a camping trip.
I'm sure we won't realize how much more for years to come.
But today my heart is full and I'm almost as excited as they are.

Almost.

High Flying Fun on the Fourth

The only pictures missing that would perfectly sum up our weekend would be Candice's Blue Cheese Burgers and the one of the look on Hubs and Shauns faces for the whole 42 minutes while we slayed them in Rook. After that, commence the cheating, manipulations, blue double stuffed oreos and mind games and somehow the score ended in favor of the guys.

Next time.......

Do you have a picture to capture your holiday weekend?

Happy Birthday America

The future may be uncertain at least, and scary at worst.
We may be a world apart from the nation for which our founding fathers lived and died.
We may have forsaken and forgotten most of what our ancestors held dear.

But this land remains the greatest on earth.
A land where we are free to worship.
Free to love and be loved.
Free to know and embrace the truth.
Free to cry out to a Holy God.
Free to have a voice and vote our voice.
Free to take care of our families.
And have families, as large or small as we choose.
Free to learn.
Free to explore.
Free to leave if we like.
Free to teach.
Free to work.
Free to buy and sell.
And save.
And fight.
Free.

For now.


We have much to be thankful for, to protect, to pray about, to serve.


Happy Birthday America!!!!!

Is Seven Bucks Reasonable?

For a Hole in the backyard?

Big Guy has the entrepreneurial itch. In a bad way. This is the summer where the cash bug bit him and everywhere he looks represents potential income.

Of course my share of genes had nothing to do with this. Right now, as I type, Hubs and he are sketching out a flyer in the living room to be delivered to all our neighbors, advertising handy boy services.

I'm not sure who's more into it - Hubs or the handy boy.

Earlier today he was hard at work trying to persuade the other kids to start a little band with him.

Because he loves music so much?

I wish.

No.

Because he wanted the CD sales.

As if.

I'm not going there. Of course, I'd be their biggest, most obnoxious fan but in this case, I couldn't allow my other unsuspecting young to be exploited.

So I negotiated a nice cut off the top as their agent.
And driver.

Big Guy has been dreaming about his "first job" for several months if not over a year now. He's quite the saver. And quite the tight-wad with his cash.

Hubs couldn't even squeeze some 5K entry fee money out of him for an upcoming race. He's holding out for the races that "pay him" - he says.

Nice.

One day this week I approached my oldest about the hole we have had in our backyard for almost three years now. I will say that when he first dug the hole - it was an impressive feat. For a then seven year old. His dream was to put some fish in it so he could catch them.

We can now say that we've tried this and, well, its just not quite the most desirable amphibian habitat. Nonetheless he's pretty particular about keeping his "pond" cleaned out. Since the location of THE POND is very near to my garden, I had the bright idea to use it for a compost spot. Think of the rich soil I shall have for next years horn of plenty!

I mentioned my revelation to Big Guy in passing and considering that THE HOLE is pretty grown up this time of year from weeds and what not, I fully expected a hearty consideration.
Instead I was presented with some lease terms to rent the blasted hole for

SEVEN DOLLARS A YEAR.
While I agree this rate is reasonable, is the whole concept ghastly?

What should I do? Can you guess whose side Hubs is on?
I think he's drawing up the contract in his sleep.

With a smirk on his face.

I need a closing attorney to represent my interests.

What should I do?

In the meantime do you remember your first job?






Here is my little business tycoon trying to rope in some cold cash on a hot day.
His angle: Prices go up as the day gets hotter.
Hmmmm

P.S. Hubs made this darling Lemonade Stand. Isn't he the bomb?

Unwrapping Tuesdays Family style

In a couple weeks, our Big Guy turns eleven. Four years after he was born, my life was a blur and God had added two more babies to the brood. Friends have said and I heartily concur that having three little ones is possibly the busiest season of motherhood. Not hardest. Just busiest.
So was our life with a four year old, two year old and newborn.

Hubs and I were glad they were close. Two years seems close to me. At least at 8:30 each night, with each one tucked into a good sound sleep...... we were glad then. We said one day they would be good friends because they were so close.

Turns out we were right.
That day came early on.

We enjoyed our own playgroup most days and
I don't think they realized they were missing anything. Fast forward seven years and add one more little shank-a pot-a-mus to the group, we have 11, 9, 7 and almost 3.

As I peeked outside on an unusually cool summer morning, my heart was glad to see that they are still good friends. Vigorously competing at a game of marbles, but good friends.

And good kids.

Each time the family grows, everyone changes. Ready or not. Good changes, hard changes, exposing changes - but growing changes nonetheless. I'm so grateful for each one of our four kids. I've seen their hearts expanded, softened, made attentive, aware and compassionate toward others. What a grand design God had in creating family! Amidst the meal planning, bed making, laundry folding, card playing, bath taking, hiney spanking, :0, cookie baking, music playing, story telling, baby powder smelling moments, our Heavenly Father slipped in opportunities to grow, to learn, to love, to realize its not all about us, to work, to change, to see ourselves and each other as He does, to identify with Christ as it relates to loving and serving.

Today I celebrate family!

An important community for the Kingdom. A gift larger than life and right under my nose. I'm so glad they have each other. That I get to be a part of that is extra special.

Pickled Cucumbers

Do you see what I see?
Baby cucumbers hiding out in our garden.

And with just a little patience, and lots of water.........
we have more than enough to share

and enjoy!!!!

A large jar of picked cucumbers will keep for weeks in the fridge. If we don't eat them up before. Then we have plenty to dish out as gifts for the neighbors and family.



This recipe is one of my favorites because there is no cooking involved
and you can continue to
add slices to the brine throughout the summer.

AUNT SYBLE'S REFRIGERATED PICKLES
7 cups thinly sliced cucumbers 2 cups sugar 1 cup sliced onions 1 cup red vinegar 1 tablespoon celery seed 1 tablespoon of canning salt

Funeral

Funerals are good for the soul.

This week my little brother and sweet wife Candice said goodbye to her Grandmother Meme. The funeral was a celebration of life and a reflection of Jesus. While sadness was not absent, I was touched deep down with an overwhelming sense of peace that God's work had been done where she was concerned. A powerful reminder that, indeed, life does have meaning. And days are numbered.

He predestined the days of Meme's life from before the creation of the world. Now, here we all are looking back at the fulfillment of Almighty purposes in her family, church and community.

A funeral is a pause in the thoughts and plans of men and women. Most people stop whatever they are doing to attend a funeral for one they love. They return from vacation, they take a day off work, they get babysitters, check out of classes, pull out all the stops to .....

remember and grieve. And hope.

And for those that know the Lord, like Meme did, the funeral pointed to the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hope is a powerful thing. We won't need hope in heaven. Meme does not rely on hope anymore. Now she sees face to face.

Funerals are good because they remind us of life. A life created and chosen for those that love God and are called according to His purposes. They remind us of lives that are still without hope apart from God's great rescue. My dear dad spoke during part of the service and I couldn't help but think about the scores of funerals he has officiated in his 20 plus years as a pastor. He's getting pretty good at this.

Most of us will live and die and only experience the death passage a handful of times. Dad has walked through this valley with families over and over. His perspective is different than most. He doesn't lose sight of the reality of death and thereby doesn't lose sight of the value and implications of life.

May it be true for me.

Funerals are good for the gospel. May each day be realized as a gift and a responsibility. Days powered by hope and seasoned with God's grace to point others to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Because we don't have forever and neither do they.

You can read their precious tribute to Meme here.