First Sleep-over

On Friday, we decided to try letting MG have a friend spend the night. She has been asking to have a sleep-over with our neighbor for a few weeks, and I figured the distance between our houses would allow an easy bail-out if her friend missed her mom and wanted to go home. I'm not sure what sleep-over really meant in MG's mind, but she knew it was something she wanted to participate in. Honestly, she has really begun showing some maturity (for a kindergartner), so I figured that it was okay to start the fun of sleep-overs. We went to get pizza with "the college students," and then came home in time for the girls to have a few minutes to play and then go to bed. Everything was great until I said goodnight and turned off the light. Our friend was almost immediately asleep, and my daughter (who was sleeping in her own bed at her own house!) began to sob uncontrollably. She kept saying that she wasn't "old enough to have a sleep-over." I was torn with how to handle the situation. Was I supposed to wake up her emotionally stable friend to take her home because MG couldn't handle a sleep-over at her own house? It was definitely an unexpected twist. So, MG went to our room to cry and fall asleep and was then transferred into her own bed when we were ready to sleep. There were no problems until I was awakened at 6am by MG's sweet (but bawling) face in my face with her chorus of "I'm just not old enough for sleep-overs, Mommy." If I had been more awake, I think I could've laughed for a long time, but at the time, laughter was not what came out of my mouth. I truly do cherish these precious times of life with MG, but maybe we'll wait a little while to try our next sleep-over.
A few pictures of the happy time before bedtime---

More wedding pictures

I'm still working on getting pictures of the bride and the groom, but I couldn't resist posting these pictures of our new friend, Jack, and MG. They look like quite the couple.





And one of the three sisters--

Sara is married!

We just had a fantastic weekend in the mountains celebrating Sara's wedding. Although it was a little surreal watching my littlest sister get married, Chuck and Sara's marriage was so clearly right and orchestrated by God. Sara looked beautiful wearing the same dress that my mom, my sister, and I wore. The service was very worshipful, led by Sara's pastor, a dear friend of ours, and the reception was lovely and as Sara stated, "exactly what she would have dreamed of wanting" for her wedding. MG was a wonderful flower girl and made a new friend in her ring-bearer cohort. The two spent the entire weekend together, most of the time at a very high gear, laughing and in their own little world. Sara and Chuck are now off to Maui--not a bad way to start their life together!

I have a couple pictures from the beginning of the weekend with more to come soon.

At the bridesmaids' luncheon--Sara's luncheon was held at the house where we grew up vacationing every summer. We have many pictures on this same hammock of the three sisters. It was such a special place to gather!
The bridal party--

On a more somber note, one of Sara's best friends who has been sick for a little over a year, died last Friday evening. She was very much on our minds this weekend as she was one of Sara's bridesmaids, even though she was not present. Please pray for her family as they mourn her death and celebrate a beautiful life lived.

First Day of School!

I have lots to catch up on, but I wanted to post pictures from MG's first day of school. What an exciting day it has been! I am so proud of her--she went from 8:30 until 2:30 and did fantastic. When I was walking her into the school building, she turned and whispered to me, "Mommy, I'm a little scared." I could feel her little heart racing as we walked down the hall together. That was the first and last mention of fear that I heard from her. She walked right into her room, unpacked, and settled right in. While she was at school, the house was strangely quiet--I'm thinking the adjustment will take longer for me than for her. She was happy to see me at 2:30 and was bubbling with excitement and stories from her day. We celebrated her day with a trip to get ice cream--what could be better? What a big girl I have now!

The Last Day

Today is banquet day at camp. . . . A bittersweet day--full of celebration of the last five weeks, but full of sadness at having to say goodbye to dear friends and summer days packed with endless fun. As I've said in previous posts, we are so thankful for our summers at camp. Each one of us grows while we're here, and we're challenged to care for and love each other better as a family. MG has shown us that she's really ready for kindergarten--walking herself to her classes, making friends with the campers, carrying on conversations with the counselors, and growing in her understanding of God's world. Sam has grown physically for sure, but it's also been thrilling to see him begin loving people. The thrill of tractors and big trucks remains, but I've begun to see him get equally excited over some of his favorite counselors, calling them, "my friends." I've definitely had time to feel refreshed, recharged spiritually, and ready to begin the busy year. One of my favorite parts about camp this summer has been running on the lake road. I wish I had a picture to show the beautiful morning runs that I've been able to take around the lake. It has definitely been a luxury to have the time for that peace and quiet. David has received much encouragement in his ministry, and we are most thankful for that. We have seen the Holy Spirit at work in this place and in our hearts, making us thankful for the good gifts that God gives to us.

This Week's Pictures

Dog Camp

"Driving" the golf cart

Wagon Riding

Playing in the Stream

Visiting the Horses-

The Screamer--These might need some explanation. . . . MG decided spur of the moment that she wanted to go on the high adventure element called "the screamer." After being harnessed in and pulled up (very) high in the air, she was brave enough to pull her clip that let her fly through the air from about 30 feet above the ground. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of her, but instead lovely ones of David and me after we were inspired by her courage. We're all in our bathing suits because we had just come from the pool. This one gives you an idea of how high up you are pulled:David at his finest: My turn:My pull team:
We've had so many adventures here--it will be hard to leave!

Corn Roast

Last night was one of our favorite nights at camp. . . the corn roast. Indeed the evening is all about the food, but it also includes hay-rides, pontoon boat rides, an incredible band, and lots of dancing. The delicious meal this year consisted of ribs, brisket, and pulled pork that melt in your mouth, slaw, turkey legs, dill potato salad, delicious black bean salsa/salad, homemade bread, chips, cookies, watermelon, and, of course, corn on the cob. Needless to say, our stomachs were quite satisfied, perhaps even stuffed. MG loved the food, the dancing, and hanging out with her cousin Lucy. Although Sam wasn't courageous enough to try the food (he still prefers his yogurt and applesauce), he did enjoy the hay-ride and "driving" the tractor. It was a beautiful evening on the lake, and we are so thankful that we got to be a part of the festivities.

Yummy food!Sam dancing while eating a cookie-A sweet picture--Pure joy on the hay-ride!The big orange tractor--Sam and WillMG with her cousin and friendAnother fantastic day in a lovely place!