Summer fun

Here are a few pictures of what has been going on around here lately.

Walter has a new pastime~reading in a tree. It combines to things he loves~reading and climbing trees! He has spent hours doing this and I love the fact that he is expanding his mind and imagination.

Chris showed me his arm one night as we were sitting down for dinner. You can't really tell but around the boil is a red ring. I was concerned so we took him to the emergency room. A loooog wait later we find out that he had a staph infection and it was passably MRSA. He was given 2 antibiotics and we had to watch it very closely and if it got worse he would have to be put in the hospital on IV's. Thank the Lord the antibiotics worked and we did not have take him to the hospital. We did get confirmation this week that it was MRSA and we Praise the Lord that Chris seems to be over it.

We have been enjoying our garden. This is our first year, so it is so much fun watching the progress.

I was delighted to get two flats of raspberries for 10.00. I also got some blackberries and strawberries for a very good price. So I have been freezing berries, making Jam, and having fun making new recipes.

Last week we were in Camp meeting. Tim's family has been a part of this country camp meeting for many years. The kids sang a special on Saturday night.

We saw this beautiful sunset one night on the way home from camp.

Camping

I am finally getting around to posting these pictures of our camping trip. We really had a fun time and while it would not be my first choice of a vacation, we will defiantly do it again. We went to Winton Woods park in Cincinnati. It was a beautiful camp grounds and the park had a lot of things to do. The trip defiantly served the purpose of giving us something to do after Olivia left. We still really miss her, but we have talked to her new family several times and she seems to be doing well.
So for all of you who can't believe that I went camping click on the picture below to see the proof:-}

camping

And the winner is.....

Congratulation to Sherilyn for guessing the closest time. The kids stayed out all night much to my surprise.

Way to go Walter and Charlie, I am proud of you!!

We are home from a fun camping trip.~More on that later, but the kids had so much fun that they were begging to set up their little tent in the back yard. I gave in so Walter, Charlie and Chris set off on this backyard adventure. So here is what I want to know. Leave a comment and tell me how long you think they will last. The person that guesses the closest will receive a 5$ Starbucks gift card. They started a 10:00p.m., so you can leave a comment till 10:00p.m. tomorrow, July 12th. I will announce the winner shortly thereafter. Good Luck!

*As I was typing this Chris came in so you only have two to guess about.

Saying goodbye

Today we say goodbye to Olivia. She has been a joy to have in our home. We have truly loved this little girl and hate to see her go. We have had some tears, but her adoptive family has assured us that we can continue to see her, and that helps with the goodbyes. The last few weeks she has been visiting her new family, increasing the visits over time. This is designed to help her start to get to know and bond with her family before she moves, but it has also been a great help for us as we get use to her not being around.
The pictures above were taken Sunday at my in-laws house and the pictures below were taken this week. It is hard to get a picture of her smiling, so I was happy to get these when she was in a silly mood.

LOVE this one!

This smile can melt your heart.

These next ones were taken Sunday




We have made a tradition of doing something special with our family on the day that a foster child leaves. This helps us have something to look forward to and gives us something to do instead of setting around the house missing them. This year we are going camping~~IN A TENT!! (Pause as my family catches their breathe and picks their mouth off the floor.)
The kids have been begging to sleep in a tent all summer, so we decided instead of spending money on a hotel, we would buy a tent and go camping. I have always been the hotel kind of girl, but kids tend to change you:-} I am actually excited about camping! And the kids are beside themselves with excitement. It has really helped to keep their minds off of Olivia leaving at 6:00 tonight.
If you think of it say a prayer for us today!!

July 4th Weekend Part 1

We spent the 4th with some of my family in Indiana. We had a really nice time at my cousin Bethany and Tom's house. Some of the family were not able to make it and we really missed them. It was rainy in the morning so we missed the parade, but it cleared off in the afternoon, but still a bit chilly.
My Dad cooked ribs and chicken in his big smoker that he made himself~always a big highlight when we get together. That night we went and watched fireworks. It was a great day spent with some of my favorite people in the world!

My Dad the BBQ'er

My Dad's smoker that he designed and built himself.

My brother Ron~the other chief of the day cutting up the chickens!
(looking on is my cousin Bethany~and snitching the food is Tim)

Tom and Bethany's beautiful house

Even though it was cold, the kids still played in the sprinkler.

Playing Frisbee while waiting for fireworks to begin

My niece Joya, brother Keith, s-i-l Glenda, Aunt Marilyn, cousin Bethany and her husband Tom

Some of the kids watching fireworks~~they are nether drunk or asleep, I think the flash caught them by surprise.

Happy 4th of July!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a great 4th of July. This is one of my favorite holidays. I love the parades, fireworks, cook outs with family and the overall feel of patriotic pride that we live in such a great country. Growing up the 4th was always celebrated in a big way. My younger brother was even born on July 4th 1976! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RON!
A big THANK YOU to all of those that have given of themselves and the family's that stayed behind to support them. You are why we have a great country today!

I have a lot to update about, but life has been crazy here this week. Please pray for our family over the next week. Olivia will soon be leaving us. She had her first overnight with her new family last night. This has been very hard on me, but Olivia is handleing the transition well and that helps.

We are headed to be with family for the 4th. A good time should be had by all!!