Our First Camping Adventure

I have such fond memories of camping as a kid in Michigan. Wonderful Husband and I wanted to make those kinds of memories with our kids, so we took The Gals camping yesterday with our Dear Onofrys. The state park we went to has what they call "Buddy Sites" which means you basically have a big section with 3 sites reserved just for you and your 17 other friends. So, we were able to set up our tents and still have a site to use for cooking and general hanging out time.

Scarlett was very confused and pretty much kept us up all night - off and on. She just couldn't get comfortable.

Between Katie and I, we brought 4 fans - we do not like bugs or to be hot. (It's nice when you are not the only princess around.)

I brought my hobo pie maker and some apple filling. Kyle got to eat his first hobo pie. I was really happy to share. We used to make those all the time. Course, I think they call them sandwich makers, now. "Hobo" is definitely not "P.C."

The Gals spent about 20 minutes making finger puppets with their flashlights on the tent walls before falling asleep. I remember doing that as a kid.

Of course, this morning, after a pretty crazy night with the dog, it starts thundering while we are in the bathroom. Then, the rain comes. So, we tore everything down pretty quickly, jumped in the car and came home to shower, clean our equipment, and plan our next trip.

Earl's Friend

As you may or may not know, I have a neighbor, Earl, that I have become obsessed with. Every day he is out in his yard doing something - watering his trees, picking up leaves one by one and putting them in a grocery bag. Well, today I look out my back window, and it appears Earl is on vacation. So, in his absence, his friend is doing his yard work. This man rides around our neighborhood on his motorized scooter "walking" his dog. Today, he has managed to ride his scooter up the hill Earl lives on - his faithful dog with him. He is very slowly filling a watering can and is taking care of Earl's plants. How wonderful! I hope that one day - when I am as old as Earl - I have someone who is willing to spend that kind of time and effort to help me. That is what I call a true friend!

Grammy and Papa's Visit

We had a great time with Grammy and Papa this past weekend. We got to visit the Bass Pro Shops where The Gals got to shoot with Wonderful Husband and Papa. We also got to eat at the restaurant there which was really good.

Memorial Weekend

We have had an awesome Memorial Day weekend. Saturday we spent the day at the pool, and then we met our friends over at the park for more fun. Sunday, Grammy, Papa and Maggie came for a visit, and today we headed back to the pool for more fun in the sun.

But, on a bad note my computer finally died. We knew it was only a matter of time, so we were prepared to get a new one - which we did tonight. This is my first post on my new laptop!

Scooter Girls

Every time we go to our Dear Onofrys house, The Gals immediately jump on their scooters and ride them as long as they can. Tonight, Wonderful Husband and I decided to surprise them with scooters of their own. So, while WH and I sat on our front porch drinking a glass of wine, The Gals rode around our cul de sac until it got so dark they couldn't see anymore. I have a feeling they will be sleeping very well tonight.

Tonight, we took Wonderful Husband to our favorite restaurant for his birthday dinner. The weather was so nice. The Gals felt very special because they were invited to go instead of being stuck at home with a babysitter. They were also super happy because they had The Dancer's favorite food - pizza, and The Soccer Player's favorite - steak. The waiter brought out WH's favorite dessert there with a candle in it. After we ate, we took a walk by the water. There was a nice breeze going. It was really nice.

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Today is Wonderful Husband's birthday. Let's take a look back through time, shall we?

Look at how cute he was - the little Chubby Wubby!

Wow - Look at that hair! Nice perm, Honey.

Yes, I actually dated the guy on the left.

Oo La La! He has only gotten better with age.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie. We love you!

Britney's Mom

With Mother's Day being this past Sunday, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what it is to be a mom - the thrills, the heartbreak, the love. And, I keep going back to last year. It was in the fall, and I was at the MOPS Convention in Dallas, Texas. I was having breakfast with the other Field Leaders in my zone, and our Area Coordinator told us that Britney Spears's mom, Lynn, was going to be speaking at our next general session. Well, I have to admit my first thought was - why? But, I learned that she had written a book with a woman who has also written a lot of books for MOPS, so then I could see the link. But, I still wondered - why? Anyways, I get to the session, and had my plastic smile pasted on, and clapped politely as she was introduced. And, then it happened . . . I got an answer to my question. As I listened to her talk about some of the issues that her daughters were going through, I started to identify with her. I didn't see this woman anymore who I had judged for years. I saw a person who had done the best she could do. Someone who seemed to have been overwhelmed with stardom and money and all that came with it. And, I started thinking about all the issues that I had been dealing with as a mother - many of them the same as Lynn. Only I had been lucky enough to not have cameras in my face at every turn. How awful can it be to have people keeping a digital scrapbook of every mistake or misstep your children take?

I learned a lesson that day. I learned that while some people may make different choices than I would, they are doing the best they know how to do. I learned that until you walk in someone's shoes, you really have no idea what they are going through. And, I learned that - no matter what the circumstances - a mother is a mother - good, bad and ugly.

I can honestly say to you today that Lynn Spears taught me a lesson I will never forget. Crazy, I know, but true.

Happy Mother's Day

We have had the best evening. The Hollberg Ladies met us at The Pavilion tonight, and we just had a great time. The weather was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better way to end my Mother's Day.

Special Day

Today, we got to go watch our Dear Megan celebrate her First Communion. She looked so beautiful, and it was really wonderful.

It brought back memories for me - sitting in her church this morning. Smelling that mildewy smell of old hymnals. The organ music that was just slightly offkey, but the wonderful way the last verse always gets louder and a bit more elaborate. The beautiful stain glass windows. All of it reminded me of when I was little in Michigan. Half my family was Catholic and half was Lutheran. While there are things that were different, a lot of it was the same. I remember my own First Communion. I remember how happy I was that when I went up to kneel at the altar, the minister would no longer just put his hand on my head and say "Jesus loves you, Jill". I would actually get to participate - and my little sisters wouldn't. Ha! (Not very spiritual, I know, but I was young - give me a break.) And, I can clearly remember traveling to aunts and uncles houses to celebrate First Communions and Confirmations and Christenings. There was always plenty of food and adult beverages. (Ahh - the good old days when people would drink and smoke in front of their kids during a religious celebration and no one cared.)

When we moved here, we joined a Methodist church, and while I love my Pastor, and I have made some very special friends there, it just isn't quite the same. There is something very comforting about being in a service that hasn't really changed much over the years. And, I could go on and on about how much I hate powerpoint in a church service, and how these new churches don't have any character. A few weeks ago I was at a church in Farmville, VA visiting a MOPS group. The church is old, and as I walked by the staff offices, the floor squeaked. I loved that. And, the linoleum in the multipurpose room was ugly - as it should be.

I guess I'm just feeling nostalgic. That happens when you're on the wrong side of 40.

Anyways, today was really a very special day.

The Movies

This afternoon, The Gals and Grandma and I all headed to the movies to see Disney's "Earth" movie. It was basically different clips from the Discovery Channel's "Planet Earth", which was great because The Gals and I loved that show when it came on. They said that next year they are coming out with "Oceans". We can't wait!