Two Last Photos from Camp Week

Fishing and Camp Pow Wow

Thursday's Camp Report

Today was fishing day. It was such a nice day--much cooler than usual with good cloud cover. Girls came home and immediately went to work on their treehouse. Then it was fishin' time. They fished for four hours and had much fun and fishin' was good. Morgan was the champion fisherman--catching several blue gill and two BIG catfish. Mason, Rebecca and Bailey also caught fish. Most were catch and release but there were some good keepers. Pop Pop was up until midnight cleaning their catch. Those catfish were really big. Much fun was had by all.

We were all tired tonight. The busy week was catching up with us. I was sad it was our last night together. I'm already dreaming of next summer....

Today (Friday) was the end of camp pow-wow for the family members. It was a great end to a great week. Pictures to follow in next blog.

Wednseday's Camp Report

I am sad that this is our last night with the kids. I already miss them. I don't want it to be over. Promise me we can do this again next summer??


Each morning boys ride with Don and girls ride with me and we have a race to see who gets to HEB parking lot first. (No, this does not mean we are speeding or driving recklessly with your children). Yesterday, Girls were ahead and pulling into parking lot when boys truck pulled right in front of us as they had taken a secret short cut. So they beat us. Now girls want to ride with Don. So this morning we switched which did not make boys too happy. And we tied for first place....but I will admit that Don cut me some slack and "let" us tie. He is so nice.

AND he got back home before me as I went to Walmart and he washed all the breakfast dishes, vacuumed the floor, and fed the critters. I was very happy. Today, I called him from Walmart because I did not remember turning oven off or putting milk back in frig but he informed me he had taken care of those things AND turning off the dryer before we left. Sure am glad he has my back. I think next week I will hibernate and rest and try to get my brain back. Sometimes I feel my mind just goes into overload and shuts down. A good defragging and re-booting is in order.

It was very hot yesterday afternoon. Kids played inside til it cooled off then girls and Mason headed for treehouse. They are dragging up all kinds of things to add to their clubhouse. Morgan said they were building a bathroom....that's kind of scary. They were out until dark working on it.

Assorted tidbits:
-Rebecca learned its not a good idea to wear flip flops in the pasture after dark. Morgan and I spent a half hour pulling cactus out of her foot.
-Ariel fell off the ladder to treehouse and as Tammy was running to help her (she was not hurt) she tripped and fell flat on her face and turned her ankle. She had a good laugh at herself but sure limped around the rest of night.
-At supper, Blaine suddenly blurted out "I miss Camp Peniel". He was very relieved to find out he was going back the next day.
-Jon might need to take on an extra job to feed Brock. That boy can eat! And Rebecca is not far behind him.
-Girls all had showers(one at a time) and washed their hair...so the bathroom did not flood again.
-Girls got to shoot 22 rifles today. Morgan got two bulls eyes.
-Ariel got to go horseback riding. Her horse was brown.
-Girls were disgusted as that "boy" got a nosebleed again on bus home so this morning they made sure to ride a different bus from him.
-Brock says his counselor looks like Obe One Kanobi (mispelled, you know the star wars guy)
-Bailey said she was so hungry at lunch she even ate a burger and she hates burgers.
-We got a good thunderstorm last night and 1/4 inch of rain. I am thankful for what we get and it was a bit cooler this morning and is still overcast.
-Girls came home with those bead bracelets you make to tell the gospel message and they each did a good job of explaining it to me.
-boys had a big pillow fight but the room, pillows and boys survived
-everyone was happy with burgers, fries, and milkshakes last night---even Bailey.
-By 9:30 I was sleepy and kids were watching HOME ALONE (hope that was ok) so I left Tammy and Don in charge and went to bed. Sure was good to get a full nights sleep.
--ALL these kids have been so very good all week. There have been no bad attitudes, no fights, no bickering or meanness and they have been very polite. They have all been a true joy to have. We are already looking forward to next summer.
-

Tonight we are roasting hot dogs and marshmallows outside and going fishing in the pond. While it is still hot when they first get home, we will work on the stepping stones for my garden which did not get done yesterday. And I plan to do some video interviews with the kids --for posterity sake.

I don't want this week to end.

Tuesday's Camp Report

It was much hotter today. Cheeks were rosey. But still, they spent most of afternoon outdoors. Girls got banned from chickens for closing gates that were propped open locking the chickens away from their water. Also, left gate to goat pen open. Big no-no's. But they learned their lesson.

Everyone hungry after camp so was good idea to pick up pizza then and eat really early. Everyone had their favorite soda. Oatmeal pies for dessert. You can tell I spent lots of time cooking today....

All wanted to swim in pond so that is what they did. I sat on a hot rock and took pictures. It was hot and still with thunderheads in the west. Huddy could feel a storm coming so wanted to sit in my lap--he gets so scared in storms. Kids and Pop-pop had a blast. Ariel is really doing well at learning to swim and turn flips in the water. She is a brave little girl. Don was a little ansy about kids swimming far from him into deeper water so made the rule they all had to have a noodle. Girls enjoyed jumping in the deep from the shore. Watching Bailey was like dejavue--my many memories of Amy (her mom) at that age jumping in. They look so much alike. I got a great shot of Bailey jumping in but it was just too dark and the photo was blurry. It was getting pretty dark and I could see lightning beginning so that gave me a good excuse to get them out of water. But, that was all of the storm we got. So many times yesterday it looked like we were fixin to get a good rain and it just went all around us.

I tried a new ploy last night in that we kept them up late hoping that they would then fall asleep quickly. It did not work. But we did have fun watching movie SAMANTHA , another American girl movie, and Don popped us two big bowls of popcorn. After the movie everyone was hungry so had bowls of cereal before bed. They maybe got in bed by 11. Boys bathed last night. Tonight girls have to bathe. Sorry parents but that is best I can do. They were really pretty clean after the pond swim.....I know that Bailey was supposed to wash her hair three times while here...we might make it yet.

KIDS COMMENTS ABOUT CAMP:

Brock eats three helpings at lunch.
Girls got to shoot BB guns, bows and arrows, and slingshots. Brock was envious.
Boys went canoeing.
Girls went fishing and everyone caught fish as soon as put pole in water.
Two boys fight every day and one gets a bloody nose.
Mason got to go to a cave where Indians lived.
Brock and Blaine went horseback riding. Blaine got the biggest horse and Brock got the lead horse but it was little.
Girls got to play on BLOB the first day and boys the second day.
The water in lake is really low.
During devotionals a kid asked what God's phone number was. Another wanted to know if he had a wife.
Ariel sings songs she learns on the way home--remember LITTLE BUNNY FOO FOO?

I know that is not much info but they are pretty wiped out when they get in the car and seem most excited about the air conditioning and food. I am going to try to get more camp info out of them today.

I have failed in getting them to write you letters. Will give them chance today. It is hard to get them all together in one place for anything. Today we have a craft project for them when they get home. They are each going to make a stepping stone for my garden and put their hand or foot print in it and name and decorate it. Hope this goes well.

Today, I promised them we would hit Sonic's Happy Hour and get them a cold drink when we pick them up. And I have a box of granola bars to go with it. Then tonight is homemade burgers, fries, and shakes. And probably another pond swim. I think I might join them this time.

That's all for today. Hope you enjoy the following slide show.

Camp Photos

We are on to Day 2 of camp

All the kids seemed to have a good first day at camp. Thankfully, it was overcast and cooler than last week so I am sure that helped. They were all a tad tired--especially Blaine and Ariel who were down right drooping like a flower in the hot sun. They were all starving, too, even though they described the food at camp as being ok. We had lots of snacks and an early spaghetti supper.

Everyone perked up when we got home. I thought they might want to just veg out in the AC for a bit so I put on MOLLY, An American Girl DVD, but the girls headed outside to swim in the stock tank which I had filled up during the day. (Tammy and I enjoyed the part of the movie we got to watch.) Girls could not get over how COLD that well water was. No one was inclined to go pond swimming today, thank goodness, as Don and Brian had gone to the ranch to take our home goats back to ranch where there is actually something green to eat.

Next, they discovered the old tree house from their parent's growing up days and began gathering all sorts of weird things--like snake skins, old chicken spines, various bones they found around, to decorate the treehouse with. Don't worry, Pop-pop checked out the treehouse and said it was sound.

After supper the chickens were the main attraction as everyone wanted to catch and carry a chicken around. Bailey made the first catch, then Morgan, then everyone had one. Poor chickens did not know what hit them. Feathers were flying and much clucking and protest going on in the chicken world. But the kids all had fun and got their picture taken with their favorite chicken.

I made snickerdoodles for a bedtime snack and got them in bed a little after 9 but it took awhile to get them to sleep--especially the girls. All were overtired and needed sleep (including me) and were cranky and not too nice to their bedmates but finally, everyone had the right blanket and pillow and place to suit them and adjusted to giving in to those who wanted a night light and wanted to listen to a tape...and then Blaine needed a breathing treatment as Dickens, the cat, had snuck in their room. I removed the cat and gave him a treatment while the other boys fell asleep and at last it was quiet. I actually got to sleep by 11:30.

This morning, I did have to drag them out of bed, even with the aroma of sweet rolls coming from the oven. I would not let them eat til they were all dressed, shoes on, and bags by door. They all were cheery and very cooperative and left for camp with smiles on their faces.

I will fill you in on more news from camp later. We have a meeting to go to. I plan to pick up pizza when I pick up kids and have real early dinner, then outside time if they want, then come in early for popcorn and a movie, in hopes that will make the transition to bedtime easier. Will let you know how this plan works.

Rebecca gets a star for being the kindest and most helpful to Ariel.

We are enjoying all of them! What a great job you have done, parents!

my colorful produce

Thought I would brag a bit on my vibrant harvest and the resulting meal we enjoyed. It is Kara's mom's delicious sausage and peppers. YUMMY.

AND WE'RE OFF TO CAMP

How delusional I was last night when I wrote the previous post from upstairs where the air conditioner drowns out all the noise below me. I headed to bed only to find everyone was still wide awake but Ariel. The three older girls were all set on sleeping in the twin bed while Ariel alone was on the far edge of the double bed. It was crazy. Bailey had maybe six inches of space to sleep in. I tried and tried to get them to spread out into the double bed but to no avail. So I told them to just be quiet and go to bed.

Next, the boys room was rockin'--Brock has some really "creative" ideas. I fussed at them and got them all back in bed--the teddy bear fan pull was making too much noise for Brock (yeah, right) so I clothespinned the fan pull to the light cover so it would not move and disturb Brock. Then Blaine had allergies--I had already medicated him so put that new nose medicine on him which, of course, required the other two boys to watch me doing it with Brock telling me how much he hates that stuff. Finally, they were all settled back into bed so I went to bed myself. I could hear them all talking and laughing for some time but I let it be as I figured additional fussing would not solve anything. At last it was quiet by midnight but now I was wide awake. By 1, I think I fell asleep. Hank, you really let me down tonight.

My worries of having the kids be hard to get up the next morning so early were entirely unfounded. The boys were up at 6:45 and all HUNGRY so Tammy fed them. Girls were easy to wake up and got ready quickly. The morning went very smoothly.

I forced the kids to pose for a group photo outside before we loaded up for camp. Don took the boys in his truck and I took the girls. The three big vans were already at HEB when we arrived and took our information and meds and seemed to be old hands at doing all this stuff. So you parents can relax knowing they are in vans with seat belts and not a school bus. They all got in the same van and sat together. There were quite a few other groups of kids with grandparents or aunts. All the kids did great--no tears or demands to go back home with me. So off they went.

One little girl, who looked about six, was busy telling the counselor that she better be nice to her cuz she had a 14 year old brother who would beat up anyone who was mean to her. She was quite the little spitfire but the counselor looked rather experienced in her job and took it all in stride. Can't wait to hear camp stories when they come home.

And I do plan to sit them all down and lay out a few house rules-- Like stay out of closets. This morning I could not find the boys and they were all three piled in the toy room closet with a flash light. This would have been no big deal but you see, Tammy and I cleaned out the toy room (remember Ariel's stuff has been added to mine) to give more space for beds and suitcases and boys and it was all stuffed in that closet--you could hardly close the door--yet the boys were squished in there, too.

And the girls kept asking over and over if the camp seperated the boys and girls---and Rebecca said she sure hoped not. Not sure what that means.....

LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN !

Sunday, 7 of my grandkids--ages 6-10 arrived to spend the week and go to day camp. There are three boys and four girls. They are all super great kids who love to be together.

They quickly moved into the “toy room” (boy’s dorm) and Beki’s old room (girl’s dorm) and began to play and talk and explore the house. Then I served them what will probably be the most nutritious meal of the week--a true “Sunday dinner” : pork roast, augratin potatoes, corn casserole, and a salad right out of the garden. They were not impressed. Pop-Pop told them they had to eat a tomato and a cucumber slice in order to get dessert…..they were all very clever in how they managed to get those veggies down, but they did it cheerfully. Brock had no problem with anything as his plate was clean quickly and Blaine only wanted his salad so that suited him. But we had a fun dinner and conversation anyway, then we headed outside to gather eggs and do the barn chores--the girls, Mason, and I. Blaine and Brock were having too much fun playing with a marble game. They gathered eggs, helped feed the goats, and just ran around looking at everything. Then we had our Dump Cake and ice cream dessert and said farewell to Micah and Tania who left dreaming of their quiet week ahead.

Then, Pop-Pop took them down to the pond--all but Brock and Blaine who were still engrossed in the marble game. Tammy and I took that time to finish cleaning the kitchen and try and get the bedrooms organized for sleeping. It was getting pretty dark outside and still the pond group was not back so I turned on the lights outside to give them a hint; told the two boys to get their pajamas, on when in trooped some very soaking wet kids--ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING POP-POP. They had all gone swimming in their clothes in the pond and had a total blast doing so. Don said they exclaimed over and over how “ my mama wouldn’t like this” but he said he had never heard so much giggling and screaming and laughing. A good time was had by all. The floor was like a skating rink it was so wet; the laundry room was piled with soggy clothes and towels; the bathroom after they all bathed was flooded with water…and those girls played in the tub with all the bath toys from their parents babyhood and giggled some more. (sorry about the not bathing together rule, but I learned my lesson). They already asked if they could swim in the pond again tomorrow--but I think we will opt for swim suits next time and I will hose them off outside or have them dunk in the swim tank afterwards. I did force them all to let me put alcohol in their ears afterwards to avoid any pond germies.
Finally, by 9:45 we had them all tucked in bed and bless Hank the Cowdog as they were all asleep by 10. (I got Hank books on tape from library and put them on in each bedroom for them to listen to as they went to sleep). That was a trick we used to use at the ranch when my younger kids were out there and we wanted them to go to sleep and it always worked. So glad it still does.
It is blissfully quiet and I am going to bed. Morning comes early. I can’t wait to hear of their adventures at camp.
Thank you parents for loaning me your children for a few days--it all brings back so many wonderful memories as I make new ones. I am truly a blessed Gema.

My Reunion Slide Show

Me and My Preachers

I have always struggled with finding a "quiet time" that worked well with me so that I could be consistent with it. When I first wake up, I am not too coherent until the coffee kicks in so reading my Bible or even praying just does not work out too well. But I love listening to Joyce Meyer on TV and she is lively enough to wake anyone up so I begin my morning at 5:15......well, ideally, but thank goodness for DVR for those mornings it is 5:40 when I awaken. I always make coffee the night before and set it to come on at 5am so it is ready when I get up. I come downstairs quietly, get my big mug of coffee and a carton of yogurt, then go sit at our desk upstairs, put the earphones on the little TV by the desk, and turn on Joyce. Between her feisty preaching and that glorious cup of coffee I come awake. I am not an audio learner so I have to take notes as I listen.
After Joyce, comes Creflo Dollar....a pretty feisty black preacher with a great sense of humor who delivers a really good message. He has really helped change my "survivalist" tendencies to "trust in and stay close to God" tendencies regarding the times we are facing now. Just some real good, down to earth preaching.
Then at 6:30 I used to do my Bible reading but one day I left the TV on and saw that Billye Brim was a guest on Kenneth Copeland's program and she was doing two weeks of studies on the Great Awakenings in the world--especially America. She is such a gifted teacher and it was all so very interesting. I love learning about God's moves in our nation.
And then at 7:00 James Robinson's program from Dallas comes on and I have always loved his "Wednesdays with Beth (Moore)"--but he usually has really interesting guests on the other days, too, so I have added him to my preacher list. Last week he had a woman named Starr____, who wrote a book called Uncle Sam's Plantation, about how the government welfare system another form of slavery. She came out of that system and is now living in Washington working to change the system back to the churches taking care of people in need---not the government. I want to read that book. I love to hear about people who rise from the pit, allow God to change their lives, and go on to work to help others out of the same pit.
Then at 7:30 I finish my programs with Andrew Womack. I really like him and learn so much. This week and last he has David Barton as his guest. David Barton is an authority on American History---specifically our Christian heritage. I learned so much. If only our congress would be required to study history under him before coming to Washington. I really want to get his DVD set. It is so important for us----and ESPECIALLY, our children to know the truth about the founding of this nation and our wonderful Christian heritage.
So, each morning I get two hours of teachings. I look so forward to it each day. Then later in the day--during the heat of the day when it is so good to be inside---I read my Bible. Don and I are doing this program where you read the Bible through in a year by reading a passage in OT, NT, Psalms, and Proverbs each day. We like it because we read the same thing so we can talk about it together. It has just been so nice to be in the Word so much. I just feel such a thirst to learn and grow as much as I can. I just want to learn to be more sensitive to God's voice and know Him better. So that is what I have been up in the early morning hours of this summer.

I just need to blog

I feel like it has been forever since I just sat down and wrote my thoughts out on this blog. I don't know what has been wrong. I feel like I just lost my words. I would be out gardening or inside doing housework and think of so many things I want to blog about but when I finally got to the computer my mind was a blank. Or else it was racing so fast on so many topics I could not capture even one of them. So here I sit at the library (because their internet is actually HIGH SPEED), unlike ours at home that is supposed to be but only causes me much frustration and anger with its sloooooow, crawling nature.
We had a simply wonderful family reunion last week. It just flew by and I missed everyone already as we were pulling out of the park. We found the perfect place for our family--so much room, so quiet and private, high humidity but glorious cold air-conditioned buildings to bring refreshment. The kids--all 13 of them, ages 1-12--had a blast playing with each other. They never complained of the heat; of the lack of a good swimming place; never fought with each other; were so content to explore the outdoors and fish and fish and fish. They came in to eat and were off again. No TV, Video games, Computers--just plain old fashioned fun. We all had such a good time.
It was great to have to only be involved in preparing one meal. And such good food. It was great to feel free to play games, just sit and visit, go fishing or hiking, or go take a nap. Relaxing.
I can't wait for next year--but we need to add another day. I want two full days of being together. I made a video and hope it will load in the next post. Jenny's photos can't be beat--but maybe mine will add some variety. I think her photo of Jess napping on the porch wins as best photo. I love it!
Back at home.......my garden is struggling to survive our 100+ temperatures. Tomatoes are doing ok but the squash has gone to the bugs, the beans are drying up, and my goats found their way into the garden and ate my popcorn patch that Mason and I planted. All is brown instead of green everywhere that does not get my water hose. I feel I spend the majority of my day watering. So, have just had to let some things go. Made lots of notes how to do this better next year. The chickens are devouring most of my pot plants as there is just nothing green around but them. I pray for rain daily--it is getting scary it is so dry.
I miss the ranch something awful. It has been so long since we have been out there for very long. I plan to make a run out there this week to check on things. It is calling me.
Will post this and check on how the video is loading.