Mixed bag of emotions

It is Sunday morning. Sadly, we did not make it to church---the heart wanted to go but the rest of me just couldn't get it together. So I set about getting the house back in order after Camp Gema. It made me sad even though I am glad that everyone was here and had a good time. But sad that they were gone. I miss the chatter, laughs, and running through the house (even though I always told them to stop running). The rooms are clean and too sterile looking, too quiet. I miss the sound of marbles clomping down the tall towers the boys made and the cheers when a certain marble won. The screen doors are not slamming and no one is saying they are hungry. The floor is dry and there are not shoes and socks lying everywhere. And I found Morgan's tooth that she lost while she was here. And they are all growing up so fast. The bug cage is vacant and I have to go gather the eggs and pick the tomatoes all by myself. The treehouse is empty and the swings are still, and the pond just has fish in it--no squeals of laughter and children bobbing on noodles. How wonderful is the sound of children at play. I miss it.

I am sad the week is over....yet relieved,too. I must confess it wore me out. Not the children themselves as they were all great and there were few if any discipline problems. But the work that goes along with housing 9 children--the feeding, dishwashing, laundry, lunch packing, and all my regular watering and gardening chores. I wanted to be spending time doing stuff with the kids but all this practical stuff got in the way. I thought I had it pretty simple and organized but it just seemed I was on a constant go from 6am til 11pm. By the time it is cool and nice to be outdoors it is past nine so we all had late nights. That was frustrating. I must say the kids were champs at getting up after only one call and getting ready for camp. But back to my frustration, I think I need a maid for the week of Camp Gema. Would be so nice to have someone to fix the meals, wash the dishes and keep up with the laundry. I don't care about the house being clean and neat that week....just picked up enough that stuff is taken care of.

Remember last year, I had all day from 8:30 to 4 that I was home while all kids were at Camp Peniel so I got all that stuff done quickly and easily...but this year I was off having fun with the girls and then had to cram it all in when everyone was home. Please understand I am not complaining but just thinking out loud. AND, Tammy was here last year to help out with dishes and cooking and laundry. So I guess I do under stand why I wore out so quickly. I am just really frustrated with myself for not being able to handle things better and get it all done. But, I really do not think it affected the kids and their fun and that is the most important thing to me. I think I just needed to put down my thoughts on all of this....and it helped me get over that melancholy feeling that came over me while I was cleaning up their rooms. I miss them all and love them all so much. I am so thankful for the week and the fun we had together.

Camp Gema photos

I give up trying to get pictures in chronological order. On Wednesday, the girls and I hiked Enchanted Rock. It was hot and sunny. We began our climb at 11:15am. We took lots of water and rest breaks though there is not much shade to rest in on this rock. But we did it and reached the top and what a view from the top. We were all very proud of ourselves but so glad to get back to the shade and our lunch and then to the swim pool at LBJ State Park in Stonewall for an afternoon of swimming.

The view at the beginning.




Our first rest stop.

Look how far we have come.

We thought we were near the top, but no, there is still more to climb hiding behind this part.

We made it to the top. The strong breeze felt so good.

This marker proves you are at the summit. WE DID IT !!!

A view from the top.

This was taken that night after we got home--an after-supper swim in the pond at home with Pop-pop.

On Monday we made tye-dyed shirts.

Aren't they pretty?

Then we headed for Krause Springs--a really cold swimming hole near us. It is so beautiful there.

The perfect place to be on a hot summer day.

The girls loved this rope swing.

That's Elizabeth.

That's Kathleen.

And Rebecca.

Can you tell she is a gymnast?

Elizabeth

Morgan

Rebecca and Morgan

Bailey Elizabeth

The cold spring fed swimming pool.

The swimming hole from above.

Elizabeth and her friend, Kathleen

Rebecca

The "teepee tree"

Ok, funny story here. The girls entered this tree and were told by some boys playing in there that they had to leave, it was their tree. Kathleen, who has seven brothers, wasted no time in letting them know the tree belonged to everyone and they were coming in. The boys left, but continued grumbling that it was their tree and the girls needed to leave but Kathleen held her ground and the girls played there for a bit before letting boys have it back.

Bailey and Morgan

Supper time.

The three boys and Ariel attended Camp Peniel Day Camp each day.Ariel

Mason and Blaine

Brock

I will blog later when my brain returns. It was a wonderful, fun week and many cherished memories were made...but Gema is exhausted.