Camp, Doctor, Eating, and Training

Well Garrett is off to camp.  First overnight camp for 5 days not knowing anyone but 1 person out of 130 campers.  HGBCCentriKidCamp  It has been so nice.  The counselors are keeping a Facebook page with updates and pictures.  At least I get to see his face.  So Blessed that he is brave enough to go off  not knowing a soul but to be excited about going to church camp. 

Seth went to the doctor Monday with weird spots.  Crazy.  Well meds and lotion and off we go.  I am trying to tackle his allergy stuff as well.  I went by the allergy doctor for a copy of his skin test and blood test.  The child is allergic to everything.  HELP!  I have a great friend who has helped me on my way of trying to figure this out.  Thanks Shelley!


So we are trying to read food labels and see what I am actually putting in his body.  Easier that it looks but I am up for the challenge.  Sugar, Sugar, Sugar.  I am wanting my kids to eat healthy as well.  I am looking and buying better foods to eat.  I will keep you updated. 

Breakfast - turkey bacon and toast
Lunch - goldfish and protein bar
Snack - super duper smoothie
Supper - everyone was different - hot dog and pudding, cheerios, steamed broccoli and carrots, crabcakes and steamed carrots and homegrown tomotoes

Dessert  - homemade granola bars

Delicious

Training - the 5K is getting closer so today was another train day.  WOW! is it so hard to run - how does Jeff do it.  13.1 miles crazy and now he is training again for another Half.  So I am looking to accomplish on of my goals this year - a 5K.  I will not be running the whole thing which is really what I wanted to do but hey I will be running more that half of it.  Better than nothing.  2 more days to train and off to race.

pictures for fun - Ella and earrings (sticker kind of course)

All so - we are planning for a 4 year old birthday - I was trying to get a good picture

That crazy smile

GO FISH CONCERT

Waiting for the concert

We had the best time last night.  This has been a long process.  I began looking on their website last December.  I found that the guys were coming to Charlotte.  Hip Hip Hooray.  I was a thrilled.  I called the church and left a message.  I got a call in March or so that the concert was really for their VBS commencement but they would be releasing a few tickets to the public.  The lady informed me of all the directions and what I needed to do.  Tickets would go on sale Monday at 8:00.  WOW!  I haven't even told the boys what I was up to since I didn't think we would have a chance to go.  Well things worked out

We were told doors opened at 6:00 so we left home at 4:45 for a 7:00 concert.  The kids couldn't understand.  We even had our tickets at Will Call. 

Of course, glow lights

Here they are

They are promoting their new CD - Old School

During intermission

Couldn't get a picture that was great of Ella.  This was about the 4 one we tried.  I gave up

Garrett and Seth loved their hockey jerseys.

What a great group of men (dads) that are pouring into our kids the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music. 

We have a great time.  Fun Family event.

Check that off my list of things to do.

Ready for the new CD

August 10th.

The funny thing is that I have been wanting to focus choir for next year on learning the old hymns.  Even if choir didn't do it, we as a family were going to add this to our morning devotion time.  Well thanks GO FISH, now my kids can here you sing instead of me. haha.

It's all FUN

Seth has found the texting word on Ipod touch.  Not real sure I'm okay with an 8 year old texting BUT  . . .

So yesterday both of the boys spent several hours upstairs.  Little did I know that they were texting the Caswell crew.  My phone beeped with a message.  That's how I knew what was going on.  Well, time to do chores, character chart and read if you want to text anymore.  

So the reading began.  After getting everyone settled, I came through the den and

 

this is what I saw.  Reading yes but eating Pringles (all becasue of Kyra) and backwards in a chair.  Only Seth.  Looks pretty comfortable.

When Jeff got home, we began working on the front porch.  The sidewalk doesn't drain that well and the front never sees the sun.  When it rains, it just settles on the sidewalk right at the door.  It looked very green. 

Well in the process of cleaning, the kids thought it would be fun to get wet. Jeff is actually squirting Ella. You can hardly see her from the mist.

Look at the boys expression.  They just love their sister.  She was the dinner entertainment last night.  We were all laughing at her.

Okay boys turn.

They were soaking wet.  This happened several times during our cleaning last night.  We just love summer and being outside.

The neighbors even came over to get wet.

By the way, the tent from the post before is still up and even more tunnels have been added.  You can't even go through the upstairs.  The entire playroom is covered.  You have to crawl through the tunnel.  I try not to go up there.  They have enjoyed their creation.

Getting close to the 100th  post.  Keep checking back.  I would love to have a comment from you on the 100 post. 

WHATEVER

How many times do I say that word or do I hear that word.  I usually have "buzz" words that I listen to or for.  This is my new "buzz" word.  My devotion this morning uses this word. 

Philippians 4:8-9

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good reposrt,

if there is any virtue

and

if there is anything praiseworthy -

meditate on these things.

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me,

these do,

and the God of peace will be with you."

What is my focus? 

Negative or positive

I seem to think I am a positive person but sometimes all my thoughts, words, and actions are negative.

I get very frustrated with people sometimes because they don't do things the way I want them to or how I would have done it.  The biggest one for me is doing things in the "time" that I thought it needed to be done.  NOW - is the only way for me. 

I am not good with 2, 3 or 5 days later.

One of my spiritual gift downfalls in mercy. 

I thing the comments above fall under mercy. 

So the words to this verse are now posted on my bathroom mirror. 

Positive is my focus.

especially when it comes to the people above.

This is what it is all about . . . Family

Ella had just gotten out of the shower.  Meme bought her a new gown and she has on her princess light up slippers.  I don't want to forget what she looks like with wet hair all sweet and smelling good after bath.

Little blury but cute smile

We had a birthday party today for a friend.  We haven't had many parties to go to for friends.  She was super excited.

Ella with the birthday girl, Anna Claire.  They were in ballet class together.

Tonight the boys have been super busy.  Busy creating a tent.  Not an ordinary tent.  Each person has their own tent but each one connects.  These are the times that really bother me because of the mess but these are the moments that I treasure.  Team work, playing together, no one arguing, and playing (no in front of a TV)

Garrett in his section which connects to Seth's

Seth in his section (Notice the light)   They are from their fish aquariums

Ella in her tent.  Notice her light in the back as well.

Garrett made Jeff and I tickets to see the tents.  We have VIP passes and they even drew a bar code on the ticket.  FUN.

This is what it is all about. . . .  Family, Home, and Fun

Welcome to the Country - Down South

Last night, we were in the country.  We have friends that own a little country store.  They were celebrating their one year anniversary.  BBQ, games, jumper, bluegrass, homemade ice cream.  Well storms have been passing our way the pass couple of days but the rain had moved on by the time the children were ready to play. 

Ella and Daddy enjoying supper outside on the bench.  (Ella is trying to show me her heart painted on her face.  Thank goodness we didn't stand in line for 1 hour this time.)

Seth playing a game.  The other two in the picture are friends from church.

The little girl in the picture just had a hair cut.  She had 11 inches cut off to donate to Locks of Love.  Way to go Hailey.

Ella having a turn.  She actually got one in.  The system was to play the game.  If you won the game, you picked up a rock and took it to the prize lady.  She would let you pick from the candy bucket.  Do you think Honesty was a problem???  It is nice to be surrounded by people who live by the same standards you do.

All Children love the bouncy.  Ella is the big blurr - green and purple.

Hey finally a picture of Garrett.  A head taller than anyone else.  He is easy to pick out of a crowd.

No games for him - just chatting.

Seth and his posse.  These three little boys are what the definition of friends should be.  FUN, maybe a little TROUBLE, and SILLY

We had fun just hanging out as a family. 

Way to go Sholars on making it through the first year as owners of Old Hargett Store.

Happy 66th Birthday Papa

We went over to Noni and Papa's to swim late yesterday to clebrate Papa's Birthday. 

Ella was posing for her picture.

She is really saying "mom, stop!  No more pictures"  To catch her really smiling is hard to do.

This is how the big boys, Garrett and cousin Will, play basketball. 

All the little people in the pool.

Seth, Will, Garrett, Mallory, Ella and Mirassa

Noni had gotten magic, never go out candles.  The kids thought that was funny.

The girls thought they would give the candles a try.

Eating chocolate cake with ice cream. The girls enjoyed the yummy treat.

Happy Birthday Papa.  We wish you many more to come.

Let Freedom Ring

Thank goodness for the freedom we have to celebrate with family and friends with food, swimming, baseball, washers, and fireworks.

Noni had a new bubble machine that automatically blew bubbles.  Ella loved it.  There is that little girl in a bathing suit again.

Jeff, Garrett, and Uncle Keith playing basketball in the pool.  Pretty physical game.

We always paint silly toenails for the 4th of July.  These are Ella's toes.  She really wanted purple and red but I told her that we have to do red, white and blue.  Well, she said for July 5 I want purple and red.  haha

Ella, Beckett, Seth and Garrett waiting to say prayer at supper time.

Watermelon  Yummy!  Ella favorite

Seth and his cheeseburger - Nothing like cooking out for the 4th

Sparkler time - this is a tradition at Noni's house.  We always go sparklers right before the fireworks.

Seth's pose

Jeff playing his new game of washers. 

We had a great day hanging out with family and friends.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 3rd of July

Since July 4th is on Sunday, it has given us two days to enjoy.  Today as the traditional July 4th celebration for our little town, Unionville.  This celebration has been going on since I was a little girl.  I remember coming to the celebration as a child with my parents.  I even danced a few years. 

Ella, Seth and I went to the fun just right up the road from our house.

Ella loves to have her face painted.  We stood in line for 1 hr and 20 mins for this precious look. 

The huge bumpy slide.  You slide on a burlap sacks.  Ella was alittle timid at first but had a smile a the bottom.

I love the sweetness of Seth, the big brother, standing with his little sister.  She finds great comfort just him being around her.

Ready to ride.  Ella become frightened half way through the ride.  Seth reached across and held her hands for the rest of the ride. 

The train ride through town.

Happy 3rd of July.  More celebrating to come tomorrow after church - swimming, picnic, and fireworks at Noni and Papa's

Just for a little laugh.

The prize from the dentist several weeks ago.  Silly teeth.  haha

Garrett sporting his teeth.  Funny