Better than Expected

Everyone had a good time camping. The kids played outside, held bunnies, and had their fingers bit by chickens. Maybe I should explain-last weekend was Heritage weekend at Ponca State Park. There were some special activities going on, including a mini-petting zoo for the kiddos, yummy cobbler & homemade icecream, and a wagon ride pulled by horses. 

The first night I didn't sleep much...at all. Joel insists that my parents deprived me by not taking me camping as a kid. I told him that I don't feel like I was deprived! I really enjoyed staying in hotels while we vacationed. :) That first night, I heard the crickets chirping LOUDLY & was freezing cold since it got down in the 40s Friday night there...But, Saturday night, I slept! Outside. In a tent. I feel very accomplished. :) I even told Joel that a few more times, and I maybe wouldn't mind camping-and maybe would eventually ENJOY it! Baby steps. There was 16 of us camping...4 tents set up at our campsite, and my sister & her family slept in their camper (now THAT is camping!) There is just something about being away from the internet and not having a phone signal...that allows you to really relax and enjoy your surroundings. I definitely want to do it again! 

Adventures this Week

This week has been a week of adventures for us. Joel & I decided Monday night that Tuesday morning, P & I would head to IA to see my Sister-in-Law & her 2 boys. We did over 10 hours of driving in 2 days! Of course, the trip took long longer...with stops. One of those stops occurred when we were on interstate, and P says, "I have to go poopy!" Okay! We took the next exit, then had to drive about 10 min. to the nearest gas station. At least we made it! :) That stop alone took about 30 min. though...so we didn't exactly HURRY to get to our destination. I usually like to make as few stops as possible, and QUICK stops, at that...but with a 3-year-old, that's not always possible. He did really well though, when he wasn't bemoaning the fact that, "We're NEVER gonna be there!" :)

We packed a LOT into the 24 hours that we were in Iowa! My Sister-in-Law took us to a c-u-t-e apple orchard, spoiled us with wonderful, fruity, baked oatmeal, and treated us to Pizza Hut. Another highlight was getting to meet up with TWO of my former college roommates in ONE day! We got to visit my sweet roomy from my Senior year on Tuesday night, at her house...and then Wednesday, we met her and her 2 kiddos at the park. It was great for all the little ones to RUN off energy! We all had a great time chatting, and eating watermelon. It was great to catch up! Wednesday night, on the way home...P & I met with my Sophomore year roomy and her 5-year-old daughter. We had dinner and chatted. She and I met before I even met Joel, so she got to was forced to listen to the drama involving Joel & I in the early days, when I was trying to figure out if I liked him...etc. HINT: I really did like him! :)

Tonight we are headed to a state park about 2 1/2 hours away to go tent-camping. Yikes. I previously referred to camping in tents as: sleeping on the ground, with BUGS. I'm trying to stop that. Really. Joel says bugs don't get in your tent. :) As much as I am not a camper, I am really looking forward to some quality family time away from it all!

Happy weekend!

The Wide-man Song!

Thursday morning, Mr. P asked if he could sing the Wide-man Song. It made me laugh. I possibly wouldn't have known which song he was referring to, except for the fact that he stacked his little fists one on top of the other while he asked me...

P: Can we sing the Wide-man Song, Mom?

Me: Oh. You mean the WISE man song?...(The wise man built his house upon the rock...) Yes, that was the song!

He sang that song Wednesday night with the kiddos at church. It's funny the things kids come up with. 

Happy Friday!!!

This-n-That

Last week we had a fun weekend ahead of us. There was a party planned for my In-Laws for their 30th Anniversary, family coming to NE, much to do...and then it all came to a halt for me Friday night about midnight, when Preston got sick. I thought it was maybe something he'd ate...but, no. His 'flu bug' continued throughout the long, long night. I'd be lying in bed, hear 'that sound' and bolt from my bed and into his room. Let's just say that he initiated his new bedding set on his 'big-boy' bed, the toddler bed, the carpet in his old room and in the hallway. The carpet needed steam-cleaned before, but now it definitely does!

After that long night, and on into Saturday, Preston was sick. Poor guy! The sad thing is, that I'd had him at the Doctor last Thursday...and of course Friday evening is when he got sick. I had a sneaking suspicion that he'd picked up SOME thing during the 45 minutes we spend in the Doctor's office waiting room! I called the nurse and discussed Mr. P's symptoms and of course she said they'd had "lots of calls" where children were vomitting...yay. So now I definitely think that I paid a $25 Co-pay and waisted about 90 minutes at the Doctor's...only to MAKE my son sick. Poor guy!

I had to miss my In-Law's party, but am thankful to my husband for texting photos to me, of people when they'd arrived, his parents with the cake, etc. I'd got to help plan the event, so it was nice to at least be able to see some of it, in almost 'real-time'...:) 

I think we are still playing catch-up this week! Mr. P had a good 2-hour nap, and then came downstairs only to fall right asleep on the couch again!! Guess he needs some extra zzz's...this might explain the super-whiney morning we had!!

28 Reasons

August 1st is Joel's Birthday. He's turning 28. Our marriage has had ups and downs, but we are happy. And I'm thankful for him. Here's 28 reasons why I love Joel! (There are more reasons than that, but I'm going with a theme here, ok?) ;o)

Joel...

1) ....loves the Lord.

2) ....is tall, strong, and handsome.

3) ....loves Preston & is a good Daddy.

4) ....makes me feel safe.

5) ....gives great hugs!

6) ....is smart!

7) ....studies and learns on his own so he is more knowledgeable in his work.

8) ....makes me laugh with his goofy sense of humor.

9) ....knows my flaws and loves me anyways!

10) ..is waaay patient with me.

11) ..can juggle!

12) ..has gorgeous blue eyes.

13) ..enjoys spending time with my parents & sister/her hubby, etc.

14) ..likes my cooking. (at least he says so...;o)

15) ..is learning to play the guitar. Good job hon!

16) ..works hard!!!

17) ..puts up with me when I'm crabby. 

18) ..has bigger feet than I do. ;o)

19) ..loves watching movies and just hanging out together.

20) ..is a great computer fix-it guy for our home computers and friends & family!

21) ..sometimes makes me coffee in the morning! (I love the sound of brewing coffee in the am!!)

22) ..made an awesome program to keep track of our finances.

23) ..is just a tiny bit shorter than me, and he's ok with that! :o)

24) ..is calm when I'm not.

25) ..has gorgeous, wavy hair.

26) ..knows just the right things to say to encourage me when I'm worried or sad.

27) ..likes listening to Dave Ramsey podcasts with me. (Yay!) :o)

28) ..doesn't judge people, and thinks the best of others!

I love you, honey!! Thanks for being my best friend~Happy Birthday!!

Prayers Needed

Sweet baby Stellan needs prayer! He has not been doing well. To read updates, click over to MckMama's blog. I am so concerned about this family. During the wee hours of the morning, I was thinking of them. Praying. I can't even imagine what they must be going through.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. - Galations 6:2

Finding Joy in the Little Things

Lately I've been realizing how great it must to find happiness in the little things. Last night we allowed Mr. P to have M&M's after he finished supper, and he was super excited. I mentioned to Joel that few people find that much joy in M&M's...(well, except for us)...:o)

Today at the mall was another exciting adventure. We went down to the lower level of Westroads Mall and had a blast!! For those that don't know, there is a carnival arcade of sorts, complete with a shooting range, mini-glow-golf, and more! We've been down there before, and Preston was content to just 'play' on the games...it's like he never realized you had to put tokens in to actually play! :o) Today though, I 'splurged' and bought 10 tokens for $2. For about 15 minutes, we played Skeeball and I let him race on a car game. So fun! He was actually pretty good at Skeeball. He got the ball in the holes several times...but it wasn't always the holes in our lane. He made use of the lanes next to us as well. I was kinda worried when other folks came over to play. I didn't want him beaming anyone with a wooden ball. ;o) We earned enough tickets with our $2 to get a couple suckers and a little plastic guy. What more could you want?!

Then after nap today we went to the park. It is my new favorite thing to watch P chase rabbits at the park. Hilarious! At one point there were 6 rabbits in one small area, and he went after every one of them, chasing them until they were beyond the point of no return. He was not deterred until they were OUT of sight! What a hoot. 

Basically, having a child has opened my EYES to the fact that happiness is in the heart of the beholder. P finds joy every day (and also his share of tears) but it is a challenge to me to look for the GOOD in things. 

James 1:17 (New King James Version)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.