What a week.

What a week.
The boys survived their first overnight camp experience. Isaac suffered from headaches every day, and then was also hit in the back with a hockey stick which produced some back pain, so by Thursday, he had had enough. I picked him up to take him to the chiropractor and saw what pain he was in, and we decided it was better for him to just come home. He did enjoy the camp experience, just wished he felt better. I can relate to his headache suffering, and we're trying to get to the bottom of why he is suffering daily with these headaches. After an adjustment from the chiro, his back felt much better--thank goodness.
Eli lasted until the end of camp, which was Saturday morning. He played basketball every day, only went swimming once (I still don't know how he did that with the heat and humidity we had last week), made new friends, never took a shower and told me although he had lots of fun, he doesn't want to go back. Ha, ha! But that statement was already being changed last night to "Well, if my friend Noah goes, then I'll go again." So we'll see.
I'm so thankful for the opportunity for them to experience camp. Bible camp was a favorite childhood memory of mine growing up and something I always wanted my kids to experience.

Another big thing from last week was the severe weather we had. A tornado touched down in the town of Eagle, only miles away from us. Although we were without some power for a few hours, that was all we had. Hundreds of home were damaged and so many people/friends are not able to return home. Lots of people have stepped up to help and God is working in that town. Our homeschool group is centered in Eagle and I know lots affected. It is so aweome to see people step up to the plate and help others in need. Because of the amount of glass all over from blown out windows, I was not able to take the kids there to help. They were telling people to not allow young kids in because they would get injured.

Another first for us last week was Isaac's first babysitting experience. After he came home early Thursday, we decided to put him to good work. Josh and I had a dinner to go to that evening and we were only 10 minutes away so we thought it would be a good time for Isaac to babysit his younger brothers. He's been hinting at wanting to take on this responsibility.

Despite Camden's cries after we left and then Camden's cries of not wanting to go to bed, Isaac handled it wonderfully. He even had to change a poopy diaper! And I heard no complaints about that part. Both Camden and Logan were sleeping peacefully when we came home. I can't believe we have a child old enough to be entrusted with babysitting, but I have to say I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. I see him growing up so fast lately and although it makes me sad, I am also enjoying our more "grown-up" talks and the little man he is becoming.

My week ended with a boatload of work, but it was all expedited so I was able to turn it all in by Friday evening and enjoy my weekend. Which I am. We've been swimming and enjoying cousin time, playing games and just hanging out. I am thankful for these relaxing times where we can enjoy each other's company and not feel pressured to have to do something.

An afternoon with cousins….

Matthew and Ellie floating.

 

The three troublemakers….notice that Matthew is crying, Will is looking away saying, “I didn’t do it,” and Camden is like, “Whoa, what was that?!”  Typical stuff for the three of them.

 

Logan was a bit sad when we moved the ducks over to Grandma’s (they were outgrowing our housing and nothing was ever built for them:(….), but he was all smiles when he saw Quackers again.  He certainly loves that duck!

Everyone playing with the ducks in the duck play area outside.

 

And we will now begin a progression of  Matthew trying to feed Camden a raspberry (even after it falls on the ground):

Matthew says, “Wait, I have more.”  But Camden had had enough.

 

Ellie and Logan feeding Bella some special flowers that she likes.

 

Isaac and Collin picking the raspberries.

 

Camden checking out the bunny.

 

Camden showing Matthew the bunny.

Don’t they look delicious?!?!?!  They are!!!

 

Our growing ducklings.

Summer is here

Yep,  it’s here.  Our schedule has changed and it’s indicating SUMMER! 

Isaac “officially” completed his 5th grade school year.  My oldest is now considered a junior-higher.  Yikes!  I can’t believe he’s THAT old. 

We went to buy new shoes the other day.  Isaac is in a men’s 8!  I kept saying out loud, “When did that happen? Really,when did that happen?”

The boys have started their summer art class and I am quite pleased with it.  They learn about the different concepts of art along with art history and make a weekly project.  And the projects are no wimpy art projects either! 

Isaac and Eli are also in the home school baseball league.  The two of them have discovered that they really do enjoy baseball.  And as Isaac says, “I’m actually good at it.”  It’s a very relaxed atmosphere and really and truly just for the fun of it.

And biggest thing of our summer yet?!?!?  Isaac and Eli are at their  first overnight week-long camp!   This wasn’t originally a “plan” for our summer.  It was an opportunity that arose quickly and we jumped on it.  They were each offered a scholarship to attend a camp nearby.  Both of them said they wouldn’t do it unless the other did it.  :)  (even though they’re not able to bunk together because of age difference)

The camp has so much to offer them and I pray they can overcome homesickness to enjoy their time.  I won’t lie, it was tough saying goodbye to them.  They’ve never been away from home for more than two nights.  Isaac had tears in his eyes when we were saying goodbye, but he told me that camp was something he really wanted to do.  So if you get a chance this week, say a quick prayer that they’ll both enjoy their time, have tons of fun and be blessed.

On another note, I apologize for my lack of posts.  I started this one over a week ago and I’m just able to sit down now to finish it.  I have been extremely busy with work and that leaves very little time for anything else.  I’ve felt a bit like I’m drowning at times, but with Josh being laid off for a back injury and his hours being cut,  I need to take the work.

Have a blessed week.

And even more ducks!

I’m sorry but this is just what we do these days.  :)

Ducks, ducks, turkeys, ducks, ducks, turkeys.

And they’re just so darn cute.

This is Logan with what we think is his duck, Quackers.  He really loves his duck.

Quackers is snuggling up to Logan and falling asleep.

And Logan is loving it. :)

 

This is what the ducks do after too much playing.  They snuggle up with each other and think please leave us alone, we’re tired.

Most of the time the boys are good about letting them rest.  Eli even sings them a lullaby.

Camden is quite unsure of the ducks.  He gets excited about them, but then freaks when a duck gets too close to him.  Eli decided he needed to conquer this fear so he forced  Camden to hold Mojo (Eli’s duck).

Turns out it worked and Camden isn’t so afraid anymore!

 

Most day this is what we do….sit around and watch the ducks.  Or  play with the ducks.  Or hold the ducks.  Even the dog PJ joined in the “watching” (although I think he was thinking yum, a tasty meal!)

Yep, still watching.  (excuse the background, we are in the basement/laundry room).

Once they start to snuggle up and get sleepy, then we try to sneak away.

 

I think this is the only time I will say a turkey looks cute. :)

Good night little ducklings and turkeys.

Oh, and by the way, we have five ducks and three turkeys four turkeys—one was just born this afternoon!  That’s so far……

More ducks…

 

We moved the ducks to our basement so that the boys can spend more time with them.  At least for a couple weeks until they get bigger.  And my boys are LOVING having the ducks right downstairs.  They’ve set up a special playground for them and Eli is very insistent on “training” his duck.  “It’s never too early to start training, Mom.”

I never realized how much joy these ducks would bring to them!

Our first duck has arrived!

So for those of you who do not know, we’ve been incubating Isaac has been  incubating duck eggs for the past 20 or so days.  He’s been faithful with turning his eggs two to three times a day.  Yesterday morning he turned the eggs before he left for church and there was nothing.  He didn’t notice any attempts at hatching, no cracks in the eggs, nothing. 

Later in the day he’s upstairs (where the incubator is) playing with Eli and he hears a squeaking.  He assumes it’s his guinea pig, Ginger, but upon listening some more realizes this squeaking is a bit higher pitched than Ginger.  He runs over to the incubator and discovers a duckling!!!

The duckling, from our calculations, is about five days early.  It’s the only one to hatch and now we have to remove him/her from the incubator and she/he is going to be all alone in her/his new home.  I hope another one hatches soon!  It happened so quickly that the boys are constantly running up there to check and see if any more have hatched. 

Today we will be moving the duckling to its new home at Grandma’s, as we have nothing to keep the ducklings in. :(

The boys are going to love these ducks!

Logan holding the first duckling, as Isaac (the mother duck) looks on nervously. 

I’m sure I’ll be posting more duckling pics in the next few days.

Prayer chain

Call them what you want: prayer chain, prayer warriors, prayer sisters, prayer friends. Any way you put it, everyone needs at least one.

Our God is an awesome God. He doesn’t want to see us suffer. And when we’re going through issues, He wants us to call on Him. There’s power in prayer; so the more prayers going up, the better.

I experienced this the other day. I had some trials and I immediately called upon my prayer warriors. It was so uplifting to know that I had others praying for my situation throughout the day, along with me. By that evening, things had already improved. Praise God!

So if you don’t have a prayer warrior, go get one! It is such encouragement to hold you up during those rough patches in life.

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And a special thank you to my girls who were praying!

Memorial Day weekend

Whew. What a busy weekend.  Busy but fun.

We kicked off the weekend with a birthday party for Eli with my side of the family. 

Eli wanted another basketball cake.  This is the second year he’s wanted this.  The other one was for his 7th birthday.  I think it has something to do with the playoffs.  And by the way,  Eli is rooting for the Lakers this year!  He wanted a Lakers (Bryant) jersey soooo bad and thought Joy, who lives in CA, was the only one who could get this for him.  Boy, was he surprised when his Grandma, who lives in WI, got him the jersey!  :)

He also received a pocketknife (with strict instructions on correct usage)—another thing he really wanted.

As with all birthdays around here, we all enjoyed the celebration.

 

Saturday was another birthday celebration day with the other side of the family.  We celebrate three birthdays all together.  Before the party though, we did some kite flying – or I should say, Logan did some kite flying. 

He was actually pretty good at it—for a three year old.  :)

That evening we celebrated the three birthdays on the H side.  More fun, lots of food and good times.  Oh, and of course, a bonfire.  Eli always wants a bonfire at his birthday celebration.

Another basketball cake. :)

The other two birthday boys.

Bonfire!

Camden was in awe of the fire.

On Sunday we literally took a day of rest.  We went to church, came home and just rested.  We were all exhausted!

It’s hard to get these two to rest for very long.  Here they are goofing around before bedtime.  Camden was on a ship and Logan was the captain.

Most days you won’t see Logan without his cowboy hat.  It seems to be going everywhere with us lately.

Howdy partner!

 

On Monday we went to a Memorial  Day picnic at a friend’s house  from church.  The kids had fun playing baseball, having a water balloon fight and just running around.  The adults had fun sitting and relaxing. 

All in all, a very good weekend.