Family Camp and the Lake

Crabby Pabby kiddos

Our residence for FC

Jason and Isaac

My studly hubby showing his skills

Kadyn tired from swimming

Warning: This is long! This year Jason had the opportunity to play in one of the worship bands for St. Louis Family Camp (stlfamilycamp.com) and I am sad to say, but that was probably the only way we would have considered going...so we made the decision to go. I was my usual cautiously optimistic self and found myself focusing on all the negatives: jason has to practice during the day preventing us from really having free time, we will be staying with 6 other families so the kids are going to never sleep, the kids are not going to sleep well, they are providing food so it's just going to be fattening junk, I am not going to be able to get my runs in, etc! So going into this I was already crabby, but Jason (being the amazing, go with the flow man he is) reassured me that everything was going to be fine. We left for FC on Friday morning and as you can see by the first picture the kids were mildly crabby. We had prepped them for some of the things we would be doing and we all prepared our hearts by listening to the kids worship CD from Seeds Family Worship (seedsfamilyworship.net), which is the band Jason was helping with.

When we arrived at Windermere (on Lake of the Ozarks) we were pretty excited about 4 days together and the opportunity to spend time with the kids doing new things. We got there early so Jason could help set up sound stuff and found that our living arrangements were pretty neat. We would be staying with 6 other families in one large house that had a common kitchen/eating area. We got settled in and Isaac was thrilled that there were bunk beds for him to sleep on! We tried to lay down for a nap, but there was too much going on and so started day one of no naps...despite my fears God completely worked in us and the kids were amazing to be around and there weren't any of the usual tired problems. We found that this house was so great for us, it gave us the freedom to put the kids to bed and still spend time playing games and getting to know other Journey families. The first night we heard from Bryan Chappell who is the president of Covenant Seminary and we knew that God was going to do awesome and challenging things through this camp in our family.

During the mornings we had family worship that was led by Seeds Family Worship (see above website, I mean really look at it) leader Phillip Morlan, who Isaac likes to call "Mr. Phillip," even now as we listen to the CD's, and his wife Jess and their 5 incredible kids. The entire basis of SFW is implanting scripture in children's hearts and this is done by writing songs that are entirely scripture. It really is amazing to see Kadyn singing scripture and already letting those truths grow in her heart. Not only during that time was this family amazing, but just seeing a family whose desire is for their kids to know and love God intimately was amazing. Morlans: we want to be like you someday, please move from Nashville to St. Louis! Everyone reading this should go to the website now and get all their CD's, it is an amazing way to worship with your kids!

We had the opportunity to spend time together as a family at a place that Jason has so many memories at and that was incredible too. Jason worked at Windermere for two summers so he let us in on all the little hiding places where we could completely stand in awe of our amazing Creator. Jason and Isaac spent some time playing on these giant inflatable water toys, I didn't get any pics b/c I forgot my camera, but they had a blast. We got the opportunity to go out on a boat for the afternoon which was tons of fun. Isaac went tubing for the first time, which he wasn't super thrilled with, but was a trooper none the less...Kadyn said "no thank-you." Jason spent some time skiing and tubing and I just sat in the sun (one of my favorite things to do!)

After four days at camp we headed to our friend's house (Jamie and Andy) for a few more days of lake time. This was total relaxation! We hung out at the dock, did some fishing, and swam in the lake. The kids were totally exhausted!

Coming home from FC we have been challenged by how we parent. God is our ultimate Father and looking to him to see how to love our children as the ultimate example is challenging for most of us. Expecting our kids to be sinful should be in our minds and the unconditional grace and love shown by our Abba will change you. We are excited by what God has shown us through our kids and hope that more families can experience this next year!

Isaac's 4th Birthday

The spread

Isaac and Graham chowing down on jello aquariums

Friends helping with the presents

The cake

This year for Isaac's party we headed to the pool. The kids and I spend lots of time at the pool so it just fit. We had tons of our friends there and everyone had a great time. It was a great day for those not wanting to swim, I think the high was 89 and breezy, which for July 10th is AMAZING! It was almost cold in the water! We had a picnic dinner and then an amazing fish cake for dessert (same lady that does all our cake/cupcake needs...wish I could take credit, she's amazing!) I can't believe I have a 4 year old! Happy birthday buddy, you are a wonderfully made kid, God does great work!

4th of July

Learning about water and dirt

Our super silly boy

The ultimate princess

Racing for candy at the 4th of July

Like last year the kids made the trip to Springfield for the 4th of July. They had a blast and got to attend several days of my parent's VBS, which they loved. The night before we came down (I came down with the kids 2 days early b/c Jason was in Nashville for a few days) my parents had a flood in their kitchen. So when we arrived the restoration people were taking out everything from the kitchen so we spent lots and lots of time outside. Thankfully it was a gorgeous week and we spent tons of time in the pool. The kids stayed the weekend and enjoyed the parade and fireworks while mom and dad enjoyed sleeping in until 10am!!!

Kadyn Turned 2

Kadyn turned two at then end of May and her princess themed birthday party was a blast. I have the most amazing cupcake lady and she outdid herself this time (you can see from the few we had left. I got so caught up in eating them I forgot to take a picture of all of them!) I can't believe Kadyn is two until she begins to display her independence and then it all comes rushing back.

KC Vacation

I had more than two days off in a row for the first time since Jan this past weekend. We were originally going somewhere on vacation for Pat's birthday, but decided to retreat to KC instead. It was such a treat! We arrived on Friday and got to spend some time with Pat and Claudia just relaxing, I got in a great run complete with a cow escort as they ran with me down the fence! Claudia told us that we had to ready to leave on Sat morning by 8:30, but wouldn't tell us what we were doing. She and Pat had gotten the four big kids hot stone massages! It was the most amazing hour I have had in a long time, they had to pour me in my clothes after it was over!!! We headed back to the house to get ready and then went to the Richmond Mushroom Festival. It was your typical small town fair, complete with lots of mullets and funnel cakes (yes, I ate one!). After we were faired out we headed home to change into dinner clothes. Claudia arranged for two of her sisters to come watch the kids so the adults could enjoy a fabulous dinner without saying once "(insert name here) take a bite." Thank you so much Laura and Cindy for your willingness to watch the kids! After and incredible dinner we headed to one of KC's fabulous jazz bars and enjoyed some jazz before heading home. On Sunday we relaxed and spent some time fishing at Papa's freshly stocked pond. Isaac had a blast and got to reel in several! Their house truly is an oasis, I believe the grass is greener and the sky is bluer out there, you will agree after looking at the pics!


Daddy and Isaac fishing


The diva in her sun hat provided by Grammy (see what I mean about it being greener and bluer!)



Such a doll

I am not sure what was being said, but their faces indicate it was something gross! Those two crack me up!

Isaac holding a fish (I think I caught that one, but it's nothng to brag about!)

Bar Lights

Same view prior to wall coming out and kitchen being extended

Counter tops

Before if you need to be reminded of it's nastiness!

The kitchen is getting sooo close to done.

The walls are going to be painted a light green color

(dark green in top picture going away!) and then

some finish work and we should be done!!!!

The backyard transformation was going to be low on the priority list, but that was before spring arrived with all it's crazy out of control bushes lining our property! It all started with the removal of a bush in front of our house. The "all" I am referring to is Jason realizing his truck isn't as wimpy as we originally thought. Don't get me wrong, it's still a 4 cylinder when you mash on the gas on the highway, but tying a chain around a bush and pulling it out with the truck appeared to be a piece of cake (and a huge testosterone filled activity for the sexy hubby!) So, when we started planning for our friends surprise 30th bday party at our house, we decided to do some major overhaul in the backyard, thanks Hessel's for the motivation. Jason and the kids enjoyed it, and I do have to admit that it was tons of work, but well worth it! See for yourself how much nicer it looks, well, will look once we get the privacy fence up and some grass grown in the bare spots! We might have even cleared enough out for me to have a garden, woo hoo home grown veggies- at least that's going to be next summer!

Before

During

Afterish (next summer will be the final unveiling!)