Let The Summer Begin!

Goodness, I'm behind!  School is out and you would think that I would have more time to sit and work on my blog.  Not the case!  We have been non stop for weeks and it didn't change because summer got here.

Anne finished 2nd Grade and Jarod finished 7th!  Remember last August when I was so worried about him going to Jr. High??  He did great - OWNED the year!  So very proud of him.  Now I have a 3rd and 8th Grader in the house.  One more year and we will be talking about High School.  We may have more ugly crying.  I'll think about that later.....

As you know, Helen had a mastectomy in May.  She is still doing great!  Thank you for all of your prayers.






School ended on a Wednesday and by Sunday, the guys were packed and heading out to Scout camp.
Jarod did a High Adventure Camp this summer.

He spent his days repelling down 60 ft walls, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and white water rafting.  He had a great time and did NOT stop talking about it when he got home until he fell asleep that night.

Jarod with part of his troop at High Adventure Camp

 

Did I mention that Jarod cut all his hair off?  I was floored!  He asked me to make him a hair appointment.  Russ took him and he came home like this - 

 It was a bit shocking at first.  I haven't seen that forehead in a few years!  It sure makes him look older - and even more like his dad!

While Russ and Jarod were in the woods, Anne and I took off to visit Sasha for a few days.  I was so excited because I got to meet baby Max for the first time!  He was born in December and we hadn't been able to get down there to see him.  It was definitely worth the wait though - he's adorable!!!

Could he be ANY cuter????  And look at those eyes!!!!

Sasha already has him in the pool and I predict he will be swimming by the end of the summer.  He LOVES the water - and he LOVES his Grandma!

So excited for Drew and Amanda.  He's such a sweet boy - they are truly blessed.

Excited for Sasha as well.  Grandbaby #1.  Goodness knows she's had lots of practice with my kids - she's awesome!








We hung out a lot at Sasha's pool but we also took at day and spent a few hours at a local pool so Anne could enjoy the big slide.

And try out the diving board for the first time -

This pic cracks me up.

It was a nice and relaxing time as always.  Making plans now to be with my family for my other cousin's wedding!  Sasha has A LOT going on this year!

Congratulations Ashlea and Colin!  Can't wait to celebrate with you in September!

Summer is Officially in Full Swing

Last week, while Anne and I were chillin' at Sasha's house, Jarod and Russell were at Scout Camp.  I thought I would give you a photo documentary of the week.  They had a lot of fun!

Because they had to leave early Sunday morning, Russell's dad filled in for Russ at church.  It was a special treat for me.  Having been in the family now for almost 15 years and Russ always serving at our own church, I have only heard Carl preach a handful of times.  This man has preached over 60 years and has retired twice!  You just can't keep a preacher from preaching!  It's his love and his passion - I see where Russ gets it from.  Carl is nearly 82 and still going at it.

I couldn't help but pull out my phone and snatch this photo.  I wanted to be able to capture this moment for us and for Russell.  Funny thing was, as I was putting my phone back into my purse, I accidentally "pushed Russell's face" (his icon on my phone) - and I pocket dialed him.  They were driving to camp and he got to hear his dad preach for a little while!  Ha!!!!



So Russ and Jarod headed to Camp Thunder in west Georgia this year.  They had a great time!  Jarod worked on Merit Badges while Russ worked on some service projects and was able to relax some.

Their home for the week

Russ said it rained ALL day Sunday and Monday but then cleared up and they had a dry week.

Jarod got to launch rockets for his Space Exploration Merit Badge.

He learned swimming survival skills by jumping in fully clothed and then learning how to take them off and use them for flotation devices AND he had to swim 150 yards for his Swimming Merit Badge.

He traveled to FDR's Little White House as part of his Citizenship of the Nation Merit Badge.  He really enjoyed this.  He's such a history nut - just like his dad!

Russell hiked to Mossy Falls.  The photo on the left reminded him of the trail in the first Lord of the Rings movie.  Pretty cool!!!!

 I love this photo of the Chapel area - How cool is that?

While at camp, Jarod got to try Mountain Boarding!  He has not stopped talking about this since he returned.  He did take a nice chunk out of the side of his leg from falling on the tires while they were moving.  But I think it was worth it to him.





















The other fun "Field Trip" they took was to the Atlanta Motor Speed Way!  They all had a BLAST!!!! 

They returned on Saturday excited, exhausted and full of fun stories!  I do believe it was a successful week at camp!

On Sunday we celebrated Russell as it was Father's Day.  I am so thankful to be married to a man who is such an active father.  As a pastor, he is pulled in many different directions, but always makes time for Anne and Jarod's events.  One of the MANY things that I LOVE about him.

We celebrated him by giving him a new coffee maker - along with some of his new favorite coffee from Haiti! (Thanks to Sasha for picking this up at EPCOT!)

These were just small tokens of appreciation (and my replacing the nasty white coffee maker on my counter.  NEVER buy a white one!  I don't care how much I tried - I could not keep it clean!)

Anyway - the other gift we did this year was having this preserved and re-framed:

 When Russell's dad would preach, he would do chalk art like this.  He would take a completely blank piece of paper, mount it on an easel, under lights and begin to draw as he spoke.  He could do a picture like this in about 8 minutes.  He was known for this!  People still talk about it today.  Unfortunately for the family - he always gave each piece away to someone in the audience so they are very rare.

Russ met a lady recently and she asked him if he was Carl Franklin's son.  She went on to tell him that she had a piece of chalk art that he had done at her church years ago and she wondered if Russ would like to have it!  Of course he jumped at it and she brought it by the church a few weeks ago.    The frame is old and heavy and I took it to have it matted, preserved and re-framed to hang in his office.  It was supposed to be a Father's Day gift - but it won't be ready until next week.

Again - so thankful for this man and the leader he is in our family.  I am truly and completely blessed!  Happy Father's Day, Russell!!!!

Won't You Pray With Me?

Russ and Jarod are at Scout Camp in West Central Georgia this week.  They have had some rain but are doing well and having a lot of fun.  Jarod is working on several Merritt Badges, including swimming, something about space (he's launching rockets tomorrow) and history.  Totally in his element.  They are going on a "Field Trip" tomorrow to the Atlanta Race Way.  They are excited!  I'm sure I will blog more about it when Russ comes home with photos, etc.


Anne and I took off and came to Sasha's for some much needed "girl time."  The weather has been great and we are enjoying long conversations by the pool.  Tomorrow will be more fun and sun and maybe even some shopping.  Always a must with Sasha.

I have to say I am enjoying the down time.  We have had many exciting things happening to us since my trip to Haiti in February.  AP sales and speaking engagements are non-stop (I have another one this Saturday!)  We've transitioned in ministry to a new church and we have ended another successful school year. All this while keeping up with my calligraphy orders.  All we have left is VBS next week and Anne's dance recital next weekend and things should calm down a bit for the summer. 

I am already making some plans for the future - but no matter what I do, I have Haiti on my brain.  I know I talk about it regularly and I'm selling the jewelry constantly - but it's more than that.  God did such an incredible work in my life in that place and I feel as though I have left part of my heart there.   I have this strong desire to return and I'm trying to figure out if it is because I am supposed to return because God has even more for me OR if I'm just obsessed because I'm totally in love with AP, Shelley, Corrigan, their family, the artisans and all they are doing there.  (Not in a creepy, stalker kind of way mind you - but the I want to go and help and visit and be a part and come back with even more stories, kind of way.)

What I'm trying to decide is - Is this was I am SUPPOSED to do - or what I WANT to do?  Or - does it even matter?  On my last trip - I wanted to go but I also knew I was supposed to go.  I had a "God Appointment" that week.  This time I want to go - but I don't know if I'm supposed to go.  Does that make sense????  Does it have to be so black and white? 

Can I just go because I want to?  After all - it is God who brought this to me and the passion I have for it all comes directly from Him.  So maybe it is one in the same.  Maybe going down there on a regular basis is what I'm supposed to do now.  God does give us the desires of our hearts.  I'm over thinking this, aren't I?????? 

I do that.  It drives my husband crazy.  He's not here right now - can you tell?  So you guys get to hear all the ramblings that are going on in my head.  Scary, huh???

Don't you feel special???

One thing I DO KNOW - I am ready to take another leap of faith - if that is what God requires of me.  I'm ready to dive deeper, learn more.

I have found that there is NO better place then doing exactly what He wants me to do and being exactly who He has made me to be.  Right now, for me, this includes Apparent Project.

Obedience always brings freedom. 

And that kind of freedom can make a huge splash in the world.

The ripples go on and on and on and effect so many more than just myself.

I am praying about this - and therapeutically typing it all out -  'cause that's what I do.


Won't you pray with me?

A Camping We Will Go

Each May, Jarod's Scout Troop ends their year with a Family Camp Out.  Jarod camps with his troop each month, but this is the time when all of us get to join him.  Anne is always quite excited about it.  Me, well - May is a crazy busy month normally.  Add to it all the Apparent Project stuff I've been doing and let's just say that going camping was a bit overwhelming.  Whereas it is a lot of fun - it's also a lot of work.  I left out of here last Friday with a bit of an attitude.

But you know what?  My men are professional campers!  Other than packing myself and Anne - I really didn't have to do much. 

Jarod setting up his tent for the night.

Love this picture of Russ - how cute is he?

Relaxing a bit once camp was set up.

Jarod got a fire going and we roasted some marshmallows for smores.  By this time, I was totally relaxed and decided we could stay for a week!  Why was I all stressed out?  

There is just something about a camp fire......

 The next morning - Jarod cooked breakfast!  Bacon and eggs - I didn't have to do anything!  Now that's my kind of camping!

We headed out after breakfast to do a little exploring.  We were staying at Anastasia Park in St. Augustine.  I loved the ramble through the woods - the look of "old Florida" is so beautiful!

 

 And the St. Augustine lighthouse in the background was perfect!!!

 

Checking out the beach - we'll come back and play after lunch.

LOVE!!!!!

What a walk!!!!

Love this picture of Jarod - although he looks so BIG!!!!!

Russ actually fell asleep on the beach!  The weather was beautiful!  Very windy and even cold when the sun went behind the clouds.  Awesome day to just sit and relax!

One of the events for the Family Camp Out is the final Court of Honor for the year.  Jarod is receiving one of three different Merritt Badges he has earned.

Russ was recognized for his support of Troop 650 this year.  He was quite honored.

Part of Jarod's Troop

This was a wonderful weekend.  Why do I fight things like this?  I get so practical - get wrapped up in all that I think I need to do - when really it's time to stop.  Take time with the family.  Relax.  Regroup.  So I can come back and take on the world!!!!!

My blog friend, Heather Hendrick, wrote this recently about how nature has a way of healing us.  I think she's on to something.........

Until next time.....

Spring Break 2012

Last week was Spring Break.  We enjoyed staying up late, sleeping late, and just doing whatever we wanted.  So very nice.  I'm almost excited for summer to get here - except the kids went back to school today and my house was quiet.  I enjoy that too!

The weekend began with Boy Scout Merit Badge Fair.  Russ and Jarod spent the weekend camping out along Dr.'s Lake here in Orange Park.

Love this sunrise pic....

 Russ doing a little sermon prep by the Lake

 Jarod working on his Chess Merritt Badge

Monday was spent at home, relaxing and fielding all the phone calls and emails once the news was out about Russell's resignation.  All of the encouragement and kind words were so appreciated.  We are excited for our new journey to begin.

I spent Tuesday at the church office, training the new secretary.  She's excited to do it and I think she's going to do a great job!  The kids spent the day at the park with Nana and Papa.

On Wednesday, we picked up Sam and Chloe and headed to the beach.  The weather here has been beautiful - but the water is still cold.  Not too cold for my crazy children!  Water temp was 71 - I guess it could have been worse.

 

It was a bit too cold for Chloe but we found a pool that was created when the tide went out.  Love those!  Perfect for the kids to play in and it warms up really quick in the warm sun.

Love this cousin pic!

 Love Chloe's face in this pic - so mischievous!  Makes me giggle!

 No one was safe!  

Cuteness!

Even more cuteness!

Love this one!

Coming back from filling her bucket

It was a great day.  When we first arrived it was sprinkling and overcast and VERY windy.  I was tempted to turn around but we didn't.  The sun came out and it proved to be a beautiful day!

On Thursday, we watched Chloe in the morning and then Jarod and Anne went with Nana to the movies to see The Lorax that afternoon.  Friday I spent the day inside doing laundry and cleaning while Russ mowed the lawn and washed the van.  Although that always entails bathing suits, water guns and massive hose wars.  Not sure who was more wet!  Of course, as soon as everyone was in for the day, we had one of our typical Florida downpours!  But - nothing says "I love you" more than a clean car and it was still fresh and clean on the inside!  Extra brownie points for that one!

Saturday was full as well.  Russ and Jarod went out to Hickory Grove to help with a church work day.  They laid new mulch and got everything cleaned up for our Easter services.

Russ went off to a Youth Camp Meeting that night and I prepared for Sunday's Bridal Show.  

 It was a crazy day!  I met many new brides and had a wonderful time.  The bridal shows are a lot of hard work but always worth it!  So much fun!!!!

Last but not least, Anne's great accomplishment for Spring Break 2012 --------

 Yes ladies and gentlemen - she is now an official bike rider!  2 wheels and everything!!!!  She received her new bike at Christmas and has struggled off and on. But today she got it out and just started riding it - all by herself!  We are proud!!!!  Way to go Anne!!!!!

So that's an overview of our Spring Break this year!  Now we focus on the last 9 weeks of school.  We have field trips, speech contests, FCAT testing, dance recital and MANY other things on the calendar between now and June.  It's going to fly by.  Don't worry - I'll be right here to document it all!

Until next time......