The End of Summer

The kids return to school this Tuesday and I sit here wondering what happened to all the time I thought I had!  Where did it go? 

Jarod actually worked a lot this summer!  We are so proud of him.  In between Scout Camp, Youth Camp and other summer activities, he did not want to just sit.  So he asked me to put the word out that he would do yard work.  He has stayed incredibly busy weeding, mowing, and cleaning up yards.  Doing just about anything that is needed.  He's really done a great job and we have enjoyed watching him take on the responsibility. 

He's had a lot of changes this summer.  He cut all his hair off and got rid of the glasses.  He's grown a few more inches and is voice is squeaky.  It was fun to watch his friends do a double take at his orientation the other night - no one recognized him.  He's becoming so grown up. ***Sniff - sniff***

In the last week, I've often found myself staring at him, wondering when this young man came to live at my house.  The years are winding down and we won't have him under our roof much longer.  Then he opens his mouth, picks on his sister or does some other crazy 13 year old thing and I roll my eyes, shake my head and think - "Oh!  We have so far to go!!!"

He's starting 8th grade this week.  I don't think I will have all the ugly crying like last year - he's pretty settled and doing well in Jr. High.  I'll save that for this time next year when he enters High School!!!

Anne is entering 3rd grade and I believe she is excited to return to school.  She's had Dance Camp, VBS, sleep overs and other fun things to keep her busy but she has also had a lot of down time.  She thoroughly enjoyed our vacation this past week.

We decided to take off for a few days before school started.  Russell found a place in Central Florida that offers Free Pastor's Retreats.  We were thrilled to get away and play as a family.  We have found that we do best in ministry if we can physically get out of town for a few days at least twice a year.  Russ doesn't shut down like he needs to if he stays in town.  So we try to make this happen as often as our schedule will allow.  That is not always budget friendly so this place was perfect!!!!

Camp Gilead was awesome.  We had our own, newly renovated, apartment and because there were no camps going on while we were there - the kids had free reign! 

I think this is my favorite shot from the week!

The lake was the best!  Not to mention we had it all to ourselves - how fun is that?

 Anne LOVED the trampoline!

 Jarod taught us how to play Carpet Ball.  He taught me well - I kept beating him!  :-)

Anne was the champion at Connect Four!

And these were the best!!!!

We spent one day at Bok Tower Gardens.  I do not know how I have lived in Florida most of my life and never heard of this place!  It was so much fun!

How beautiful! 

 Although I have to admit that I felt a little "Lord of the Rings" like while driving up to this tower! 

 Way cool!

The 205 ft tower contains 60 bells that chime every hour.  Anne is standing inside what would be the largest bell in the tower.

The tower is surrounded by 50 acres of gardens and a 12,900 square foot house known as Pinewood Estates.  

  We went for a tour......

 Loved this door - reminded me of "The Secret Garden"

We paused for a run through the mist 

LOVE this!

Looking at the tower

As you can see, it was a great time!  We are gearing up now for school as we head into Fall. 

I leave on Thursday for New York City!  I'm so excited!  Shelley asked me to come and help her with a Trade Show in Manhattan.  Marilyn (Shelley's mom) will join me on Wednesday evening and we fly to NY on Thursday.  We will spend the weekend setting up and the Trade show is Sunday through Tuesday!  I'm so thankful for the opportunities God continues to give me through Apparent Project.  Each one leads/prepares me for the next.  This is going to be awesome!

Can't wait to share with you!

Until next time.....

North Carolina Getaway

It's time to get caught up.  This blog serves many purposes.  It gives me a place to work things out in my head, share what God is doing in my life and it also serves as documentation for our family life.  There is no way on earth that I could find time to scrapbook and do it well - so this is perfect for me.  And at the end of the year, I have it published into a book.  The kids love when it arrives in the mail and they have their life in printed pages.

All that being said, I realized that I never blogged about our family vacation after Christmas.  I came home, took the tree down and took off for Washington State for the AP Board Meeting and have been running ever since.  So - today is the day!  Aren't you excited?

We LOVE North Carolina.  Russ and I have been vacationing there since our first year of marriage.  We love the beach - but its here.  It's easily accessible.  The mountains take a little more effort but it is always worth it.  We have been during the Summer, Fall and Winter.  We aren't sure which we like best.  Lately, it's winter.  We cut back on purchasing a ton of Christmas gifts and we take off the day after Christmas.  We stay an entire week in a mini-apartment at Ridgecrest Conference Center.  There is no TV and no internet access.  We play games, hike, shop and explore.  Some things we do over and over each year and then we also find new places to check out.  It never gets old.

This year we saved our money so we could take the kids tubing.  Neither one has ever been around any significant amount of snow - not enough to play in.  So, even though this was man-made, it was perfect!  They had a blast - and boy did they sleep well that night!

Love this!

Being pulled up the mountain

Russ and Anne coming down together

Jarod

Anne

This may have to be an annual event.  The kids had a blast - and so did we!

The next day, we took a hike up Rattlesnake Trail.  Love this trail.  And we love the way it looks in the winter.

Russ loves his "recliner" at the top

They say you can see Billy Graham's house from here. 

 If you know where to look. 

 We don't know where to look.  

Poor Anne wasn't feeling 100% during this hike.  When we got back to our cabin she had a temp.  No wonder!  She's always such a trooper!

The next day we took off for Linville Caverns

We  explored deep underground as we wound through the inside of the mountain.  Amazed by the detail that God takes - both inside and out.

When we were done exploring the caves, we took off up the mountain to see Linville Falls.  We had never done this hike before and were thrilled to find all the REAL snow!!!

One thing is for sure - we didn't have the right hiking shoes for snow and ice.  It proved to be a slippery trail - but so beautiful!

I just love the snow mingled in on the rocks - so pretty!

We finished our week off with a trip to Chimney Rock

We have visited Chimney Rock several times over the years.  Parts of it were closed this trip due to ice but we still enjoyed our time.

I had to share these - 

Jarod - Chimney Rock parking lot - overlooking Lake Lure.  He was a year old. - Fall 2000

Anne - same spot.  About a year old.  2006

  Same spot - Dec. 2012  Jarod 13, Anne almost 8

This time they got to hike it without being in Daddy's backpack!

And boy did we hike!

They have created a new stairway system.  It's very nice but man!  It goes on and on and on

And on and on

We did take a few scenic breaks!

And then we went back to climbing.....

And on ......

Ugh!!!!  And we finally made it to the top of Chimney Rock!!!

Whoo hoo!!!!

Crazy people!  The climb made them delirious! 

Love this pic that Russ took of Anne at the top!

Then we stopped for lunch!

Our view during lunch - we were just there!

Are you kidding me?  More stairs????

Why yes!!!  All so we could see this guy - 

Devil's Head - I like the snow on his head.

Jarod took a break in the side of the mountain.  Who could blame him after a ba-zillion stairs!!!!

Family shot!

Now, I will take this time to tell you that Chimney Rock really freaked me out.  The last time we were here was when Anne was a year old  - I had this strange fear come over me then and just dismissed it as I had not experienced it before or after - until this trip.  

We hike all the time - I LOVE the mountains.  But there is something about having solid earth and rock underneath your feet.  As I climbed higher and higher, I became more and more fearful.  And this fear was very real.  Even though the steps were new and VERY strong, I didn't like the idea that there was NOTHING under them.

Making the final climb out to Chimney Rock was crazy.  I could only stare at the steps in front of me.  I could not look to the side.  Coming down was worse.  I had to pray through the whole thing.  I knew my fear was unfounded and that I was safe but I just couldn't shake it.  Needless to say, for the first time ever, we took the elevator down.  Going up was one thing - going down the steps wasn't worth it to me.  Amazing how very small we become on the side of a massive mountain.

Had we not ridden the elevator though - we would have missed out on this cool tunnel and all of the historical facts about how they built the elevator into the mountain.  It was pretty awesome.

After being safely on solid ground again, we went out to the Village and did a little shopping - mostly walking along the river and letting the kids pan for gems.....

 

It was such a nice week.  Time away.  No internet.  No TV.  We had our phones but mostly remained unplugged.  We played vicious games of Sorry! and UNO at night while drinking hot chocolate and watching the snow fall.  We also did a lot of reading.  Six days go by way too quickly.  Definitely looking forward to what we can explore next year.

Thanks for joining us on our photography tour!

Until next time.....