Highland Lakes PreTeen Camp

This past Sunday, Ben dropped the girls and I off for Preteen camp at Highland Lakes.  Our church took 21 kids and 4 chaperones to camp.
I quickly realized I am a Mama.  The clutter, giggling and disregard for rules was almost too much for me.  Jesus and I had a moment that first evening and I realized there is a lot I have to let got of.
The girls had an awesome time.  We swam, kayaked, rode a banana boat, had outdoor fun at archery, and BB guns, BMX bikes.  The guest speaker was phenomenal.  He knew how to connect with the kids and taught on obedience through the story of Noah, loving like Jesus and the story of Elijah like I've never heard before.  I am so grateful I had these four days to connect with my girls, but I think it was a one time adventure for me, unless I can learn to relax again.

scavenger hunt with Dad

I went on a hunt with my sister and Dad.
It might have been the most fun I ever had.
We had to find lots of stuff.
But we didn't need a piece of fluff.

We counted our points and we had a big score.
195 points, no less and no more.
But much too soon the hunt came to an end.
What a great way to spend,
Our night. - LE

I loved our scavenger hunt.  We went to Bill Miller's BBQ (b/c it started with the same letter as my name, a task assigned).  We went to the park to take a picture.  We ate salmon and took a picture behind the seafood counter.  In the end, we got 195 points.
Then, I made myself a strawberry surprise ice cream.  So, that means it was AWESOME!! - Boo

camping 101

This past Friday night, we went on our first family camping adventure to Jim Hogg park.  We just did an overnight trip for one night to see if we could survive and because it was supposed to rain on Saturday.  The kids did great, we didn't sleep much, but we had lots of fun.  We had s'mores for the first time (including Mama's first time), we threw rocks in the lake, all six of "slept" in a tent.  We went with our friends from church.
I think we are all hooked and can't wait to do it again in the spring.

epoch '15

This was our second year to attend Epoch, our family weekend with our church.  It was the kick off to Ben's two week vacation.
We traveled to Highlands Lakes for our fun-filled weekend adventure.  Our biggest take-away was that our attitude should be that of Christ Jesus.  It could not have come at a better time since just four days later we would be in tight quarters as a family for the next eight days.  There was lots of opportunities to exercising loving like Jesus.

#solehope

In church this past month, we celebrated missions including sending a team to Kenya and preparing on how we could go send, pray or disobey.  We culminated the month with a shoe cutting party for Sole Hope.  I was asked to coordinate events for the children who were unable to participate and activities for after they shoe cutting portion was complete.
We cut out 220 pairs of toddler size 13 shoes to send to Uganda.  Our family cut out 4 pairs to protect little
feet from jiggers in Africa.

pre-teen camp 2015

The girls had the privilege of attending their first church camp this past week with our Legacy Kids.  Twenty-five kids from our church headed out last Sunday afternoon for four days to a nearby camp on the lake.  I don't remember camp being as action-packed as this camp was and I have already offered to be a chaperon next year.
When we arrived at church on Sunday to drop the girls off, Boo got emotional and decided she didn't want to go.  I ended up driving her and four other squealy girls.  By the time we got there, she was smiling and more relaxed about going.  I was at peace about leaving her.
Landry- Our cabins were pretty cool.  There were kids from our church that I didn't really know well, but I got to be good friends with them.  There were two other churches in our cabin, one small and another about the same size of ours.  I really liked lunch, dinner and breakfast.  They served great food.  Our preteen leader was really fun, Keith Coast.
Some of the activities included archery, BMX, Archer's Quest, swimming, human Foosball, a banana boat, shooting BB guns, and indoor crafts and video games, Gaga ball.
Bella- My favorite part was the indoor choice time and Gaga ball.  I slept on the bottom bunk, my bunk mate was Melanie.  We switched b/c we wished were on each other's beds.  My bunk neighbors were Abby and Emma.  I enjoyed bed time b/c we always got to rest and finally be together.

Super Hero Sunday

This month in Legacy Kids we are learning about Super Heroes from the Bible.  We kicked it off with super hero night for the kids to dress as their favorite Super Heroes.  My friend Zelia hooked all five of us up with costumes.  Our super heroes included David, Daniel and Peter and John.  We are learning to stand for what is right even if it isn't the most popular thing to do.

family day

This past weekend, the rain subsided for a few hours so we could enjoy family day with our church at a local park.  We took bikes and a picnic lunch and braved the rain chances for the day.  The rain held off until park day was supposed to end at 2.  The girls and I were on a bike ride when the heavens opened up and we headed back to the pavillion to gather our things and head home.  The day's events included Ultimate frisbee game, fun on the playground, splashing in puddles, nature walks, a picnic, bike rides, fun with friends and lots of mud.

Wordless Wednesday- serving in His house

fourth generation nursery worker

This past weekend, LE served in the toddler room at church.  I don't know if my great-grandmother ever served in children's ministry, but I can remember my Granny, my mom and I all taught at one point in our church's nursery and toddler classroom.  LE loved and asked if she could be added to the rotation so she could do it again.

Valentine's Party at the nursing home

This week at our visit to the nursing home, we played Bingo and the kids distributed Valentine's and cupcakes to the participants.  In the past, we have played games, but BINGO seemed to be the biggest hit.  Everyone got in on the action as R2 helped Pastor Clint call the numbers, both girls, Daddy and I had a bingo partner that we assisted.  HR was too cute and made all of the ladies giggle.
Have I told you how much we love our new church?  Or how much I love raising children who love to serve?  Or how handsome my husband is playing Bingo with widows?

Run 4 Rachel

This past weekend, we participated in a fun run/5K to benefit our pastor's wife and friend, Rachel.  Even PawPaw and Mimi came into town to participate as Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Bella wasn't feeling well so Mimi stayed behind to care for her, but everyone else enjoyed the morning.  The pink fire truck was there in honor of Rachel's battle with breast cancer this year.  279 racers participated, including  Read.  Ben and I ended up doing the fun run so we could run with the kids.  Read started out running full tilt, but about three minutes in, Daddy and I were alternating ostrich rides (piggy back) with him for the remainder of the mile and a half route.

Operation Christmas Child

We packed Operation Christmas Child boxes for this month's community outreach.   Each child packed their own box (with a little assistance for the boys).  The girls and I had a great time on our shopping spree.
We packed our boxes with a small stuffed animal for the girls' boxes, and a nerf football + matchbox cars for the boys.
Each box also contained reusable plastic cutlery and water bottle, Skittles, rings, bracelets and beaded necklaces, pencils, map pencils, journals, crayons, pencil sharpeners, stickers, wash clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloths, soap, chapstick, brush or comb, a copy of the All About Me letter and picture of the kids and a slinky.

#lovetherock

Several churches in the RR area participated in Love the Rock this past weekend.  They did many community service outreaches including cleaning up flower beds in parks and trails, doing handy man services for elderly, preparing Old Settlers for the Trail of Lights, beautifying the Community Service Center and Texas Baptist Children's Home.  By the time, I got to sign up all of the opportunities that involved young children were filled.  We decided we would bake cookies for the trash guys, recycle guy and mailman.  As we were wrapping up our delivery to the mailbox, LE told me doing things for other's made her feel good.  She said this is very much like love the rock, just not as big, but just as important b/c we got to serve those who help us every day.

Nursing Home Outreach

Our Legacy Group (life group) has adopted a nursing home that we plan to visit once a month to host a game night.  It is part of a study that we have been using called the Barefoot Church Primer.  We wanted to do a meaningful outreach and one the kids could participate in, as the kids outnumber the adults in our group.  I was told the gentleman playing with HR NEVER talks, but he started talking to Hank and participated in the evening.  It was a great night for our family and I am pretty sure the residents of the assisted living facility enjoyed themselves too.

more Epoch weekend photos

an Epoch adventure

Since the beginning of summer, we have been attending a homeschooling friend's church, Legacy Church.  I have known Rachel for a couple of years since her twin girls were in Keepers and American Girl clubs with us.  At the RRHOME field day, I met her husband and was so impressed with how he interacted with the children.  We decided to visit their church, where he was the pastor.  I had no idea why we were visiting but just led to do so.
During praise and worship, LE leaned into me and told us she thought we were home.  Funny, didn't know we were looking for a new church, but Ben and I both felt she was right.  We decided to give it a month and each passing week, we felt more and more comfortable.  The first night we met the family pastor and a within a few weeks he invited us to their legacy group (life/small/cell, whatever your church calls it).  We have been attending the LC for a couple of months and this past weekend we went on our first family retreat where we felt confirmation that this was indeed our home.
Ben and I loved Austin Stone, but the kids never connected.  I could not figure out b/c our kids love church and our really sociable kids.  But they were right, it just didn't fit.  Over half of the population at LC is under fifth grade, so it is young families and big families.  They don't care we aren't perfect, that we are loud, and often messy.  There are quite a few homeschooling families in the church and a lot of the families are foster parents or have adopted children.  The church is also very mission-minded.  This past week we decided as a family we want to serve on the tear-down team as we meet at Old Settlers Assoc, so we have to set up and take the church apart each week.
We are looking forward to great things in our new chapter of life.

Movie night

On Friday night, the girls and I had a date night at our church.  The kids church sponsored it with giveaways, free popcorn, juice boxes and candy galore.  I got to chat with mommy friends who I don't think I've seen since R2's baby shower.  At 8:05, both girls were crawled up in my lap (bedtime). 

splash!

Ben still actively serves on the media team at church. The team always talks about hanging out socially when they are not serving, but it never happens. This past weekend, we finally go together at one couple's home. We had Mexican food and the kids enjoyed making water balloons. It was really a great night of fellowship. I got to hang out with a couple of moms whose husbands serve and it was really funny to learn how much we had in common, I mean couples as a whole. All 3 of us had artsy/techie-type hubbies with the same personality types and us 3 wives had the same personality types. It was nice to know someone else walks through so many things that as a mom/wife/homemaker walks through and I am not alone.

more Celebration county fair fun