Indoor Camping

I think indoor camping just might be better than outdoor camping.

Climate control, everything is at your disposal, and no animals/creatures creeping around.

Gray didn't miss a beat when Dusty suggested camping in the living room.

He heard the word 'tent' and was off to get it out of the shed.

Teamwork at its finest:

Gray was quite the delegator:

"Daddy, you get the blankets. Kassie, you get the ice cream. I'll get the pillows."

 The result of trying to get Gray to smile for the camera:

Indoor camping really does rock.

We all snuggled up in the tent and watched a movie - we came to the conclusion that this indoor camping thing will be happening a lot more often.

First Communion/Long Distance Gift Idea

My nephew/godson had his First Communion a couple of weeks ago.

I really wish I could have been there...

I wanted to send him something fun.
And light weight - mailing packages is expensive!


So, we bought balloons, went to the bank for $1 bills, and typed up Bible verses for children.

We tried a few different techniques to get the items into the balloon.
By the end, we found the best method for us - rolling the quote and the money together...VERY tightly, put it in the balloon, and then blow it up.

Our plan for cheap shipping semi-backfired.
Went to the post office on Wednesday and if we wanted it to arrive in time for Sunday, the shipping was $35. 
We decided to go with the other option - it would arrive late and cost $8 instead...much better.

My sister reported that he loved it.

I'm thinking she would tell me that either way, but he does look pretty happy here :)


Here are the Bible verses...in case anyone is interested:

“If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22

“In all the work you are doing, work the best you can.  Work like you are working for the Lord, not for people.” Colossians 3:23

“Be kind and loving to each other.  Forgive each other the same as God forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:32

“I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“Don’t worry about anything.  But pray and ask God for everything you need.  And when you pray, always give thanks.  And God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  That peace which God gives is so great that we cannot understand it.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Lord, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to people who trust you.” Isaiah 26:3

“My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak.  Don’t become angry easily.  A person’s anger does not help him live right like God wants.” James 1:19-20

“Without faith, a person cannot please God.  Any person who comes to God must believe that God is real.  And any person who comes to God must believe that God rewards those people who truly want to find him.” Hebrews 11:6

“He must become more and more important.  And I must become less important.”  John 3:30

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and wish all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  Luke 6:31

“Children, obey your parents in all things.  This pleases the Lord.”  Colossians 3:20

“Be careful.  Continue strong in the faith.  Have courage and be strong.  Do everything in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Silly Saturdays - Vol. 5

Silly Saturdays - Volume 5.

My photo for the week:

*Do not look too long at this photo of me, please...ick.

Moving on...

Dusty and Gray's photo:

*Gray definitely had the giggles during this photo shoot :)

And for the rest of the fun:

I love the creativity and variety this week :)

Nice work everyone.

Ayden (bottom left) thinks he's going to take it this round.

I'm also liking Abby's (bottom right) - the caption was: 'little windy here today'

Your thoughts? Who do you think is the winner?

One of our favorite things to do.

We love sitting on the porch...especially when the sun is about to set/is setting...it's when the temperature is perfect - for now, anyways.
If I remember correctly from last summer, the temperature never becomes perfect during those hot, humid, summer months.
So, for now, I am taking full advantage of the outdoors while it's still enjoyable.

 

 

Protocol for our evenings spent on the porch:

Step 1: water the flowers

Step 2: turn the sprinkler on

Step 3: sit in our chairs, put Pandora on, watch the sprinkler, and enjoy the weather.

Sometimes, we take Pandora out of step 3 and put YouTube in there instead. 
You know, when you feel like choosing EVERY song and not letting Pandora do the choosing.

 

 

Our choices last night:

Something Corporate - Konstantine

Guns 'N Roses - November Rain 

Dion & The Belmont's - Runaround Sue

Train - Marry Me

Joe Cocker - With a Little Help from my Friends

Mick Jagger - Old Habits Die Hard

Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror

This is Dusty's all time favorite song...it's starting to quickly climb the ranks for me too.

Silly Saturdays - Vol. 4

Welcome to Silly Saturdays - Volume 4.
(I realize it's Tuesday, but I did receive the pictures on Saturday...maybe if I get it together, I'll start actually posting them on Saturdays :))

Memory Refresher: I started Silly Saturdays because I was feeling a little homesick and thought "hmmm...if I could get a silly picture from people I miss once a week, that just might help a little."

Thus, the birth of Silly Saturdays.

My photo for the week:

My photo last week was directed by Dusty, but this week the reigns were handed over to Mr. Gray.

We showed Gray Silly Saturday posts 1-3, so he could get an idea of what we were looking for.

He got the giggles on every photo and then got to work - after searching through his toys, he decided on the pirate look.

I would say he definitely delivered.

For himself?

He decided on a cowboy hat and blowing a whistle while the picture was being taken...you can hear it, right? :)

And now for the photos I received:

Kids + Abby Singer:

♥ these kids :)

Adults:

 Kara (upper left) - her 2nd attempt at the photo. 

Her 1st attempt resulted in bleeding after accidentally sitting on it...love that she was relentless and went in for round 2 :)

Thanks again everyone for participating.

I'm loving it...I hope it's not too much of a nuisance for all of you...

Older kids are always better.

Gray gravitates towards older kids.

He scopes out his surroundings, spots who he wants to play with,

 and every. single. time. - it is kids at least a few years his senior.

Hence, these three older boys...

They sure did take him in though...it was like he had three older brothers for the day.

Gray was loving life...

to say the least :)

Abby Singer was here.

Abby Singer makes me happy.

I really  like when she stays with us.

She's my company during the day when I'm not substitute teaching and Dusty is working.

And I got lucky.

It stormed three days while she was with us, which means...

she's going to need to cuddle and be touching you at all times during the storm.

It's my favorite :)

I can't get enough of it.

Storms wear this girl out :)

How sweet is she?

I ♥ her.

Silly Saturdays - Vol. 3

Me sticking to something three weeks in a row?

This is big.

Welcome to:

Silly Saturdays - Volume 3.

Vol. 1 can be found here and 2 can be found here.

My photo:

Dusty was the director of my photo this week.

He said he had a vision and asked for two pony tail holders.

He did my hair.  Gorgeous, right?

Next, I was handed boots, mittens, a bandana, a shovel, and was instructed to head outside.

The above photo is the result.

 

 

And for the responses:

Group photos were in style this week...family was all together for Easter without us :(

On a positive note, we had two new participants this week!

My friends Dayle and Andrea sent a photo from their trip to Vegas...lucky girls :)

Thank you for participating everyone...xoxo

Couples Photo Shoot

Dusty looked at me the other day, told me not to move, ran to the car, and returned with camera and tripod in tow.

He's all..."you look beautiful...such a natural beauty. Trust me. Please let me take a photo of you."

Me: "seriously? no, this isn't happening. I don't want you to take pictures of me. Please put it away. Stop, please stop."

Before I knew it, he was taking pictures.

I hadn't showered in a couple of days, had not one ounce of make-up on, hadn't brushed my hair, just woke up from a nap after swimming all afternoon.

Do you think I wanted there to be documentation of this look?

No, I did not. 

I deleted 99% of them.

No one needed to see them. Ever.

Here is the one that survived:

Dusty insisted I post it...so, I did.

But the best part of this post?

Dusty's picture...for sure.

Mmmmm...I like it. A lot.

Silly Saturdays - Vol. 2

And we're back for  round 2 :)

Round 1  can be found here...or you could just scroll down, since new posts have been lacking.

If I/we stick to the  Silly Saturday  tradition, think about how fun it will be to look back on in years to come...so fun.

The picture that started it:

and for the responses...

Kids:

Center photo - Ruby was in timeout and didn't feel like participating in the photo session, but her mom pulled through and still got a picture for me :)

The Adults:

The adults really brought it this week.

Thanks to everyone for participating...you are awesome!

I get so excited each time a new photo comes in :)