Friday Fun with Family

Friday, July 19th, 2013

Such fun was had when we got the chance to have some of our nephews over to swim and hang out!

This is Grant (13) with my Will (14). They've been buds their whole life. They usually go to Shepherds Fold together each summer, but unfortunately, Will was not able to go this year due to 2 church camps and all his golf commitments. :-(

This is Austin (almost 5) and my Owen (6 1/2). They, too, are buds who I wish were able to spend more time together. Austin lives in Edmond so we only get to see him a few times a year.

Our Special Guest of Honor for the day...*GRANDMA! I was so delighted to have her out to watch the kids swim...it was so good for her spirit.

 Here's a little glimpse of the "pool show" she watched...

 Will flying in

Miss Ella was the "Server" of the snack cart. :-)

Lunch Time! 

I'm still giggling about Will saying it was "the best" sandwich I've ever made! All I did was buy a loaf of everything flavored French Bread...I guess it tasted far better than the typical whole wheat bread we have. :-} And, oh...the homemade Porter Peach Cobbler that my Mom brought...still humming.

Cousin Pic

(Owen, Grant, Austin, Will, Ella) 

Giving thanks to God for carving out this special day with those we Love

NLR Meant to Be

Looong story short...a lil' miracle occurred and Abby is heading off to her 1st week of overnight camp at New Life Ranch. She did go to Asbury's "Discipleship Camp" for 4 days in early June (her actual very 1st camp experience). 

After months of drama of trying to get her and 3 of her Jenks compadres in Week 4 to no avail, the other 3 moved to Week 7. I talked Abby into staying at Week 4 so she and Ella could go the same week. Literally the day before leaving, she decided she'd rather not go. :-(

A few days later, I e-mailed my NLR contact and asked to switch her to Week 7 to be with her friends. Her response - "Abby is #12 on the waiting list for 7th grade girls". Basically - no way Hosea is she gettin' in. Abby was sad, I was kinda relieved...only because of the stress of all the travel and packing involved right around our family lake wkend.

                                      

Well, as you can see....the Lord worked a miracle, and she got in! 

We knew there was definitely a reason.

1st Day Swim Test

7th Grade Girls Cabin Pic

(found out she was in a cabin with almost all Jenks girls! and...even with one of my sorority sister's daughters who goes to Jenks West)

Morning Camp Party

Trust Walk with heavy rock in hand

releasing burdens (rocks)

Adios heaviness...Ola Freedom in Christ!

Morning Camp Party again

Cabin Challenge - sponge game with feet

Abby chose "Low Ropes" one day as an elective...

and she was THE ONLY GIRL!! ;-)

she ended up winning an award for this :-)

WORSHIP

and they're off...

 

Decades Week Photo Booth

and yes...my daughter's the one with the 'Fro 

Final Morning of Camp

Savi and Abby's bunks

Miss Bev (A's Counselor #1)

Miss Kenzie (A's Counselor #2)

Her award from her counselors was: "Encouragement"

She also got the "Most Creative & Artistic" Arts and Crafts award (no surprise - she's amazingly talented)

Soooo grateful that these precious friends got to experience this together!

Romey went SPASTIC when she saw her favorite girl after 10 long days (between Lake wkend & camp)...seriously almost licked Abby's face off!! 

Home*Sweet*Home

Abby's favorite memories of the week: Worship...especially "Unplugged" on the last night where kids shared testimonies and they took song requests. She loved the giant trampoline at free time (new this year), arts and crafts (making a modge podge journal), winning the "Pit and Palace" award (cleanest cabin), and most of all, spending time with her Jenks friends!

New Life for Ella

Sunday, June 23rd

My baby girl is about to leave for her 1st overnight camp at New Life Ranch. She's the first of our kiddo's to go there (Will & Abby went to Jenks Wild there, and I went as a kid on a retreat)

I can't believe she's already old enough to do this!

I remember going to Camp Takatoka with Lizzy at the exact same age!!

Greg and I were so tickled about how excited she was...no fear whatsoever.

Plus, this is our girl who doesn't touch a ball or run; thus, this was BIG for her! :-)

Daddy walking his baby girl to her cabin

Ella meets her counselors...Brittany and Aubrey 

already making herself at home... 

(and we'd like to give a shout out to the B's for lending us the snazzy hanging organizer & tie dyed laundry bag - u all are the best!)

 My brunettes

One of Ella's BF's arrives and bunks up right above El

 Swim Test

 

1st Cabin Pic

(*Holiday Week - obviously they went with Easter!)

Ella's other BF shows up - Reese! 

Each morning I would anxiously scroll through over 200 pictures to see if there was one of my girl...I was giddy when I saw this one!! :-) I looove when she has a teeth showin' grin!

Holiday Booth Cabin Pic

outdoor game - not sure what's goin' on here??

Saturday, June 29th 

We left around 7:15 am to go pick up our girl...we found her walking back from breakfast to her cabin...obviously she had fun doing her own hair and dressing herself!

One last pic with Brittany & Aubrey before we leave

Ella said her favorite camp experiences were "free time", arts & crafts, swimming, and of course...eating all the candy & goodies she was sent! ;-)