Crusader Camp

I promised to update you on all the happenenings around here, so here goes:

Last Monday, I took a van load of kids to Lufkin, Texas for church camp. There were 12 of us in the van for the ride there, and just two of us came back home. Jeremi and I had a chance to talk--just the two of us, and it was good. All went smoothly, even the Taco Bell stop.(Ordering for 10 kids could be a bit intimidating!) Tiffany Ramirez was a HUGE help. She stayed as the dorm matron, and they had a wonderful time.

This was Bethani's first time to go to camp as a 'registered, bona fide camper' and she was SO EXCITED!! Bro. Loyd Squires was the camp speaker, and everyone knows he is just phenomenol with the kids. Bethani told me somewhere around 90 kids received the Holy Ghost! Thank God for this precious truth. This Holy Ghost experience is real!!

Relaxation!

Oh, what a wonderful weekend we had. There is nothing like a room with a view! I am planning to catch you up to speed with what all has been happenening in my world, but for now, suffice it to say that this weekend was a blessing from God. Tenney, you are a doll!

School Again??

A couple of weeks ago, Craig and I were talking about the possibility of my going back to college one day to become a certified sign language interpreter. He suggested that I look into it sooner than later. The next week, I was planning to meet Amanda at the college to gather some information for future use, but the day we chose it rained, so I dismissed the idea. My mom called, and encouraged me to go in spite of the rain. I gave in and called Amanda and we met at the college. One thing led to another, and 3 hours later (I promise, I don't know how it happened) I left as a registered student at Collin County Community College, scheduled to start classes the next day.

I have had some time to think about what I've gotten myself into, and yes, I am more than excited. I believe God has His hand in all of this, and I have found what He wants me to do. I feel passionate about it. Perhaps I have found something that I love to do, and one day someone will pay me to do it.

First Day of...Kindergarten?

BEFORE

Okay. So she is too old to be sending off to Kindergarten, but I never did send her off into the big bad world alone to fight all by herself. This is a first. But, I did it. We of course had to do the prayer for protection and Godly influence as well as pictures and 'mo-om' (drawn out in a whiny voice as only an impatient, slightly embarrased teenager can do.) She opened the door, got out, and stayed in that building without my supervision until I came to get her 4 hours later.

Okay. She is 15 1/2 and this was her first day in the real workplace. Yes, my 15 yr old now has a part-time summer job that will probably extend through the school year next year (thanks to the flexible schedule homeschooling provides.) She did well, and was a big hit with the owner and the clients. (Like that is any surprise considering her happy sanguine personality.)

Okay. So she doesn't look much different in the 'after' picture, but this was another big step. She has now officially taken one more step toward independance. I am proud of her. She is a beautiful young lady inside and out, and I am proud to be introduced as her mom.

AFTER

Mother's Day

Wow, did I ever feel cherished and pampered on this Mother's Day. Our day started with a beautiful service at church to which I wore a new suit (tailored by yours truly). When we got home from church, I lay down for a nap and the next thing I knew, Tiffani was waking me up with "dinner's on the table, mom."
She had made a huge sushi dinner all by herself, and I got a double portion thoughtfully set on the red plate.
It truly was the best meal I had enjoyed in a very long time! Bethani had a beautiful assortment of decorated packages and gifts for me to open which I did between delicious bites of sushi. After dinner, Craig washed the dishes, Tiffani made me a large goblet of banana milk, and Bethani gave me a foot massage. (Tiffani took over after a while using Amanda's Magnasagger.)
Our pastor had sent me 18 Roses and Tiffani had already told Craig that he was going to have to work hard to 'one up' the pastor. So, Craig bought me a climbing rose bush so I will have roses all summer long. (He even told me it comes with free labor!) I truly feel like a blessed woman!

The Mound

Since Grammy came and started our mound, it has been in the front of our mind to work on it. Craig has added the defining trim giving it perameters. Because of the almost constant rain (for which we are very thankful) I have not weeded the grass yet. I am waiting for the seeds I have planted to sprout. This is the Texas blue bonnet (right) and lavender (below) that we planted. (I was playing with the new feature on my camera.)

Grammy & Grandpa

Well, Grammy and Grandpa just left this morning to go back home to California. We had such a lovely visit with them. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. There were several evenings of just sitting around the living room in the evening just talking and enjoying each other's company. I had to bow out of most of them because of a serious sickness that came over me the day after they arrived.



Grandpa treated us to a Sunday lunch at Tokyo One and on Monday helped Jeremi set up a work-out routine on the weights. Grammy and Jeremi continued their eternal game of chess in their quest of becoming champions.

Grammy helped us a lot in the backyard. We bought 3 trees, and did a lot of landscaping. It looks nice now, but when everything grows and matures and blooms, it is going to be beautiful!!

We are sad to see them go, but look forward to their next visit.