More Hiking Adventures

The other day we decided to go hiking. We wanted to find a little out-of-the-way lake that Stan heard about from some other guys, but they said the trail is hard to find. It wasn't a difficult trail, so we could take the kids on it. It was just hard to find it.

With a few pseudo-clear directions (keep right the whole way, but when you get to a fork turn left...and...it'll open up to a clearing where an old hunting shack is...and...something about a cattle guard) we loaded up the backpacks, 4 kids and a dog into the Forest Service Green Bronco and headed out.

We drove. And drove. And drove. And bounced. And curved. Up and down. All around. We were comin' around the mountain when we come...but the mountain never ended. It kept going. Around.

The kids fussed. Mom got car sick. The dog barked. Dad drove.

We never found the trail. So...we decided to save this hunt for another day and headed off to the other side of the valley to the other mountain range to find a different hiking trail. One we had very clear directions to.

But we missed the turn-off because Mom was turned around fussing at the fussing kids. So we did what any great adventurous family would do.

We went home and put the kids down for a nap. All of them. While Mom and Dad had a relaxing time floating in the pool.



But I did take my camera this time.

Them Southern Folk

We had a great time visiting with my parents and nieces. They came up from Texas and stayed several days. We haven't seen them since a year ago so it was really good to have them stay a while!

Jake found a friend right away. He liked giving Grandpa a hard time. Jake's favorite thing to do is entice someone out of their chair, then while they are up he runs and gets in the abandoned chair. And laughs and laughs and laughs. He especially liked doing that to Grandpa and Meredith.




Mackenzie and Meredith (M&M) were inseparable. I'm surprised that Mackenzie didn't try to stow away in their truck when they left to go home.




The weather was really great while they were here. So of course we grilled out. Stan has now completely ruined us. He makes a mean steak that puts to shame any steakhouse you can find. Jessica, Kayla, and Rebecca played ball with Grandpa while M&M told secrets and giggled.



Nana and I got to go shopping one day while the guys took the kids down to the river to swim and fish. There were no pictures taken of either of those events, but fun was had by all.




We took the kids to the playground and ran that energy right out of them. Good stuff! Jake didn't last long, though. I think being surrounded by so many girls just short-circuits him.







I have lots and lots more pictures. I'll get them put in a slide show on my sidebar soon. The girls camped out in the front yard most of the nights they were here. We had monkeys climbing trees, and just plain silliness all around. What else would you expect?

One Word Meme

Jenni at the Talking Hairdryer is doing a meme-week and because I've been gone a while I thought this would be a good way to get back on the blog. My parents and nieces have been up here visiting from Texas for the past several days, so I've been playing and visiting instead of blogging. I'd say I'm sorry to neglect the blog, but I'm not. I was having too much fun!

They left this morning to start the trek back home. So we turned on the cartoons, I did some rearranging to get Jake's bed back in his room and thought I'd do some blogging.

This meme is a one word meme. Wish me luck. LOL

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? working
3. Your hair? flat
4. Your mother? riding
5. Your father? driving
6. Your favorite thing? quietness
7. Your dream last night? forgot
8. Your favorite drink? Dr. Pepper
9. Your dream/goal? diaperless (Jake, that is)
10. The room you’re in? office
11. Your church? intimate
12. Your fear? tragedy
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Hawaii
14. Where were you last night? date!!!
15. What you’re not? housekeeper
16. Muffins? apple
17. One of your wish list items? mixer
18. Where you grew up? Texas
19. The last thing you did? phone
20. What are you wearing? shorts
21. Your TV? cartoons
22. Your pets? idiot-dog
23. Your computer? workhorse
24. Your life? busy
25. Your mood? tired
26. Missing someone? friends
27. Your car? huge
28. Something you’re not wearing? parka
29. Favorite store? Target
30. Your summer? fast
31. Like(love) someone? lots
32. Your favorite color? purple
33. Last time you laughed? Jake
34. Last time you cried? dunno
35. Who will repost this? nobody

4th of July (delayed reaction)

What was I thinking?! I didn't post about the 4th of July!

We didn't really do a whole lot. The kids waited not so patiently for it to get dark. You know, it doesn't get dark here very soon. The towns just do their fireworks shows at 10:00PM anyway, even though it's not dark yet.

I'm having trouble with the pictures and the spacing, so just ignore all that.

So anyway, of course we had sparklers:




















Rebecca wielding her sparkler (no, she's not trying to poke daddy in the rump...just a fluke of picture taking!)




















Jessica and Jake with their sparklers:

So, giving an almost-two-year-old a sparkler might not be such a great parenting idea. But he loved it:

Mackenzie working her sparkler:



















Not very scenic, but they're staying on the rocks to avoid starting any unwanted fires.



















Now daddy is setting off our little firework show. Such a captive audience!



















From our yard we can see quite a bit of the valley. Lots of people are setting off fireworks so we sit and watch the many shows. We can see a couple of town shows too from here. We're not up close and personal with the fireworks but it's really neat to see the whole valley celebrating at the same time.

Not A Book Review

Just so you don't think all I do these days are book reviews...

I'm taking a break from cleaning and the kids' fall-out day. My parents and nieces are coming up this week and we're SO looking forward to it!! Well, the kids aren't yet because they don't know about it.

We've found it's best to not tell them about visitors/trips until the day of...the day before at the very earliest. Because 1) if I hear "when are they going to get here? is it time already? how much longer? why aren't they here yet?" 1,000 times I will run through the nearest wall. And 2) too many times the plans have fallen through and I hear 1,000 times how sad and upset they are and the million questions of why.

But I guess that means I need to get the house somewhat ready. At least clear off the beds and get more food in the house. Maybe even mop the floors. I might even go crazy and have all the dishes done before they get here. Maybe.

I might even tell the kids about them coming the day before so they will be motivated to help clean the house that much more!





This past week Mackenzie went to church camp...her very first time! It was so strange not having her here and tucking her into bed. I missed her more than I thought I would. I hoped she was having a good time and not too homesick.

We went and picked her up this weekend. About two seconds after I arrived and asked if she had fun she asked if she could come back next year. Great! Ok...so she had fun. Check.

Then after a couple hours of her non-stop talking (I mean, she's always non-stop talking, but she had to catch up a week's worth) I asked if she missed us. She said...

"No, I didn't think about you."

Pause.

"You didn't think about us?"

Laughing, "I mean, I did! But I couldn't think about you much otherwise I'd get sad, so I didn't think about you."

Funny girl! I laughed and assured her that was ok. So, she wasn't homesick. Check.

Oh and she also said, "I don't know why, but I'm just dying to ask this...How many spankings did Jessica get while I was gone?"

I asked if she was keeping a tally or something. She also wanted to know what all trouble the dog got into. Yeah, she's our trouble police. So, she's still trying to control everything and be bossy. Double Check.

So anyway, that is the reason for the fall-out day. The camp is located over where we used to live so we stayed all weekend and visited with friends. The kids played hard and now it's recovery time.

Oh and by the way, in case you were wondering...I did in fact forget the camera. So I didn't get to take any pictures of Mackenzie at camp. BUT, her "secret sister" at camp gave her a disposable camera so we will get those developed and see. I don't hold high expectations of picuture-taking from a nine year old's perspective. I imagine they will mostly be of other nine year old girls whom I don't know. And pictures of feet. And the sky. And a blurry picture of what might be a flower. Besides, it's a disposable camera. I actually have to take it to town and get it developed. Ugh. :o)

Wiser Than Serpents - Tour

You've GOT to read this. Ok wait, I'm getting ahead of myself here. This is no ordinary blog tour because this is no ordinary book.

Susan May Warren hasn't written just a great piece of fiction (and oh, it is!), she's dug in and written about what is a horrific reality for some. As we go through our day to day lives, running errands and griping about the slow driver in front of us, there are men, women and children who are being kidnapped and sold into slavery. Yes, in today's world.

Keep reading...there's a surprise at the end of this post!

About Wiser Than Serpents: When her sister vanishes into a human slave ring, FSB agent Yanna Andrevka is determined to rescue her. Unfortunately, she's in over her head, with no way out, especially after destroying the undercover operation of Delta Force Operative David Curtiss, who is deep undercover in the Twin Serpents crime syndicate. David has his hands full trying to save Yana, and his operation -- one that could rescue hundreds of women from the Serpent, or cost he and Yanna their lives. The thrilling next chapter of the Mission: Russia series!

A Note From Susan: Did you know that there are 27 million people around the globe held as slaves today – more than 80% of them women and children, and up to 50% minors. In fact, there are MORE slaves today than were in the time of William Wilberforce. That leaves me horrified, and it was those stats that compelled me to write a story with a human trafficking plotline.

Wiser than Serpents is a continuation of the Mission:Russia series, a thriller about Yanna, whose sister is snatched through a Russian dating service, and disappears. Yanna enlists the help of Delta Force Captain, David Curtiss to find and rescue her. Readers who’ve read, In Sheep’s Clothing and Sands of Time will recognize Yanna as the tech expert, and David as the solid Christian of the group. (Read the 5-Rose Review here!)

The book is written from the point of views of the rescuers, not the victims, and offers hope and empowerment, instead of feelings of helplessness. It raises awareness without lowering the standards of Christian fiction.

However, the world is real, and the need to get involved is great. I so greatly admire people who take their beliefs and put action to them –hence why a portion of the proceeds of Wiser than Serpents is going to help the International Justice Mission, (www.ijm.org), an organization dedicated to rescuing victims and fighting the scourge of slavery.

About Susan: Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota.

My thoughts:

I highly recommend Wiser Than Serpents! It's an amazing piece of work just as a stand-alone fiction, but knowing the subject is a harsh reality brings it into a whole new light. This is no casual story about a rescue. It's an on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of thrill ride. I love that it's written from the rescuers' perspective, so it's not only full of action, suspense and life-threatening situations, but it's also full of hope, courage and reliance on God. It opened my eyes to a real problem in the world today without being preachy. Oh, and just so you're not loaded down with the run in and shoot 'em up scene, there's a romantic side woven in as well.

Even though this is the third book in a series (I haven't read the first two), it feels full and complete on it's own. Susan gives enough background along the way so we're not feeling left out...and enough to pique my interest into running to the bookstore going to get the other two books.

Susan is donating 15% of the books royalties to the International Justice Mission (http://www.ijm.org/)! Let’s help spread the word about the IJM and their vital work!

Go here to buy the book!

Susan’s Website: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

Susan’s Blog: http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/

Contest Info! Susan will be giving away 3 SIGNED sets of the Mission: Russia (In Sheep’s Clothing, Sands of Time, and Wiser Than Serpents) series. To enter the contest…click on over to Susan’s blog tour post here (http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/2008/07/wiser-than-serp.html) and tell us which ministries/charities you support and why! Susan will randomly select three winners!

Swim Lessons

The girls are taking swimming lessons right now. I actually remembered to bring my camera this year and got a few pictures. It only took me 3 years to remember!

Can you believe it snowed just 3 weeks ago?

Here is Rebecca with her teacher getting ready to blow bubbles under water:




Mackenzie on the left; Rebecca on the right; unknown boy in the middle:

Jessica floating on her green noodle:

Ok, so this next part has nothing to do with swimming...

When I tuck the girls into bed, Jake likes to climb up in Jessica's bed and cover up so that I'll tuck him in like a big boy. He's still in the crib so he doesn't get the same treatment they do.

After I "tuck" him in (whisper a prayer in his ear and give him a kiss and tell him I love him) he protests loudly at being dragged out of Jessica's bed. And while I am whispering the prayer he nods his head and smiles. So cute!

Love Starts With Elle - Tour

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love Starts With Elle
(Thomas Nelson - July 8, 2008)
by
Rachel Hauck

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Hauck is a forty-something, a child of the '60's, '70's, '80's, '90's and '00's, who roller skated through the '70's into the '80's with Farrah Fawcet hair and a three-speed orange Camero. She graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism.

After graduation, she hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, destermined to see the world. But, she's traveled to Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine.

Rachel met Tony, her husband, in '87, at church, of all places. They married in '92.
They don't have any children of their own, just lots of kids-in-the-Lord and they love them all. However, they do have two very spoiled dogs, and a very demanding cat.

With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ' 04, Lambert's Pride, a romance novel. My current release is Sweet Caroline from Thomas Nelson. Romantic Times Book Club gave both books their highest rank of 4.5 stars, with Love Starts With Elle being honored as Top Pick!



ABOUT THE BOOK

Elle's living the dream-but is it her dream or his?

Elle loves life in Beaufort, South Carolina-lazy summer days on the sand bar, coastal bonfires, and dinners with friends sharing a lifetime of memories. And she's found her niche as the owner of a successful art gallery too. Life is good.

Then the dynamic pastor of her small town church sweeps her off her feet. She's never known a man like Jeremiah-one who breathes in confidence and exhales all doubt. When he proposes in the setting sunlight, Elle hands him her heart on a silver platter.

But Jeremiah's just accepted a large pastorate in a different state. If she's serious about their relationship, Elle will take "the call," too, leaving behind the people and place she loves so dearly. Elle's friendship with her new tenant, widower Heath McCord, and his young daughter make things even more complicated.

Is love transferrable across the miles? And can you take it with you when you go?

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

Take A Hike

On Monday we went on a hike after Stan got home from work. It's actually a 30 mile hike, but we opted for the first stretch which was 1.5 miles to the waterfalls.

We hadn't been on this trail before so when we got to the waterfalls we weren't really sure that was it. Since we're still in the "spring melt" time, the water is still rushing down the mountains furiously, and it all looks and sounds like waterfalls. So we got there, but didn't know it and kept going.

Finally it was getting late so we went back to the clearing we thought might have been it and had our sack supper we brought. Stan built a little fire and we roasted hot dogs too.

A guy with a bicycle. Yes. A bicycle. On the rough and rocky trail. Anyway, a guy came by walking his bike up the trail and he confirmed that it was indeed the waterfalls.

Upon exploring further...as in right next to a very steep cliff that falls straight down into the rushing water...Stan found that there were actually two waterfalls on each side of a huge boulder. Beautiful!

Of course I forgot the camera in the Bronco so I didn't get a picture. And everyone was really pleased with me when we got back to the bottom and I made them get back on the trail so I could get a fake picture of our hike.

Don't let that smooth path fool you. It only stayed smooth for a short time...then it was all rocks. Rebecca and Jessica went man-down a few times, but they were brave and only cried the last time...out of frustration.



Jessica really wasn't sad or mad or whatever. She just refused to smile. Like daddy.

And to prove that I went too...

Weekend Fun

Last weekend we made some Rice Crispy Treats and once they were handed out, it was the quietest the kids had been all day! I'm not sure why but they all sat on the floor together to eat their goodies. Funny kids.

Whatever the girls do, Jake has to do it too...so he followed right along with them.



Meanwhile, Stan was outside working hard on our fence (we saved him a Rice Crispy Treat, though).

See the lovely grey fence we had? He used a pressure washer to shine it up and we're going to stain it and make it purty.

You can tell the kids were a big help on this project.

After the kids went to bed, Stan and I sat outside and watched the sunset. I'm glad we didn't miss this one!