Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A Quick Update:

Ok so I am so sorry for my lack in the blog world. But we are having computer issues. Here is a very Brief update. My camera was FOUND!!! Yes, I know. It's a crazy story that I will tell soon :) I got to experience my first ever at home birth.......man it was so Amazing!! Kids and I can't seem to kick sickness out of our home. It's getting old! We had 5 calves and now we have none :) We were cow sitting......we will get some soon. I'm just not ready! We love living in a small town. It's the heartbeat of America..............Another story coming soon. Colin just got 2 awards at the sports banquet for basketball, Hustler and most imporved. He is so happy :) Owen had 4 teeth removed by dentist. Tooth fairy gave him 10.00. She is now taking donations! My mom is probably moving to SS :))))) Tanner is till my BEAR! Restoration in friendships is such a sweet feeling! Bryce still has a job and it is going well. We are replacing all the windows in the house. Lucy is still my one and only baby girl !!!! Ok enough I am going to go back home to lay down. Brought to you from the public Library. Vicki

Friday, March 23, 2012

Huge prasie report!!!!!!

I found my ring!! It was under my tub in my bathroom. How it got there noone knows. We are just so happy it is found :) And there is good and bad news about the camera. We did remember where it was. But after calling the restaurant. We recived the call that they didn't have it :( So, it is likely that someone with sticky fingers at the restaurant took it. The great thing is NO ONE was in my home! Praise the Lord! Ohh the relief and the peace. It's Wonderful :) Ok just wanted to share the GOOD NEWS~~~



Vicki

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Becasue I feel the need to "share" my life..........

And I do not have facebook to tell the world what is happening. I apologize in advance for the updates you will be getting here :) Anyhow it's been an interesting couple of weeks. The kids are done with school for the 2011-2012 year. We are taking a week off then we will start summer school. Kids aren't crazy about that idea but we don't want to lose everything we gained. So, while I am concentrating on Owen and Lucy's reading. Colin and Tanner will be doing grammar, journaling, math, typing, spelling, memorization and reading. It won't take them very long about an hour a day. That will leave plenty of time for all the fun that is to be had. We have some fun trips planned for our break. We will go camping as a family, all guys canoe trip, life group camping trip and visiting the Ocean. We got a new dog her name is Remi. Short for Remmington. And NO we did not name her that it's the name she came with. She is almost 3 year old beagle and perfect for our family!! She is very loved by ALL:) I would share a picture with you...........BUT my camera and diamond ring got stolen:( Yes that's right, someone came into our home and took some things of ours and those were among the items. I can replace the ring even though it was my Anniversary gift for 10 years with My Love. And yes the camera can be replaced as well. But those pictures, well they cannot be. It makes me sick to my stomach that someone would do that to us. And according to detectives and police it was someone we probably know. Isn't that sad? Well we are sad. But the Lord knows and we rest in his peace. So for now there will be no pictures just ramblings...........

Enjoy your day my friends,
Vicki

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Letting go.................

That has been the cry of my heart since the beginning of the year. Lord help me to let go of ALL things that don't matter. Things that don't bring you glory and honor. Little did I know back in January what it meant. But I knew there would be changes. And wow the changes have been huge. From relationships, groups and personal matters. These past few weeks have been a little difficult, but oh so Good. I had to let go of baggage that was weighing me down. There are relationships that will never be what you think they can be. And I am so ok with that. Reminds me of the relationships that have Always and will Always be there. I used to think you had to have a lot of friends and people around at all times. I have realized that for me that was just another thing to keep up with and something to hide behind. I'm DONE with all the games. I have a few realy good, true friendships that I appreciatte. Are they perfect? Well, that's easy........NO! But they are a blessing to me. I feel so free, good and HAPPY! One of the things that was HUGE was....................................................................................................................................................................................giving up Facebook. I know some of you are like. So what! But for this socially charged girl it has been so Hard. But something that I have been dealing with for a long, long time. You see I didn't spend hours a day on there. Nor did I update my status 15 times a day. Or put links to 12 different great words of God or song. Or comment on every friend's status. Or check into every place I went or thought of going........Now those people have issues....JK :) But what I did do was much much worse. You see what I did was when I did get on for 5 a few times in the day . I ZONED OUT. I made my family feel as though they were not important for those few minutes. Now yes it was short amounts of time. But guess what? I don't care that much about what my friends are doing saying posting singing,whatever. I care about my kids, husband, family and friends:) And to think that I have given so many minutes to a cyber page to "keep up with people". Well it makes my stomach hurt. I don't have that much time left with my kids. I remember them being babies and now Colin is 13. When did that happen? Well it is happeneing every day. And I refuse to waste any more time on things that don't matter.

Love,
Vicki
(the girl who has more time for the real things in life)

Monday, March 5, 2012

Post sponsored by the number 13

This past month we celebrated Colin turning 13. A year ago Bryce and I started talking about how important of a birthday this would be for him. And what it meant to us as his parents. Bryce really felt like we should have a big celebration and honor him. He also wanted to call him to a "Standard" as a Man of God. And WOW. It was an incredible night and not just for me and my family. We gotsome amazing compliments and testimonies about what the night meant to a lot of people in attendance. So here's the story if you will. Bryce had a few men go out to breakfast, lunch and dinner with he and Colin. He asked the men to share life lessons, experiences, failures and victories of their own. All the meals were a great light and testimony to God's faithfulness in these men's lives. Then Sunday the 19th we had a big dinner reception for Colin. We had the meal catered and the decor simple but elegant. Bryce talked to him about all of the "Standards" that they had been talking about. 1. Serve and that the greatest thing he will do is serve. His Lord, family, friends and neighbors. 2. Protect his home and family one day. 3. Integrity to walk the right road. Because you see so many people lack integrity. We want to make people like us so we often do what we need to do and not necessarily the right thing to do. 4. Character, in life he will need to be a Man of character. One that people will be able to trust and respect. And the last one that I added was LOVE. Because without Love we are nothing and can do nothing. The Bible says the Greatest of these is Love. So we charged him with all the Standards. Then there was open microphone time where people got up and shared memories or advice. It was special my brother spoke so beautifully to Colin, I cried because my baby is 13. Russ Buckwalter our friend and his employer spoke of the great worker he already is. Ed Carel a friend that has seen Colin grow up encouraged him in being a man of God. My father in law told him how precious he was and how much he loves him. Others spoke great scriptures and advice to Colin. Robert Johnson recited a poem that means so much to Bryce and Colin. Even teenagers got up and said wonderful things. After that time we had a special prayer for Colin. Not just so that his life is good. But that because he chooses to follow Christ his life will be GREAT. And NO, that does not mean that it will be easy! Then we had a slide show and a time of presents cake coffee and tea. It was so great. I am so thankful for a Godly husband that saw the need to charge and challenge Colin to be a Man of God no matter what it takes. I do have some pictures but instead I am going to show you all the slide show we showed at the party!! Well I can't figure out the slide show........so here are some pics of Colin from baby till now :)

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Let's talk the "D" word........

What’s going through your mind? I can imagine.
Divorce …………..no we are in it for the long haul.
Diet………………… may always be changing mine 
Drugs………………just vitamins
Dating…………………Colin is getting older…UM NO!
Diarrhea………………..What?
No the word most people avoid like the plague


Depression


There the cat is out of the bag. I said it. So what now? Well let me give you some internet facts.

• Depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million American adults or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. This includes major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder. [1]
• Everyone, will at some time in their life be affected by depression -- their own or someone else's, according to Australian Government statistics. (Depression statistics in Australia are comparable to those of the US and UK.) [2]
• Pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market for antidepressants. At least four percent of preschoolers -- over a million -- are clinically depressed. [3]

[Pill-Popping Pre-Schoolers | Even Toddlers Get the Blues]
• The rate of increase of depression among children is an astounding 23% p.a. [4]
• 15% of the population of most developed countries suffers severe depression. [5]
• 30% of women are depressed. Men's figures were previously thought to be half that of women, but new estimates are higher. [6]
• 54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness. [7]
• 41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help. [8]
• 80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment. [9]
• 92% of depressed African-American males do not seek treatment. [10]
• 15% of depressed people will commit suicide. [11]
• Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease. [12]

[Depression Link to Heart Disease | Hostility, Depression May Boost Heart Disease]
• Depression results in more absenteeism than almost any other physical disorder and costs employers more than US$51 billion per year in absenteeism and lost productivity, not including high medical and pharmaceutical bills.


Those are the facts online. Anyone can find them. Everyone can get overwhelmed reading them and thinking they are doomed. In fact I am/was one of those people. Most of you know that I have struggled with this beast for my adult life. It has been a J…o…u…r…n…e…y. And one I thought was over. Because you see, I did all the right things. I prayed, I ate differently, I exercised and....... I TOOK DRUGS. But the problem seems to go away but for a moment. Then when I least expect it the ugly creature peeks its head over the sun and wham there it is again. Well this time it’s different. I mean it’s probably different every time. But this time it Really Really is…….why? You ask. Because this time I was awake when it hit me. I started to withdrawl, not care about certain things, people, events. And I was NOT OK with it. I didn’t lie back and see myself fall into a pit. I said NO MORE!!! I am more than this right? I am more than the outrage, fits and remorse. Oh the remorse you have after you have lashed out on your family. Because you see that’s who suffers with you. It’s your family. Others see you pull it together for them……. But your family well they get the crap. The ugliest you have. Not fair! Your right! It’s not. Because you know your kids will love you and your husband/wife (if your blessed like me) Will still be there. Will be there when you have collapsed from all the ugliness. They will be there to hold you up reassure you and keep you going. Well guess what people? I am going to conquer this beast and for the LAST TIME! I am doing all the things mentioned above, but one thing that I have not done before. This time I am speaking truth to myself. Listening when a dear friend calls to read me the description God has to say about me. And remembering who I am in Christ. Because without him and his people I could forget and be a statistic. Not anymore!!!! Not anymore!!!

This is what God says about me.


Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols." (Ezekiel 36:25)
...A righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. (Psalm 112:6-8)
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:5-6)
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath... it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure...
(Hebrews 6:17-19)
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11)
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
(Isaiah 41:10)
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3)
"I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6)
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. (Romans 5:1-2)
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. (Romans 5:20)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
(Romans 8:1)
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. (Romans 8:15-16)
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. (Romans 8:26)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
(Romans 8:37)
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
...God does not judge by external appearance... (Galatians 2:6)
For He Himself is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14)
For through Him we have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18)
The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. (Proverbs 1:33)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

And believe me there is much much more. I guess I am telling you this because I want to be hope for someone. Out there is someone that thinks they are alone. They may be scared and confused. But see when we look to the light we cannot be in darkness. I am happy to say that this will be the last time I ever deal with this issue. Jesus took all of our issues and we are new. I am thankful for friends, truth, love and acceptance. Jesus never stops making me be in AWE of him. He cares for us and wants us whole. I have many many other issues to deal with. But my friends I believe with ALL of my heart this one is done!!!! To God be the GLORY.


Love,
Vicki

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The Best.................

I sat down an hour ago. To blog "The Best Christmas Ever". When it happened. Lucy, Hazel and I just woke up from a nap. We laughed and said all the girls in the family needed a rest today. We got up and I let her out to go potty in the back yard. The side gate was open and her favorite hobby was happening. The mailman was delivering mail. She ran to meet him. I heard her bark and sent kids to go get her. The kids saw her hit by the car. I freaked out screaming in the street. The mailman was so kind. He held me while I cried and told the kids to go inside. I held her while she died. The kids were screaming for me to do something. But I knew there was nothing I could do. So instead of telling you all about the best Christmas ever. I must tell you all about the best Dog Ever. She was funny, and so sweet. She loved to sleep with or on you. She barked at all people entering our home. We loved and hated that. She was the best dog we have ever had. Sure she got on my nerves, but I loved her deeply. I just gave her a bath yesterday and held her while I slept today. She had the best last day. But I am so sad it was her last day. I want her back!!!! Here are some pictures of our Beloved "HAZEL" We appreciate you all praying for our family. She was a part of our family!!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Rest of my month long Thankful Days

Not that I am not Thankful everyday....but to end the month of November with Thanks...here are the rest of my days :)

Day 10 thankful that angels protected me from getting run over on walk this morning :)

Thankful day 11...the date 11-11-11. What a perfect day to Celebrate Veterans. I am honored to have had family serve in the armed forces. To all the soldiers out there I Honor you for all you have done for the Country!!!!

Day 12 thankful for my husband being home and doing all the cooking :)

Day 13 Thankful to be almost done with my Christmas shopping :)

Day 14 thankful for being able to buy groceries......so many people can not :(

Day 15 Thankful for the rain!!!

Day 16 thankful is my Day 11 exercise. I rolled my ankle on the first 1/2 mile lap...I shed a couple of tears and pushed through. I made my best time yet for the 1.5 mile :) Then gathered my children to do the last 1.5 mile walk together. It was nice !! I am thankful for God healing my ankle during my run :D

Day 17 Thankful for change.......Change of friendships, change of seasons, change of feelings, change of commitments, change of self........ change it keeps me growing :)

Day 18 Thankful...This one is going to shock you. But I am very very thankful for fly swatters. I am a fly killer and proud of it :)

Day 19 thankful for Homer as Darla Garza and their kids. My aunt and uncle. They came to visit before heading to Oklahoma. Owen loves puff daddy. And we love hanging out with them.

Thankful Day 20 Hanging out with family and laughing till your sides hurt.

Thankful Day 21 Getting 200 peices of clothing for only .07 a piece at Justus......

Day 22 thankful for friends and their stories. Today was great!

Day 23 Because I don't have enough going on today I woke up to a flat tire. So now kids and I are at tire shop. Next up walking. Then home to finish packing. Today I'm thankful there is a tire shop around the corner :)
Day 24 Turkey dinner and all the trimmings with precious family :)

Day 25 walking in the morning with one of my favorite people around. Mary Beth

Day 26 watching my kids swim in the Gaudalupe river jet skiing, tubing and fishing

Day 27 visiting Heritage Homestead as a family...it was fun :)

Day 28 being home with my family .........

Thankful Day 29 naps...sometimes you just need them.

Thankful Day 30 Maralee Lewis corn chowder I am fixing to have :)

Well I sure hope I can continue to be Thankful Everyday for Everything!!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Roots.............


This is a definition I found online.
Roots:

The part of a plant that attaches it to the ground or to a support, conveying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant.




While walking the other day with Victoria Smith I noticed some roots. They weren't just roots but they were ROOTS. Roots that had managed to tear apart a cement sidewalk. Make it not flat and smooth but bumpy, hard to cross and all messed up. I told her to be careful as we crossed them. She's pregnant :) We mentioned how crazy they were...........We walked.....talked....then something happened to me. The Lord started to speak to me. YES through roots. Crazy but oh so good. So I thought why not share these thoughts with you all. My dear friends and family.

Your probably going WHAT..Hmmm..So....Ok...and that's ok. Just keep reading. These roots made an inpression on me. Can you tell? You see I saw them as an example. Of my life your life and the world. I saw these roots that were once this small seed. That had life given to them ie: food, sun and water. Those are some of the things we need to grow. When we are infants in Christ we need all of those things and more. We need people, support, love, understanding, and acceptance. And then we start growing roots. They go deep like deep deep down in the ground. They not only provide the tree with nourishment. But they are also the things that will one day hold up the tree. Whether it's a small fruit tree or a giant tree that is taller than buildings. The roots to trees and our lives are so very important. And this is what I heard God ask me "Where are your roots planted? " Are they in things, money, people, circumstances, pleasures, desires, wants, needs, or are they in me? I thought about this for a few days. Because you see if they are not planted in Jesus then our lives will be that sidewalk. They will crumble under pressure they will not be smooth, they will be hard, unpleasant, unappealing and UGLY. Now will they be perfect with Jesus. No that's not what I am saying. What I am saying is they will be deep. They will be so deep that when hard times, death, loss, insecurity, hurts and chaos come. Because they will come. We will be strong. We may lose a branch or two. But our roots will be so deep that he will sustain us. He will keep us standing. He will hold us up. He will cause the storms of life to not destroy us. He will be our everything. I know this from personal experience. Not only mine but friend's and families lives. I have heard more stories of how God has held up people in their darkest hour. I know for myself that he has made me a new creation. And that my roots are solely in him. I'm not sure if any of this has made sense to anyone but I could not keep it to mself. I sure hope you chose to put your roots in Jesus. He is waiting. He wants to be YOUR ROOTS!!

New International Version
Jeremiah 17:8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."



Job 29:19 My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches.


Colossians 2:6-7 ESV Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Thankful day 4-9

Day 4 I'm thankful for grandparents that are willing to drive 9 hours to watch their grandson play basketball. :D

Day 5 thankful for C.H.E.S.S. basketball!!!

Day 6 so very thankful for our home church meetings every month. We all come together all 76 of us and share the word, a meal and great stories. I love these people. Missed all that couldn't be with us today.

Thankful Day 7 : This weather...it's perfect :)

Thankful Day 8....My best friend that packed her things and kids to come stay with me while my hubby is out of town. Isn't it wonderful to have friends :D

Day 9 Thankful for impromptu lunch date with a friend. Then park time with our kids. Sharing our lives together what a blessing :D

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Day 3

Today I am thankful for my extended family.....Dad, Mom, Fred, Aminta, Devien, Belen, Dillonn, Veronica, J.A.M., Annika...........Dick, Cheryl, Russ, Deige and Randall :)

And of course all of my relatives, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and in laws....

Without our family we won't get very far!
I love my FAMILY :)

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Day 2 of 30 Days of THANKFULNESS

So I missed day....1

Day 1 my Salvation. I am nothing without Jesus. And he is everything to me.


Day 2 My husband and children. Bryce is the best gift I have ever recieved. My children well they are my heart beats!

Just be THANKFUL!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Whew.........................

We have just had a really really tough week. But we made it. And we are all...well most of us...... smiling!! We got back from our dream vacation to Bryce bing sick. He got strep..he has gotten it a few times in our marriage and it normally put's him down. For a guy who never misses work he did 2 days. He went to doctor got a shot that he said hurt and anitibiotics. Some of you are gasping. YES I still hate antibiotics.....but my husband is his own boss. I had a doctor appointment the same day to go over all of my test results. It was a hard appoinment my Dr. told me I have a wheat allergy.....A WHAT? Yep a wheat allergy. She showed me the results. Not only were my numbers high they were in all caps and bold print. She asked me to saty off wheat for 2 months then see an accupuncturist and maybe reset my wheat tolerance. I had to go to the grocery store right after. Thinking that I was going to live on salads. I went to look for french fried onions to put on all my salads. Looked at ingreidient list put it back on the shelf and cried. I then got this overwhelming feeling. What am I going to eat? It was a hard sad night for me. I got home shared with Bryce my sadness and he set me straight. He reminded me that I could have gone back and she told me I had cancer and days to live. She just told me not to have wheat for 2 months. Really? I quickly changed my perspective. Then Wednesday night I got sick........with strep. I have never had the "beast" before. It put me down and hard! I too got on antibiotics. I know *gasp*. But I have never been so weak and sick before in my life. It took me a lot longer to get better. I woke up Monday morning and felt a little better. So glad too because Owen told me his head hurt. I went to touch him and he had a fever. He struggled with fever for 2 days even on meds it got up to 102.8. Then he stared throwing up. I thought at least it's something different. Then yesterday he told me his neck hurt. Well that was my worse symptom. So I loaded him up and went to the Dr. They checked him out thought it was meningitis. After blood work they ruled that out. But the blood work did come back with a very high bacteria count. So back to the lab we went for a more detailed blood work. My poor boy was so weak. I got him his medicine and then back home to rest. He had fever till about 2 this morning. It finally broke. He woke up happy and hungry :) Just waiting on a good report for his bloodwork.

Yes this week was hard and not one I want to repeat anytime soon believe me. BUT we are all alive and we love each other. Some others are dealing with far worse than a week of sickness.


This scripture has been good for me!


1 Timothy 4:7-8
Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.



I am Super Blessed!

Monday, October 10, 2011

You all REALLY should do this sometime :)

So we made it back a couple hours ago and....... it was the BEST vacation we have ever been on! It was relaxing, fun, adventurous, wonderful and pretty much Perfect. I am describing our mini vacation we just experienced. We went to Arkansas and boarded a houseboat from Friday to Monday. It was the perfect amount of time, the perfect weather and the perfect company. All the adults and kids got along so well. The ladies each took a night and prepared a meal and cleaned up. We had a surprise birthday party for Emma. We ate like Kings and Queens. We went on cruises, took long hikes through the woods, jumped off the top of the boat(I say we loosley). I watched and took pictures. I did however get on the inner tube and float. The kids slid off the slide of the boat and enjoyed the hot tub. They ran off and explored the island's. They made a full fort house with a rock pathway, wall, bench, bed and nightstand. They fished and fished a little more. We sat around a fire every night and ate snacks had a little alcohol and just flat out had a Marvelous time. Tanner found a piece of orange foam that ALL of the children enjoyed. It was a raft, a target for rock throwing, a surf board, boogie board and a boat. It was so enjoyable to watch the kids play so well. We all got a nap if we wanted, slept in if we wanted, worked out if we wanted and just did what we wanted. Sound fun? Well it WAS.. And I think that everyone should experience this wonderfulness. Get a couple of families plan it and go. Here are some of our pictures. Enjoy them while I go switch my laundry :) Oh and I apologize for you having to see all of me :)
The Fergusson's......Doug and Betty Sue some of the best people on this Earth :)
Brotherly love...I have to capture it when I can.

Me....

Some of my Men.

Nature...it was Beautiful.......

Colin just a Chillin'

Jessica

Emma the birthday girl!

Sam jumping so high he was in the clouds :)

Owen

Levi, Owen's brother from another mother!!

Russ and Cheryl under the moonlight that was incredible!!

Lucy and her first love...her daddy!!

Russ, Cheryl and I under the stars.....seriously they were amazing :)

catfish.....

Fire building.

The Slide!

Katlyn

The pilot's.

Falling through the chair!!

A wonderful fire!

Lucy and her new best Friend....DOUG !!
Oh my.........it's COLD!!!

All Aboard.....

Just some of the scenery we were able to enjoy

The Buckwalter's

The Miller's

The Fergusson's with their wonderful grandchildren. .

The whole gang!

All of the children....who by the way were dreamy!!

Jumping from the top of the boat.

Kitchen duty!

Fort benches in front of their fire ring.

Bed with writing tablet for notes.

The couch. The kids made all of this all by themsleves. They all worked together. It was really a neat house. I want them all with me if I ever get stranded. I would be taken care of really well.