Little Turtle Goes to Vacation Bible School

So, last week was Dawson's first week ever of vacation bible school. I almost didn't sign him up when I saw it in the church bulletin, because at the time I wasn't sure he would have a ride there and back every day. But (what do you know!?), God provides! And it could NOT have been a better experience for my 4 and a half year old soon to be kindergartner.

He came home day one singing chants for his team (gooooOOOO TURTLES!), quoting bible verses ("Exodus 3:12, God said, I will be with you"), teaching me hand motions, showing off his crafts, talking about his big buddy Joel, and telling us about all the "cute little snacks" he got to eat.

I caught him playing VBS and 'preaching' to our kitten on Friday. "Jesus died on the cross to take all YOUR sins away, kitty!"... and one day he came home super excited telling me all about how "God appeared to Moses in a bush that was on FIRE!... but don't worry, Mom. It wasn't really on fire with God. It was actually just a red light bulb..."

They made crafts one day to send to kids in Africa, and raised money for the missionary our church supports there. We talked about what it means to be a missionary, why the kids there don't have parents, and all the things our family has to be thankful for.

This was such a great week for our family on so many levels. It felt like the timing was great, Dawson has been home just long enough to be getting 'bored' during the day. Half the kids from our neighborhood ended up being there, including our personal favorites (the Hammies!), and I love that it was the 'cool' place to be.

It also felt like a great way to just further prepare him for kindergarten, to teach him that even though his Mom and Dad aren't constantly with him, that he will still be taken care of by other grown ups in his life that are there to care about him... and that above all that God is always with him (and his boring mom and dad aren't the only ones saying so)! It felt like he was 'catching on,' putting the pieces of the puzzle together in his sharp little mind and connecting the dots between the Bible stories we read at home and applying it at a 4 year old level, and it was all just so... cool. He was SO into it!

They closed out the week with a special ceremony, where it was clear that the adults who helped orchestrate the event put every ounce of their spare time and energy into being the best they could possibly be. The kids were LOUD, they were decorated, and they were having an absolute blast.

Kari went all out and bought a bunch of spirit in a bottle to decorate our children with before we headed down, and I was lucky enough to get this little gem of video footage... I love when they co-operate for the camera! Also... get a load of how Dawson just looks at Kailee like he would kiss the dirt her dainty feet walk upon if she asked him to. He just adores her (she IS pretty adorable...)

Of COURSE the little sisters wouldn't DREAM of being left out of the fun....

Dawson even painted his fingernails. And then asked me to take it off the moment he came to his senses when it all ended.

Anyway, needless to say he had a great time. I am so thankful he had this cool opportunity in his little world, and I was one of the proudest parents out there watching my little turtle coming out of his shell.

Cant wait for next year.

Where in Blog's Name Did She Go?!

I know all 6 of my faithful followers can't stand the suspense!

Did the kid's finally get the last ounce of her sanity?

Has she run off with the traveling circus for good?

Is she locked away in the serenity of a padded cell and finally getting the well deserved nap she's only daydreamed of these last 4 years?

No, no, friends, rest assured. I am still here in good old Apple Valley... as crazy as ever!

It one of those things where I let a couple days go by... a few blog worthy things happened... I meant to get around to them, but didn't... then a few more things happened... people came and went... more days passed... and suddenly its been 3 weeks and I am overwhelmed with how far behind I am in blog world and I am completely unmotivated to blog at all because I feel I have SO much catching up to do!

So, I have come to a solution.

Here is a summary of the blogs you missed.

1. It rained... IN JUNE! So of course, that meant there was only one thing to do...



2. The garden is coming along quite nicely, it has doubled in size since this picture was taken. We should have squash soon, and already made a berry pie. The gnome has officially been named "Paprika," and I think I just about have the kids convinced that he comes alive at night to do my bidding upon naughty sleeping children. They have been exceptionally well behaved recently...


3. At 3.5 years old and 45lbs, Anabelle still manages to fall asleep ANYWHERE and sleep thru ANYTHING. We get some strange looks in the store as shes snoring away and TOO BIG FOR THE CART.



4. We had company for several days visiting from Tennessee, and had a blast. Come back soon, Austin, Tiffany, Moira and Sabra!



5. Happy 21st Birthday (again) Carly! I love you mucho mucho mucho. xoxo



6. Happy Father's Day, Tyson. Thanks for being the best Dad our kids could ask for and then some. I can't wait until the day they realize how lucky they are.


7. We*(Tyson)* got a kitten. Anabelle named it Forest. "Like the forest, because he is beautiful." Oh, ok honey, thats cute.
Then, she took the liberty of cutting his hair 'to make him beautiful like the forest.'

Then, he in turn took the liberty of scratching the h*ll out of her beautiful little face.

Can't say I blame him.
Its been a blast.

Run

I've been dying to put my seemingly useless long distance running ability to good use for awhile now... and last weekend the perfect opportunity finally presented itself.



Family Care Network holds a fundraiser every year, its a 10k along the beach sand between Morro Rock to Cayucos Pier. 6.2 miles, baby. I planned on doing it months ago when I first heard about it, but lost hope when I missed the early registration cut off. As luck would have it, my mom and her girlfriend did sign up, but couldn't do it at the last minute, so I drug Kari kicking and screaming by her hair all the way down the beach.



Anyway...



It.freaking.ruled.



I want to run MORE. But that is another blog I suppose.



It was so inspiring to be there... with so many other people... all taking off at the same time, all crossing the same finish line at different paces.



Because I am cheesy (and unashamed to admit it!), Tyson and I made the ultimate play mix for me and Kari the night before so we synced our pods. I seriously got chills from all the adrenaline and energy bursting thru my headphones and all around me and my fabulous friend.






(I know, I'm a dork. Take me or leave me, baby).



So, I only ran it for me. Not for my stats. But they didn't end up being half bad for my first run, I thought! Guess that's what happens when you have absolutely no expectations for yourself... haha.

347th place... out of 1614 runners.

My time was 57min and 42 seconds... that is a 9:18min/mile.

I think I can beat it next time.... I want to do the same run again in July.

We'll see.

xo