Stats from Branson...

So, in my quest to put something on my blog about Branson, I forgot the details of how the team did. In my (never biased) opinion:

THEY DID AWESOME!!

We could not be any more proud of each kid on that team. Tournaments are double elimination, they won 3 and lost 2. They took 17th out of 64 teams. Logan was high scorer in three out of the five quizzes. They earned a bronze medal during one of the quizzes, which is a team medal and is only earned if each child scores a certain number of points (don't ask me how many, because I keep forgetting!). The theme of this team was definitely "teamwork". Not one of them could have done any of this without the others and that is what made them so special.

Now we are enjoying a lazy week of NOTHING!! Well, the kids have nothing. In fact, Logan was telling someone that it was nice to get up in the morning and have nothing to do (oh, to be almost 10 years old again)!! I, on the other hand, have about six months of piles, cleaning, scrubbing, etc. to try to take care of. I had no idea how much I wasn't getting done during the quiz season until it was over. But, I truly would not have traded one minute of it!

Not to worry....the week of nothing is soon coming to an end. Our dear friends from Oregon, are coming this weekend. The parents are headed to a business meeting in San Francisco and I get to enjoy their five kids playing with my three kids. You all might think I am crazy, but I would rather say....I am Blessed!!

(Now see below for a slideshow of our trip to Branson....)

Nationals in Branson, MO

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Riding her bike....

Mariah finally did it. We have been trying for almost a year to take the training wheels off her bike, but she refused. Both the other kids were training-wheel-less by the age of 4. But, Mariah seems to walk and ride to a different beat - as long as she is having fun, why try something different...

Well, her bike tire blew out and she had nothing to ride. It took us a while to find a new one - in fact we had to order it off the internet. I guess this area doesn't believe in small, white bicycle tires. So, while we waited for the new tire to arrive, she decided she wanted to ride Victoria's bike - even though it did not have training wheels. So, I go out in my flip-flops figuring we would be done in about 10 minutes because she wouldn't be having any fun and she would be done. Well, just like the shoe tying experience, she just took off!!! I was a little nervous how long she would go, so I kept running beside her until I knew she was going to be okay - not an easy task in flip-flops. It took her a few turns around the cul-de-sac before she figured out how to turn, so she would just stop, get off the bike, turn it around and get back on.

It also took her a while to figure out how to get started without the curb...but she was determined to do everything herself...

One of the best parts...Nana and Grandpa were here to watch her do it!

Way to Go Mariah!!!

Busier than Busy...

The summer is flying by and I am hoping I am taking enough pictures. Actually, why hope - I know I am not. Things are going too fast for even my camera!! We have had such a busy few weeks that I think I might forget what we have been doing.

Our summer started with a bang at the beginning of June when we did our crazy south and north and south again adventure. We had a blast and I am glad we did it. The kids and I had a wonderful time in Oregon for a few days trying to visit as many people as we could. It was so enjoyable, but I think if my in-laws want to see much of us, they need to drive to California. It seems like the kids and I are going more than coming when we stay with them. It is so hard to fit it all in, but we give it our best shot. I had an enjoyable afternoon with my sweet friend, Autumn. We just sat and talked and drank coffee and talked and listened to our kids play and talked. Of course, it wasn't all that glamorous, she had to keep running in the house to hold a bowl while her 4 year old threw up...I have learned that no visit is without its distractions - especially with my life and the life of my friends. That is what is so great about it, we have come to the conclusion that life doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyable. Life is definitely what you make of it. And now, both Autumn and I know you can have a great afternoon with a friend even when one of the kids can't stop throwing up!! It was just wonderful to be together. Then, that night three dear friends spoiled me to an evening of coffee, dessert, talking, laughing, talking, laughing, and even a sweet little birthday surprise for me!! It was great and I so appreciate their willingness to stay up until the very early hours of the morning so that we could visit!!

After Oregon came Arroyo Grande (which I already blogged about), but that kind of changed the tide for summer. Since then, we have been crazy with planning, fundraising, planning, practicing, etc. I wouldn't change it for anything, but it definitely added a little something to do!! Logan is counting the days until Nationals. Thankfully, with all the pledges we have received we are almost 75% of the way to paying for the trip. Thank you to everyone who so willingly supported Logan!!

And, the company has started arriving. It has been glorious. Our dear friends, The Barnhursts, were the first set to arrive. We had so much fun with them and will treasure the wonderful time we had...and think, if we wouldn't have moved we never would have spent three nights in the same house together!! The kids had a blast and Kelly and I just enjoyed being together.

Now, we have my mom and Michael and we are enjoying every minute with them. Logan and Michael have golfed 18 holes twice already and spent an afternoon hitting and putting at a local golf course. Mom and I have enjoyed shopping, eating, cooking, and spending time with the kids. Tomorrow we are off to SF and then Six Flags on Thursday - woohoo!! We had a great 4th of July. Our little town does a parade and fireworks and we thoroughly enjoyed both of them. Now, if only I could get my pictures ready to put on my blog....guess you will have to check back!

My impatience is learning a lesson...

A friend of mine told me about a daily devotional book she was given, Streams in the Desert by Charles Cowman. I found it on-line and have enjoyed it so much - thank you Rebecca! The devotional today was titled "How to Wait". It is awesome to be reminded God truly does care, He just has a more perfect plan than we do and our job is just to surrender to Him and His will.

Wait in quiet patience. Never murmur against the second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses. Accept the case as it is, and put it as it stands, simply and with your wholeheart, without any self-will, into the hand of your covenant God, saying, "Now, Lord, not my will, but Thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities; but I will wait until Thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back my foes. I will wait, if Thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon Thee alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for Thee in full conviction that Thou wilt yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower." --Morning by Morning

I hope this blesses your day as much as it did mine!!