History, Amusement, Science, and Family

In August, when we took our road trip to Pennsylvania 

we made a pit stop in Philadelphia for a little history. 

We only had time for a couple hours... there was so much more we didn't get to see!

It was pouring most of our drive. It stopped raining while we were walking around 

and started raining as soon as we got back in the car. I'd say that was pretty sweet timing. 

 Finally at our hotel..four little bugs snug in a rug!

Day Two: Dorney Park!

Darin spent a couple years working here in his teens and always likes reminiscing. ;) 

I came here as a young girl with my family and it's fun to wonder if we ever 

crossed paths back in the late 80's. 

A very special bonding time for these two... Ethan finally reached the 

required 54 inches and joined Darin on most of the coasters. 

The other kids were happy on the less daring rides with me. ;)

 The park was so quiet that the four kids were able to repeatedly ride the log flume and they loved it!

Day Three: Family and DaVinci Science Center

We spent the morning with Grandma and Grandpa and visited a nearby park. 

Why yes! That is Ethan high up in that tree! 

Apparently all his roller coaster riding increased his confidence. 

 Then a trip to the science center. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

 Day Four: Church with Grandma

 And then a picnic with extended family at a community park. 

At this point, I stopped taking pictures and enjoyed talking with family. 

I should have taken a photo of our whole crew. bummer! 11 adults, 6 kids 

A memorable trip north! 

Thankful for GORGEOUS weather and generous family. 

Summer Highs

I decided not to post the pictures of our summer lows. 

(Just kidding... I didn't take pictures of those moments.) 

Here is a fly-by of some special moments to catch us up to the start of school. (which started last week!!! ACK!!!) We also took a long weekend trip to Pennsylvania to visit family and those pictures won't be included in this post.

Are you ready? Fasten your seat belts... here we go!

Ladies night at the rock climbing wall with friends! I love climbing! A bright spot this summer.

 First movie in the theater! The Lego Movie. Well, they did see a butterfly documentary at the IMAX theater a couple years ago. However, this was their first fun movie in the theater with special snacks. Two of the boys are extremely sensitive to sounds, so we've waited a long time and chose a movie that they had already seen so they knew what was coming next. Yeah for summer $1 kid movies. Not in a huge rush to go back, but this was a very special treat and memory. 

I LOVE outdoor adventures with friends! Exhilarating!

Early morning blueberry picking... 24 pounds of blueberries picked! YUM!!

Not that long ago, Aaron spent most of his time hiding in the bushes just nibbling on blueberries. 

This year he was such a diligent worker and nearly filled his pail! Great job Aaron!

Luke was very determined that he would use all the blueberries he picked to make a special dessert all by himself. He chose a lattice topped blueberry pie. I set him up with a recipe and stayed nearby. He did a great job! A delicious treat!

Ethan finally cashed in on a reward he earned last year in school. 

He and I had a great time at a paint your own pottery store. 

Bonus for me... I painted too! (more on that later)

These two are growing like weeds and have outgrown their previous bikes. 

Uncle Jeffrey helped us score Luke's new-to-him bike on craigslist. Thanks Jeffrey!!!

A few days later, we found a new-used larger bike for Irina on craigslist. 

Happy kiddos! Happy bikers!

 Amazing how a bigger bike has boosted her confidence exponentially. 

She "thinks" she's been popping wheelies on the ramp. ;) Sure, honey!

Ethan has become quite the kitchen helper and it is actually helpful!! 

I can set him up with a recipe, and he can do it all. Aaron likes to stir. ;)

They made 24 blueberry muffins last week. 

The kids found old Raffi CD's from when they were little and had a ball. They were dancing, doing hand motions, and singing along. I love moments like these and I need to savor them before my true middle schooler is "too cool". (which is creeping up on us I suspect)  These moments don't last all that long (the brotherly quarrels are inevitable), but they are so good for Irina developmentally. This is when it's easier to not get frustrated with her immaturity and just let her be her developmental age. She watched for a little while before joining in. The JOY on their faces was priceless.

Phew! Trip to PA coming up next...

An Overused Metaphor

Can you guess where I'm going with this post? 

Since I last posted on August 6th, summer has sped by. And since I have a flair for the overdramatic,

I might even say that MY summer has felt a bit like riding a roller coaster. 

And that, my friends, is the overused metaphor I am hinging this post upon. Ha!

(Yes, Darin and ETHAN are on that roller coaster pictured above. More about that later.)

Highs, lows, fear, anxiety, anticipation, stomach aches, speed, nausea, and trust are all characteristics

of my summer. Those words could also describe my experience with riding coasters.

If you see me and ask how my summer was, I'll cheerfully reply, "Great!" The honest answer should probably be that I have had to be very intentional/prayerful to FIND and NOTICE God's blessings. Oh, they are there because I KNOW in my head that GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!! But my vision is clouded because of the speed and chaos of life. You know how your eyes start to water when you are whizzing through the air at 120-140 mph? It's hard to focus in on anything except for keeping myself from throwing up. Life has felt like that for me this summer. 

My last lame comparison...

Before I step onto a roller coaster, I must TRUST that it is safe. I'm not getting on if it is making strange noises and I see parts falling off! As soon as I'm buckled in, there is no going back. This summer, I am learning a lot about what it means to TRUST God in the ride of life. I'm asking myself and wrestling with these questions. 

Do I trust God is good? Do I believe He loves me?

Do I trust the plans He has for me?

Do I trust He will take care of me?

Do I trust He will answer my prayers or change my heart?

Do I trust He is at work in me? 

Do I trust He will fight the good fight for me?

Do I trust Him to carry my burdens?

All I know to do, is search the scriptures and remind myself of the truth. 

I am SO thankful for awesome women of God in my life who remind me of truth and encourage me regularly. You know who you are! It's really amazing. Even in my pit, God has blessed me with friends who love me. That can't be anything but a gift of God!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Hike

Wednesday I was tired. Didn't sleep much thanks to a unexpected little red head (Aaron) tossing and turning in my bed. (Darin was away on business.) However, my very adventurous friend convinced me to join her family for a hike. Without her coaxing, we would have stayed home and had way less fun. I'M SO GLAD for the nudge in the right direction. What a great day!

The kids at the start of the hike. The hike was strenuous and a 

steady climb, but definitely manageable at about 1 mile to the top. 

This view was beautiful. We are definitely coming back in the fall!

I was very nervous with those kids up there, but they listened well and enjoyed the view. 

The weather was beautiful, really beautiful.  Not too hot with a refreshing breeze. 

Irina stayed close. Ethan was scrambling around like a little mountain goat. Luke and Aaron were

 eager to stay near the front of the pack. So glad to have two other adults to manage different speeds. 

"I'm really really tired, but I had a really good day, Mommy. It was so much fun!" exclaimed Irina.

Priceless!

In the Trees

Last Saturday, the older three kids and I went on a field trip to ropes course with the children's ministry at church. (rising 4-6th graders) Aaron didn't mind staying behind with Daddy. I'm thankful for his good attitude about getting left behind 6 days in a row. Arts camp and now ropes... phew! His only request was that Darin take out his childhood toys and let him play with them. Darin graciously said "yes"! Aaron was thrilled to dig into the bins of toys from the 80's - Transformers, Mask, and Star Wars toys.

Luke, Ethan, Irina and I climbed some trees while Aaron went back in time. 

This ropes course was led by folks from YWAM (Youth With A Mission)

The necessary, but uncomfortable harness... I personally did NOT love wearing 

this tight cinching piece of equipment, but I suppose it is important for keeping us safe. ;) 

We broke up into three groups and I did not get placed with any of the kids. I missed 

out seeing them climb, but thankful for other leaders sharing some pictures and videos with me. 

 In case you don't know:

A ropes course is a challenging outdoor personal development and team building activity which usually consists of high and/or low elements. Low elements take place on the ground or only a few feet above the ground. High elements are usually constructed in trees or made of utility poles and require a belay for safety.

Here is Luke, high up in the trees! He said he was very nervous, but he did it. 

I tried it too. It was terrifying and thrilling at the same time. I can't remember the specifics, but we climbed a tree 30-40 feet high on metal staples. Then we had to cross a wire to the other side, reaching out to hanging ropes. It took a while for my heart to stop pounding after I was lowered down. SO MUCH FUN!! I must say I was tempted to be asked to be lowered down before walking across the wire. I kept thinking in my head, "I've got to be able to tell the kids I did it."

Then there was this element, seen in the video above. The Pompous Pole. Here's Ethan jumping off the pole and hitting a ball that was dangling from a wire out in front of him. Based on what you know about Ethan, are you surprised that he had a TERRIFIC time?? He was in HEAVEN! I did this one too. The telephone pole was SO wiggly as I climbed and then getting to standing up on the pole before jumping...oh my goodness! I screamed like a little girl. Ethan did not. :) Luke and Irina made it up this pole too. She didn't stand up, but I'm proud of my girl for making it to the top of the staples. Sometimes I wonder how crazy she thinks we are. 

 Irina and Ethan's group climbed a tree and jumped out of a platform holding on to this swing. 

Didn't get to see it first hand but loved the video. Thanks, Rebecca! This video is of Irina. 

 A super fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon. 

Arts Camp

Luke, Ethan, and Irina participated in a discipleship arts camp last week and they loved it! Last Friday was the conclusion of the week and an opportunity for the kids to display their work and/or perform for the families. 

Every day at camp, the kids had small group Bible study, Bible memory work, and CHOIR!

All of it was great, but I was especially thankful for the experience in choir. Being homeschooled, they have certainly had music exposure (drum lessons, piano lessons, classical music, etc.). They have NOT had choir experience and that was such a huge part of my school experience. So glad they got a taste of it. They performed three songs on Friday night and it was lovely. 

 The kids got to select two electives. Luke and Ethan chose art: drawing and painting AND

woodworking. They weren't in the same classes, but they really enjoyed all of it. 

 Irina chose drama and cooking. Perfect for her! She played the part of a ladybug in a play and had

some group speaking lines. They also did a dance as a group. She was full of enthusiasm and joy. 

Each day she brought home a fun treat that she made in 

cooking class and was always kind to share with her brothers. 

All the kids in her group wore little chef hats during class. Isn't that cute?

A great camp experience...and we're relatively new to this camp thing. ;)