Thursday, August 25, 2011

Just Some Stuff We Miss

I am VERY happy to be back to the school routine this year.  We had a challenging summer.  But there are some things that I am beginning to miss a little.
 Friendships that are formed when friends come to work at camp from the other side of the country.
Anna and Emmaline had a great time together this summer!  We did manage to get off the mountain  a few times and do a little shopping AND EATING!
 Lindsay REALLY REALLY misses my parents when they return to Arizona with the rest of the snowbirds who "fly south" for the winter (this year we are going to go visit THEM!!)
 My Mom always had the most clever ways to keep Lindsay entertained, and teach her something in the meantime. Lindsay is now towering over my Mom in height, but still tries to sit on her lap.  I guess since she is so big now, that's why she puts her feet/legs on Grandma's lap!   My sweet Mama is 80 years old and you would NEVER know it!  I wish my parents lived next door. :(
 The "cousin visits" are such a special time for us.  I love love love that my girls know their cousins so well.  How thankful I am that they come each summer to spend a few weeks with us at camp.  It's hard having them live so far away (in the GREAT state of Texas!) but maybe they wouldn't pay attention to each other if we lived closer....
 Lindsay misses the beach at camp.  She has always loved to play in the sand.  Each week, when the new groups come in, there is usually a kid or two who kinda look at Lindsay for a little while and then they come and play with her.  Kids are cool that way...she's "different". Big deal.  I LOVE that. 
The WORST part of summer's end....my Liberty girl leaves. Boo.

My friend Carolyn told me to be sure and read the excerpt from "Jesus Calling" the other day...here's a little bit of what it said,

"ENTRUST YOUR LOVED ONES TO ME;  release them into My protective care,  They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands.  If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one-as well as yourself.................When you release your loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand.  As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them.  My Presence will go with them wherever they go and I will give them rest.  This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me.  Watch to see what I will do."

Saturday, August 20, 2011

School Days....

We have spent the last week (since coming home from camp) getting Shae ready to go back to Liberty University for her sophomore year.  This time we needed Scott's help to fit everything into the suitcases! (how did THAT happen?!)
 We HAD TO have Shae's last meal at home...
 so I could make it official!
 Grandma and Papa joined us for one of Shae's favorites...
 Roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, corn on the cob and especially homemade rolls!
 Scott had to make one last "Dutch Baby" for breakfast too!
 Lindsay misses Shae so much while she is away, and this time she won't come home until CHRISTMAS! Ugh!
 We drove to Sacramento the day before, did some shopping, had a nice dinner and Lindsay was pooped out!
 The next morning we did the inevitable...we took Shae to the airport to fly across the country.  :(   We had planned to shop a little more that day, but when Scott started to pray for Shae in the airport, and his voice quivered, we ALL cried (except Lindsay who had her meltdown the next day when she realized Shae was gone!) and no one said much for a few miles until we all said we wanted to just go on home...it doesn't get easier the second year. Yuck.
 This year we sent TWO Junior High girls off to schoool!  One seventh grader and one eighth grader!
 They were armed with personalized cups for each teacher wrapped in cellophane with an Erin Condren sticker. (I know where you can get some of these cups of your own for $10...email me! ingerluff@yahoo.com!!!)
 Shae took an arsenal of cups too.  The make great gifts for RA's. prayer leaders and  new roommates.  She took 18 cups to Liberty with her!
 Lindsay was thrilled to see her BFF Leslie and her favorite custodian, "Don-Don" when she got to school on the first day! 
 And Anna caught up with Michaela and Brook. (Anna's got her bag of cups for her teachers... (I hate that students don't bring gifts for the Jr. High and H.S teachers, so I always sent something with Shae and I will do the same for Anna!)
 We waited anxiously for this cute little Kindergartner to arrive for his first day! We are so glad that he is at Redding Christian.   It seems like we were just waiting at the hospital the night Austin was born and now he is in school,  How time flies!
I am so grateful that Anna can be in a Christian school.  My parents have graciously paid for Shae and Anna to attend Redding Christian each year and they would do the same for Lindsay if there was a place for her to go.  How thankful I am for parents who understand the importance of Christian education!

Here's to another school year, off and running!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Erin Condren Life Planner

 Guess What arrived at my house??
I am linking up with the Tichenor Family and sharing my Erin Condren planner!  Go check out all the beautiful planners HERE!
 My WoNdErFuL Erin Condren Life Planner!  

 The "camp girls" and I had such a great time ordering them and I am the first to receive mine.   I have carried it EVERYWHERE!
It is so sturdy, colorful and full of inspirational sayings.  Just glancing it's way makes me smile!
 Erin Condren & Co also included some fun personalized stickers and calling cards for me!
My favorite thing in my planner is the "planning stickers"!  Oh to see your dentist appointment listed on your calendar with a precious sticker makes it so much LESS dreadful!

Shae received her planner after her arrival back in Virginia just in time to start her Sophomore year in an organized manner.  I will post pictures of hers soon!  The other 9 camp girls all promised to email me pictures of their planners when they get them too! (I ordered an address book too!  Can't wait for it to arrive!)

If you need a planner...or just WANT to get yourself "organized, stylized and personalized", I really suggest you check out Erin's website!

Friday, August 12, 2011

The Lassen Pines Hoe-Down Throw-Down!

What do you get when you have:
 A really fun summer staff of kids...
 A "Sheriff" packin' heat with a fake cig...
 Some cousins visiting from Texas...
 Girls with a Texan Daddyboy...
 Guns...
 A cool shooting range...
 A newly cemented barn floor {!!}...
 Scrumptious grub...
 and more grub...
 Peeps to eat all the grub...

 A "Georgia Girl" teaching some line dancing to the cutest redhead ever...
 Very special guests from town...
 {who even let you hold them on your lap <3 }...
 Smiles...
 Girls with Guns...
 Apple bobbin'....
 Corn Hole playing...
 Wanted posters...
 Skeet shooting...
 "Horn" hookin'...
 Auntie huggin'...
 Horseshoe throwin'...
Hoedown Throwdown learnin'...?

You got yourself the Lassen Pines Hoedown Throwdown 2011!
{and a whole lot of fun!}