Labor Day Weekend GETAWAY - Day One

As soon as the kids were dismissed from school
and dropped off by the bus, we packed up the car
(more like crammed it FULL)
to get going on our trip. Because of the late start
we decided to eat dinner on the way.
A treat for the kids!

The first night was spent camping.
We knew we wanted to camp in the Uintas
near where we were going to hike the next day,
but we hadn't reserved any camping spots. After two hours of driving,
we found a campground and a place to pitch our tent for the night.

And even though they were not too enthusiastic about it,
the boys cooperated with their dad on setting up the tent.


Meanwhile little Miss M decided to climb on her new surroundings.
Because that is what she is into right now,
climbing on anything and everything.


And together
the youngest two enjoyed exploring
our new sleeping quarters.

MIDDLE school

Our oldest went off to MIDDLE school this morning.
I am not sure I am ready for that.
But HERE it is.

I personally didn't enjoy those middle school years at all
and while I HOPE that it is a more pleasant experience for my first born
I know that it may not be.

It is just a tough, every changing time in one's young life.
But through it all this is what I HOPE for him and all my children.


Remember WHO you are...
Remembering who YOU are changes what YOU do.


He has always been a
Confident
Helpful
Friendly
Obedient
Fun, loving child
and it is hard to begin to let go.

I have felt the great responsibility
that comes with raising a child up in righteousness.
And I hope we as parents have given him
and continue to give him all that he needs
to start making wise decisions that will lead to a life
that is full of wonderful experiences
faithful friends
LOVE
and true happiness.

And yes,
at the 7th grade orientation yesterday
we tested to see if he could be shoved into a locker
(because it was a worry of his)
and I think the answer is a pretty confident
"NO"

What Do YOU Do in the Summertime?

Do you swim in a pool to keep yourself cool

Do you 4-wheel a mile in the DEAN style

Do you just play pretend as your SUPERHERO friend

Or do you hang out with DAD because he is so rad

Is that what you do?
So do we!!

Foster CARE

Just over a week ago we said goodbye to this little guy,
(the one in the brown jumper).

No, he wasn't living with our family, but my sister-in-law's family. They were his foster parents. He came to them shortly after being born and was only supposed to be with them for a week or two. Six months later they have finally found him a family and we had to say good bye. Only it was hard to explain to my children, especially the younger ones, why he had to leave. The process of finding him a family took soooooo long because he is part Navajo, and there are tribal laws that say such children are to be placed with parents who are direct relatives or who are of Native American descent. And because it took six months we all became quite attached to him. That is a blessed family who get to call him theirs.

Beyond all that I just find the Foster Care program intriguing. I have known quite a few families throughout my life that have participated in foster care and who have benefited from the opportunities given them and I have also heard horror stories, mainly in the media, about people who abuse the foster care program and the precious children who by no fault of their own have ended up in the system.

When I think about these children all that comes to mind is that THEY are Children of our Heavenly Father, just as much as I am and THEY deserve to belong to and feel a part of a loving family just as much as my children. And a part of me wants to jump in and bring as many of these kids into my home as possible and then I come back to reality and wonder if I could really handle that. I am so impressed and proud of those families who reach out to these children who are in need. And although circumstances don't seem appropriate at the moment for me and my family to do so, I do hope that one day our home will be open to a child or two that needs us and who in return will bless our family.