The date that keeps giving

On Friday night we went kayaking on the Mokelumne (try to say that right--Muuhculluuhmee, after living in Hawaii--it took me FOREVER) River. It was fabulous--especially laughing when Beau tipped himself right out of the kayak. We found this little jem of a rope swing and decided to come back Saturday to check it out. Lets just say it was a good time and Oshyn is a brave little man. I'll post video when I get to it...

Almost in first grade-isms

Some of these are new, many old, but after a conversation this morning, I was reminded that Oshyn still says some awesome stuff.

O: Mom, could you get me some just plain shirts

to play in sometime?

Me: Yeah sure, but why?

O: Because I always have basketball, baseball, or skateboards on them.

Me: You know you can do whatever you want in them...

(FYI He is Mr. King-of-Dress-up, so if he is playing basketball he needs a jersey, baseball--his uniform, skating--i guess his skate shirt)

O: I know but I just get so distracted!

after seeing a picture he drew of a ginormous pickle

Me: Where did you learn to draw a big pickle?

O: Mr. Pickle. Isn't it funny God sent such a big pickle here?!?

Last summer...(obviously OLD :)

O: I am SOOOOO happy we're having the baby!

Right before Tyce's blessing (OLD too :)

O: He is going to cry. If he cries its going to be a happy cry because of what he's going to do today.

As he was sitting on the fence talking to some neighbor kids

O: I'm not telling my mom about this... (that sure made me listen harder)

I'm spitting on my hands and rubbing them together.

Wanna do it?

Why not?

It makes you Super.

Upon seeing a Caldacott or some other book medals on a book

O: 2 Medals!!! Good job making the book guys!!

The Mr. Fix-it's

I love it when these two find something "constructive" to do. When they hit wood with their hammers instead of each other. Times like these I LOVE.

Sweet Dreams and God Bless You

My dear Grammie got her prayers answered in the wee hours of this morning. Such a sweet sweet humble lady that over the years I looked up to more and more, not physically since elementary school, for she was a petite little woman :) but in so many other ways.

To have a marriage that marched right past 60 years and was still going with that "Handsome Cowboy" that she was swooned by so many years ago.

To have seven children alone is admirable, but to have seven children with hearts of gold, that are loyal to the core, handy with a plethora of talents, and that flash smiles & giggles that are contagious is extraordinary.

To be conscious and caring of EVERY SINGLE grandchild that she had, 14 (if I'm not mistaken) and great grandchild (I want to go to bed sometime tonight so I'm not counting that high) seems daunting, yet she made us all feel important and loved by her words, cards for every occasion and time she spent sewing for us.

There are so many wonderful qualities that Virginia Evangeline emulated to all those that were blessed to know her. I am so thankful she is my Daddy's Mom and for all of the great qualities he inherited from her. Christ was her Lord and Savior and she definitely was doing her best at all times to be like Him. She succeeded in my book and I know she is pain free and well with Him now.

Sweet Dreams and God bless you Grammie. You are already missed.

Psalm 23

(One of her favorites)

1 The Lord is my ^ashepherd; I shall not ^bwant.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he ^aleadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of ^arighteousness for his ^bname’s sake.

4 Yea, though I ^awalk through the ^bvalley of the ^cshadow of ^ddeath, I will fear no ^eevil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they ^fcomfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou ^aanointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely ^agoodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

God Bless Waterskiing & America too

I had a feeling

it might be the best weekend ever when right from the get-go I got the older boys (older meaning 9, 7, 6, and 5 :) to swim out to

the island and across the lake with me. Next came fishing (...and fish were actually caught!), peddle boats, more swimming...and this was just the first afternoon!

We had an awesome 4th of July long weekend in Redding. The weather was great, the water even better and the company fabulous. Let me swim, watch some fireworks and make a flag cake and I'm a happy camper for weeks. I love the 4th. (pictures are crazy unorganized, but i'm sick of trying blogger...)

Oshyn officially nabbed the "youngest Nobmann waterskier ever" last weekend and is still flying high. If you don't get sea sick and you have 5:40 to spare, check him out...

First ride of many

with this motley crew. I was reminded today that I am still oh-so in love with this bike seat and the fact that my phone takes pictures.