Two Surprises in One Day!

     I'm a week behind, so pretend I'm writing this last Monday! We got home from a week at Mom and Dad's Monday evening and showed the boys a surprise Dalton had built for them…..

     A sandbox! It is so big and fun and full of real sand, the kids were excited, and so was I. Another fun thing to have around to keep the kiddos busy, and actually I've been having a big time in it too. I like burying my feet under the sand. Ace likes scooping the sand and throwing it out or on top of himself. Cooper enjoys digging in the sand with his trucks and bulldozer and excavator.

    Then, that evening when Dalton got home we went out to get another surprise for the whole family…

    A puppy! It was a tough choice. The two available pups were different and I liked one while Dalton liked the other. I liked the one that was cuter with more white on it, but it was really timid and shy. Dalton liked the spunky one with lots of personality that was a little darker. We looked and discussed and looked and finally picked one, the one with lots of personality.

     When we got him home we tried to think of a name and finally settled on Max. He's Mad Max if he's separated from us because he gets so irritated and barks and barks. But really he's been a good boy so far. It's nice to have a dog in the backyard. Cooper likes him, as long as he doesn't get in his way. Ace likes him until Max gets too frisky and starts nipping and scratching. Then we have to rescue him. But Ace gets back at Max by pulling on his ears until he yelps.

    It was a big day for the boys, after a big weekend, and when bedtime came we were all glad to be home with Daddy and in our own beds.

"Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me he will obey my teachings. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

Life in 2nd Gear

   
     The boys and I are visiting Mom and Dad for the week and even though we've had many highlights, including visiting cousins and watching Duck Dynasty with Dad, the highlight of the week for Cooper has been getting to hit the open driveway with his tractor in 2nd gear. Because our yard is so small he only gets to ride in 1st gear at home. But here there is a lot more room.
    We all went for a walk the other day and let him crank it up. He hit the gas, smiled really big and disappeared into a cloud of dust.....really.  I had to jog to catch up to him because he was heading down the big hill towards the highway. Only when I grabbed the back of the tractor did he stop.
     Later, when we got back to the house, he just rode around and around Papa's truck grinning. Each day since then he's headed out again. We started closing the gate to keep him from leaving the place and he enjoys the freedom.

Ace enjoyed sitting in the boat helping Papa get his fishing rod ready.

     Then we opened the gate and he rode in the pasture. It was pretty cute watching him cruise in the tall grass.

     Ace even hitched a ride after walking after him.
 

     Ahh the simple things in life that make a day great for a 2 year old, and his mommy as she watches him!

Smiling big in the boat 

 Papa's barn is full of fun toys

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

Where has all the modesty gone?

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

     The temperatures are climbing and the sun is shining which means one thing...summer is fast approaching. I'm not looking forward to the many many 100 degree days which usually plague us each year but I am glad to feel the sunny warmth after so many late cold spells.
     However, with this warm weather and sunny season comes my least favorite side effect...a major lack of modesty. When we went to visit Garrett last weekend I was reminded of this as we headed to the lake and saw bikini clad women and young girls parading around, as well as many dressed in short shorts and baring tank tops. I cringed, me leaning to the overmodest side of things, and tried to prepare myself for the upcoming barrage of immodesty heading my, and my family's way.

     I'm going to be honest here, it makes me crazy, all of this immodesty. Why? Because I am married to a man and I'm raising two boys. We can't even watch TV anymore, besides Nick Jr, Food Network and Cosby Show because of all of the sex they are portraying, hinting at or just plain trying to get you to focus on. Our culture is obsessed with it and if you don't play along into the immodest, immoral and 'ok with everything' lifestyle then you are a minority that has to work really hard to protect your family. And it's not enough to have to guard my family from TV shows and commercials, this time of year I have to deal with it in my own 'real life.'

"Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your Word." Psalm 119:37

"Flee from sexual immorality." 1 Corinthians 6:18

     Now I know that I can't do anything about the non-Christians out there who don't know any better but to attract men any way that they can. They don't realize that our bodies are temples of the living God and we reflect Him in all that we do, say and wear. And to them, the culture says that the more skin you show and the more looks and second looks you get the more feminine and attractive you are. Unfortunately they have bought this lie and are, along with the men out there taking those looks, leading themselves down a very unholy and devastating road. So I know that I can't shield my boys from all of this. For those, all I can do is pray and share the love and truth of Christ and set a good example.

"He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on  its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

      But one thing I can do is to encourage all of the Christian women I know to be modest in all we wear!  The fashions these days are tight, short and show all. Lengths of skirts, shorts and dresses are not modest and necklines of many tops are less than appropriate. I know because I've gone out shopping and have had difficulty myself. Of course I have a major advantage that some people don't. I'm chubby so it's not even a real temptation to wear short things because I don't want to show my legs off anyway!

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

     I know that we want to be attractive, but God's idea of attractive is having a pure heart, a loving spirit and a heart, soul, mind and body that longs for and seeks after Him. When we are doing those things, we are being the beautiful women that God wants us to be. And in particular, if we are married, we should not desire to attract other mens' attention with fancy, fashionable immodest clothing. The last thing that we want our friends and colleagues doing is trying to woo our husband's attention away from us, so why would we do that to them? Our husbands, because they are our husbands, are even more honored when we don't show everything off to anyone who will look, but rather save ourselves for them.

"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for god will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." Hebrews 13:4

     So this brings me to the biggest hurdle that I face every summer: bikinis. I just don't understand them, and especially don't understand how Christian women can embrace them. I honestly think that it's something that families just don't address anymore. Instead of having a real heart to heart talk with daughters explaining why bikinis are probably not the best choice, parents just let it pass as something that's not a big deal. It's just a swimsuit and everyone has one on so what's the big deal. Unfortunately I think this is a grave mistake. I'll confess, I'm not as personally affected by this issue because I was raised very modest. We wore one pieces, often with shorts over them. It just wasn't even an option to think of wearing a bikini.  Honestly, I couldn't imagine walking around in front of my family and parents in what amounted to a bra and panties. Of course, once again my chubbiness helped me out in this. There was a brief time period, right after I got engaged, that I did attempt a two piece. I was pretty thin, Dalton was tired of being the only guy at the lake whose girlfriend wore a one piece, and I thought I could handle it. Let me tell you that was the most uncomfortable summer for me. I would wait until the last minute to take off my cover up, slip into the water as quickly as possible and then have a towel strategically waiting so I wouldn't have to see anybody when I got out. Then on our honeymoon I wore a bikini a few times, with just about the same feeling.
     When we got back, however, the honeymoon was over and those were replaced by my modest swimsuits. I could enjoy the water again. I'm not telling you that to make me look good and bikini wearers look bad...not at all. I'm just letting you know what a difference it makes when you are brought up with a modest mindset, you just never have to deal with those issues (in case you have a daughter).

"For everything in the world -- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does -- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:1-17

     And now I'm very pleased to be surrounded by friends who have the same view on swimwear as I do. Women who want to be modest and whom I can feel comfortable being modest around. It's also greatly helped any water fun we've had as families. I don't have to feel icky about my husband being around many bikini clad women and other women don't have to feel the same way about me. We are able to truly have a fun time.

"You my brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13

     So why do I have an issue with immodesty and bikinis? Well, there are a few reasons that I think are scripturally based.
1. Immodest clothing and bikinis foster lust. I know, I know, you can lust after someone dressed head to toe in sweats, but the temptation is greater when you are revealing more and more of yourself to those around you.

"You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery, but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28

"Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Romans 13:14

2. Immodest clothing says to the world that Christians are no different than the rest of culture and value physical attractiveness and attention just as much or more than inward beauty.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment...instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4

"Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

3. Immodest clothing can cause others to sin.

"But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown gives birth to death." James 1:14-15

"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to hi as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:12-14

"If anyone causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6

4. The Bible says that women are to dress modestly...not in a burlap sack sort of way, but in a God-honoring way. And trust me, you can be beautiful without being immodest! I know some very beautiful women who dress modestly.

"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." 1 Timothy 2:9-10

5. Dressing immodestly presents an image of you that implies that you are ok with more physical attraction and even what that implies in physical action. Dressing immodestly and being pure cannot co-exist.

"But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written 'Be holy because I am holy'." 1 Peter 1:15-16

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2

     If this comes across as a little harsh I think it's only because I'm just starting to realize the challenge of raising boys in this awful culture that we live in. Boys and men have to deal with more physical temptation. They are just hard-wired that way. And to think that my boys are going to have to deal with immodesty from Christian women and young girls just doesn't sit right with me. (For the record, I'm also anti-speedos and tight skinny jeans on men, so this isn't a one-gender issue).

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that is in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him...." 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

    So I ask you, Christian, does your wardrobe, summer, winter and swimwear attract men to the physical and detract from the inner beauty, or are you working to see that you present a holy temple to God through each thing you put on? And Christian parents, are you involved in your children's wardrobes, not telling them what to wear and what not to wear, but actively explaining why modest clothing is best and why God commands us to be pure and holy? Christian women, are you mentoring and discipling those younger generations and encouraging them to dress modestly and stay pure? Are we, as Christian women, helping other women to win this battle of modesty by lovingly addressing this in our churches? Christian men, are you distancing yourselves from immodesty in culture and encouraging/thanking your wives for their obedience to Christ in this area?

"For we do not have a high priest that is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are -- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16

     I really think that we are in a time when Christianity is becoming so at odds with the culture that drastic changes are necessary. I truly see that lines are being drawn and what the Bible says regarding Christians and the world is true.

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." John 17:15-18

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

     I urge you to pray about this and ask God to reveal to you His truth, which transcends all cultural ideals and my opinionated words. If we seek Him and His truth, He will reveal to us what we need to know.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:8

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Joyful Day

  Last week we had one of those simple, joyful days I've been longing for. It was filled with much laughter, outside time and general simple family fun.
    It started out at 5 when Ace started crying and finally came to our bed to sleep. Then about 6:30 I snuck out of the bed to see if Dalton was still at the house. He was helping his dad work calves and was leaving early. Instead I found an open fridge with Cooper looking for his milk. We found his milk and then I heard a squeak from my bed so we went back in there and laid down, in hopes that Ace would go back to sleep. No such luck. So 6:30 we were all awake and ready for the day.
     The boys and I went on the porch in our PJs and watched Daddy saddle up and ride away, then headed back inside to get ready ourselves. I made a little breakfast and we got our teeth brushed and clothes on (which sometimes takes 30 minutes). We played a little and then Cooper watched Bubble Guppies while I tidied up the house.
    Then Cooper helped me make lunch for us and Dalton, so we could take it down to where they were working calves. Cooper really got into this part. We used his lunch box with his name on it, and he was all about putting the sandwiches and chips in it just right. After we loaded up the lunch box, he carried it around the house until it was time to leave. He didn't want to put it down.
    Around 10 we loaded up and headed out. They were in our neck of the woods, so we didn't have to go far. We pulled up and the boys were ready to get out and check things out. We arrived just before they started working calves, and Cooper acted shy when he talked to everybody. When he feels uncomfortable or doesn't know what to say he automatically looks down and kicks up a foot to show off his boot, or lifts his shirt to show off his belt. It distracts the people from him and then they start oohhing and aaahhhhing at his accessories. It's a pretty good defense mechanism.


    While they worked calves we watched a little, then the boys played in the dirt with the tractor, then we found the 'caterpillar grass' and made the 'caterpillars' crawl out of our hands. They had a big time just getting to be outside in new surroundings. One heifer got loose and we had to get her back in the pen. We all were walking behind her and Popsey and Dalt told Cooper to go get her. He was so cute, walking up to her, saying "Go on cow" and waving his arms. When she went in the right spot he turned and said to me "I'm a good cowboy." It was the highlight of his day I think.
    Ace was all about the gates. He like to mess with the latches and chains and put them on and off. He made Cooper a little nervous when he started messing with the latch on the gate where a bull was. They'd been talking about how the bull wasn't very nice, and Cooper didn't want to take any chances. He kept saying "Mommy, Ace is messing with the gate. Mommy, get Ace."
    After the work, it was lunch time and Cooper was ready to picnic. He got his lunch box and found us a spot. So Cooper, Ace, Dalton, Popsey, Wiley, Jimmy and I all had a 'picnic' by the cattle pens. It was a bit comical to me (Dalton said I was just in a funny mood). The kids were a mess and kept dropping food and picking it up and putting in their mouths. And just having the grown men all huddle around was funny. Finally the boys started chasing cats and wandering so it was time to hit the road. I left with two happy but filthy little boys. When we got in the car Cooper said "That was a fun picnic."
    When we got back to the house the boys had a nice afternoon bath and then it was time for a nap. While I was putting Ace down I kept hearing bumping noises and had a feeling it was Cooper. But if you're a mom you know not to make a move when your little one is almost asleep, not worth the risk. When I did come out of Ace's room I immediately heard heavy breathing from under Cooper's door and knew he just wasn't going to nap. So he came out in his undies and watched a little Dora, then watched Daddy unsaddle horses and checked on the kittens. Then he got dressed and rode along with Dalton to town. It was a good way to get him to nap in the truck and for him to have some special time.
     That evening we got ready and went to a fish fry at a friend's place. Besides being delicious food, it was fun to just visit with different people and watch the boys run around. Cooper wasn't very social and used his boot defense a lot. Then the boys spotted a dog and from then on they chased it around. I had a couple of people tell me it was time to get them a dog…and they're probably right. Too bad Gus Gus is a horse now, I think he's going to be at GG and Papa's a while.
     When the boys started getting a little wild; Ace kept getting ice out of the coolers and Cooper was gravitating to the equipment outside, we knew it was time to head home. It's always exhausting going places with the boys, but as easy as it would be to leave them at home with a babysitter, it's so much more memorable when they are with us, living as a family, even in the chaos. On the way home we laughed about the day and funny things that happened.
     We spent the rest of the evening outside playing. Cooper drove his tractor through some cones I set up, Ace chased the cats around, and we all went to check out the beans that have sprouted. I love it when they are coming up. It's such a miracle. God is so good and so creative when it comes to how things work and grow. What a blessing to get to see it in person and share it with our kids. It's a fun daily treat to go out to the garden and see what's grown.
     Then Dalton and I got to talking about who was faster and decided we needed to race. I regret this decision because he smoked me about 5 times as we sprinted across the yard! The boys got a kick out of it though, and to help me feel better I raced Cooper….we tied.
     When we made it inside we got our PJs on, turned on the ball game and chilled out in the living room. Cooper and I had a nice long phone conversation with GG and Papa. Then, way past bedtime, we put the boys down. I had to negotiate with Cooper about how many songs I was going to sing to him. I said I'd sing 3, he said 5 and we settled on 4. He is very persuasive.

     I know you're thinking that all of this wasn't really worth a post, but I didn't want it to pass without marking it down for myself. I'm excited about the warmer weather and long days. It makes for busy times and tired nights, which equals good sleeping (well, for everyone except Ace).

**This post was written over a week ago, but because of my not so great internet, it wouldn't publish until today.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord…He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream…and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7,8
   

Camping at Canyon Lake

      We've been waiting for weeks now for the time for our camping trip with Uncle Garrett to get here, and this weekend it was finally time. We were very excited and the boys and I had ourselves ready, the car loaded and lunch eaten by the time Dalton got home from work early. We left about 1:15 and headed that way. It was a pretty good trip, without too many hold ups. We did have to stop in Burnet at DQ for a break from carseats and to get the boys some grub. It made all the difference!
     About 6:15 we arrived at Uncle Garrett's house, excited and glad to be out of the car. Cooper knocked on the door and was greeted by Garrett with his new pet on his shoulder. He has a baby raccoon, and though she is cute she isn't the friendliest animal I've met.  We passed her around between Dalton and I and let Cooper touch her. We weren't fighting over the chance to hold her because she growled a lot. Ace kept pointing to her saying 'kitty kitty.'

      It didn't take long for Cooper to find the piano and he was making music the rest of the evening. It was a karaoke style so he could have a song playing while he hit the keys too. Ace enjoyed dancing to the music. Later on Cooper told me "Uncle Garrett sure has a lot of instruments!"

His favorite song was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

      We were ready for supper pretty quick and headed to the Gruene River Grill. It was a great atmosphere and good food. The kids were a little rowdy by the end of the meal, but we still had fun. Then it was back to Garrett's for bedtime. Ace and I took the spare bedroom while Cooper and Dalt slept on the couches. We slept really good but apparently Cooper kept rolling off of the couch in his sleep and slept half the night with Dalton.

 In front of the Grill

     The next morning dawned and it was camping day!! We all got ready and headed to HEB to pick up supplies of the edible nature. It was a new and improved HEB and I was a little overwhelmed and tempted to forget camping and just shop for all the unique goodies they had. I miss having an HEB nearby. They snapped me out of it though and we made it out with mostly only what was on our list.

     By 12:30 we were at the campsite. The boys napped a little on the way so they were semi-fresh. We set up camp and got the supplies unloaded. I was so thankful to have Garrett there. It was nice not having to help set up the tent!

 Camping is Fun!

    Of course we had to take a few photos before we began adventuring.  Then we took a little walk to a pier that was nearby. The lake was pretty low but it was still a pretty view. Then it was time to go fishing.

They were some happy guys

 Cooper insisted on pushing Ace. 

Ace looked a little uneasy the entire time and never quite relaxed.

 Ace had his little coon hands all over Daddy's glasses

     We headed to the boat ramp and dropped Garrett, Cooper and the boat off before we parked the truck. Then we hopped in the boat and headed to Garrett's special fishing hole. He'd found and staked out a spot earlier in the week so that we'd have a place to have success (hopefully). We were so appreciative of his efforts to make our fishing adventure a fun time, very thoughtful.  Garrett let Cooper drive the boat some and he did a pretty good job. You know Cooper and machines.

For the record, we did snap Coop's lifejacket after we got into the boat.

     Before we got to our spot, though, we stopped to see the 'dragon blowing bubbles' from under the water. There were two really strong springs under the water and it was a neat sight to see the water bubbling to the surface. Cooper was disappointed he didn't get to see the dragon.

     Garrett threw a quick line out and caught a little bass. We took it as a good sign, then moved on.

      Once we got to the spot we got our poles rigged up and got to fishing. Cooper was more interested in catching minnows than crapie, so he was our minnow man. Ace preferred the worms and when we set the worm box in front of him it didn't take him long to touch the worms and grab the dirt. Cooper said the worms were nasty.

     Even though Cooper didn't man his pole too well, he still managed to catch a couple of fish on it. Garrett had to put a cork on it because Cooper wanted to put it in and pull it out over and over. The cork didn't help with that much, until Cooper abandoned the pole and we watched it. Speaking of catching fish, we all caught at least one. Not to brag or anything, but I did catch the biggest crapie.

     When the fish stopped biting and the boys starting getting too close to the edge of the boat we headed back, pleased with our success. They cleaned the fish while Cooper and I visited the restrooms…which were very nice and clean. Then it was grub time. We started the fire and got the food ready. We had potatoes in the cast iron skillet, roasted corn, beans in a can, crapie a la lemon, and steak. The boys also had a hot dog. It was all so delicious! The corn was so flavorful, the potatoes buttery and perfect and the steak well seasoned and juicy. Yum!! 

 What a pretty sight.

     Then it was play time. The boys carried dirt from one pile to another and basically just walked around and explored. They did so good, didn't get too far, didn't fight and were just generally having fun by themselves. They liked going in and out of the tent, of course, which Dalton kept monitoring because he didn't want them to jump on the air mattresses. It was a little comical watching him try to control their excitement over the tent. Next time we'll keep the mattresses put up until closer to bedtime.

 Ole! Happy Cinco De Mayo 

 They grabbed an ear of corn and shared it as they wandered around the campsite. 

 Camping chairs worked perfectly by the fire.

 Cooper was trying to capture the sunset on the camera.

     Once the sun set you know what time it was….smore time!! We listened to Cooper tell the story of Pinkfoot, a story he heard on one of his shows, Bubble Guppies. He told it with lots of suspense and we were able to get it on video. Then we broke out the marshmallow roasters. Cooper loved roasting them, or should I say burning them. He would get one flaming, pull it out, wait for us to blow it out, put it in the dirt and then say he needed another marshmallow. We let him do this with three then cut him off.

     We all enjoyed a smore, changed into our pjs and visited by the fire until the kids fell asleep. At that point I went to bed with the kids and the guys stayed up and visited some more. The night wasn't too bad either. It was rather chilly, but our sleeping bags kept us plenty warm. I was especially cozy sleeping between the two little snuggle bugs. Dalton planned to sleep on a separate air mattress but we forgot an extra sleeping bag and after about 10 minutes using the boys' fleece covers, he made us move over so he could get in the big bed. It turned out to be just enough room.

     Morning dawned and we got up and at 'em about 7. It was really cool and windy, so we didn't hang around too long. I put things in the car while Dalton cooked bacon and Garrett got his stuff together. Cooper stayed in the tent as long as possible and Ace followed me around whining until we went and sat in the warm car. We had a yummy bacon tortilla wrap and left the campsite feeling good about our first attempt at camping.
    I have to say though, getting back to Garrett's and taking a nice shower and putting on clean fresh clothes was nice. We stayed there for a little while, visiting and looking at his house plans. He's building a new house on a really neat lot in New Braunfels. I can't wait to see the finished product. The kids loved being in a kitchen with no locks on the cabinets. Thankfully there wasn't much in there for them to mess with. Garrett said they were a couple of little raccoons and I think he is right about that.
     Finally we went to a chinese place for lunch, thank you to Dalton for eating chinese food for me. By the end we about lost control of Ace, the wild thing. He is a maniac! (I'm starting to see a pattern here….I hope we can still manage outings with three kids without them taking over!)
    We said our goodbyes and headed out with full bellies and tired boys. They fell asleep almost immediately and slept until Lampasas, which was awesome. Actually I'm writing this on the road and Ace is still asleep. The Lord has blessed us with a smooth trip!
     It was a blessing of a weekend. Getting to visit Garret, camp, fish, enjoy each other's company was all so great. And Garrett is so great with the boys, which is another blessing. Makes it easier on us because he's right there ready to step in and help us out or take a kid on his shoulders when we need him to. Why do we live so far apart?? I told Dalton we are too close of siblings to live this far apart.
     I'm looking forward to more fun times like this weekend!

"Whoever gives thought to the Word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord." Proverbs 16:20