Full days Summer with Children

We have had a wonderful time with my Great Niece and nephew.

They are not much younger than my two, how is that for perspective?

Wii play they had a wonderful Loud time :)
Goodness sakes they look like siblings!

The garden gave up some of the last of the spring crops.

Hot days here and the garden is at rest.

With these little onions and the parsnip (member of the carrot family a must in chicken soup) a batch of Beef barley stew.

Made up three main meals for the week ahead. The utilities are less in my morning so that is when the cooking is done. I try to turn everything off at 1 p.m.

Rice with chicken stock, tomato sauce and turmeric

Re-fry frijoles, Pintos with cumin, salsa, butter and water in the blender

Chili with pinto beans,tri-colored bell peppers,cumin,curry ect.

Beef Barley with root veggies, potato (three types), carrot, parsnip those onions garlic

The blinder grind up lg can of diced organic tomato use part in chili, stew and rice then add the pinto (no need to wash it) use for the frijoli add butter (melted in micro) jarred salsa and the washed canned pinto bean. (now the beans in the store bought are all white beans, read the labels)

Garlic press for stew and chili wash once

1: p.m. came around and we all left to go to a library and then a free swim.

Lego play was supposed to be 1-3p.m. but an error in the article it was not until 3:30-4:30!

As I told them that Dashes heart mattered and we would wait the two hours for it.

LOOK at the size of that novel Dove is devouring. She is half way through!

Dash is reading an encyclopedia.

I enjoyed a reference manual on cultures/societies of the world.

They had a typewriter and so I showed the kids the "way it was" :)

Although it was a fancy machine for my youth.

When I graduated high school My mom gave it to me as a graduation gift.

Don't see them too often now, Dash mentioned how when you made a mistake you had to start over, 

"no white out"

I said. We had to learn how to fix our mistakes...Sorta rings poetic don't ya think. Now a day kids don't LEARN HOW TO FIX mistakes but how to cover them up or to depend on other to cover it just like spell check does for us now.

Finally the time came and the play was had.

After some confusion and the burning off of the stress of sitting with a 12 year old banging her head against the table in frustration...

We left to go get the cash for the pool. The free swim dead line had come and gone.

We found a pack of day old buns, a pkg of lunch meat and a drink each. Supper under $6.

Steve met us at the pool. While we were changing he had walked in. When we came out of the changing room we were all happy to see each other and amazed once we realized that we each arrived within a minute of each other. Given the confusion a fore mentioned it was really something. 

Each day efforts are made to have some fun, home days relaxed and playing games and watching HULU on computer, sorta like TV you can pause.

They have a buddy over now playing the Wii.

I had my CAT scan with contrast this morning. so it is a low slow day for me. 

No big deal just a baseline on my lungs.

It will now be a yearly cancer screening all of you should remember the ones that you need to do.

Keep centered and enjoy life...

It's the only one we get.

Kids are young only a few short years.

Watch them thrive, show them the way by that example

:)

The library

The library Is the perfect place to visit for us.

Our young ones are veracious readers

Dove had several books placed on hold.

Nothing was found and as hard as she searched no avail.

I then asked the librarian in regards to the books of her interest if she had any suggestions.

She showed us the young adult readers sections.

Although Dove is 12 she reads very well. Poor thing does not spell well but when it comes to the spoken word she can read aloud with the best of them.

Dash found books of his interests. Ones he actually has been looking forward too.

He at 9 looks forward to reading!

Love it!

For those of you who do not know...we have read to them every day of our lives together.

Of course me...beading books :)

The best of all.

They each got their own very first library card!

Oh The Magic Box

The GOOD MAKERS generous gift.

I received a email this evening...

My dear sweet Donetta.

It was so good hearing from you!

NOW...a check is on it's way to the Bloggers Retreat Fund that has been designated as YOUR REGISTRATION FEE.

So---all you have to do is jump/shout/praise GOD!

I was notified by e-mail that it was to remain anonymous. And it will. So just blog about the miracle of the LORD! Spreading HIS love is the best way to thank anyone!

I love you!


My reply...

stunned...Stunned...Stunned
a fullness envelopes me...I am basking...
kindness got my tongue

Please express my deep gratitude to the gift giver. It is a joy to see and feel the loosening of the inappropriate guilt I have been struggling with once I paid for the airline tickets. I felt so uneasy spending so much on myself when the family could afford so many things with those said funds. Now I take ease...receive this thing that God has set before me an offering asking me my choice. I said yes I really want to go and He said you are there. Stunned it is like that weight replaced with a fullness of gratitude an adventure and the hope for a rest and fellowship.

My dear sister I am tired and this hope and expectation will sail me through the months ahead as I set task to parent and wifery and homemaking gardening and all. There is a window to fix a gaze on to those amazing trees and the lake and the green of the wood.
Those eyes and embraces and risk reward of courage spent traveling across the country on my own with HIM.

Good things in store.
Did you see the post at what happened tonight.
We did the budget and saw we had 73. left to do grocery go look the tab was 73.!!!!!!!!!!! $95 savings!
To funny and fun being HIS friend His presence is awesome!

strange thoughts...
I was thinking about puking last night while I was falling asleep laying there and how wonderful it is when I am even ill that He is right there and so close I could touch him. As he is now touching us.

Steve asked to extend his appreciation as well.
Dove was so amazed too.
just HOLY
stunned
loving you
Donetta

My Dear benefactor
A benefactor is a person who gives some form of help to benefit a person, group or organization (the beneficiary,) often gifting a monetary contribution in the form of an endowment to help a cause. Benefactors are humanitarian leaders and charitable patrons providing assistance in many forms, such as an alumnus from a university giving back to a college or an individual providing assistance to others. The word benefactor comes from Latin bene (good) and factor (maker).

Your generosity is a warm and exciting embrace. I think I am just still in a bit of shook it feels good though:) Kids are asleep or I would be very vocal I am sure. Hahahha
Just can't wait to tell Dash too.

It is good that you make. Love is the only thing that makes me ever cry. Tears heal. Your kindness is healing. I appreciate you heart toward me.

Fort Kid Power

As The Laundry fly's in the breeze

Fort Kid Power
is hosting a Play Date

By using large clips and clamp, fitted sheets for the roof and flat sheets the walls summer is fun!
Too hot for them to be out doors this is a great way to add adventure

This is so fun for them
They are all doing art on the floor and the silly voices of imaginary characters are ringing through the air. I have an extra charge today. My dear friends daughter.

Well rest is over back to the many tasks at hand.

I hope your all enjoying having the children home.

Day Hike To Hidden Vally

Today while tending chores the kids and Mr Daddy Man had set up a hike with a good friend and the kids are all buddies too.
The wives often stay at home.
This day was different my girl friend was to attend the hike too.
While Daddy Man took a kid (who had slept over ) home I made the lunches and finished my kitchen work.
I did not want to just stay home.
The concern was there would be issue with my ability to make it to the destination.
I got mad! Took a preemptive pain pill and got dressed!
Determined to do it , I did!
This is a rest point on the main trail.
We locked up the bikes, they came along for the way home.
We left them at half way mark.

Secured the bikes with a cable.
The kids and the men went on ahead and she and I walked at our own speed.
It was a hard trail. Very steep and rocky two mile up and in.
On the way in, I thought the kids were doing a coyote call to me and so I replied...
Then came back the call in kind.
We crested the switch back and a man pointed out a coyote! He said that there was another one coming from our direction. I had to laugh IT WAS ME!

The kids came back to meet us once we caught up to them.

We made it!
two miles in.

The prize!

It was beautiful!
The stone was ice cold!
The day was hot low 80's, the slight overcast kept mercy on us as it came and went all day.

It was so cool inside here.
Above my head was this massive stone as the roof.

Is this just so amazing!

We rested here and turned back. It was three in the afternoon with a two mile hike down hill back. I took another pain pill and headed back.
Now down hill may sound easy do not be fooled!
It was very hard to climb down tall stair step stones and slick shale.
Steve gave me his arm

The kids were being kids , and I a mom, get off those boulders!
Hay, get them down off that!

The hike was slow and very very painful but I DID IT!
I cowboy'ed up and just LIVED!
Had to, Just had too.
I am resting a bit sore , but fine.
ALIVE!
Full of vitality and sass.

It was a beautiful day today.