The Simple Wife

Meet my friends from the Tetons and Yellowstone

While I did not meet a bear (so disappointing) while we were camping last weekend in Wyoming, we did see a bunch of other wildlife.

Wait! I did see a bear. But not quite like I was hoping for. Though I'm sorta glad this one wasn't able to tap me on the shoulder. He was much bigger than he looks in the picture.

 

We did see LIVE wildlife! Like a moose--super up-close and personal. 

 

Here he is again:

 

Can you even imagine carrying those antlers around on your head all day? Emma tried, but she needed some help. (Obviously, as one of her antlers is upside down!)

 

We also saw bison (are they the same as buffalo?) and lots of pronghorn antelope (which we call "white butts"):

 
Bison/buffalo are BIG and they cause traffic to stop:

 

 

And even though we see deer often living in Colorado, it's exciting when they visit your campsite in the evening to stop and say hello. Especially when they still have some of their spots and let you walk within a few feet of them before wandering away and finding more mushrooms to eat.

 

We also saw a whole romp (thank you, Susan--I tweeted that I'd seen them but didn't know what to call them and she googled it and tweeted me back--all while we were on the river--love technology!) of river otter. 

A "romp" is the perfect name for a group of them--because that's exactly what they do--in water and at home.

First we saw them swimming in the water around the boat. And I got a little giddy. I just love seeing things like this! Our national parks are such a treasure.

 

Then we passed their house, where they were having a picnic dinner of fish. ::crunch, crunch, crunch:: They do not chew with their mouths closed.

 

Totally made me miss the days when Audrey and Emma were little and we watched "PB&J Otter" every single day.
 
 

(See the fish in his mouth? You can click on the pictures to see them blown up more.)

There were more around the side of their house playing a mad game of tag. In and out of the water, up and down and all around. They were so funny!

I didn't think the day could get any better, but when we got to the pull-out spot, THERE WAS A BEAVER! I've always wanted to see one in the wild. He swam around like a little log with his tail out behind him and then--BANG--smacked his tail on the water. It sounded like a gunshot. And then he swam around some more so I could take his picture.

 

 
There are wolves in the Tetons too, but we didn't see any this trip. So we'll just have to go back and let the wolves and bears know we're coming ahead of time so they can get ready to come out and say hello.

The Tetons were grand!

 

The Tetons and Yellowstone were amazing--so much to see and not nearly enough time. We're definitely going to have to go back. Somehow I thought they were much farther away than they really are. Five days was a good amount of time, though I think a week or ten days would definitely be better.

No bear. :(

Though we did see moose, bison, antelope, coyote, beaver!, and river otter! The beaver and river otter were the best, for sure. Pictures coming soon...

We are starting our homeschool year tomorrow, so I've got to get my rear in gear and go for my run, get laundry done, menus planned, groceries bought, and our week organized. Not to mention getting some study time in for Greek tonight. Today's going to be full--but it will make the rest of the week run more smoothly.

But I wanted to pop in and say hello. And show you where I'd live if I could:

 

Even with an outhouse, I think it'd be kind of wonderful. Rag rugs on the floor, stew bubbling over the fire, bread baking. And just take a look at the barn--I've always wanted a barn. 

 

So much scope for the imagination in places like this. If I could grow my hair long first, I'd totally travel back in time. Would you? When would you go? Where?

Going to the woods to meet a bear

I hope. From the safety of the car or from across the lake. Definitely not in the middle of the night on my way to the bathroom. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 See you Tuesday!

September 1

I love the word "September"--makes me think of woodsmoke and leaves changing and freshly sharpened pencils. Not to mention reams of notebook paper and three-ring binders. Flashcards and book bags and highlighters, oh my!

I started seminary again last night. Which is good. Because for some reason I was so sure my class was on Monday. So sure that it's marked on all the calendars for Mondays, but when I got there on Monday night I couldn't find my classroom to save my life. That's because, um, well, my class is on TUESDAY. Needless to say, that didn't make me feel very smart.

But I went last night and found my classroom right away. And am so excited to begin Greek! I'll be packing my flashcards and workbook today.

Packing because we are headed to Wyoming tomorrow to meet Mom and Dad and the girls who have been camping in the Tetons since last weekend. Mom said to be sure to pack art supplies to try to capture some of the beautiful stunning-ness. So I'll be packing our art curriculum too and I think we'll have our first art lesson outdoors.

Here's where we're going in case you're a little rusty on your Wyoming geography:

 

We'll be heading into Yellowstone while we're there too (see how they touch?) and I'm so excited to see Old Faithful. I know I've been to Yellowstone and the Tetons before--but I don't remember it very well and cannot wait. I totally want to be a camping family who visits every single one of our national parks.

This--or something like it--is what's on our wish list these days:

 

So today I'll be packing my camping pants and hoodies and down vest and hiking backpack and some really warm jammies. It's been in the 30s at night up there--can't wait to sit around the campfire.

Found this photo of the Tetons--I AM SO EXCITED!

 

***

What are your plans for Labor Day weekend?

Rocky Mountain High

We are back from camping (loved all your must-have camping item comments, by the way!) and Toben and Emma have washed the car inside and out, I'm on the second load of laundry, and I took a really, really, really long shower.

And suddenly I feel tired.

Think I'll lay down on the couch with some cookbooks and plan menus for next week and maybe rest my eyes for a minute or seven. (Toben is convinced I cannot "nap" for more than seven minutes, and he's pretty much right. Somehow I just don't have the napping gene. The falling asleep early gene? Got that one in spades.)

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say hi and I missed you and am excited to get pictures transferred to my computer to show you. In the meantime, here's the view from my chair under the trees, just down the hill from our campsite where I had my quiet time.

As you can probably imagine, I did a lot of just being still and knowing he is God.

 

So, what have you been up to this past week?

Going camping

Going to pack up this morning and head to Rocky Mountain National Park for a week of camping. In a tent, even. (Of course, we'll be right next door to my parents who have a fifth-wheel with every modern convenience--fireplace, fridge, shower, electricity!)

I am so excited.

I loved camping as a kid. Then hated it as a teen. And am now prepared to love it again. There's going to be a whole huge bunch of us over the weekend and into early next week, but then it'll just be our family and my parents until next weekend.

I am excited to hike. To sit by the campfire. To roast marshmallows. To paint. To read under the trees. To see elk. To help the girls complete their Junior Ranger books. To hear the wind in the pines. To snuggle in a sleeping bag. To eat Uncle Brett's breakfast burritos. To have my quiet time outside in the woods. To knit. To play cards. To read aloud. To be together. To drink mocha. To eat Gran cookies. To laugh.

There are a few camping trips that stand out in my memory, ones that are clearly focused in my mind. The sounds, smells, adventures. In fact, we watched slides of one of them the other night in Mom and Dad's basement while it rained outside, changing our Fourth of July at the park plans. 

Remembering how cold the mountain stream was, how cool the raft that Dad roped together for us was, how much we felt like Tom and Huck as we poled around the lagoon that was huge in my memory, but surprisingly small on the projector screen.

Laughing at the pictures of my dad and the dog in the tub, covered in tomato juice. Somehow Obie got sprayed by a skunk more than once--and only ever right before a trip. 

I'm hoping that this trip will be one of those trips for the girls. And for the rest of us too. But especially for them. The kind of memory that never fades, the trip that all others measure against in the future. The kind that begins with, "Do you remember that camping trip when..."

So now that I've made a bunch of headbands (short hair is NOT ideal for camping in my mind--missing my long pigtails), packed up the watercolors and pencils, yarn and books, I need to gather sleeping bags and pillows, pack my clothes and a few bandanas and a baseball hat for good measure, and get my day going.

Not to mention getting another cup of coffee. Happy weekend, everyone!

***

What's the one thing you never camp without? 

We ::heart:: VG's donuts

Got up this morning and headed to Cardiff for some VG's donuts to take to the beach. Talk about a great way to start the day!

How cute are those turkey cupcakes?

  

While they ate donuts, I went for a run on the beach. And after I could breathe again, THEN I ate my donut. Glazed old fashioned. Cause I didn't see any kruellers, which are my all-time favorite!

Then and now

The other day at Legoland I couldn't help but get a little bit nostalgic when Emma wanted to go on her favorite ride. At least it was always her favorite when she was little. She remembered it and wanted to go again for old time's sake.

 

 

When did she grow up so much?

Surf and skate

I got up this morning and went for a run on the beach. So good. Then back to the house to make pancakes and bacon for breakfast. By 9 a.m., we were all ready to go and rolling down the 101 to Cardiff.

We backed into a spot right on the beach and settled in for a couple of hours. The kids built castles, played on boogie boards, and Toben got in some surfing.

It was a little bit cool today at the beach, so they were all happy to have their new surf hoodies that we picked up last night at Hansen's. Every kid needs a good surf hoodie:

My surfing kids:

 

 

 

I sat in the back of the car, reading and looking up to take pictures like these from time to time.

 

 

 

 

 

And look! I even managed to get in a picture or two...

My spot at the beach (finished another spy novel):

 

Me and "my" boys

 

 

After lunch, we headed to Mike McGills for some skate stuff--new stickers for Tobin's board and a cool shirt. Lowden loves Legos; Tobin (yep, another Tobin, but this one with an "i") loves to skate. So the boys each got to do their favorite thing this weekend.

 

 

Then we headed over to the Encinitas YMCA to check out the skate park. Tobin wasn't quite ready to drop in to the pool here, but said next time for sure!

 

 

Tomorrow? Donuts at the beach for breakfast for them, a run along the beach for me. Then packing up and hitting the road back to Phoenix.

Legoland

We spent all day long at Legoland and we are so tired! The kids are all tucked into bed and it's quiet, so I think they're all asleep already. 

I'm off to get some jammies, brush my teeth, and wash my face. Then I'm hoping I can stay awake long enough to read for a bit. If not, I'm happy to go right to sleep too.

Tomorrow we're hitting the beach. Backing the car up to the beach, letting the boys surf, the girls play. Me? I'm going to take a book and stare at the ocean in between paragraphs.

 

 

 

 

There are about 100 more pictures, but I'll spare you!

A list! A list!

We're headed to the beach tomorrow morning for the weekend and my mind is whirling with all to be done today. So welcome to my list. A list is a girl's best friend, in my humble opinion. 

How I love a list! On paper, on computer, on the fridge, on the iPhone--you name it, I love it.

And, yes, I freely admit that I totally go back and add stuff I've done that wasn't on the list just to cross it off.

So here's my list for today.

Wednesday, The List

• Bake a double batch of Hamantashen cookies for the Esther banquet tonight at Bible study. I'm going with the apricot filling, cause that's what I like best.
• Bake bread. Two loaves of cinnamon-raisin swirl. (See? Done already, but I added it just to cross it off!)
• Laundry--have girls sort and get it started early!
• Go for a run. (I went farther yesterday than on Monday, thanks to some Hannah Montana on the ipod. Running is mental for me and I need to pump it up to go the distance.)
• Take a shower. (Really, I need to list it, because otherwise I just might not do it.)
• Buy extra litterboxes for the cats. (Nice thing about cats is that they can stay at home all alone while we're gone.)
• Go to Barnes & Noble to buy some cards. Need to get some in the mail. Pack them and some stamps to write in the car tomorrow.
• Pack for the weekend. Me and the girls. Clothes and fun stuff like books and music and toys. Don't forget the camera!
• Pick up my friend's kids from school this afternoon. Take all six kids (my two plus their four) to the library for books and movies for the trips we're all taking this weekend. (Two are coming with us to California, two are headed to visit some friends in GA)
• Dinner prep for my friend's family. Thinking nachos for tonight. Or maybe spaghetti. I'll have to check the pantry. 
• Learn my lines for the Esther play at Bible study tonight. Hmm...think I'll make, I know, INDEX CARDS with my lines!
• Fiddle with my costume. I'm playing Haman and there's a tricky headwrap thing-y I need to figure out how to wear.
• Get out the cooler/shopping bags and start packing groceries for the trip. Make sure I have my grocery list for when we get there.
• Call my mom to thank her for the vintage Thanksgiving postcards that came in the mail last night.
• Buy more motion bands for the road. I only have three pair and want two more pairs for the boys. (Have you tried these? They totally work!)
• Do some school with the girls. They've worked hard this week to get ahead, but we need to cover some science today.
• Print out this post so I have my list handy!

Okay, I think I'd better stop because it's starting to look overwhelming! One thing at a time...

What's on your list for the day?

Going on a secret trip

I'm right now on my way to Denver for a couple of days. And if you live there, you already know I didn't tell anyone I was coming.

Emma was supposed to take a trip with Toben to see her BFF, but then his trip got cancelled and he couldn't go. She was heartbroken, so we've juggled tickets and she and I are on a plane headed for Denver rightthisveryminute.

It's a quick trip and as much as I'd love to see everyone I love, it's just not possible. But I will be there for Christmas with lots of time to sit and chat.

It's such a quick trip, I'm not even taking my computer. So I'll be unplugged for a couple of days and back around the bloggy world near the end of the week.

Much love,

Joanne

Well, I'm up and dressed and packed, but sitting at the dining room table in the dark instead of in the car on the way to the airport. This was all set to auto post in about an hour, but I've just re-tucked everyone into bed.

Emma woke up with a fever, in tears because she's not feeling well. So we made the difficult call to cancel our trip. Don't you hate being a grown up sometimes? Fifteen minutes until you're supposed to be walking out the door and trying to decide what to do.

We decided to stay home and then I called my mom to confirm we'd done the right thing. Which she said we had. (Thanks, Mom!) There are just times that I need someone to tell me I'm doing the right thing. Is that something we ever outgrow, do you think?

The right thing is sometimes the really hard thing.

So today I'll unpack everything I packed last night, bring Emma drinks with bendy straws and work on getting caught up on things like email and housecleaning and the reading we need to do for homeschooling.

If you think of Emma today, would you say a prayer for her heart? She's disappointed--again. This is the second time this trip has been cancelled and I'm not sure what's worse--the fever headache or the heartache. (And you could say a prayer for her BFF Hayden while you're at it. This is the second time she's been disappointed too.)

It's such a comfort to me to know that God cares about our heartaches--big or seemingly small. He knows how much Emma's heart is hurting and he cares deeply. As a mom, that makes me love him all the more.

Still much love,

Joanne

Cleaning off the camera

I just downloaded all the rest of the photos from our trip. Wanna see?

Walking along the beach and looking up at the cliff to see the staircases and beach access people have put in makes me happy. Don't think this boat has been sailed in a while though.

Love this picture of my girlies. Is it wrong to want to trade tushies with my 11-year-old. Look how cute it is! The legs on that girl...

There's my guy.

The guy flying that kite was fun to watch. He even let someone else fly it who happened to be walking by. Looked like he showed him what to do, and then held onto the other guy's dog for him while he had a turn. Don't you just love it when people are NICE?

This lady fascinates me. She stood on the beach and did a hula hoop routine for close to an hour. She had this amazing little knee-bend shimmy thing. Is it exercise? Is hula hooping a new sport? Does she perform? I must know!

I think pelicans are left over from prehistoric days. I love seeing them dive into the water to catch a fish--though none did while I was watching on this trip. Also? No dolphin sightings this time. Guess we'll have to go back!

Love this kid's joy!

Flip flops on the beach. There are amazing beach rocks leading down to the sand. And, yes, I picked out a few to bring home.

Driving back to Arizona on the 8. I imagine this is what Israel looks like where Jesus was tempted, don't you? All those rocks that look like loaves of bread, and certainly a place to find a big snake. As Aunt Susan said, it just looks biblical!

There really is a huge fence between the US and Mexico. Took me a minute to figure out what it was.

We also drove through these huge sand dunes. I could tell you all about them since Toben googled it for me on the iPhone while I was driving. For example, they're up to five miles wide and 45 miles long, formed by a now dry lake.

Okay, gotta get moving. Audrey just got up (it's 8:40!) and we're all still in our jammies. Time for more coffee, some breakfast, some Jillian, and some school.

It's just what I say

"Home again, home again, jiggity jig."

I can't help it, it just comes out of my mouth without thinking when I come home again after being gone awhile. This is the first time I've "come home" to Arizona since we moved, and I have to say it did feel like coming home. I didn't realize I wasn't sure about it until we hit the outskirts of Phoenix, but then I started feeling excited about the familiar sights and happy when the garage door went up.

Today's full of unpacking and laundry, catching up on school work (didn't quite do as much as I thought we would!), mopping the floor, and loving on our kitties who stayed home by themselves for the past five days. And Bible study tonight--have I mentioned how much I love this Esther study? (Beth, Melissa, and Amanda: You done GOOD on this one!)

Toben's headed to Denver this afternoon until tomorrow night--he gets to stay with my parents tonight. Lucky. And freeze. Since it's snowing there. Crazy.

Spiritual Mothering gals--I'm LOVING your posts and comments and working my way through them. And I especially love seeing that you're commenting to each other before I can. Makes me so happy to see my friends be friends with each other! (There's still time to join in--it's not too late!)

There's a million random-y random things I want to tell you (like why did the trash man seem to skip my house? did he just not get to my side of the street yet? is it because there's a huge box sticking out the top of the trash can?), but I need to get moving this morning. 

See? You're secretly relieved I have to get going!

Happy Wednesday, everyone,

J.

New friend, Crab Cooker, and three separate Anthropologie stops

I love Rachel! That about sums it up.

We had such a blast in our too, too short time together today. The good thing about not having enough time is that we can't wait to do it again!

We met at Fashion Island up in OC and wandered through Anthropologie before heading over to Newport for lunch at The Crab Cooker. 

She's exactly what I expected--but shorter. That's okay, though, since she told me I'm much taller than she expected. :) And her little Kensington? Well, let's just say I was pretty tempted to tuck her into my car when it was time to say goodbye. 

Look, Rachel! You made the last picture as we were driving out!

We stopped at Irvine Spectrum to look for swimsuits for Audrey, who can't find one to fit to save her little life. Hello, Anthropologie #2. No swimsuit luck.

Then we stopped at the Forum Shops in Encinitas and found a suit for Audrey--finally. And on super-duper clearance at Tilly's. And since there was another Anthropologie, we went for it.

The amazing thing? I didn't buy anything at any of them!

I did love to see how each store did their windows differently with maps and travel stuff. I'm loving their current window/store theme thing. And I'm desperate to make a giant bird out of book pages. Maybe that's what we should craft next time we get together, Rachel. Whaddya think?

IRL

One of the joys of blogging is getting to meet bloggy friends in real life. I have a whole passel of friends who are face to face friends as a result of this wonderful world of blog.

Today, I'm off to Fashion Island in Orange County to meet Rachel and her darling little girl who reminds me so much of Audrey at that age. I cannot wait.

So I'd better make sure the camera's in my bag and go get ready.

Next trip out to San Diego, I'm going to meet Antracia. 

Jumping waves and standing stones

Beach at the beginning and the end

A walk on the beach with Toben this morning

And sunset at the beach tonight

All in all, a terrific day, filled in the middle with all kinds of wonderful too. 

Breakfast with family, wandering Encinitas with Toben, spending the entire afternoon with friends. The girls are spending the night across the way with their great aunt and uncle, and Toben and I are headed out just the two of us.

Much love,

Joanne

P.S. Don't forget that the first "Spiritual Mothering" post will be up tomorrow!

Back in my little yellow house

After 11 hours and 40 minutes of straight driving from Osage Beach, Missouri to Centennial, Colorado, we're back home in our little house, bellies full of bowls of spaghetti, and getting ready to jump in the shower until the hot water runs out. And then crawl between the clean sheets in MY bed with MY pillow. Heaven...

(When I was a kid, my dad timed our showers. If the timer went off, so did the water. I'm still making up for it! I so LOVE a good, long, hot shower. As Toben says, I embrace the shower.)

So what's your favorite thing about coming home from a trip?

Ozarkland

We all headed out the door earlier for a trip to Ozarkland. I love this place!

Here's just a sampling of what you can buy here:

Plus tee shirts; Betty Boop, John Deere, and Coca-Cola home decorating items; a whole range of hillbilly supplies, and lots and lots of candy.

The girls spent their money on candy and pet turtles. 

On the way home we swung over to Bagnell Dam for a quick game of skeeball for Emma and a couple of rounds in the batting cages for Audrey.

Time for some lunch, and then we're headed to the pool for the afternoon.

Today...

...Emma and I took a ride down to the dock on the back of Dad's truck to go fishing.

("You take a lot of pictures of your feet, Mom.")

This is Dad's boat. It folds totally flat and can fit in the bottom of their fifth wheel. It takes about 10 minutes to go from flat and about six inches thick to being a boat. Pretty cool, huh?

It's called a Porta-Bote and you can learn all about them here.

Emma helped get everything stowed:

Dad chose to go with the Princess fishing pole today. This one and Audrey's Tweety Bird fishing pole catch the most fish. So he went with what works--and caught a fish!

We met some locals:

This mama duck had 11 babies!

And drifted way back in this little cove:

I love how the woods come all the way to the water's edge here. It's so wonderfully lush and green! I'd love to have a little cottage just up a stone path from here, wouldn't you? 

With deer that would come early every morning and again in the evening and maybe a pet turtle or six. And a raccoon. And a garden filled with tomatoes. And maybe some wisteria. I don't know if it grows in Missouri, but I'd love to have some draped over an arbor with a little stone bench underneath. Oh, and a sundial. 

And there'd be lots of red and white gingham in my cottage and some geraniums in pots all over the place. And a black and white cat. And it would always smell like scones. And there'd be a pitcher of fresh lemonade always ready. And a bowl filled with strawberries waiting to be dipped in powdered sugar.

Oh, and a hammock. Definitely a hammock.

You totally want to come over, don't you?!

Anyway, after drifting some more and having a big fish eat the whole thingy-ma-jigger on the end of my line and completely disappear, we headed back up the hill on Dad's tailgate...such a great way to spend an afternoon!

Hanging out at the dock

The girls ride down to the dock on the tailgate of Dad's truck--something they love and will always remember!

While everyone fished, I finished my fifth book:

And Toben caught a fish!

Vacation Monday

Sleeping in

Floating in the pool

Floating in the pool and reading books

Laying out by the pool

Laying out by the pool and reading books

A trip to the Walmart

Reading more books

Finishing another 1000-piece puzzle

Playing tennis with Audrey

Eating chocolate custard

Staying up late

Sorta beats a regular Monday at home of cleaning house and laundry, huh?

Made it to the lake!

We left yesterday at 3:38 a.m. and rolled into the condo at 4:30 yesterday afternoon. A long day that went surprisingly quick.

Sunrise over eastern Colorado:

Sleeping (and just waking up) girls:

Welcome to Kansas at 80 mph:

Playing cards:

Reading books:

Off I-70 and south on highway 87, my favorite part of the drive:

I'd love to live along this road and maybe own a barn:

Taking pictures out the window:

Mom waited for us to arrive so she and I could go to the Walmart together to grocery shop. We loaded all the groceries in the back and she said, "You have your camera?"

You bet. We take this picture every year:

We spent today reading, fishing, laying around the pool, doing a 1000-piece puzzle, eating popsicles, going out for custard, and generally eating. It was a good day!

Headed to the lake

We're getting packed up today (and cleaning house and washing sheets and mopping floors and doing laundry and all that good stuff) to head to Lake of the Ozarks tomorrow.

(Assuming, of course, that Audrey is done throwing up. Poor baby. Too much tempura last night. Or at least, that's what we're hoping it is. She seems to be feeling better now that it's out of her tummy. Prayers would be greatly appreciated!)

We head to Osage Beach every summer for a week with my family to hang out, float on the lake, play skeeball on Bagnell Dam, hit the batting cages, eat shave ice, play tennis, float in the pool, eat frozen custard, read books, shop at Ozarkland, watch movies, go to the WalMart, water ski, and generally have a ball.

This year it's just going to be the four of us and my parents--it's a little far of a drive from NY for Kristen and her family.

I will be taking my computer--and my camera--and keep you updated. And if you live along I-70 between here and there, I'll wave as we drive past!

Elk Fest in Estes Park

As promised...

Toben found us a wonderful place to stay in Estes Park. The river was right outside the front door. The girls ran right out and threw rocks, counted how fast pinecones floated from one girl to the other, and didn't fall in! (Audrey has a history of falling in cold rivers!)

We had dinner with friends on Friday night after we got all checked in, and it was cold enough that it felt great to snuggle down under the covers on Friday night after sitting by the fire for a while.

On Saturday morning, we headed down into town for the Elk Festival. The girls got to pet wolves and have their faces painted, which made for happy girls. And that makes for a happy mama!

We grabbed some pizza at our favorite pizza spot in town and then topped it off with caramel apples--something else that makes me happy! Then we piled into the car and drove into Rocky Mountain National Park to see some elk.

We found them--just inside the gate! The fall colors were amazing, the elk were huge and bugling like mad, and we saw all this from the car!

(I counted--that guy had 12 points on his antlers!)

We got out and walked around here and there, and drove over Trail Ridge Road--through the clouds and snow. At the top, we headed toward Grand Lake; our friends headed back to Estes Park.

We saw more elk and more leaves on the way home, and were back home in plenty of time to get to bed and have a normal Sunday at home.

Toben and I both said we don't do stuff like this nearly often enough!

More pictures coming later!

Just wanted to share a quick picture from this weekend before I get going for the day. I'll post more pictures when I get home from my meetings at school later this morning.

We had a great time and saw lots of elk! And it snowed up at the top of Trail Ridge Road--the girls loved it and thought it was great fun to drive through the clouds. The fall color was incredible--and fed my soul in a way I can't quite put words to.

Okay, gotta run if we're going out the door on time and looking beautiful!

Elk Fest

It's 9:57 a.m. and I'm still sitting around in my jammies. I'd planned to take a walk this morning, but thought I'd sit and read while I finished my last cup of coffee. An hour and a half later, I finished the book--and the coffee. Then it was time to catch up on Google Reader and have a chat with Toben. And now I really need to go get cleaned up and ready for the day!

We're headed up to Estes Park right after school for Elk Fest this weekend. So I need to pack some warm clothes and charge the camera and gather jammies and toothbrushes and clean clothes for tomorrow. And I need to find some practical, outdoor shoes to wear. And probably some socks.

We're going with another family from school. They're camping (we're staying at a condo!) so we'll get to roast marshmallows and have campfire dinners without the hassle of setting up a tent, freezing in our sleeping bags, or dealing with campground facilities. (I would love to be a nature girl, but I really, really love modern plumbing.)

Happy weekend, ya'll!

A glimpse of San Antonio

Here's just a glimpse of the Siesta Fiesta weekend!

Row 1: Made a baby hat on the plane, Riverboats from my room, The view from my balcony, Kim taking our picture on the boat

Row 2: All of us on the boat, Waiting in the lobby (Fran, Kim, me, Patty, Lisa, Georgia), At the Alamodome (Annette, Angie, Teri, me), Met Dedra

Row 3: Reserved seating, Group picture with Beth, Brooke and me, Me and Elizabeth

Row 4: My homegirl Lisa and me, "Hopelessly Devoted to You" (Holly, Tammy, Brooke, me, Elizabeth), Brooke and Georgia--the Karoke Queens coming soon to a venue near you, At the Alamodome (Bobbi, Holly, me, Tammy, Elizabeth, Brooke)

YA'LL...I'm home...

I made it home from the Siesta Fiesta with a definite accent envy (though I'm pretty sure I was one of those "northern girls" trying to talk with a southern accent someone--can't remember who--mentioned...it just comes out the more you hang with those "southern girls"!), a propensity to say ya'll in every sentence, and a beautiful inheritance.

More on all that soon. I've been out having fun with Toben all day to celebrate his birthday a couple of days late. We went to lunch and to the Bass Pro Shops for bullets. Big birthday fun! That and grocery shopping.

I am downloading photos as we speak and will post at length about the weekend, but the laundry is calling and it's getting louder by the minute.

Look at this thing...

...it has a setting called "Pleading Chicken." What the heck?! Who hunts chickens? And what do they plead? "Don't kill me!"

And imagine my distress when I realized that instead of the black/chrome crockpot I just bought, I could have had a camo one!

I love the shooting range, but I must say the sights on the two guns I tried were way off.

P.S. I did kill that darn rattlesnake at the shooting range!

I agree with Dorothy--there's no place like home!

We're home! We decided to take two days to drive home instead of pulling a twelve-hour driving marathon. We did drive past all the Oz museum things in Kansas, but I can't remember if that was yesterday or today!

We pulled into the driveway about an hour and a half ago, ran to the kennel to get Daisy and Joey, and are in the midst of unpacking. (But first, I deadheaded the daisies and picked some zucchini, squash, and tomatoes. I couldn't wait to check on everything!)

After a couple of days of not checking my email, it's FULL! So thank you for the sweet comments and such--I'll get back to any questions and such soon. I promise!

You can still enter the Ozarkland giveaway this afternoon--it'll be tonight before I close comments and pick a winner. I'll announce the winner in the morning.

It's GOOD to be home. And now it's time to start the post-vacation laundry.

Ozarkland giveaway!

MONDAY NIGHT: Comments now closed.

We made it to Ozarkland yesterday. Oh, how I love wandering through here! A trip to the lake just isn't complete without a trip to Ozarkland. I especially love the big glittery sign. 

They didn't have the charm I wanted (but we're headed down to Bagnell Dam and the arcade later for some birthday skeeball so I'll find it then), but I did find these treasures. I loved these invisible ink books as a kid and had forgotten all about them until I saw the display. And who doesn't love a rousing game of auto bingo on cross-country trips?

Leave a comment below before I close them on Monday night and you'll be entered to win.

(And for those of you wondering, I did get the jeans. The pair I thought I wanted were too capri after all, so I got an ankle length pair that I'll hem just a bit and then they'll be perfect. They will be perfect for fall--better keep an eye out for some shiny nickles for my penny loafers.) 

Putt putt '08

Yesterday was cooler and not quite so humid, so we headed on over to Sugar Creek yesterday afternoon for our annual putt putt challenge, with lots of breaks to get all the grandkids to pose just so.

I know I say it every year, but this is the nicest putt putt course in the whole wide world. Shady, fans everywhere, a little stream, in the woods. Perfect.

We skied yesterday morning (my arms are sore this morning to prove it!), I practiced diving (something I never quite learned as a kid and have decided I want to know how to do even if it means looking like a dork while learning!), and I caught a fish! On Emma's princess fishing pole, no less. The fish was small and I sort of freaked out when it came up looking like I'd hooked it in the face rather than the mouth. Luckily Dad was there to set it free while I looked the other way and breathed deeply.

Today's plans? 

Ozarkland. I need a charm for my bracelet and am thinking about the hillbilly girl for this year. Audrey and Emma have allowance burning holes in their pockets, and Ozarkland is filled with all kinds of things they'll just have to have. It's the place to go if you want to decorate your house in Betty Boop. Or John Deere. Or Elvis.

Perhaps the outlet mall. I saw a cute pair of jeans at the Gap outlet the other day and want to go try them on. They're cropped rather than capri (I'm just not a capri kind of a girl) and would be great with penny loafers and a cardigan for fall. Very Nancy Drew.

Opening ceremony for the Olympics tonight. With pizza.

And I'm sure there will be some swimming on the boat and at the pool. Popsicles or six. And reading. 

Tomorrow is Audrey's birthday, so there will also be some cake/dessert making. I'd better go find out what she wants.

Happy Friday!

Water skiing is a lot like riding a bicycle

Here's how the day has gone so far:

Pajamas

Swimsuit

Pajamas

Swimsuit

Pajamas

And it's not even four o'clock. So who knows how it will end? (Well, it'll end in pajamas, but you know what I mean!)

We headed out this morning for some fishing and floating and tubing and skiing before lunch. I love water skiing. Up first time each time, a nice long run, then just letting go when I'm ready to stop. I really think I could have done a mom this morning and not even gotten my hair wet! 

Then lunch (in pajamas) and then to the pool for some more floating. And now pajamas again. Vacation is good.

I have yet to take my camera out of my purse, I think. But Kristen brought hers along last night for our post-dinner fish and float.

 

It's hard to make some Holy Ghost crazy noise in a room full of people trying to watch Good Morning, America

I went to the fitness center here this morning in preparation for the frozen custard I will eat later. Mmmm... And discovered that I'm not really a gym kind of a gal. 

When Kirk Franklin tells me, "Make some noise!" and "I can't hear you!" and "Clap your hands up here like this!" I tend to obey. 

But I noticed that people were looking at me rather than at Good Morning, America. And then there's the fact that it's hard to clap my hands and do the elliptical thing at the same time. Much easier to sing and clap while walking. Not so much flailing about to keep from falling off.

It was good to finish up and get outside (where it's HOT and HUMID, but okay because the water is so lovely) so I could sing nice and loud--the way it should be.

We made it to the lake, finally got into our place yesterday afternoon (the people who were renting it last week decided to extend their stay without telling anyone or answering the phone which required us to unpack for Saturday night, then repack, and then unpack again), did the big WalMart run for groceries (MANY bags of popsicles--I get it from my mother), and it finally feels like vacation has begun.

P.S. I got all your sweet comments this morning about the Sabbath. Thank you. I'm anxious to share more--and hear more about what works for you. But for now, I have the whole place to myself and I'm going to enjoy it!

Alyeska Tram

Tuesday was our last day in Alaska, and in the morning we rode the tram to the top of the mountain--straight up about 3,000 feet (at least I think that's what the guy said).

I've been skiing since I was about six years old, but I'm not sure I'd want to ski here. This mountain is STEEP!

Take a look at the view from the top--breathtaking! They get a lot of snow--last year 79 feet at the top of the mountain. I can't quite imagine that!

That's an arm of the Pacific Ocean in the background. Ocean, mountains, snow. Pretty incredible!

Finally...

One of the biggest vacation challenges for me is having my quiet time. Somehow time away from my usual routine doesn't equal extended quiet time, more reading with the girls, or any of the other things I pack with great hopes.

Is it the same for you?

I did pretty well while we were in Fairbanks. We rented a house with room enough for everyone to have their own bedroom and bathroom, and a living room to share. Because I got up early, I made the coffee and found a spot on the couch to spread out and read and pray each morning. But as soon as we ended up in a hotel room in Alyeska, it just didn't happen.

And it showed.

I've often said that about a day or two is all I can handle without my morning time with God, and it's so true. By day two, the wheels came off and it was ugly. Yes, there were some parenting issues that came up and needed to be dealt with--but nothing really out of the ordinary. What was out of the ordinary was that I was running on empty--so everything felt blown way out of proportion and like the world was falling apart.

One of the verses I love is this one (in fact, it's on the back of my business cards):

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

I need my time in the morning with God--because without it, I'm dissatisfied and joy is awfully hard to come by. I need God to fill me so that I have something to offer my family and those around me. Without it, I feel needy, like I have to grab satisfaction from others--who may or may not have something to give me. 

We got home Wednesday morning and I went right back to bed. Yesterday I overslept and rushed out the door to get to our appointments on time. This morning, I got up and grabbed some coffee, sat in my favorite chair, and soaked in the satisfaction that God had waiting for me. 

Everyone's still asleep--and I've been able to catch up on some email, be still and quiet, and just rest. Finally...

When women ask me about my quiet time, this is what I usually talk about. Satisfaction. Rest. Peace. Quiet. Having my quiet time every morning isn't about getting up early and checking it off my list. It's not something I do because I think I should or because I feel guilty if I don't. I need this time. Desperately. Each and every day. 

More than anything else, quiet time in the morning--reading the Bible, praying, studying, and journaling--is what God has used to teach me, to reveal himself, to give me hunger for him, and to satisfy that hunger with his presence.

Some of you have asked, and this is what my new book is about. It's coming out in the fall from Kregel. Here's the working cover and title--which may change, but I really like it:

Download misplacing_god_cover.pdf

I can't get the picture to show up in the post, but you can see it if you click on it--it shows up huge, not sure why. Anyway, what do you think?

We're home from Alaska!

Just taking a quick break from laundry and housecleaning to say we're home. We flew out of Anchorage at 11 p.m. on Tuesday night, landing in Denver at 5:54 a.m. yesterday. A long, uncomfortable, and bumpy flight.

We came home, dumped suitcases, and went to sleep until almost noon. Then spent the rest of the day lounging and letting our souls catch up with our bodies.

I waaay overslept this morning and Audrey and I rushed out the door to get her to her first tutoring appointment at school (while I went to the grocery) and then rushed to get to her vision therapy five minutes late. By the time we came home it was lunch time and time for laundry and unpacking and vacuuming and such.

We had a great last day in Alyeska on Tuesday before flying home--more about that and pictures as soon as I catch my breath a little.

Portage Glacier and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

This is just a taste of the scenery around here:

We took a boat tour on the Portage Lake this morning--to see the Portage Glacier:

The sign on the door of the boat place said this:

But the only bear we saw was this one at the Chugach Visitor's Center:

Until we stopped at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center:

Yes, it's behind a fence, but there's no way I'd see one that close in the wild--though I'm still hopeful. We got close to animals here--l mean CLOSE. Take a look at this moose just inches from my face!

We're headed out in a bit to Bird Point to try to see the bore tide--a wall of water up to six feet tall that can roar up Turnagain Arm when the tide changes. Here's hoping today's one of those days!

Wildlife count

Yesterday we drove down from Fairbanks to Anchorage past Denali. And saw a bald eagle and a Dall sheep. We're at Mount Alyeska outside of Girdwood on the Turnagain Arm. Wow! Is it beautiful!

The kids at Denali Visitor Center where we stopped for a runaround and lunch break (see Tyson run?!).

Audrey and Emma at Beluga Point--we didn't see any beluga whales--yet!

Along the Turnagain Arm...there are no navigational charts for these waters. The tides change 41 feet and there's quicksand. So when the tide is out, the guide books say DON'T walk out there!

More later...

Goin' on a moose hunt...

 

We were totally determined to see a moose today. So on the way out to the camp for the wedding, we followed every side road with river access to search out moose. As you can see, we have a pretty good technique.

The first thing we found was a frog, or is it a toad? Anyway, he's hiding in there--can you see him?

No moose. But the river was beautiful!

We drove on a for a while, calling moose out the window. And then...

TWO MOOSE! 

And the call must have lasted, because on the way back down the same road hours later...

ANOTHER MOOSE!

It's kind of hard to tell just how big they are--but they are HUGE!

Three moose! Hooray and yea God! (Because I was really about to give up hope, and was telling God just how cool it would be to see a moose--and then we did. So we all yelled "Thank you, Jesus!" along with our moose calls!)

Riverboat Discovery

We spent the morning on the Riverboat Discovery--a must if you're ever in Fairbanks. We saw bush pilots take off and land on the Chena River and on sandbars, saw sled dogs in action (pulling at ATV rather than a sled!), and visited the Chena Village where we saw trapper cabins, native beadwork and sewing, reindeer, and got to pet sled dogs up close.

It totally looks like a place where there should have been bear fishing for salmon--but no luck! Mom and Dad saw another moose this morning on their way into town to meet us...I'm still hoping...

Audrey and Emma aren't quite ready to move in for the winter!

Look at this amazing shelter--I had to take a picture to use as an example the next time we need to build shelters at Girl Scout camp!

Hanging out at Twin Bears Camp

We drove out to Twin Bears Camp this morning and hung out for the day. It was great to see Mom and Dad after almost a month and see their trailer set up (I had only seen pictures so far), to meet some family I'd not met before, to watch the girls do their best to catch a fish, and to kayak across the lake (something I've never done before--I went in a lot of circles!).

 

Emma and I walked down this nature trail for about two minutes--and found ourselves deep in the middle of nowhere. So we turned around--figured before we went further we should tell someone where we were headed! We'll explore the rest of the trail with a larger group another day...

We also visited the Large Animal Research Station--Allison's fiance Jesse works there and gave us a private tour. So we got to see musk ox and baby musk ox and caribou and reindeer up close and personal. Very cool.

We had dinner with Mom and Dad and are back at the house. (The camp is just as rustic as the website said--we're feeling especially good about the decision to rent this house! Especially after our long, hot showers tonight.)

We're headed down the Chena River in the morning on a riverboat--should be fun!

Made it to Alaska!

Landing in Anchorage at 9:45 p.m. we found that it really is The Land of the Midnight Sun...

It was bright enough to need sunglasses!

We were all so tired, and made it to a hotel just a few minutes from the airport for a quick and short night of sleep before heading up to Fairbanks yesterday.

We drove the Park Highway 3 from Anchorage to Fairbanks--about 350 miles and 6 hours. We watched for animals out the window, but this is the most moose we saw:

The scenery was amazing--deciduous forests, pine forests, huge mountains. We drove past the entrance to Denali and I hope we'll make it to the visitor's center on the way back to Anchorage next week. 

Here's a bit of the scenery we say--taken out the window as we sped along:

 

We made it to Knoll House by mid-afternoon, got unpacked, and went looking for a grocery store. Toben made chicken spaghetti while the girls and I worked on our trip journals and the house smelled delicious by the time Wade, Kristen, and their kids arrived about 6:30 p.m.

We bathed the kids, tacked some towels and blankets over the windows to make it dark as possible, and slept great.

This morning, we're headed out to the camp along the Chena Hot Springs Road where the rest of the family is staying and my cousin Allison's wedding will be held on Saturday. We'll stop by Walmart on the way for some heavy duty bug spray and a few random supplies. More later...

First trip to the last frontier

We are headed to Alaska on Tuesday. 

My cousin, Allison, is getting married on the Summer Solstice at a camp outside of Fairbanks and my whole family is headed to the wedding. Mom and Dad have been on their way for the past three weeks or so (you can keep up with them here) and we're flying out on Tuesday with Kristen and her family.

Toben is so darned excited and has been packing in his head for something like the past three weeks. Part of the reason he's so excited is that we're not staying at the camp with everyone else. He does not rough it--and the camp is rustic! Here's one of their "primitive" cabins:

We're staying here and sharing the house with Wade and Kristen and their kids. It's not "primitive"--given that there's lots of hot running water and internet and satellite television.

Pretty, huh?! I'm getting more excited as I think about running along that road in the mornings--maybe running away from a bear will help me pick up the pace some...

I haven't given packing much thought. Somehow packing for me plus two girls feels like something I just haven't wanted to think about much. Plus, I have to do laundry first. I can't pack unless ALL the clothes are clean and I have a comprehensive list to pack from!

But I have started gathering the important stuff--like stickers and books and paints and pencils. 

When we went to Washington, D.C. two years ago, I took along blank books, stickers, glue, scissors, markers, and the girls and I made travel scrapbooks. They loved it! Each day we took our books with us wherever we went and took time to sit and copy our favorite paintings or cut up magazines and museum brochures. We wrote about our favorite part of each day and glued in lots of postcards, pictures, and anything else we thought was fun.

Here's a peek at those books. (I did all the journaling for the girls--writing down their words for them--since they were younger at the time and Emma, especially, couldn't do it herself. They did all their own pictures and cutting and gluing though.)

This was a great way for the girls (and me!) to record our trip and they still love looking at their books two years later.

So we're going to do the same thing again for this trip. We stocked up on fun stickers and stuff at Jo-Ann's the other day, and are off to Michael's later today for the blank books that we like best.

I'm also thinking about what other projects and such to pack--card games for certain, a knitting project or two for me, and maybe some more embroidery for the girls. I think I'll also pack some embroidery floss so they can work on friendship bracelets. And movies are a must too.

What are your must-haves for your kids for vacation? Other than clothes and sunscreen and other necessities... I'm sure I'm forgetting something!

Home again, home again, jiggity jig...

Somehow that little phrase gets said a lot around here...but only by me. Seems like it must be something my mom said a lot and I picked it up from her. 

Anyway, we're home...and it was totally worth the money to change our flight. Audrey was pale and ache-y yesterday morning, but so much better than she'd been the day before. I think she felt really special that we'd go to the trouble to change our plans to accommodate her.

Of course, I still think that United should have changed everything for free. Somehow I think that if the manager Toben worked his way up to had had children, I think they'd have been all too glad to help us out more.

Thank you for all of your prayers... I read all of your comments to her and they definitely helped lift her spirits.

Don't know what it is about stomach flu and my kids. I wish I could be so much more nurturing and gentle, but instead I tend to freak out a little and treat them like they have the plague. Maybe it's because I hate throwing up so much and don't want to catch it myself. I do much better when they have a cold or a fever or a cough. But I'm more aware of it and am working hard to fight against it. So thanks for your prayers for me too! Ya'll are wonderful.

I'm waaaay behind on responding to email and such, so I'm going to catch up today. And the girls are going to finish up a cute crafty project they started before we left for Arizona...pictures coming later. Toben's going to mow the lawn. Oh, and I need to get some Girl Scout paperwork wrapped up for the year.

Happy Friday!

Stuck in Phoenix

Poor Audrey came down with stomach flu in the middle of the night, so we've changed our flights home until tomorrow. Toben spent a bunch of time on the phone with United, explaining the situation and talking them down from the $600 change fee they originally quoted. It's still not free, but better than having a sick, freaking out kid of the plane.

She's not a good sick person. No laying in bed and just resting. She cries and totally freaks out a lot, surprised by the fact that her tummy hurts. I don't do great with sick kids, so I'd appreciate any prayers shot our way. 

Toben's sending Emma and me out for a shopping adventure to get out of the house while he hangs with Audrey for a while...

It's hot in Arizona

The plane went up and down and side to side a little too much for my liking, but Audrey held my hand and assured me that the people flying the plane were professionals and "they're not gonna let you get hurt, Mom." We arrived safely just like she promised and headed over to Michael and Allison's house. 

The kids all hit it off immediately and swam for a while, and then we headed to dinner here. 

Joe's Farm Grill is such a great place--one of those places I think we'd eat at all the time if we lived here. Toben and I both had barbecue--yum, yum, yum. Audrey and Emma thought it was pretty neat that the kids' meals came with lollipops (and free replacements for when your sister drops yours into the grass and gets it all yucky).

We hung out some more and the girls are getting the chlorine rinsed out of their hair before bed. We're staying at a house down the street from Michael and Allison--so nice to have more than just a hotel room! 

Tomorrow, we (the grown-ups) will be in meetings all day, while they (the kids) hang out and swim together--and make cookies with the babysitter. Toben's doing some consulting, and his fee for these meetings was for the whole family to come. He'll finish up meetings on Tuesday morning and then we'll all just hang out some more until we head home on Wednesday.

Seattle morning

Left the hotel this morning at 7 with our friends John and Stacey to head down for coffee at the original Starbucks and to wander through Pike Place Market for an hour or so...

Can you believe that sunny Seattle sky?!

Headed to Seattle (and breath prayers)...

...just as soon as the girls get off to school and I get showered and dressed and take Daisy and Joey to the dog and cat hotel.

Flying is not my favorite thing. I used to love it, but since having kids, I pretty much hate it. As I told the group of moms I met the other morning at MOPS, my dad is an engineer and has explained to me how the plane stays in the air. Still, I just don't get it.

I can totally relate to that song by the Indigo Girls about being up in an airplane, but preferring to be in my home on the ground!

As we talked about praying through your house the other morning at MOPS, I mentioned the idea of "breath prayers" that I first learned from Jan Johnson in her book, Enjoying the Presence of God. They are short phrases, often based on Scripture, that we can pray quickly and easily. They're those kinds of prayers that help me see it really is possible to pray without ceasing, because it's just lifting someone up with a phrase when you think about them. Or a situation. Or just a moment to praise God with a short prayer like, "Glory and honor and praise."

Anyway...

I totally have a breath prayer for when I fly--especially if there's lots of bumpy air. (How can air be bumpy? See it's just not natural!) It's from Deuteronomy 33:27, and goes like this, "Underneath are the everlasting arms."

Lift and drag? Aerodynamics? Wing shape? Whatever. It's God's hands keeping that plane in the air!

So if you're on my flight today and if it's bumpy and if you see some crazy woman with white knuckles muttering under her breath, that'll be me repeating over and over again: "Underneath are the everlasting arms."