– CCBC Kids Kamp – I\’m always amazed with the way our church body – young and old and in-between – comes together to make this week happen!
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| Coming downstairs to find this the first morning, Essie made sure we all knew what our day (week) held |
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| Day 1 ~ here we go! |
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| Bran & campers in action |
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| Hud\’s group, getting to lead alongside his buddy Jack |
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| one million% in her element |
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| Essie – last year as a camper- with the amazing Hannah and David as leaders |
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| Our fearless crew – a joy to work with all the teen leaders |
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| Hud in the lip-sync contest… not his fav but he rocked it |
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| 5/6 worship is incredible |
– Not having to set my alarm for 5-something (which is unusual, just had to get up that early a couple of days) but sleeping in a little this morn after not having a chance to do that yet this summer
– State Twirling Competition in DeSoto
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| Vicki with her girls – we have the most fabulous teacher in the nation |
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| Modeling – she is darling but more of an athlete than a dancer… some room to improve in this category – ha! |
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| The dress ~ an early bday gift from Daboo ~ she looks amazing in the yellow |
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| Sporting a new costume |
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| An end-of-year gift from coach Vicki… even monogrammed! |
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| Vick\’s Chicks |
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| car rides home are way more fun with twirling friends (and thanks for the ride, Landi!) |
– SCS 7 on 7 football ~ with our boys on the field together
– Getting to spend an entire day set aside with Basden and Esther – no friends. After my week and Frontier + a week of kids kamp + a full State twirling weekend, I was missing them so much: Indoor rock climbing; La Madeline tomato soup and Caesar salad and strawberries romanoff; bowling; Wendy’s frosties, jewelry making, and movie night with popcorn
– Rock climbing – Basden not wanting to go rock climbing AT ALL, but absolutely loved it ~ with lots of success! Esther felt “stretched” and admitted it was good to feel that way. And I felt adventurous
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| Dyno Rock |
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| La Madeline ~ there\’s a reason why we shouldn\’t take selfies in the first place |
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| What\’s worse – mom taking selfies or dabbing? (or fidget spinners??!) |
– Signs of summer – our days may not be lazy, but at least some of the hours are
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| Nothing beats 10-year-old Wii Mario Cart |
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| glitter girls |
– Bran and Hud flying to Utah to meet Corbin, easily navigating the airport with me just dropping them off (they looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if they needed me to park and walk them in)
– An unexpected “I love you” text last night from one of my boys
– Mama’s text – God loves to talk to boys when they’re fishing – even big boys. I can hear that song playing in our Wren home all those years ago
– Who hoo – Harper is home from camp – longest 2 weeks for Basden 
– Our homemade version of Strawberries Romanoff ~ yum
– When I asked Hudson to be home by 3, he pulled in at 2:58. Such a reliable kid. And snapping this pic, it hit me that after mid-November I probably won\’t see him on his bike much anymore
– That Essie and her friend wanted me to swim with them yesterday- asked me several times. And naturally, I was intending to use that time by myself in the house. But it was so worth cannon-balling into the pool and playing Silent Categories with them
– A summer morning with several hours ALONE at home (which is how I got this post written)!!!
– How much Essie loves to clean the kitchen sink
– That Corbin was smart enough to tack on a fishing trip for him and the boys after a conference in Park City, Utah 
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| Park City at dusk (pc Branson) |
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| when Bran said he caught Jonah\’s Whale |
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| Hudson\’s dinner one night in Utah – a bacon burger with two separate grilled cheese sandwiches as the buns |
– Camp Joy – oh what fun! The skills it’s producing in Basden to be a counselor and help design camp each summer, and Essie gets to have a ball
– That Proverbs 27 is amazing. How is this text still so relevant and applicable? Esp love v. 14 ~ If a man loudly blesses his neighbor in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. AMEN. I can’t believe this is in the Bible
– Learning to compartmentalize frustration and anger from the responsibility of parenting. I\’m the adult here. Parenting is my job and I don\’t need to be surprised when it\’s difficult or draining (thank you, Mark Gregston and Paul Tripp ~ I hear you in my head during these episodes)
– Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sustaining me during moments I don’t \”feel\” sustained, but I know you’re doing it. And then for the times when I actually do feel it
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles… 1 Chronicles 16:11-12