Camping Fun

In October, we took a weekend camping trip.
Our family/friends, Mark and Amanda Dodd invited
us to join them and Autumn on a camping excursion.
I was later told that this was not "roughing it."




The guys had fun gathering kindling and dead limbs to chop for our evening campfire. It was a perfect time of the year! The days were warm and the evenings were cool. We hiked and dug for diamonds.



This park is notorious for diamond digging. There were about 150 people digging on Saturday. Someone actually found a diamond the size of a chicklet gum that same week! After digging and sifting for hours, we felt like we were part of the California Gold Rush! We decided ahead of time that we would split the assets no matter who found what, and that we would tell no-one of our fortune! A diamond the size of a BB was worth about $70. Are we going back?? Next year!

Enjoying Nature

Now that the weather is a little cooler, Mark and Morgan have enjoyed the park. The "duck park" is close to the library which we patronize bi-weekly. These ducks are so friendly. Mark
was able to get this one to eat from him. We were
so happy to find a duck egg tucked in the rambling grasses
in the shallow water beside a large tree!

Morgan, on the other hand, had no such luck
with getting this duck any closer to her. She
may have honked his beak. She gets so excited
and throws bread at them, hollers, and giggles.

SUMMER FUN

Melissa being tormented by the boys

Youth Camp was fun for both adult and teen. I was one of three adults from church here in Shreveport. We had 7 teens with us. Troy Truitt, as Youth Director for the PNC, did a wonderful job of leading the youth to worship God. It was a great atmosphere for all there. I was so pleased to see kids from all walks of life and from different denominations. It was great to see so many kids of moms and dads that I remember from "the good ole' days" I hope some of you reading this will get inspired for next year. Your kids can be a part! Look it up on Pilgrim Nazarene Church website under Youth Camp.There are also pictures and videos. Healthy breakfast??

A New Pet

Daddy gave permission for Mark to get a guinea pig. GREAT!! That's what Mark and I both said, but in two different keys. Mark's was a high C-----greaAAT! Mine was a G minor great! Just what I want, my house to smell like a pet store. But since I am such a wonderful, giving mother (choke, choke) we are having a blast with this "mouse". I want it in the laundry room, but Mark insists that it park next to his bed so he can check on it in the night and reach over and pet him if he needs comfort. Morgan is thrilled! She loves the DVD Stuart Little and is delighted to have him in her house! Morgan persists on throwing wood shavings at the poor thing as she giggles and laughs at it, as it's running around the cage. I think he does like her, because she loves to feed him lettuce and carrots and anything else that is of interest :)

Jerusalem dinner

These are photos of Mark in his Sunday School class. They took a trip to Naomi's house for dinner. Sis. Beverly Eguia had bread, grapes , olives, figs and "wine" for them to taste. Quite different than pizza and chicken nuggets.

"Train Up a Child....."

I wrote about Melissa cooking Mother's Day dinner for me---well, this is where it started. I had to remind myself when I was tempted to tell Morgan, "Stay out of the flour!" Melissa has been making cinnamon rolls and selling them as a fund raiser for Youth Camp. Morgan had been asking to help and I really, Really, REALLY didn't feel like cleaning up a mess. If I want a Mother's Day dinner come 8 years from now when Melissa is gone from home, I am going to have to train Morgan. Yes it was a huge mess, but Morgan had a ball, literally, of dough!

Mother's Day Dinner

Melissa made dinner for me. I came home from church, actually sat on the love seat and talked to my mother while dinner was being cooked. Melissa and Mark took an hour Saturday evening preparing ahead. Mark helped by peeling potatoes, setting the table and making the KOOL-AID. We usually have iced tea with our dinner, but apparently he thought that something different would be special for a change. I enjoyed brisket (marinated overnight), mashed potatoes & gravy, green bean casserole, corn, ranch style jalapeno beans, homemade bread, green salad, fruit salad and chocolate cake. I vote that from now on, they make every Sunday dinner :) They did it all, except for Jay slicing the meat. I didn't lift a finger to help until it was time to wash the dishes. Mark had set the table with my china and crystal goblets. I prefer to have them in one piece, so I kindly told them that since they had done all the work making the meal, I would clean up. I looked at the clock at2:19 as I was hand washing the dishes----wonderful Mother's Day!
Before evening service, Mark made smoothies for us and I enjoyed sitting on the porch with him.
He learned how to make them on Veggie Tales bonus features. He used frozen bananas, fresh strawberries, strawberry/banana yogurt and added a little of the left over fruit salad as a special touch. The pineapple and mandarin oranges did give more flavor! I love my kids!