Best Vacation EVER!

We are a water skiing family! We love the lake, so when the opportunity to spend a week at a lake house came up we jumped on it!

It was a dream come true and the best vacay we've ever had! We invited lots of family to come with us (the lake house could sleep over 20 people) but everyone couldn't make it. We got to share it with my parents, my brother and sister-in-law from Florida, and my aunt, uncle and cousin from Texas.

I had special shirts made for the week - along with a fun welcome bag.

There was lots of this - relaxing on the deck.

Lots of game time!

Music time!

Trampoline time!

And of course time on the water!

We hiked to this lake and the 300 foot waterfall, which you can see on the mountain in the background.

Cliff Jumping!

Fishing!

Planking!

The whole fam!

This was one of the many amazing views we had all week!

It was such a great week that no one wanted to go home. Before we left we decided this vacay was worth repeating next year! And all those family members who didn't come this year....well, they are already anticipating their chance to join us next year.


 

Back to school - ALREADY?!

Emma wanted to start the school year with a new haircut, and she opted for a much shorter cut this time. She's been growing out her bangs for well over a year now, and they were finally long enough that - with this cut - her hair is all one length. I love it!

For us, the new school year always begins with a fun tradition - opening the "Schultute" - the night before the first day of school. (Click here to see previous year Schultutes and what it means.)

It was a beautiful morning - the first day of 3rd grade! We were up so early that the kids had time to play in the backyard.

Emma purchased her own outfit for the first day of school. She was so proud to spend her own money! When did she get so big?!?!

Emma with her 3rd grade teacher - Mrs. Menke.

Nate wishing Emma a good day.

As Nate and I pulled out of the parking lot, I was very tearful. I love having Emma home in the summer, and another school year means she is growing up way too fast! Nate and I spent the morning at the park...then rushed over to get Emma (thank goodness for a half day) and we all headed to the pool. Overall, the first day of 3rd grade was a great day.

God wants you to know this

As I wrote this post in my head earlier this week it was a much different story than what I am about to share. There's one reason I am sharing this story with you...because God wants you to know He is ever-present and He hears every prayer you utter. That's the very thing He taught me over the course of two days.

Tuesday
I took my kids to the dentist for a check-up, expecting a quick in and out so we could get on with our day. You see, eight months ago Emma had four of her teeth "sealed" to prevent cavities. Imagine my surprise when the dentist told me that all four fillings had fallen out and Emma had cavities in each tooth in addition to a new one in another tooth! I was shocked to say the least.

Emma was visibly shaken as well. Since her last appointment she has been so diligent at brushing well and flossing each night. We were both speechless.

The dentist explained "this never happens" and he believed it was a bad bonding agent that just didn't adhere. He said he'd "make it right" by resealing the teeth free of charge.

Then he checked Nate. I was told Nate had three cavities! Three! Two of them were in teeth he didn't even have 8 months ago. I was flabbergasted. How could this be?

I was so shaken by the time we left that I had to take several deep breaths before I even started the car. I prayed all the way home and asked God for wisdom. The dentist was suggesting procedures for Nate that I was not comfortable with. I needed more advice. A second opinion.

As soon as I got the kids settled with lunch I called my own dentist. After a lengthy conversation with the receptionist, I had scheduled an appointment for the kids to see my dentist the next day.

Wednesday
I took Emma and Nate to see my dentist, which turned out to be a much better experience. For one thing, the environment was so peaceful and the staff was so good with my kids. (Contrast that with screaming kids and indifferent staff in the other office.)

My dentist checked Emma and Nate's teeth - twice. I told him exactly where the cavities were, and he checked and rechecked them. Then he said, "I just don't see it. I don't see any cavities." {big sigh of relief} He suggested Emma have her 4 teeth resealed. On Nate he did find one small beginning of a cavity, which he said he could fix without any type of anesthesia. It would be a quick, painless fix. I thanked him profusely and we headed home.

Of course on the way home I was so thankful I had taken the kids for a second opinion. I quietly thanked God for leading me in that direction.

A few hours later
After lunch Nate was napping, Emma was watching a movie and I was reading a book. All of a sudden, in the middle of my reading, I very clearly felt the Holy Spirit ask me, "Don't you remember the prayer you prayed last night?" The thought stopped me in my tracks. I thought back to last night when I was laying in bed completely overwhelmed by anxiety from the day. I had prayed just before drifting off to sleep.

My prayer sounded something like this...

Lord, I want to ask you to heal my children's teeth but I don't know if you do that kind of thing. Is it silly to pray such a thing? Do you answer prayers like that? Help my unbelief. Forgive me for doubting you.

I immediately felt the Lord telling me to pray and ask for what was on my heart. So I prayed, "If it's your will, please heal Emma and Nate's teeth. Please heal the cavities in their mouths."

Now sitting in my rocking chair reading a book...I knew without a doubt God had answered my prayer. There was no other explanation. My own dentist knew the pediatric dentist I had taken my kids to and he had nothing but high regards for the man. (It should be noted that I, too, believe the pediatric dentist is a good doctor.)

At that moment the Holy Spirit impressed on my heart that God answered this "small" prayer of mine so I would know with complete certainty — He hears every prayer I pray. And He answers those prayers. Sometimes right away. Sometimes differently than I would like. But He is always with me. I am never out of His presence.

And I knew that I had to share this wonderful answer to prayer with my family — especially my children — and with my friends because it's a simple truth that He wants every believer to cling to. He hears you. He is moved by your prayers.

Scavenger Hunt Lesson

This morning the kids and I had planned to go for a walk, so I decided to make a picture scavenger hunt to keep them interested (and to ward of complaining - not that my kids ever do that). ☺

It was fun to look for all the items on the list and discuss variations of the pictures. With Nate I especially worked on his colors. Our conversation went something like this:

Me: "What color is that sign?"
Nate: "Red!"
Me: "What color is the tree?"
Nate: "Green!"
Me: "What color is that dog?"
Nate: "Salt!"
Me: "What color is Emma's shirt?"
Nate: "Dark!"

I love seeing things through my kids eyes. I can be so "in the box" at times that I appreciate the lessons my children teach me. Today I am thankful for big lessons from little people.

It's Nate's Turn

Nate developed chicken pox this week. We were anticipating him getting them after Emma had them, and I was glad they hadn't passed him by. I'd rather have him get it over with, and the truth is you rarely hear of kids getting chicken pox anymore.

But it's still hard to see your babies not feeling well. We had plans to go to the zoo yesterday with all the cousins, so we had to cancel. For the rest of the day Nate would say, "I feel better now. I can go to the zoo. Will you take me there?"

Emma had such a mild case that she only felt bad for a couple days, and she was completely scabbed over by day six. I'm praying the same is true for Nate.

Before summer got here, I was longing - even praying - for slow days with no schedule. Well we've spent the first two weeks of summer mostly isolated due to chicken pox. Not exactly what I had in mind, but I am enjoying lots of play time with the kids, lots of cuddles and fun conversations.

That's My Boy!

It's official! Nate is now a water skier! We went to the lake this week for the first time this summer, and Nate was more than ready to try out his ski. At two and a half years old he already looks like a pro! Way to go buddy!!!

Emma started skiing at the same age, and she started on combos last summer behind the boat. This is one water ski crazy family!!!

1st camping trip of the season

We went to our favorite CO camping spot for Memorial Day weekend. It was a perfect weekend with nice weather and lots of fun and relaxation.

This little creek runs right through our camp site.

LOVE our new chairs!

The tent was a perfect play place for Nate and Emma.

One of our favorite camping activities...building stick towns.

Handmade boat races.

Relaxing by the fire.

S'mores!

Reading bedtime stories.

Shooting guns.

Who let Nate play with the hatchet? I must have been napping.

More stick cities.

Playing frisbee.

Reading by the fire.

On our way home we stopped at the sand dunes. This is the only picture I got because we stayed all of ten minutes. The wind was raging 50 mph. We sat down long enough to get sand blasted then headed back to the truck.

Love how our kids crash on the way home. This picture says it all! FUN weekend!!!