Do Lizards Have Faith?

On Saturday Kurt and I were in the bath room getting ready to go to Travis' (Kurt's cousin) wedding. Austin came in and asked,

"Do lizards have faith?"

I didn't understand what he was asking because it was so random. I asked him to repeat the question.

"Do lizards have faith."

I didn't get it and was quiet trying to figure out what he was talking about. In my silence he expounded,

"Lizards can walk on water so they must have faith. Right?"

Right.

Mrs. Camp

I have been waiting for this day since kindergarten graduation. I finally found out Austin's first grade teacher this morning.

Mrs. Camp

Even through the kindergarten year I had a lot of worries about first grade and who his teacher was going to be (maybe I'm a perputal worrier and have the need to worry about something!) I hated that they didn't tell us who the new teacher was until a week before school started. But I survived the waiting and now I know.

That is the one teacher I prayed he wouldn't have (the aid scares me.)

But I have to be positive. I can't make any judgments or conclusions until I know for myself. And I will be in the classroom so I'll know. We have to give it a try. It's going to be good. I'm actually more at peace with it than I thought I'd be (at least I'm not fighting the desire to cry!)

One week of summer vacay left. One week and Austin will officially be a first grader in Mrs. Camp's class.

Yellow Dress Tradition

My grandma, Elaine Waite made this beautiful yellow dress for her only daughter (and my mother) Claudia. My mom saved this dress carefully through the years. She pulled it out again when she had her first child, me. Again the dress came out when my sisters Elaine and Karen were born and they too got to wear the dress. Again my mom saved the dress carefully until someone else could wear it. That next someone was the first grand-daughter Emma Lynn.


Emma Lynn 10 months old, Blackfoot, Idaho

A year later Elaine's daughter Lorna was able to wear it. The next grand-daughter, Ruth came 3 years later. Ruth has actually wore this dress a lot more than Emma Lynn or Lorna ever did but I could never seem to get a good picture of her in it. I figured this Sunday was my last try (the dress is getting a little short!) The pressure paid off and we got a good one.


Rooster 17 1/2 months old, Vale, Oregon


She was excited to say good morning to the cows but I love her big girl pig tails.

So its time to retire the dress again until the next grand-daughter comes along. There is something very cool and heart warming about a beautiful yellow dress stitched with love so many years ago.

Oregon Coast - Day Six & Seven

Saturday, August 1st & 2nd

Time to go home.

Rooster woke up early (as she did everyday) and so we went and took a nice long shower together. Then I started to pack up everything I could without disturbing the rest of our sleeping camp. Slowly they started getting up. At 9:30 I woke the rest so we would actually get out of camp before nightfall!

We had a lot of stuff. We worked hard and got it all packed back into our 3 vehicles. It was noon by the time we rolled out. I had plans to stop as see the beach in Depoe Bay but there was no way I was stopping since it was already that late. I knew I was up against the clock. It was a long drive home and I was already exhausted from a week of camping, not to mention starting the coast trip tired from the 2 back-to-back trip before (Vegas and YC.)

For some reason our caravan (again Becca and I) was slow. And then poor Jacqlyn got sick was threw up a couple of times. poor girl! Then others starts to complain of stomach cramps...and I was fighting off sleep with a short stick. By the time we got to Sisters I asked Becca what she thought about spending the night in Bend. She was more than all for it!

The rest is a HUGE thanks to Kurt. He reserved us a family suite at the Best Western and agreed to teach all the Young Women for me Sunday morning. I have been telling you how amazing he is!!! Basically I knew he was the only person I could ask that would still love me afterwards. That and he is an fabulous teacher and I knew the girls would benefit from him.

We order a pizza and were able to relax. It felt so good! The kids and moms all enjoyed the hotel room and sleeping on a bed.



Sunday morning we got up around 10 (I think everyone was exhausted!) And back on the road by noon. I was determined to get home by this point! So we drove without stopping (4 hours.) Lake and Emma both needed a bathroom by the end but I had no mercy. It was pretty wonderful to see Kurt again! And Vale even looked good to me. ;)

Some Favorite Quotes:

Austin: "The next time we moved, let's move here."
Me: "How is dad going to sell pivots at the coast?"
Austin: "He can cut down all the trees and then put up pivots!"

As we drove past a logging company for the first time Spencer looked out the window and said, "Look, Lincoln logs!"

Emma: "I want to be a boy because they get to do cool stuff."
Austin: "Oh no Emma. Jesus made you special because you are a girl. You are lucky to be a girl. You are special."

As we pulled up into the yard we all said how excited we were to see dad again and couldn't wait to hug and kiss him. Spencer said, "I'm going to sit on his head again!"

A new summer coast trip tradition has been born!

Life at Camp (Devil's Lake)

Most of my pictures and postings have been about the beach and the coastal beauties. But the trip would not be complete if I didn't talk about camping. We spent the entire week camping. I think that is the longest I've ever camped in a tent (if you can remember a longer time please correct me!)



I loved the camp set up (you did a great job Tudy!) Especially having one tent just for clothes. The sleeping arrangement even worked well (minus the fact that any child that sleeps near me even if it is not my own magnetizes towards me as they sleep. I'm talking leech type suction. That's just camping!)


Tudy and Rooster enjoying camp food



And before I forget: the next time you are at the beach take a bottle of baby powder with you. It is a miracle cure to get sand off your body after you are done playing. Works like a charm! We went through a couple bottles with all those kids! ;)



The camp group had a very nice bathroom and shower facility. Generally a no-no in my book when it comes to camping. But this trip was definitely an exception to the rule for 3 reasons: 1. length 2. sand 3. kids ~ 'nough said!





One reason why the trip was so great was the 4 older kids were so much help! They are wonderful kids for starters. They were so quick to jump in or help without complaining when we asked. They took kids to the bathroom, oversaw showers, held babies, played games, made crafts and read books to the younger kids. When I was short a hand it was a God send. Plus it made the younger kids feel pretty special.
Thank you, THANK YOU to Lake, Gage, Johanna and Brooks!


Lake giving Rooster a ride

Oregon Coast - Day Five

We are leaving for another camping trip today so I need to get the coast finished up before I leave otherwise it'll never happen!

Friday, July 31st

We hadn't really checked out the local beach in Lincoln City except for the first night we got there to see the sunset. So we spent the morning playing there. It was still pretty windy and the adults were bundled up while the youngest kids insisted on swimming suits and other summer attire. Or you could be like Spencer and just strip down to your underwear and run off. It's great to be three!


Austin and LeBraun exploring the rocks


Spencer in yet another Baywatch run along the beach


Spencer's freshly dug hole complete with Diego underwear





Everyone kind of did their own thing. The older kids were bored and so they didn't stay very long. They younger kids loved it so we stayed for quite a while. Back at camp we had lunch (we prepared 20 packages of ramen noodles!) We were a lot more laid back today which kind of felt nice not to rush off to the next thing and make sure every moment was packed.

Dena had found a cool park and so we all went and checked it out after lunch. It was pretty cool and kids big and small had a great time playing (that definitely includes me!)









We had a nice relaxing evening back at camp. It felt good to have a day to chill.

A New Piece

I have been looking on craig's list for months for an armoire. Ever since we became a two violin house hold it seemed like the music corner was overtaking the living room. Then my old french horn arrived. Not to mention the karaoke machine that provides great dances at our house. And don't forget the CD collection and horde of music books (which I find completely addicting!) Last week I finally bought a metronome too. So as you can see I wanted a place to keep all the music stuff neat and tidy and still look nice.

Earlier this summer I found one that was really cheap and it looked like a good deal. I was on my way out of town (big surprise) and so we made plans for me to pick it up when I returned. Long story short they sold it while I was gone. It really made me mad!

Yesterday I found a big black heavy duty armoire that I really, really liked. I was able to get through to the buyer before someone else (small miracle in itself.) Through Kurt's support and love we made plans to pick it up this afternoon. I am now the proud owner of a beautiful armoire. I LOVE IT! It is huge and very sturdy. It has a great antique look that I really like. And more importantly everything fits inside (with room to spare) and the music corner is once again organized. Thanks Kurt, I love it (and you!)