I think she's having too much fun to miss me...

Kellie has been begging to "live with Jennifer" for the summer. 
We decided just a week would be better.
She is off living with the best cousin in the world and since they are two peas in a pod I can't wait to hear the stories.
But....it's much quieter than normal here.  I'm used to having her around.  Running errands with me.  Fussing about what I cooked or didn't cook.  Trying to kiss her and her refusing.  Basically, I just miss the 13 year old who lives here and it happened faster than I thought it would.
The 17 year old is around some but the last couple of nights she has had plans and I'm quickly seeing that life after my kids leave home might be very boring. 
I do not care about watching the NBA draft. 
I don't want to watch another episode of Jeopardy.
He doesn't want to do any projects like painting.

I think I'm going to have to adopt some more kids.
Soon.

Back to Kellie...
She was excited to fly alone.  Until the day before and she started getting nervous which surprised me... she's brave usually.

They let me walk her back to the gate and she was glad

boarding, finally a smile

Jennifer wanted to embarrass her

and it looks like there has been some fun

 

 

 and a lot of sleeping going on...

 

 

 

Back in Lubbock we are enjoying record high temps

 

 

and that calls for some cold beverages with friends

 

 

lip gloss melts at this temp....

 

and even dogs need ice cream

 

lazy mornings

 

and some time in the redneck pool, you don't want to see that picture...

 

But most of all we're missing

 

 

 

 

hurry home Kellie and Jennifer

 

 

 

I always think it's for the kids

I'm back from a week at youth camp. 
I have realized that even though I leave for a youth camp thinking it is all about the kids I come home knowing God put me there for a reason.

The chance to watch all those kids get closer to each other, watch them worship and really minister to each other, watching my own kids grow in their faith is a privilege every time I go.

I always question my girls to make sure they want me there.  I have been involved with their children's groups and their youth groups and don't want to be there if they need some space.

 

It was funny how little I saw my own kids or really interacted with them at camp this year. 

 

 

And as usual, I came away knowing God had put me there for my growth and not just to help.
Getting to know other leaders (this year I wasn't the only leader above 25) was truly a gift. 

And I mean really getting to know their hearts, see their passion for Christ and their love for those kids.
Laughing and laughing and laughing.

Staying up way too late.















Bonding over coffee with the other coffee lovers in the group.

The worship was just for me I'm convinced. 

 I can't get this song out of my head.  I needed to be reminded I guess...

 

Your plans are still to prosper,

You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
Faithful forever,
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us

 

Being in Texas, we encountered a HUGE tarantula while we were there.  And of course the sign that makes me laugh every year

I won't make you look at the mascot statue and what is wrong with that.
On second thought

 

Youth camp, at least I get to drive instead of ride the bus

We leave tomorrow for church youth camp.  I am going as a leader/nurse. 
Luckily I am paired with one of the interns for our family group.  This is good so the kids just don't have an old teacher but the main reason is that he will be waaaay more excited about "rec" than I will.
Camp is in San Angelo. 
With a five day forecast of high of 96 everyday and humidity of about the same. 
I prayed for cooler weather. 
Right now there is a fight going on in the other room over who is riding in the car with me rather than on the bus. 
At least I am not leading either of their groups.
If I was smart, I would have stayed home and had a week without kids. 

We spent a good Father's day doing anything (almost- he wanted to see a movie we vetoed) he wanted. 
My girls are lucky to have a sweet dad who loves them to pieces.  Even though he teases them and tortures them with threats of embarrassing them, he couldn't love them more.

He and dogs will be on their own this week.
Wonder how many naps that will involve?

And I leave you with an example...

 

Summer love

School is out and summer has started.
The first week has been nice since we are all home for a change.
 I'm ready for Mike to have a new job but it's a treat to get to spend some family time together.

Kellie used her saved money for a "white trash pool" as Katie calls it.

 

Ellie thought it was a big play area when we were putting it together.

 

Elvis has adopted this raft as his own

 

Kellie spends hours in the pool.

 and she likes me to be out there all the time with her

If I'm not this is what I get

 

Mike took the top of our old entertainment center and re purposed it

He built a top for it and made a bar

 

This is the final outcome. 

He did a good job. 

 

He's been watching "Bar Rescue" and decided he needs to own a bar.  

I told him this is as close as he will come, enjoy.

 

I am loving the patio now. 

Till the next dust storm when the cleaning starts over.

 

We had friends over tonight and enjoyed dinner outside

 

 

You need to try PW's Shrimp Quesidillas

They were a hit at dinner tonight!

 

Hope your summer is off to a good start

Come hang around the bar and if you're brave you can try the white trash pool