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Posts Tagged ‘fun’

Counting My Blessings–Family Vacation

Monday, September 12th, 2011

I have been blessed since I last posted for counting my blessings!  Just haven’t taken the time….and that needs to change!  I should always take time to count the many blessings–the “benefits” God loads me with–daily!  (Psalm 68:19 )

 

We were on vacation this past week–and I am so grateful for many things!

 

We originally planned to camp at Silver Lake, MI.  When we made reservations for the campsites, we found out that since we have 3 daughters over 18, and there were already “so many” of us, we had to reserve two campsites.

 

Even though we have one camper, and we would all be in it.

 

Even though we honestly wouldn’t use the other campsite!  At.All.

 

I do understand there is a reason for rules like this, but it did seem a bit over-the-top!   Added to that, we would have to pay an entrance fee daily.  Per vehicle.  We always need to take two vehicles because the van can’t pull our camper safely.

 

I have to admit my attitude was not very grateful at the time! :P

 

But we all came around to accept it– it is what it is!   So with renewed zest, we planned our vacation!

 

The Wednesday before we were to leave, a few of us happened to be at a friend’s, and one of the girls had shared about our camping plans.    As we were getting ready to leave, our friend waited until the last of the girls went on out, then proceeded to offer their lake cottage to us!!!

 

To say I was floored would be an understatement! :D

 

He showed me pictures of the “cottage”….

 

 

 

 

Truly a delightful place!

 

We were beyond grateful for this precious gift, so close to Lake Michigan and about the same distance to another lake near Holland, MI.   I could sit in this lovely sunroom and watch the sunrise over Lake Macatawa:

 

 

 

 

(The rocker in the right corner was “my” spot!)

 

The whole cottage was decorated simply, yet with beauty that fed the heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With beautiful porches and balconies….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a very short walk to Lake Michigan!

 

 

Where children (and Daddy and Mommy!) could walk in the sand and along the cold, but refreshing waters….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make “sand angels”! ;)

 

 

 

 

Play tag with the waves….

 

 

 

“Surf” on an old board that washed up….

 

 

Or just hang out with some of your “best friends”!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bury your children in the sand?!

 

 

 

Do “school” (sandwriting!)….

 

 

And build sand castles (engineering and architecture)!

 

 

 

 

Watch a sailboat

 

Listen to the surf crash up onto the shore–don’t you love the blue, blue water and sky?

 

 

Peek at something wonderful, just around the corner….

 

 

 

Watch sunsets over Lake Michigan (sigh…..)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counting my blessings:

 

13.  A vacation

14. Beautiful gift of the cottage from dear friends!

15. Quiet times on the sunporch

16. Watching the sun rise over Lake Macatawa

17. Beauty to feed the soul

18. Porches and balconies for sitting, relaxing and dreaming

19. Lovely walk to the beach

20. The beach!

21. Lake Michigan

22. Walks along the water (and sometimes IN the water!)

23. Watching the children enjoy the sand, sun and water

24. Helping them dig and having fun with them

25. Fresh air

26. Watching sailboats on the blue waters

27. Watching sunsets over Lake Michigan

28. Spending time with friends

29. Eating ice cream every day! :)

30. Seeing God’s beauty in His nature

31. Rest

32. Good weather!

 

And the best blessing of all–

 

 

33. Spending time with family!

 

 

 

 

Thank You, Lord, for Your many, many blessings this past week!

 

 

 

An Adventure–and Then Some!

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

How do you describe the wonderful time a family can have on a 5283 mile trip “out East”?!

My girls have done a much better job keeping up–both on their blog as well as in their visual journals!  I wish I could have worked on mine in the van as we were going, but that never seemed to work out!   Guess  they have had more experience working in tight quarters than me!  ;)

It was definitely worth all the packing and planning and persevering to make it happen!

I really have to give the girls a LOT of credit—I became extremely ill the Saturday before we left.  In fact, even until Thursday I was beginning to wonder if we were going to have to postpone the trip!  But I started feeling better and well enough to get my stuff washed and packed–nothing like waiting until the 11th hour!!!!

We knew it was an ambitious trip and that we couldn’t “see it all” no matter how much we wanted to!    It was great, though, to do what we could and at least hit the highlights.    And learning continued to take place–the girls would look things up on the internet when we got to a hotel or McDonald’s (for free WiFi!).   Road Scholars, indeed!  :D

We were gone 19 1/2 days.  We only stayed at hotels 7 of those 19 nights!  The rest we stayed at the homes of wonderful family and friends, and even had a few quick visits with family and friends sprinkled in between those!   Sometimes it made it hard to leave in the mornings, though, because we enjoyed the fellowship so much!   And a few times, it meant we bumped a few things off “the list” to be able to enjoy that fellowship!

Was it worth it all?!

A resounding YES!!!!

Fabulous Family Friday–FairSchooling?!

Friday, July 16th, 2010

 

I promise that next week I will return to my regularly scheduled posts!  This week has been a full one, with today being our last day of the 4-H fair.  This was Susannah’s last year–but she’ll be back as a helper next year!  (Are true 4-H-ers ever really “done”?! ;) )

 

I thought you might see how “school” fits into the fair!  :)

 

 

 

How is this educational, you ask?

 

Can’t you see it’s engineering?  Roadbuilding? Dirtmoving? (with your brother’s croc shoe, of course! ;) )  Memory skills?  (Where did I bury that red “woo-woo” truck?!)

Life-skills-learning at its best! LOL!

 

 

 (Close-up of “using your brother’s croc to move dirt”!

Problem solving, you know! ;) )

 

 

 

That’s stretching it a bit, you say?

 

Well, here is one that incorporates spelling, vocabulary, word usage, math and art!

 

 

 

 

 Hangman in the sand!!!

 

 

I’m sure between my girls and I, we will be giving you many glimpses into our time at the fair!

 

Enjoy life with your family!

 

And “ham it up” a little–life’s too short to be serious all the time! :D

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday–Fair Time Is Exhausting!

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday–Boys+Water=Fun!

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010