Two Months...

Baby Chase,

It is so hard to believe it's been two months since we saw your sweet face. In so many ways, it has felt like a lifetime since we've held you, and kissed your tiny nose. But, as we looked at all of your sweet pictures tonight, we could remember every moment as if it was yesterday. Oh, how I miss feeling the weight of holding you, and the joy of discovering each of your little parts. My heart aches to be your mommy and take care of you, baby boy.

We do have peace in knowing you are perfectly content right where you are...and that someday, we will get to kiss your nose, and be with you again in the way we want to, with no tears, and no sadness.

So much has happened in eight short weeks, and we have so many things to tell you about. I want you to know how you have changed our world...and how you have given your mommy and daddy a new perspective on this life we live. We cry for what we have lost, but we do so with hope and thanksgiving, because of what we have gained.

You are a precious boy, Chase Allen. And, we are honored to call you ours.

And, as you can see, you have many...many...many people who love you so much.

So, happy two month birthday...or, as Abby Kate sings so adorably, "Hap Bertday" to you. :)

Another "Compassioned" Child!

As Kendyll says, another child has been "compassioned". (She means "sponsored", and usually corrects herself...but I LOVE the phrase "compassioned" instead. :) It's very appropriate.)

Either way you say it, another precious child has been added to the list!!

Mukunzi Eric is 13 years old from Rwanda.

He is one of five children, and lives with his parents, who are farmers.

He loves rolling a hoop, playing soccer, and playing with cars.

And, now, he will have the food, clothing, and education he needs every month to not just survive...but to thrive with new life!

We are so thankful!

Scattered Thanksgiving Thoughts

Yes, this will be scattered. What else have you come to expect, though, really?!

*We got a wonderful Thanksgiving gift this week. Baby Chase's life was honored once again, and sweet "Mushi" from Rwanda has been added to the ever-growing list of precious sponsored children on our sidebar. I'm currently working on a new list of these wonderful names to go on my bathroom mirror, so we can pray for all of these children daily without butchering their names. I was doing pretty well at remembering their names when there were a few, but I'm THRILLED that the list is growing too long to remember! I hope and pray that it keeps growing and growing...

*One of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving break: relaxation with the kids! Look at this pile of girls on one {small} couch!

I wish I could say they were watching the Thanksgiving Day parade with me, but they weren't. Way too many interviews interspersed with a float or two...not exactly as interesting as I thought it would be for them. Instead, they giggled their heads off at the Tom and Jerry cartoon marathon. Go figure.

*I have three cute turkeys, even though I don't have many pictures of our festivities this week. This one photo session will have to do. :) Abby Kate was NOT in the mood for pictures, due to being 2 hours behind on naptime for the day. I love this picture anyway because Carlie and Kendyll were trying to make her smile.

No such luck. We got "talk to the back" instead.

And, then we got frowny face Katers.

So, we decided to go with individual pictures rather than the group shot. Two beautiful smiles of her sisters...

...plus the promise of a Lucky Charm marshmallow...

...and there was the Abby Kate smile I love! What a turkey!!

*We have had two wonderful days of Thanksgiving with our families, and have more to come today with the fun Christmas parade with Grandad and Grankay, a family tradition from past years! (go here ('06) and here ('07) and here ('08).) I love each and every one of these people so much. I love watching my kids love their cousins and play all day with them. I love hearing the laughter of family, smelling fall candles, trying new desserts, spending time together without any effort in our conversation. And, I love that all of our family just love us right where we are, even when I'm not all that festive. :)

I will admit. Thanksgiving was much harder than I even expected. And, that feeling of "everything being difficult" gets old...not because I expect it to be gone any time soon, but because it's exhausting to ride the waves of emotion. As I told my mom, it wasn't as if all day long I kept thinking "Chase should be here" or "I miss Chase". It was just that feeling--which now has become familiar to me--that feeling that, as hard as I try, I just can't be myself. There are even moments when I just can't feel much at all. I feel like I'm out of my body, watching everyone else converse, laugh, eat...and then I'm surprised to hear later from family that I was doing all of those things too. I didn't feel like I was.

*I was thankful that our family did these special cards as an activity this year. Since I wasn't very good at real conversation this year, I at least got to write my feelings down for my family. I have loved watching the girls light up when they hear what was written about them. What a wonderful way to show our thankfulness for each other. Great idea, Cassie.

*If there's anything I've come to understand in the last two months, it's that I don't really understand any of this at all. There are multiple days in a row--even a whole week--where I am so peaceful, so inspired by all that I'm seeing the Lord doing, and so engaged in my life as mommy to these girls. I don't want a life defined by my grief. I don't want to limit what God has planned, because I know His way is perfect. But, then, I have such moments of weakness. And, I know God's okay with that. I send my questions and my hurts right up to Him, and I know He expects it and welcomes it. I'm so glad. I truly do see why the psalmists can question deeply and then praise even more deeply in the same psalm. Because the questions and the heartache may come first. But, without fail, the heartache truly does send me right into a place of praising Him...for being in total control, when I can tell I'm not. :)

*I'm also so very glad that I can walk through all of these days...the good, the wonderful, the exciting, the bad, the sad, and the ugly...with my sweet husband by my side. Seriously. He is amazing. He had to listen to quite a "rant" this week from me, and he just so patiently and compassionately stood there and let me cry {and yell}. And, then he told me I didn't yell. So sweet of him to try and make me feel better. :) I can't imagine anyone else who could know me and love me the way he does. I'm so thankful.

*So, since this blog seems to be headed in the direction of full disclosure anyway...the thing I was crying {and loudly talking} about was the dilemma of how to include Chase in our home. We have been rehanging pictures on our "picture wall" upstairs, because I had this vinyl phrase made...

I have always loved adding new pictures in this spot and seeing how the girls have grown. I still love that part. But, how do I do this now? How do I hang pictures of my three beautiful girls without including his sweet face too? Especially when I already had the new spacing all worked out for his big 11x14 picture. How is this possible that I have one child who will never grow, who I'll never change new pictures out for? And, how do I include his pictures, in the appropriate way, when I have three kids to consider? It needs to be "just right"...where my girls appreciate his presence, but are not overwhelmed by it. Where I see happiness when I see his pictures, and not dwell in the sadness of what we don't have. I think we have come up with some good solutions in the last two days. But, it's still not perfect in my mind...

{Let me interject another struggle I have often.} I actually think it's one way satan gets to me...by making me feel like what we have isn't good enough. This is especially painful when I spend time comparing my situation to others. So, I try my hardest to resist it. But, I hurt that I can't have pictures of my son's face on my wall. His feet are cute. His little hands are cute. But, because of the situation of his death, his face and body are not healthy looking like I want them to be so badly. As a mother, who loves to show her cute baby's faces (because I DO have some very cute babies!), I struggle with this. I find myself wishing often to have held him alive even for one minute, so that I could remember him with pink cheeks and life in his eyes. So that I could have the baby pictures that I have of the other girls, even if that's all I ever have. And, so that the girls would have those too. However, I am again thankful, that I have the pictures I do. They will always be treasures for me, even if I can't share many of them with all of you, or with my children. He's perfect to me, and that's what matters. For now, we will share his hands and feet with the world, and we'll keep praying that God will give us satisfaction in having even that.

*I have been reminded this week, that just like Mark and I have thoughts always popping in our heads (too many to even share, really!), the girls have those every day too. And, I've heard from my family and good friends some of the ways he pops into their heads too. It reminds me that we're all walking this road of grief. I'm not alone, even when I feel like I am. Here are a few of those from the girls this week...

Wednesday night, after everyone had left our house from our first Thanksgiving, we were watching Lady and the Tramp as a family. I was snuggled between Kendyll and Carlie, quoting the movie {yes, I do that often}, and out of nowhere, Kendyll said "Mommy, Chase would have been two months this week, right?" She was right...and I realized she was thinking the same thing I was. The little baby boy in this movie reminds us that we don't have ours with us.

On our way home from Thanksgiving last night, out of nowhere, Carlie said "What kind of clothes do we wear in heaven?" As we talked to her about what we know and what we don't know about heaven, she then asked "So what is Chase wearing? Do you think he's wearing all white because that's what I think." Oh...heart breaking to know these are the thoughts my kids are having.

Abby Kate's favorite game on my Iphone is one where she can launch balloons to a {quite annoying} little song. But, it's her very favorite thing to do. And, as she does it she says "Aaaallll my balloons go to Chase!" The other day, when I heard the familiar {annoying} song from the backseat, I said "Abby Kate, are you sending balloons to Chase?" She said "Yeah. Chase has LOTS of balloons! He's really happy!"

There are times where their thoughts surprise me, but, at the same time, I'm not surprised. I have them all day, fleeting through my head, sometimes heavy, sometimes not.

...Yesterday, as Mark hit the same bump on the road that used to make me cringe in pain and grab my pregnant belly...well, now it doesn't hurt at all. And, it makes me sad.

...Or, the random comedy we watched the other night, where a woman was talking about breastfeeding. It was supposed to be funny, but all I thought about was my boy.

Oh, the list could go on and on...

But, since I've slowly gone off track from the Thanksgiving thoughts, I'll stop there.

We hope you all had a wonderful week with family. Thank you to so many who sent me texts and emails, letting me know I wasn't far from your thoughts. You will never know what it means.

I'm going to close with a new song and album that we are LOVING right now. Casting Crowns just relased their newest CD, and their cover is a picture of a little boy sitting high above a city, just looking out over it. Next to him sits a megaphone. NOT coincidence if you ask me. That megaphone is being used, through Chase in our lives. As my friend Becky said in an email, "We love your son...and the way His life is calling us to love the Lord more in tangible ways...ways that make a difference...Jesus at work through your son's life is making His heart known, advancing His kingdom, causing others to want to know Him better."

Shout it loud, Chase. :)

One of my favorite songs from this CD, is Always Enough...

In a dry and weary land, Lord, you are the rain.

In a sea of shattered ones, Your love comes rushing in.

You hold the world within Your hands,

And see each tear that falls.

Through every fire and every storm,

You're always enough,

always enough.

Your love is peace to the broken

Faith for the widow, hope for the orphan

strength for the weak.

Your love is the anthem of nations,

Rings out through the ages,

And you're always enough for me.

Keep my heart in perfect peace.

My life is in your hands.

When confusion hides my way,

You're always enough,

always enough.

I rejoice, for my Savior reigns.

I rejoice, for He lives in me.

God on high, He has set me free,

and worthy is the Lord!

Your love is peace to the broken

Faith for the widow, hope for the orphan

strength for the weak.

Your love is the anthem of nations,

Rings out through the ages,

And you're always enough for me.

In a dry and weary land,

Lord you are the rain...

Thanksgiving Tradition

This year, we celebrated our third annual thanksgiving tradition with the girls. We had our "Eating the Plates" pilgrim dinner, and once again, had such a great time learning about the pilgrims, eating like they did (which was NOT turkey and stuffing!), and following their rules and manners.

As I said last year, it is HARD work to be a Pilgrim momma! I told Mark that now I know why Pilgrims were not attractive women. They were working too hard trying to cook all this food!! In fact, as we looked at three years worth of pictures of this tradition, I have a ponytail in, and barely any makeup on my face by the time we get around to picture taking every year.

It's quite a process! But, as the girls get older, I have some great helpers who enjoy the cooking part as much as the eating part!

This year, Kendyll made the Indian Pudding all by herself, as well as shucked the corn, mixed ingredients for the other dishes, set the table, and wrote the menus and rules.

Of course, I wasn't trying to be a slave driver. She actually decided to do our traditional dinner for her semester project for school. So, she spent alot of time working on both the meal, and her final display! It looked great!! And, I was so proud of her for really planning the entire board from start to finish. I did help her with the cutting-board and gluing on the papers, but she did the rest completely by herself. GREAT job, my big pilgrim girl!

This year's pilgrim meal was the same as past years: Succotash Stew, Corn Soup, Indian Pudding, Baked Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Bread, Bannock Cakes with maple syrup, and Swizzle (cider) to drink.

And, the girls ACTUALLY liked it this year! That was a first! Carlie had three helpings of succotash stew. The only food not feeling any love at all was the butternut squash. :)

The rules were the same as well: 1) No forks allowed (eating with fingers was common for pilgrims) 2) You must eat all that you are given (love that rule!) 3) You may wear your hat except when you are toasting 4) Children must stand to eat (it was rude for them to sit in the presence of adults) 5) Wash your hands before you stick them in the pot. 6) Do not scratch your lice at the table. (There were many funny rules, and those are just a few...)

Some other funny things about the pilgrims...

They were very content with very little. They felt that to have too many "things" was to be excessive, and they preferred to live simply.

Because they had little, they shared what they had. For example, during dinner, they all shared one cup, and passed it around the table. (Carlie LOVES this part of dinner, and usually guzzles more than her share of cider. :)

They also ate on stale bread, to save on the effort of washing dishes and because they usually didn't have enough plates. Once again, the children were expected to share with each other.

The Pilgrims worked HARD every day, with the women spending many, many hours in the kitchen preparing the meals. The men sometimes only stopped and stood by the fire to eat quickly before returning to their hard work outside.

There are definitely some GREAT lessons to learn from the Pilgrims about hard work, contentment, and selflessness. We spent some time talking about these character traits with our girls, and reminding ourselves about the importance of those things as parents and adults in this world! I enjoyed hearing the girls understand and appreciate how much more difficult their lives were than ours. (Maybe I can use that the next time they complain about cleaning their room or something awful like that. :)

Of course, the other part of this tradition, is the annual celebration of "Daddy Eats Beans" day. Mark detests beans, but he eats them every year on this day only, (since he has to finish what is on his plate!), and the girls go crazy with excitement as they watch him moan and groan.

Even Abby Kate got into it this year and has been chanting for weeks and weeks "Daddy eat beans! Daddy eat beans!" Oh, the giddiness of these girls.

And, here is Kendyll showing her completed project to Gammy and Grandma at Grandparent's Day last week. There were so many great projects, as always, and we are always fascinated to see what different children come up with!

Kendyll's program was especially good this year to me, and Mark and I both talked later about how many times we cried listening to these sweet kids reciting scripture and poetry. It is definitely my favorite day of the year at Providence. :)

The second graders recited Psalm 111 this year, and I have asked Kendyll to repeat it to me many times, especially when we're driving in the car and I just want to hear scripture (especially coming out of her sweet mouth!). There was a day a few weeks ago, when I was sad. In fact, I was fighting back tears on the way to school that morning. All of a sudden, I hear Kendyll speaking these words, and they were so good for my heart:

Psalm 111

Hallelujah! I will praise the Lord with all my heart

in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

The Lord's works are great,

studied by all who delight in them.

All that He does is splendid and majestic;

His righteousness endures forever.

He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

He has provided food for those who fear Him;

He remembers His covenant forever.

He has shown His people the power of His works

by giving them the inheritance of the nations.

The works of His hands are truth and justice;

all His instructions are trustworthy.

They are established forever and ever,

enacted in truth and uprightness.

He has sent redemption to His people.

He has ordained His covenant forever.

His name is holy and awe-inspiring.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

all who follow His instructions have good insight.

His praise endures forever.

The Thanksgiving holiday is one I love. And, many of you who have been reading my blog a while, already know my feelings about how easily Thanksgiving gets lost in the shuffle between Halloween and Christmas. (Go here to read more of my rant...)

This year, I look forward to being with family throughout Thanksgiving week. Yes, this was a hard year, but we are able to acknowledge---with ease---all the beautiful blessings our family has received even on the most difficult of days. We give thanks for so many things, including each and every one of you who are reading these words. Where would we be without you? Thank you for your support, love, prayers, and encouragement...and for continuing even now to lift us up to the Great Comforter. And, thank you, God, for your amazing, steadfast love and comfort. It surpasses my understanding every single day. Thank you for our Chase, and also for our three sweet, amazing girls and their hearts for You. We are so incredibly blessed.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him."

Our Littlest Pilgrim

This week was Abby Kate's first program and oh was she cute!! She was a pilgrim girl and, although I think she knew the songs, she wasn't real big on practicing or singing them for us at home. Apparently, she wasn't real big on singing them on stage either. She spent most of the time with her hands in her mouth...

But, then again, I'm not sure that any of the two year olds were singing. This picture says it all.

But, these cuties don't even need to open their mouths...they were adorable just standing there in their cute costumes. It truly is the cutest thing to watch two year olds on a stage for the first time. :)

But, Abby Kate did eventually warm up to the whole idea, and sang the last line or so of her song: "happy day, happy day". And, she also finally smiled!!

The cutest pilgrim anywhere!

She also had quite the fan club watching and cheering her on.

These girls were literally standing on their seats to see their baby sister/cousin/friend, waving and clapping. And, it's always fun for the girls to be back at Sunshine School after years of attending themselves...this year, the big kids even got to lead the pledge of allegiance as "alumni".

Could Carlie be any happier? I'm always amazed to see how much these two little friends look like each other!! Sweet Caroline...

Abby Kate also had Grandma, Sophie, Gammy, and Papa Ron come cheer her on and see her school.

After the program, we got to see Abby Kate's classroom, her Thanksgiving work, and all of her friends. We hear about her friends all the time, and they are prayed for nightly. This is her little friend, Carter, who she likes to hold hands with at school. :)

And, her teacher, Mrs. Amy, has achieved celebrity status with our two year old. AK is in love with her, and it is fun to watch her love on Mrs. Amy, pray for Mrs. Amy, and constantly talk about her school days with Mrs. Amy.

We loved her first little program, and loved hearing what she is thankful for (the funniest being "Pei Wei"). She enjoyed her program too, and for the last several days, she has talked about her big Sunshine School debut with such pride: "My sang songs at my program!" and "I was a pilgrim girl!"

And, a precious pilgrim girl she was!

Sweet Words...

I got this email from my friend, Kim, this week. I know that many of you who read this blog have walked a similar road of grief or loss. So, I especially wanted you to read this. It touched my heart and made me cry at the picture this poem painted. But, I've learned to love those tearful moments, when God speaks to me yet again of His great purposes.

Once upon a special day in Heaven up above,

the tiniest souls sat at God's feet, surrounded by His love.

"The time is coming very soon", God said, "Do not be scared.

Your family awaits your arrival, now let us get prepared."

And so God looked upon these souls, in mute consideration.

He knew the life each one would live,

He weighed each situation.

The souls chatted amongst themselves, and wondered who they'd be.

They knew the day grew closer;

Soon they'd meet their family.

"How would you like to change the world?" God asked each soul in fun.

"The chance to change a soul, a heart, is held by only one."

"I'm going to make the world laugh", one soul said with a smile,

"For laughter heals a broken heart, and helps us through each trial."

"Then take with you the brightest smile and share your laughter well".

The soul thanked God immensely and down to earth he fell.

"And, I'll remind the world to sing", the next little soul raised her hand.

"Some people only need a friend, someone to understand."

"Compassion is a good thing," God said with much delight.

"To you I'll give mercy. You'll perceive wrong from right."

And so each soul shared every thought,

their plans, their hopes, their dreams.

And God explained that life, it is much harder than it seems.

And as each soul began to leave in a scurry of laughter and fun,

Heaven became quiet and still, for left was only one.

"Come sit with me my little child," God said with just a sigh.

"Do you know how many you will touch, in a world left wondering why?"

"Before your life comes to an end, you will know much strife,

but you'll teach those who know you,

to cherish the smallest things in life."

"And some may only know you through a simple photograph,

they'll never hold you in their arms, or memorize your laugh.

Some may only know you through the words they read each day,

but you'll do something wonderful: you'll make them stop and pray."

The tiniest soul raised his head up, to touch God's firm, strong hand.

"Father, I am ready for the life that you have planned.

And, I will do the best I can without a word or deed.

For you, Lord, are the planter, and I will be your seed."

He could already hear many praying,

and although they had not seen his face,

they were praying for his safe arrival,

they were asking for mercy and grace.

"What talent do I leave with, Lord? What gift do you impart?"

"All that you will need", God said, "I've placed within your heart."

And so God kissed this tiny child, knowing all that he would be,

and whispered as he watched him go...

"You'll teach them...to love me."

Such perfect words. We love you, Chase, and we thank you God, for teaching us to love You more.

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

Christmas Shopping?

Are you still looking for the perfect gift for Christmas this year? If so, I have a few ideas to share...

But, before I do...

We are proud to add another sweet child to our list of sponsored children!!! A precious 7 year old from Haiti, named MacKender is now added to the group of children being given new life!! Randy and Susan, he will be prayed for daily in our home, along with the others. Thank you for honoring our precious Chase in this way and for stepping out to take care of those who need it most. Here is a quote from their email today: "Even though Chase is now in heaven, it is heartwarming to know he still lives in so many hearts throughout the world through the sponsoring of these precious children." Amen to that!!

And, on that note, can I share that my heart is burdened with the needs of children around the world? It always has been, but even more so in recent weeks. Mommies just like you and me are losing their children so unnecessarily. So....I've been thinking. What if we all decided to give gifts of a different kind this year? Even if you've always adopted a family or given to the local toy drive at Christmas time, what if we went beyond that and really tried to meet the needs of those who need it most?

One great idea that a friend gave me (and we plan to begin doing this year with our kids) is to give your children a specific amount of money, for them to spend in the World Vision catalog of gifts. These gifts range from giving a goat, chicken, or cow to a family, all the way to buying clean water or a fishing pond for a village. We plan to let each of our girls "shop" for others in this way, and let them buy what they would like to share most. I think it's a great way to touch others' lives, while also showing your children what should matter most during this giving season.

Another opportunity to give is by supplying drinking water through this site. It's amazing to me that 4500 mothers bury their babies every day because they drink contaminated water. Meanwhile, we use fresh, clean water to flush the toilet or water our yard. Can you imagine offering your child this to drink?

Last week, I got to attend a worship service with my friend, Amy. It was called God of the City, and is a movement to rid the city of Dallas of hunger, by encouraging churches of all denominations and affiliations to come together in the name of Jesus and supply our food banks with what they need to take care of this city. It was an amazing time of worship, and two numbers stood out to me from that evening:

We spend 60 BILLION dollars on Christmas every year in America. It would cost only 6 BILLION dollars to give fresh drinking water to the entire world. Something to consider as a Christmas gift this year? I think so!

Another number that stood out was this: If only 6% of Christians adopted a child, there would be no more children in orphanages. Now, I don't know where they get these numbers, or how accurate that is, but I do know that God has a plan for each of those children, and there are many of us who could provide for them. Even if you're not ready to adopt a child for Christmas this year (ha ha), you could provide support for the orphanages around the world, or sponsor your own child through Compassion or World Vision. Our family has been blessed tremendously by our sponsored kids through Compassion, and we hope to continue adding these sweet children to our "family". We gave the gift of a sponsored child to our girls for Christmas a few years ago and got to watch as they learned all they could about who she was, where she lived, what she liked to do. And, they have loved sweet Atsupuhi ever since.

One of my newest and greatest passions is the Touch a Life foundation, the ministry of Pam Cope in Ghana, Africa. Children as young as four years old are sold by their parents and forced to fish on Lake Volta in absolutely horrific conditions. And, Touch a Life is not only rescuing these children, but also giving them abundant life, full of joy. If you'd like to read more about this amazing ministry, go here. To learn more about the problem of slavery in Ghana, go here. (And, read her book!!) It will change the way you see the blessings in our lives. And, it makes me ready to go rescue a few of these sweet children myself!!

There are so many ways to help and so many needs. Let's make this Christmas about them instead of about us. And, I think it will be just the beginning for change in this city, this country, and this world. A sermon I was listening to last night said this: "If Jesus truly had the freedom to live His life out through me, what would He do with my life to make a difference in this world?" I love that challenge of really being Jesus like we've said we will be--and allowing Him to do what He wants with what He's given us.

It also might amaze us all how passionate our children can be about this too! Their hearts were made by our Creator, who gave them a great capacity to love and to give. Why not start now with helping them see a bigger world that they can help change?

I know for me, seeing my children grow in their passion for others and their capacity to love and serve the world, would make it a very Merry Christmas to me. :)

What are some ideas you have for giving to others this holiday season?

Dancing Hibiscus & Rainbow Warrior

Against Mark's wishes, I included his macho Indian name in the title. Now, he was of course named by his oldest daughter. But, it still makes me laugh. For their Indian Princess group, they named themselves two years ago. And, I smile every time Kendyll calls herself a "dancing hibiscus" and her daddy the "rainbow warrior" (taken straight from his Hawaii roots).

This weekend, we spent some time at the Ranch with Gammy and Papa Ron, while Kendyll (Dancing Hibiscus) and Mark (Rainbow Warrior) had a campout with the other second grade girls and their dads! Kendyll was so excited to have her friends out to the Ranch, and it was fun to watch them all getting dirty and having fun together. Mom and I would watch from the kitchen window as a trail of little girls went running across the pasture. Such a great thing to see. :)

Papa Ron worked hard to make the ranch the perfect campout setting, complete with a bonfire pit, hay bale seating, and a level campground for tents. And, Mark joined in on the preparation to make sure everything was exactly as Kendyll had hoped for her big weekend too. Looks good to me!

This is a girl after my own heart. Check out these to-do lists she made for the upcoming weekend:

I love that each of her items had a box for a checkmark. Don't even ask how many of my childhood checklists had the same boxes. :) Yes, I organized my church camp clothes by the day they would be worn, and then wrote them out with check boxes to make sure they all got put back in my suitcase. So, what can I say...she comes by it honestly.

I also loved some of the items on her list, including "find an interesting bug" and "get dirty". I think she accomplished almost everything she had planned in just 24 hours!!

From what I hear, this gang fit quite a lot into those hours, including multiple fishing trips to the pond, hay rides, bone hunts, campfire singing, swinging, hay bale climbing, sunset watching, lots of eating, and they even had a little time for girl drama. :) I was very glad to hear that the drama was prayed over, though, by our girls. And, according to Kendyll, that prayer was answered because they were all happy the next morning. Amazing what prayer (and some sleep) will do for your spirits!!

Look at these cuties! Some of the sweetest girls around for sure.

And, Mark had such a great time with the dads too. There was lots of time for relaxing and chatting, as the girls entertained themselves with flashlights in the tents. :)

Another one of my favorites: the makeshift porta-potty! I was shocked to hear that the potty was not patrolled by the responsible fathers!! Mark told me that everyone started dying laughing when they discovered what the porta-potty looked like by the end of their trip. Hilarious.

Meanwhile, while the Indians were camping, Carlie, Abby Kate, and I relaxed at the house for the weekend. Most of the time, you could find Carlie doing this with her two favorite dogs in the world:

And, Abby Kate just hung with Mommy and Gammy. I love this picture of her on her way across the pasture to find Daddy.

She was on her way to share great news with him: No more passy!!! We finally gave it up while we were there this weekend, and yes, we are WAY overdue for this. Honestly, mommy was more addicted than Abby Kate was. So far, she's surviving just fine, and so am I, although naptimes are shorter these days. It will be worth it, though, if maybe someday she'll be able to say her "s" without a lisp. :)

We had a great weekend, Gammy and Papa! Thank you for all of your hard work to make this so fun for the girls. We love you!!