We're Home! It Was So Great!

Well, we're home! I thought camp was until Thursday, it was actually until Wednesday. Good for us, we had a ton on things to do here to catch up.

Upon returning home, the garden looked like a wild jungle, the yard green like spring! The rains have been very good to us. Tomatoes are turning red, okra is still putting out, and we enjoyed our first cantaloupe of the season today! Finally, fruits of our labor. There were plenty of zinnias for a fresh flower bouquet on our kitchen table tonight at dinner. *sigh*

I.love.home.

We had a FANTASTIC, AMAZING, UNFORGETTABLE time at camp! Seriously, this is a top of the line place. Not fancy, and such; just seriously staff led, people lovin' , God  loving, wanna serve ya to the fullest, be like Jesus kind of place. They were so great.

Here is how it would work:

We'd wake up and have breakfast, 8:00am. After breakfast, we'd have two hours of learning initiatives, (remember, homeschool camp) We had six initiatives total. The ones we chose were:

primitive fire building
horse sense
rope making
archery
target shooting
fossils (little ones) horse trail rides (Daniel and Alli) 

Every initiative would have spiritual teaching to go along with it. So great. They would just slip it in there without it being a big deal, yet planting little seeds in our little peoples hearts. 

They had nursery for two and under during those times, so helpful. I'm not big on nursery stuff, but this was so helpful; especially since we where shooting guns, making fire, and playing with bow and arrows ; )

alli and daniel were able to go on a trail ride, the other children were too young, I did fossils with them instead.

archery

rope making with two other families

jump roping with the rope we made.

a little gun shooting ; )

I'll have you know, I shot the best out of our whole group, twice. I even beat Daniel both times. Oh, yeah... I'm a natural.

After learning initatives, it was time for lunch, 12:00. After lunch, it was free time. During free time, you had the choice of SEVERAL activities.

ropes corse

zip line

creek play

bugie jumping type things

tight ropes

rock climbing

canoeing

kayaking

basketball

pool

volleyball

and much more.

I totally zip lined! No big deal really, considering, my girls did everything known to man! They were trying to kill themselves, I think. Either that, or kill me by way of  heart attack.

that is me up there! second from the left, scared out of my mind!

 It was so great though. Do you know how much it cost to zip line? Yeah! There was no way I was going to pass up this deal. It was totally free at our camp. Everything was, we had to take advantage of it. Now, my girls going upside-down? Hmmm, I don't know about that; but they did it anyway. =)

That video is Jordan. She is sort of in the middle; dark blue shirt and yellow hat. She throws out a peace sign at the end.  ; ) Cute Jordi-Pie.

You can go HERE to see Alli. She is the one in pink. Every time you see a girl in the zip line in a pink shirt, that is her. They were camera happy with her. ;) She's such a brave soul. Speaking of brave souls, if you scroll towards the end of the pictures,  (on that link) you will see me on the zip line, hands off, being silly. I was so brave. I tell my kids all the time... "I'm such a cool mom." They don't think cool moms say that. = (

After fun time, it was dinner time. After dinner was family worship and teaching. After worship was fun time. They would have a hay ride, pool party, organized game, etc. A little bit of something for everyone. I usually headed back to the cabin to sleep with Emmyn. One night, Alli and I did some goofy stuff with the camera while Emmyn slept. 

starting out normal

I said, "let's be silly"

Alli said, "let's be snobby" she couldn't hang. =)

then we thought we'd do a  little teenager move. =)

It was so nice, being there. It was like a little peace of heaven for a few days. The kids felt normal. Everyone got a long, there were no clicks, no adult clicks or kid clicks. Everyone dressed appropriately, they all giggled like little children and the parents encouraged one another, some in word, others in deed. When worship time came, the voices filled the little chapel. It wasn't anything fancy or a big show. Just simple and good. It was a very nice change of pace.


All in all, it was such a great tip. We've already planned to start saving for next year and just so you know... I think you should too ; )

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Taking a Break... Eleos Update

Well, I have to say... I cannot beleive all the sweet emails I received about my sassy new cut! I must say, I really love it. I go through these little "mid twenties crisis" every now and again. *sigh* They won't be mid twenties much longer, well a couple more years yet. ; ) Needless to say, thank you SO much for the kind words! 

Now, for a question to tackle, "Have we really taken out our TV?" HA! Yes, we have. I suppose that is a post for another day ; ) 

Next question on the docket, Eleos update. I know, I'm so bad! Here is the update that ran in our local paper this week:

click to enlarge picture

Well, we're taking a little break, leaving tomorrow. Well today (Saturday) for Homeschool Camp. Doesn't that sound so "1980's big hair in a bun'ish"? I think so ; ) 

Anyhow, we are headin' out for five days to New Life Ranch in Colcord, OK to attend their annual homeschool family camp.  I don't know much about the camp, and I have never heard of this little town but we're sure to know all about those little details by this time next week ; )We've just struggled to find people around us who homeschool, so we thought this would be a fun  way to meet some families. Hopefully we can attend each year to see the people we meet and reconnect.

I don't expect to have email and I'm unsure about cell phone coverage. In fact, I don't even know if we will be able to store milk for my little Emmyn. I sort of didn't think we would actually get to go on this trip, so I didn't bother to get much info. Now, here we are. Hmmmmmm.... I should probably be packing. =)

Speaking of friends, I did sort of leave you hanging with my little play date last week. Well, it was super. In fact, they even came the very next day ; ) They have four children, like us, a tad bit older; youngest being seven; still the children did wonderful. We had a splended time and have even decided to do some school stuff together bi-weekly. We're going to do a state and President's club. So fun! (again, I've got the big bun feelin') 

My Loves birthday is Sunday, we celebrated tonight.

Whew! enjoy all those typos...it's late = )

Loves,


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Dear Alli, Jordan, Judah, and Emmyn... We're Coming Home

Here we are, sitting in the Denver Airport anxiously awaiting to board the plane home. We'll be kissing your sweet cheeks so very soon... I can't wait!

By now, you're home and Nana is tucking you into bed. You're there in your beds, in our home. How blessed we are.

Tomorrow, if the Lord allows, we will celebrate being together again! We'll go shopping for Eleos and buy precious ingredients to for our Thursday lunch deliveries.  We'll go get little Jada, and look at pictures from Colorado. We'll do chores, because I'm sure there are some; and we might have to go searching for three little run away kitties. =( We'll work in the garden and play in the pool.

Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday ; )

Yesterday, the family here in Colorado surprised me with a happy birthday song, a piece of cake, and homemade ice cream. How special that was! Before we left, Aunt Vickie gave me a card that all the aunts and uncles had signed. I tell you what... it was such a special week!

But, like they say... there is no place like home and I can't wait to be there.


See you soon.


Praising God!


Momma and Daddy.


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Dear Alli, Jordan, Judah, and Emmyn, We're Ready!

Well, tomorrow is the day! We are ready to come home! The days are lazy here in Colorado now that the Big Day is over =) Yesterday we went out to Clayton and Petra's breakfast then walked down to a big pond to do a little floating. It was nice to sit quiet between the mountains just talking and enjoying God's creation.  Afterward, Daddy and I came back to an empty Hostel and rested a bit. 

Later that night, we went out with a group to the Hot Springs. We have never seen anything like that. We didn't have the camera but we'll tell you all about it when we get home. Last night, it was just Rick, Ginger and us here at the Hostel. We played a mean game of Pitch... it was fun! Of course, the boys won... stinky boys. 

This morning, we took Rick and Ginger to the Airport, we wished we were flying out too ; ) Can't wait to see you guys! 

We have had such a wonderful trip though; it has been something we will never forget. Clayton and Petra's wedding was so beautiful, everyone has been so generous and kind to us, and let us not forget...he mountains are such a huge testament to Gods vastness, (how big God is)! 

Something momma has been challenged this week with is, faith. God's word says we can move mountains. Well, the other day while climbing the mountain, my faith could hardly get me up the mountain let alone move it. I've been praying a lot while here, praying God would test and grow my faith. Reading 1 Samuel and sitting alone with God has been a real treasure during our time here. 

There are other things too that Daddy and I have been able to talk about while here. Things like our foods, and our habits... I know you kids always love it when we have those great Family Meetings  =) 

Well, enough about all that. We are missing you guys and can't wait to see you! Can't wait for Alli to totally tear up, can't wait for a Jordi hug; can't wait for Judah to say the word "actually", and can't wait to hear little Emmyn say, "Hi Charlie" in her sweet little voice.

Here are some pictures we've received while we've been here... it's kept us happy =)

momma trained her right, except the naked part ; )

Love this!

We suppose it's Helen Keller dress up time = )

Emmyn doing what Emmyn loves to do... wear shoes and be naked.

look at my BIG boy!

cutie pie pepper in there!

love picnics on the sidewalk, waiting to go have fun... this is SO me!

Look at my beautiful girls.

See you soon!

Love,
Momma and Daddy

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Dear Alli, Jordan, Judah, and Emmyn, Day 4...The Big Day!

Momma and Daddy on the shuttle headed to the wedding. Alli, the dress worked out great!

The beautiful center pieces on the tables. Isn't that sooooo us! Look at the jars!

Guest seating ; ) What a great idea, huh!

During the ceremony, Petra's Dad lit this candle in memory of her mother who passes away last year.

A shot of the house from a distance.

Aunt Val and I before the ceremony started.

THERE SHE IS! (Momma and Aunt Val were totally crying by this point, she looked so beautiful.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took this video for my girls, I knew you'd love to see... the kiss! 

A picture of momma after they walked out. See my face? Yup, I'd been crying...

The beautiful cake. Daddy said it was really good.

The food, we ate Paella. It was a crazy mix of all kinds of stuff.

 

This is a video of momma eating something new, a muscle.  Ummmm, it was different. = ) 

Silly, Daddy.

This is Petra's Dad and Brother. Being from Austria, Petra's Dad cannot speak much English. So her brother, Sasha, translated his toast.

Everyone took pictures for Petra and Clayton with a little note on the white board. All the girl cousins got together for a silly one. It was such a hoot.

Look at TJ with her baby belly ; )

It was such a fun night. They played the "Cha-Cha" song and "Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Good Night" We thought of you crazy kids as we danced like crazy people ; ) 

I asked Daddy yesterday at the wedding if he missed the kids. He said, "Yeah." I said, what do you miss most about them? He thought for a while... then he answered, "The hugs."

Can't wait to hug you soon!

Love,
Momma and Daddy

Dear Alli, Jordan, Judah, and Emmyn, Day 3...

Good morning my little ones!

I am so sorry it has been a while since I wrote, our days have been so full and sometimes I feel a little rude for sneaking off to the computer to write. But even thought I'm not always writing, I am always thinking of my littles.

Yesterday, Daddy and I started the day with a walk downtown. We stopped at a little cafe for breakfast. It was the biggest breakfast we’ve ever seen in our lives! We brought a ton of it back to the Hostel there was so much!

Is that huge or what!?

After breakfast, we walked around some of the shops. We wanted to buy it all! We thought that probably wasn’t a great idea so we thought we’d take some pictures of what we wanted so you could see.

Momma found this hat, isn’t it super cute?

Daddy found the bowls he’s been looking for forever. They totally collapse for easy storage. Ben had these on the Discovery Wilderness trip Daddy did with the High Schoolers, he has been looking for them ever since!

Clayton recommended these shoes, they are called fivefingers. They are suppose to be much better for your body. Not to mention, they  look and feel so cool! You can use them for anything. Running, walking, work, or play. They are great. 

And of course, you know we’re a sucker for a good book store. ; ) So we had to stop. Daddy wanted to get this book. We’re going to check online for a better deal.

But we did find a few things for some special little people in that bookstore. =) But I'm not going to show you pictures of those things.... (he, he)

After the bookstore, we headed over to Clayton and Petra’s Cafe of Life for an adjustment. It felt sooo good.

Can you believe they took a morning out of their busy wedding week to take care of us? What a great example of being a servant!

After Cafe of Life, we headed back to the Hostel for some lunch and rest. Daddy and I ate some yummy sandwiches and visited with Grandma Flo. We were waiting on a group to get back from town so we could go visit some historical sights together. After lunch, we just sat and read in the living room, relaxing and waiting on them. It was nice to take a break.

Soon after, Rick, Aunt Ginger, TJ, Chris, and Lisa returned home from town and we headed out to Mesa Verde National Park  The Mesa Verde is where the Anasazi Indians lived between apx 550 to 1330 AD.  The Anasazi were mainly subsistence farmers; they grew crops on nearby mesas. Their primary crop was corn, which was also was the major part of their diet. Men were also hunters which further increased their food supply. The women of the Anasazi were famous for the elegant basket weaving. Anasazi pottery is just as famous as their baskets; their artifacts, even today, are highly prized. Since the Anasazi kept no written records, their artifacts are the only link to understanding their interesting culture.

You see the people of Mesa Verde use to live on top of the mountain but after living in those harsh environments for several years, they discovered areas under the mountain tops. They slowly made what are called cliff dwellings there, basically little apartments, and rooms made for worship, after several years they had made what was like a town. They moved down below to be better protected from the summer sun and the winter cold. In the summer, it is much cooler down below, tucked into the mountain; and in the Winter the mountain covering helped hold in heat and protect them from snow fall. 

Well, my, oh, my! I'll tell you more when we get home... sorry that was so long! = ) Back to our day ; ) 

Jordi, we did a peace sign for you! =)

We got to go down underground to one of the rooms. Most rooms were above ground, but few were below.

After the Mesa Verde momma was starting to feel very tired and a little home sick. I missed my littles on this trip. Learning history all alone is not something I am use to. I wished you guys were here with us learning. BUT, Daddy says we'll be sure to try and make it back when all the kiddos are big enough to climb down the mountain and understand the teaching. Yippee!

Silly Daddy, took a picture of Momma sleeping. Look! I'm in the back seat you don't see that everyday! =)

After my little nap =) We arrived at the Hostel. Dinner was already ready! JC had cooked burgers on the grill. After my dinner, I cleaned up a bit and headed to the laundry mat to do laundry. The laundry mat was quiet and I was the only one there. I thought of you guys and the book, A Pocket for Corduroy. I got to use the big baskets and everything!

Being in the laundry mat made momma a little sad. I missed my littles a lot. It was strange just folding Momma and Daddy's clothes and not yours. After the laundry was finished, I headed back to the Hostel. All the grown ups were playing a silly game at the table. I went to my bunk and put the laundry away. Uncle Mitch was in there, we chatted a bit about missing home. Then Aunt Val and Adrian came in and asked if I was going to come out and join the fun. I told them I was probably going to head to bed and I shared with them that I was missing my kiddos. =) 

Well, little did I know that they were planning a big surprise for Daddy and me! A few minutes later, Mitch came in and said that Grandma Flo wanted everyone to come out to the living area. When we walked out, EVERYONE was out there, some holding cameras... they started singing "Happy Anniversary" to us. They changed the words from Happy Birthday to Happy Anniversary. I couldn't beleive it! Of course, momma started to cry. They handed me a cake and I almost dropped it! It was so nice. Mackayla, Mitch and Val's daughter gave a little speech saying "We are so happy you guys are here and want to thank you for your great example to all the cousins by being married for 10 years." Then they made Daddy and I kiss = ) 

 

This was a very special thing to momma for a lot of different reasons. It just shows us how big God is and how good he is to make all things new. Remember, Momma didn't even know any of these people from my family when Daddy and I were married; none of them were there when we said, "I do". But wouldn't it be a sad thing if all I thought of was what they weren't there for instead of thinking about what they are here for now? How wonderful it is that we have found another part of family to celebrate the joys of life with! Now, when we're together it's like we've always been. I think that is how God would want it to be. =) Of course, Grandpa isn't here... I'm sure he would have loved to have been here last night, we all have missed him on this trip.

Well, today is the BIG DAY! The wedding day! I just can't wait. Then it's home in just a few short days! I hope each of you are doing good. Being helpful and loving each other. Today is Mrs. Judi's BIRTHDAY!!! Be extra good and give her extra love. The Huelat home is one of my favorite places to be, HAVE LOTS OF FUN FOR ME!

Love and miss you, 

Momma and Daddy

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