Past, Present, & Future...Salt Springs Memories

This summer we were able to once again, enjoy one of our favorite camping areas, Salt Springs. For more than twenty years now we have enjoyed this beautiful site. When my husband and I first discovered this site together, we would camp here with my older children more than three times a summer. As we had children together, our trips dwindled down and eventually ceased for over ten years until our first trip back in 2010.

Our return last year was with our two youngest boys, whom we've never taken. Emily, my youngest daughter, was the only one of our three children together we've taken camping here. Sadly, she doesn't remember as she was only six months old. I'm hoping next year she will be able to join us and experience the most amazing time together as family with such breathtaking backdrops.

This year we were able to once again, camp with our two younger boys along with one of their closest friends. Our traditional camp site, White Azalea, was unavailable. Not to worry, the new camp site was equally as satisfying. My only wishes...we could have gone more than once...my daughter could have come...my older children and their families could have joined as well.




Path just slightly beyond our large tent which lead to a private camp area hidden among the trees.

 





One of many hiking trails

  


Standing amidst these trees you really realize just how small you are in all of creation.





Slept to the sounds of rushing water all night. Soothing.

 



Bear River Reservoir which feeds into Salt Springs

 

During this trip we saw two bear cubs, several deer, many squirrels, snakes, spiders and other creepy crawly things,  and this lizard. This lizard reminded me of the verses in Matthew and Luke about worry. At five feet tall, I'm not a large person. From the lizard's perspective, I was a giant, yet he really showed no fear of me. As I looked at the picture in my camera's view finder, I noticed the blue on his back was much more prominent in the picture with the water in the background than him on the tree. God created the lizard with the ability to blend into his environment as a way of protection from predators. In the same sense, scripture gives us that same protection. Kinda cool to see how God has provided everything for all His creation.





The boys decided to go on an adventure....

 

Nick made sure Alex wasn't left standing.

 



Trust me...they're freezing.




Small sandy area to the left of the camp.



The view to the right of my seat.

  I spent many moment at this little "beach" area. Listening to the sounds of the water, the leaves rustling in the wind, the birds, the boys laughter off into the distance. All filled my mind with new memories and reminded me of many old memories of past camping trips. Some of my most joyful memories are right here in the middle of God's creation.




Preparing for nightfall

You often hear of the importance of family dinners, there is certainly something about a shared meal as a family that brings dividends to the family. In todays busy life and all its distractions, the campfire is also a place for an equally magical experience within the family. Heck, camping in its entirety is. No cell phones, no Facebook, no TV, no computer games or emails...just a time to enjoy and get to know one another. To communicate, to build bonds that even time can't break. It's times like these you build value in one another. Laughter, singing, and conversation that fills the soul. Memories to last a lifetime. Moments to cherish forever and pass down from generation to generation.  

 What a joy it has been to share this beautiful area with my husband of twenty years, building memories with each other and our children.

Dancing to the Beat

This past weekend I had the opportunity to see my first 3D ultrasound of my newest granddaughter, Brooklyn. What an amazing thing to see...

When I think about God creating the heaven and earth, as I witness a sunrise or sunset, I'm absolutely awestruck. Then I saw Brooklyn...miraculous!!

For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:13-14

Even now, as I look at this photo, my eyes well up with tears. Fearfully and wonderfully made...only God can do such a thing.

My grandson, Brayden was also in the room. There were some toys on the ground, and he was playing. The technician had asked if we wanted to hear the heartbeat...YES!

She turned up the volume, my grandson stood up and began to dance to his sister's heartbeat. I wish I had a camera to capture that moment! I tried to fight my tears...

Cherished!

Labor pains

I posted this on my private blog. Thought I'd share it with those of you here as well.
Just something I've been thinking about...

In the last few weeks God has been revealing a lot about me that is extremely, emotionally painful. I'm reminded of the labor(physical) pains a women goes through during the birth process.

I've had the privilege of being present during the birth of my grandchildren. I remember my daughter while in labor with my granddaughter and grandson, she would often call out to me for comfort..."mom, it hurts!"..."I know honey, it's almost over...you can do it...I love you!" As I watched my daughter-in-law, breathe through each contraction, she was very focused...she was on a mission.

They say you soon forget the pains of labor, not I...that was one of the most excruciating physical pains I've ever had to endure, but well worth it. How did I get through it? I knew what the outcome would be...a miracle, a new life.

I've been taught God gave Eve the pains of labor as a result of her sin. I wonder if the real purpose of labor, is to show us through pain the beauty of the end results...the birth of one of His children. To realize, that sometimes good things, great things, glorious things, come out of our pain.

Where do the dad's fit in all of this, you can feel their emotion by looking into their faces. They wish they could take away the pain, could bear the pain...all they can do is ofter encouraging words, a comforting touch. We simply can not bear the burdens of each others pain. We can ofter our love and prayers, trusting God will see them through.

I've recently reread of Christ death on the cross. I can't imagine the intense physical and emotional agony He must have felt. Physically being nailed to the cross. Only He carried the burdens, the sin of all men. Imagine what our Heavenly Father must have experienced when His Son called out to Him. How painful that must have been for God to watch. All for a purpose, one that is so difficult for many of us to comprehend. Our redemption!

As painful as my brokenness feels right now, I believe that like the birth of a child...beauty, love, joy, and grace will be the outcome. God is using my brokenness for His glory. All I have to do is focus and trust He will carry me.

50th

On June 6th my parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. The children and grandchildren came together to celebrate this joyous occasion. We all had a wonderful time...there's nothing like family. This was a great celebration. We started out with a few cocktails while reminiscing over their marital album. They spoke tenderly of each other, sharing many, many memories. Some I've heard before, others were new. When asked, what she remembered most of her wedding day...my mother responded with, "nothing else existed but your father. He was all I could see and focus on." I think all women experience the same thing. My father spoke of good times and bad...the roads traveled where never alone, he had a partner by his side. What's it all about...LOVE.

June 6, 1959

Marital bliss still today!

Love

Sharing words of wisdom.

For quite some time now, I've been thinking a lot about marriage...it's meaning, it's purpose. My marriage, like many, has been difficult, especially the last few years. No reason to point fingers here, but I will confess...I have often expressed my desire to get out...take the easy road. I have failed to really look at myself and how I actually contribute to my marriage, good or bad. The last few years I have focused on me, me, me. Sad, but painfully true. I became so caught up in the tedious day to day routines, that I lost sight of what really matters. I found myself after 18 years of marriage, truly giving up. And then, out of know where...thoughts about marriage started to surface, things began to make a little more sense. I began to look at my spouse, at us...not just me. I recently found myself sharing those thoughts with two people I love very deeply.

Marriage is not easy.

Marriage in not hard.

Marriage is not about one person being submissive to the other. When we say our vows, we do not stand with one person in front of the other...we stand side by side, partners for life.

Marriage is about commitment.

Marriage is about compromise...when you remove com, marriage is about promise.

Marriage is work. Along with raising children, marriage will be one of the most difficult, challenging jobs we will ever have. There are no college courses to take. Nope, no Marriage 101. Sure there are plenty of books out there, sharing others thought on marriage. You could read those. Some things may work for you, while others may not. But if you want the truth about what marriage is to be like, in my opinion, there is only one book that tells us about what is expected of a husband and wife...the Bible.

Ultimately, marriage is summed up in just one word, LOVE...unconditional, selfless, giving, passionate, undying love.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1John 4:11

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is Love. 1Corinthians 13:13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

I have recently started reading Love Dare. It's a book which uses scripture to challenge one or both in marriage. I won't say exactly when I started. I will say...for me, it's not as easy as I thought and I'm learning a lot about myself, my husband, my marriage and love along the way. Perhaps I'll post my outcome once I've completed the forty days.

Nature, Beauty, Family, Love...Awe

I have so many pictures of our camping trip I would love to share with everyone. Unfortunately, I am unable to figure out how to upload a slide show into the post, so I'll share a few of my favorites. Any suggestions?


We had some good moments and some bad moments, but overall...we have memories to last a lifetime. Two of my grandchildren (Abby & Logan) had ear infections, and were miserable off and on. My daughters husband couldn't make the trip, which made it a little tough on her at times. You know how it is when children are sick...they only want their mom or dad, a grandparent just won't do.

The camp site wasn't exactly what we were use to...just to many camp sites. It was so crowded, the lake wasn't quite as close as we would have liked, and people kept stumbling into our site.

What was nice...the family being together...laughing, playing, sharing food, catching up. Some of the areas we hiked where beautiful, as were the sunrises and sunsets.

It was unfortunate my brother and his family couldn't make the trip. His birthday was on the 30th and it would have been great to celebrate together. I did keep him updated through my text messages, but it just wasn't quite the same. His son was finally released from the hospital, I believe on Sunday. Maybe next year.

This trip reminded me of just how blessed I am. I have the most amazing siblings, children and grandchildren. I am rich beyond what I have ever imagined. God is good!

A First

I am so excited, I just have to share!

Most of you know I have three siblings, five children and three grandchildren. We do not all live in the same State and almost never are together at the same time. All but my younger brother will be getting together for a camping trip this weekend. Unfortunately, one of my nephews ruptured his appendix earlier this week, which is why my brother cannot attend.

I am so thrilled...can you hear me squealing with delight!? My oldest daughter just arrived yesterday after a grueling 18 hour drive. She has traveled the farthest for this family camping trip. Both my grandchildren became ill on her drive. A trip to Urgent Care and antibiotics will hopefully make for a better weekend.

I'm almost embarrassed to say, this is the first camping trip my husband and I, along with are three younger children since Emily was born. We camped quite a bit when the older two were at home. It just seemed like once baby number 4 and 5 came along, we got hit with life...know what I mean?

I woke early this morning, as I do every morning for several reasons. I love my quiet time. Every morning God shares a beautiful sunrise with me, always breathtaking. The birds are up early too. I have a hearing deficit and wear hearing aids, so when all is busy I rarely hear the birds. But, when up early...in the still of the morning...I am blessed with the sound of the birds. After prayer, I catch up on a few blogs...then one by one, the family begins to stir. Another reason for waking so early...so much to do...and did I mention how excited I am. It's like that first day of school. You know the feeling...you just can't sleep, your stomach is full of butterflies, and you've had your outfit picked out for weeks.

Later this afternoon, one by one our families will be arriving at the camp site. Hugs and kisses, and "Oh, my goodness...look how much the children have grown", we will begin to set up camp. Then... off to view the wonders of God's creation. Tonight all of us will no doubt witness a beautiful sunset, be captivated by the moon and stars at night...and again I plan to wake early to a beautiful sunrise. Perhaps I'll share it with one of my grandchildren or with everyone.

I feel so blessed, I am always amazed at how God works wonders in my life. As I stated in the beginning of this post, we rarely are together...only He could have made this happen...I know He has great things to share with all of us. Expect to see some photos in the near future.

Y'all have a blessed weekend.

Desperately needed weekend away!

Last week my husband and I decided to make last minute plans to escape from our world into fantasy land. No, we did not go to Disneyland. Instead, we chose a small Bed and Breakfast Inn located in Cloverdale, California (just outside of Napa).

After quick arrangements with my parents to watch my two boys and two dogs, I made reservations at the Inn. We left mid afternoon Friday, arriving around seven. After receiving a tour of the Inn, we settled in our room in front of the fire with a candle lit picnic for two. We were the only couple there that first night. It was unbelievably quiet. No TV or arguing teens... just us. This was the most relaxing night we have had together in a long time.

The next day we were served a delicious breakfast made by the owner, my mouth waters just thinking about it. Then, wine tasting at recommended wineries. We toured four wineries, tasting about 25 different wines. You must be thinking, 25 wines! Yikes! Don't worry, most places served sips not a full glass. We then stopped for a quick sandwich and headed back to the Inn for a desperately needed nap. Dinner that night was a Thai restaurant recommended by the owners, yummy!


This was a beautiful Inn. The owners have a great eye for detail. Many antiques were throughout the Inn. The rooms are fabulous and beautifully designed, again with careful attention to detail. Our bathroom had a claw tub/shower combo. The shower was a bit small and the curtain had a tendency of sticking to you. No worries, I quickly figured out how to roll the curtain over the tub so the water could pool there. No sticking for me!

I highly recommend a weekend get-a-way for all married couples, regardless of how long you've been married. Our lives have been so caught up in work, raising kids, homeschooling, and other responsibilities, that we lost sight of each other. It was so nice to not have to worry about stuff and focus on one another. Alone time with your spouse helps you to reconnect on a different level...a more private, personal level. This was so refreshing for both of us we are going to try to do something like this at least twice a year.


Hope you enjoy the enclosed photos...eat your heart out!

Vintage Towers Inn

Our room.





Our picnic.

His and Her robes.

The famous shower.

Breakfast (photo from their website)