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!

The best things about homeschooling...

Are these two!
Two teenage brothers diligently doing their school work and helping each other. They're not confined to a school desk, instead they comfortably sit on the floor of their home, free to learn in ways that are best suited for them. Each are doing separate grade assignments, but oddly enough, they help each other.

These are teenagers folks. I'm amazed by how well they work together. Believe me, the do have their moments, but, when we are learning...there is unity.

I love the freedom I have with homeschooling. I can choose my learning material, based on their individual learning grades and learning style.

Homeschooling is not easy...there are lesson plans, papers to grade and record, all of which take up a lot of time. But, it's well worth it.

I've been homeschooling now for about three years. I first started out with computer based learning, not the best for our family. What I found happening, was my children spent so much time on the computer (not just on their subjects), we lost touch of each other. With the help of a very good friend, I was able to find many great Christian based resources available for more of a connected learning with my boys.

The result, what I love most of all...valuable time with my boys, not just staring at the back of their heads as they are on the computer (smile). Together we share our meals, our ideas, laughter, fellowship, and their hopes and dreams for their future.

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.

Sweet Ricky- A Brave Little Man

Ricky's bench finally found its home in front of the Hospital. I hadn't actually seen the bench, as it was put in place last week while I was off. Last night was my first night back to work. I must admit, I was a little choked up driving to work anticipating how I would feel upon my first glance of the bench. It's beautiful, what a tribute to our little guy. Yep, I cried. Tears of joy and tears of saddness.

This little guy meant so much to many of us in the NICU. His eyes and smile just warmed your heart. His suffering on earth, broke your heart. I am saddened by his loss, for I miss him so. I am joyful, there is no more pain for this precious little boy. I can imagine his eyes wide with amazement as he witnesses the glory of Heaven. No more peaking through the bars of a hospital bed.

My dear friend Meghan was his foster mom. She gave this little guy so much love and shared so much of the beauty in this world with him during his short time here. As a mother, she also shared his pain, as well as the pain a mother feels when she loses a child. She created a beautiful website which records her journey with him. His life impacted many people, his legacy continues.

We love you little guy!