How I Spent my Vacation from Facebook

So for the past 6 days I have been off of Facebook. I was getting too attached. I was starting to be more involved with my friends lives and less involved in my own family's! Not a good thing. So I decided to take a break.

I found out that the world keeps right on turning. Surprise Surprise.

I also found out I am more creative and enjoy my kids more the less time I spend on the computer. Again, surprise surprise! (please note, I am posting this while everyone is still in bed this am!)

Here are a few of the things I managed to accomplish.

My Father-in-law had given us a bucket full of tomatoes and peppers from his greenhouse. They were just sitting in the back of our frige. I didn't really want to make salsa, so I looked up and adapted a recipe for homemade v8 juice! I got a little over 1/2 gallon. Here is one of the bottles.



Amazingly enough, Caleb and Nathan have a floor is their room! We deep cleaned, AGAIN. Hopefully it will last longer this time!


I got more material and lots of thread from my Father-in-law. I was so excited! Yes, Brian rolled his eyes and asked if I really needed it. But now I'm set for life! Nathan helped me sort the spools by color and put them away.


Our Colorado family is in town for Thanksgiving. The cousins have had a blast playing together. Laura and the kids came over yesterday to visit, make pumpkin pies and choose material for aprons. (gotta start using it up!) ;)


Anna rolled out the dough. Nathan played with the scraps.



Laura brought over some suduku worksheets for the older kids to work on.



The younger boys played downstairs with the blocks and track


Anna finished up a project she had brought to work on.


The pies turned out great!


While I still enjoy FB, I've realized there is more to life than that. I am glad I took a break, and will try to not let it take over again!

May anyone reading this have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Leat

1 Peter 1:3-8

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance- an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.


Brian has been and is continuing to go through trials at work. These verses are such an encouragement! Earlier in the week he was across the country on a business trip. It seemed a lot harder this time having him away,even though is was a short trip. On Monday I called my SIL and we got the Thanksgiving menu worked out and just talking to her was such an encouragement. That night a great friend called and again just talking was just what I needed at that time. Tuesday evening I decided to take the boys to the library to save time the next morning. As we were getting ready to leave, Nathan ran up to me telling me the Vallejo's had just walked in! I got to sit and hold the sweetest 1 month old little girl and visit face to face with my dearest friend!

I am so amazed when God brings the perfect scripture at the perfect time. Also the perfect friend or phone call at just the time I need it most! He has been doing that a lot lately and I couldn't be more grateful!

Exodus 14:14

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

This is what Moses told the people when they were near the Red Sea and saw the Egyptian army pursuing them.

So many times when things start to get a little rough and stressful I become like the Israelites. "God, WHY are you letting this happen? Where are you? I wish things were like before."

But God ALWAYS has a better plan, He is ALWAYS in control. I just need to hold my peace and wait on Him.

El Dorado Lake 2010

We spent this past weekend camping at El Dorado Lake. We went specifically for the OK Kids Day on Saturday.

We left Friday afternoon around 3. Bri's dad came with us in his motor home. The weather was absolutely beautiful! We found a great spot near the water and close to the shower house.





Bri got in a short kayak time on the water after getting us all set up. Turns out that was his only time on the water so I'm glad he got to go then.

That evening some friends arrived and camped next to us. Our boys and theirs had a great time chopping wood for our fire with their hatchets.
The wind picked up during the night and we awoke to a chilly morning. Rachelle graciously shared hot chocolate with the kids.

Israel, Jacob and Sam


Nathan


Luke


Caleb


After breakfast we headed over to OK Kids. It stands for Outdoor Kansas Kids. It is a free event held at various lakes throughout the year. The point being to introduce kids to outdoor activities and various demonstrations. This was our fourth year. The boys absolutely love it! It was more special this year to get to introduce their friends and take them around to the different activities.

Bri helping Nathan at archery


Rescue demonstration


Caleb in the petting zoo


Nathan won a tackle box in the drawing after lunch!


Our great friends, The Vallejo's came for the afternoon!
3 of their girls painting bird feeders.


After OK Kids, we went back to camp.
Dinner that night was Chili and corn bread.




After dinner Grandpa cooked S'mores with the boys.


That night the boys slept in the motor home with Grandpa.


Bri and I waiting to watch a video before bed.


We had a wonderful time camping and visiting with friends!

Leat

Our Boys

Since I am terrible about posting regularly, I thought I would just post some pics of the boys to see when I come to read my friends blogs. hehe

Gone Home

My Mother-in-law, Dianne Brooks, went home to Jesus early this morning. she had been in hospice for several weeks.

She was a great mom and grandmother. How she loved her 10 grandchildren with a passion!

She was also one of the greatest prayer warriors. Whenever anyone in the family was sick or going through a difficult time, Brian would say, "call mom so she can pray".

We all miss her terribly but are thankful that she is finally home.

30 Days Day11

This program is going a lot slower for me because I average only 2-4 times a week with it. I've had it for well over a month. Oh well, I'll get there sooner or later.

My curiosity got the better of me today and I did level 3! It went pretty good. I admit I did the modified on a lot of it. The sumo squats just about did me in! Believe it or not I think the walking push ups are easier than regular.

It feels good to get back into it. I usually skip the weekends and that is also when I eat worse than during the week, sweets wise. All things in moderation right?

I think I will start rotating the levels just to keep it interesting. I like level 2 but for some reason it messes up my right knee. No use getting in shape if I end up screwing my knee up.

Hope you have a great start to the week!

Leat