Summer Highlights

My summer days come to an end and so I reflect on the activities as this season passes. Softball prevailed in July.

Camping with family and friends took place in the latter part of the summer. My neice, Shannon, left for Ft. Pickett on August 19th and will head on to Iraq October.

Then, of course, there is Rachel's sweet 16 birthday party!

Sweet 16! Elijah, Marc, and Joseph's serenade


Celebrating with friends and family

Less Than a Mile

Yesterday afternoon I stood along the banks of the James River, ready to "rough it" for the next 24 hours. We unloaded our three boats, two canoes, and one kayak from the backs of four trucks. Once the tents, coolers, fishing rods, tackle boxes, grill, camp stove, chairs, tubs of food, toiletry items, portable tables, bedding, air mattresses, clothing, and towels were loaded, we had everything necessary for an evening of primitive camping (everything, that is, except coffee).

We set up camp about half a mile down the river (I'm guessing half a mile since my sense of distance traveled is usually inflated) on a small island surrounded by scatterings of large rocks. The sky was beautiful and I found myself drawn to taking pictures of the clouds set against a bright blue sky.

Entertainment over the course of the journey consisted of Rachel and Morgan arguing over shoes (I'll explain later), photoshoots around the compound, pets splashing in the water, Kalsin maneuvering in the kayak as he pulled Cookie on the innertube, watching the "Titanic" (also known as the Hillbilly Yacht) float down the river, and Mike and Doug's usual references to beans and flatulence.

The dilemma: Rachel brought a pair of Morgan's old shoes to wear in the river(without Morgan's permission). Morgan brought flip-flops because she couldn't find any shoes to bring. Once she discovered that Rachel had her shoes (which functioned much better in the water), Morgan wanted her shoes back and wanted Rachel to wear the flip-flops.

Rachel's argument: Morgan didn't think about bringing the shoes. Rachel did. Plus, Morgan borrows things from Rachel all the time without permission. Now Morgan can see how it feels.

Morgan's argument: The shoes are hers and Rachel took them without permission.

Mom's suggestion: Each girl wears one of each shoe.

Resolution: Rachel kept the shoes and Morgan stole mine!

All in all, this was a wonderful, relaxing weekend but, most importantly, we were able to create wonderful family memories and add to stories we'll reference for years to come!

Back to Shannon

Here I sit at 7:00 a.m. in the church office, thinking of all of the things I need to cram into today in order to relax with my family this afternoon. Well, I'm not sure if relax is the appropriate word. You see, we're headed to the James River for a camping extravaganza--with any luck, there'll be another family brawl to keep it interesting. Just kidding! But it is fun to reenact those moments from get-togethers goneby. This camping trip is a send-off for my neice, Shannon, who leaves her home, bound for Iraq, in 10 days.

I'm actually multi-tasking as I type, downloading video to edit for tomorrow's church service.

Back to Shannon.
I thought about getting sappy, reminiscing about the days when this skinny freckled-face girl would scoot off the bus, burst into my house, and say what she said everyday: "I'm hungry. Can I have a piece of bread?"

Video is still recording. I have to finish it quickly so I can take my mother shoe shopping before we leave for the James River.

Back to Shannon.
Last year she married the love of her life, David, on a breathtakingly beautiful (and smoldering hot) day alongside a pond nestled between rolling green acres of earth. It was a rushed wedding, little preparation involved. There was an overwhelming sense of urgency because at that time it was David's turn to go to Iraq. I must say it was probably the sweetest and most sincere exchange of vows I had ever witnessed. OK--just a little sap!

Checked the video. It's ready. I have to get on it so that Beth can create music to accompany it before I, yes, take my mother shoe shopping.

Back to Shannon.
I love you, Shannon, and I'm very proud of you. Be safe. Go with God.


Video