I finally went camping after 15 years.... Robby was 2 the last time I was camping. It was a lot of fun as you can tell by the pictures and the video of Brian. It was hotter than hot, but we had a lot of fun on the boat. Unfortunately I was too afraid to bring my new camera to the river because it was soooo funny! Rob slipped and ate it in the river and lost his sunglasses. Then Brian slipped right after... I really wish I had brought my camera for that part, but I'm sure it would have floated down the river like Rob's glasses, Pam's shoe and the Spiderman pole that Robby found. I do have to thank Pam, Rob and the kids for the tent. We could have slept in the back of our truck on our mattress, but Brian was afraid of the bugs. So Pam, Rob and the kids got to share 1 tent all to themselves.
The line for the shower was over and hour, but worth it after the lake and river. We had lots of entertainment while waiting though! And Rob's hobo dinner was GREAT, even at 11:00... the s'mores were even better later.
I don't want to wait so long to go camping again because it was a lot of fun. We missed the rest of the family being there so hopefully everyone can make the next one :)
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Las Vegas
I realized in Vegas this week that I'm great at Blackjack!! I've got the blackjack fever now and can't get enough! Maybe it's the winning money... but it's fun! We were in Vegas only 1 night, but I had a blast!! And the Golden Nugget is pretty cool. I have never seen the "Old Strip" in Vegas. I can't wait to go try my Blackjack skills at the Indian casinos now.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
I stole this from Jackie... it made me cry and think of me
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your doors, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes a long their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
To those who have touched my life in one way or another; to those who make me smile when I really need it; to those who make me see the brighter side of things when I am really down; to those whose friendships I appreciate; to those who are so meaningful to my life.
May we all be COFFEE!!!
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your doors, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes a long their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
To those who have touched my life in one way or another; to those who make me smile when I really need it; to those who make me see the brighter side of things when I am really down; to those whose friendships I appreciate; to those who are so meaningful to my life.
May we all be COFFEE!!!
Denise, where art thou??
Good Morning!! Just wondering if Denise and the boys are out there checking our blogs? We miss hearing from you and I'm wondering how your back is... Any relief yet? Have you started therapy? Are you still lying on the table??? Brian is in a lot of pain with his back still and can't get comfortable either. I think of you every time he says his hurts.
How's the little pink bundle treating you? Any morning sickness? When do you find out that she's a girl? Or twins? Or triplets?!?! Maybe that's why your back hurts so bad... there's actually 3 girls in there!!!!!!!!! :)~
Just checking in... hoping to hear from you and that you guys are all ok. Love you!!
Monday, August 4, 2008
After reading Kim's response to my last blog, I reread what I posted. It really didn't come out the way I meant it. I was joking about the girls and Kim dealing with Skip. I think it's funny... and I also think that Skip is a great dad/husband to them.
I was trying to involve everyone in my post and not just Pam's kids, it just didn't come out right. I know it's a learned game and the girls actually love the teasing with him. So please don't take offense or think I was putting Skip down. I wouldn't do that.
I realize that when you read something, you are actually putting your own tone of voice to it and not always what the writer meant. What I meant to say is that I think it's funny that he jokes with them and they joke back.
I was trying to involve everyone in my post and not just Pam's kids, it just didn't come out right. I know it's a learned game and the girls actually love the teasing with him. So please don't take offense or think I was putting Skip down. I wouldn't do that.
I realize that when you read something, you are actually putting your own tone of voice to it and not always what the writer meant. What I meant to say is that I think it's funny that he jokes with them and they joke back.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Thank you for the entertainment!
I figured I didn't have a picture from last night, so I might as well put one of myself up!! He just can't stop looking at me...
I just have to say, Thank you for the entertainment last night family!!! I laughed so hard at Val and Steph that I went home with a headache. Poor Robby still didn't get any attention and it was HIS birthday. Melissa is trying to get attention but all she did was punch Steph.
I also love seeing that Tiffany and Megan are not puting up with Skip's stuff either. I went through it growing up and now I feel bad for you girls. (If he's not making you laugh, you can always laugh AT him). I almost feel sorry for you Kim, but you actually chose him. Or he kept following you and you finally gave in. But you did marry him. Just kidding.
Mom and Dad finally made it and were tired... but I bet they got a good laugh. Mom's arm should be bruising from Pam's earthquake deathgrip. I couldn't believe Brian was out of the room before I even realized it might be an earthquake. And for the first time... Rob got me. I even though I felt the ground shaking under my feet!
Can't wait for more entertainment! Everyone's invited to celebrate Dad's birthday on Sunday the 10th at my pool. And Mom and Dad are going to go swimming this time. Yeah!!!!!! Think about food... what haven't we done yet this summer? Will Grandpa come?
And guys of the family.... I can't wait to see your private Male Blogs! Sounds like you guys have some great ideas of things to post and pics to take :)
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