Parker gets baptized

This past Sunday, Parker decided to get baptized. He spoke with the Pastor in the morning and that evening he got baptized.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the awesome privledge of being Parker's Mommy. You have created him with a very strong will. I pray that you guide me and use me in every way possible so that he grows to use that will to serve and please you. I thank you that he desires to obey your command in baptism and I pray that his will is always to obey your commands and follow you wherever you may lead him. Help him to be aware and in tune with the Holy Spirit's leading in his life. I pray that you prepare for him a wife that will honor and respect him, and that he too will honor, love and give himself to her just as Christ gives himself to us and sets the example of unfailing love. Lord, I ask that you bless his path, and that every trial that comes his way only strenghtens his walk with you. Lord I pray that he will stand for you and do what is right even though he may recieve ridicule. Lord, most of all I pray that he seeks your wisdom all the days of his life.
In Jesus'Name Amen

Disturbing

I was sent an email by a dad that has a daughter entering NFA this fall and another dad whose son is entering Parish Hill this fall. They were writing to inform parents about a book that is on the required reading list for the summer. The title of the book is City of Theives by David Benioff. It is a book that places two teenage boys in the time of WWII. This author has recieved awards for this book and NFA states that "while the book is written for adults it has special appeal to kids ages 12-18" This responsible dad pre-reads what is sent home and he was disgusted by this book. He wrote pages and pages of excerpts from this book and the language and sexual content disgusts me as an adult, why would anyone in their right mind want a 12 yr old to be reading such filth? Now I have to say that although a letter was put on the website warning parents that the book contained "objectional language" and that if parents were uncomfortable with the book their was an alternative book they could read, the children were sent home with this book the last week of school and told they could return it for the alternative if they wanted. My question is this....I know how I was as an 8th-11th grader. Did the parents ever recieve the book or letter???? As a teen, I probably would have skimmed a few pages, said to myself....Oh this is juicy and never said another word about it. The fact that our public school system is even putting this filth in the hands of our kids is disturbing!

Sleep Study

Parker had a sleep study last night to determine whether he needs to have his tonsils out. We will see what the doctor has to say at his next appointment. But this thought occcured to me....Why do they call it a sleep study, when you get very little sleep. He was up three times during the night and was very uncomfortable with all the wires he had on. Go figure!

Exhausted

After VBS this past week at our church and cousins from Ohio here for 4 days, my children and I are exhausted. We had a great and successful VBS with 215 children in attendance. Here is a pic of my room. I cannot take the credit as I was in NH when the teens I was working with decorated the room. They did a SUPER job!



My kids enjoyed their cousins and their annual slumber party, as always. Here is the crew knocked out cold.



I finally got to see my new niece in person...Kenly Marie. She is the sweetest 6 month old I know and I enjoyed scooping her up and cuddling every chance I got.

The cousins....Bre, Crae and Kenly

Kaleigh turns 10!

This past Sunday we celebrated Kaleigh's tenth birthday. I am not one for having a birthday party outside of our home, they are just too darn expensive, but this year we let her have a horseback riding party where she takes lessons. Turning double digits was something she was super excited about and we wanted to make it special for her so, she invited nine of her gal pals over for a trail ride, cake, a few presents, and a pinata. She decided to take up a collection for the building fund at church instead of presents and she was able to raise a considerable amount. Everyone was very generous! I just can't believe my little girl is growing up so fast!

Kaleigh Age 3



The girls!

The group again

Heading out for a trail ride.

TEN!

Camping in New Hampshire

Our annual camping trip this year was to the White Mountains in New Hamphire. It started out with a 6 hour drive. It should have only been a 4 hour drive, but my hubby forgot the key to the camper, SO we had to turn around and go back for it. We got to camp around 7pm. On the way we saw a moose. It was super cool, I had never seen a real one before.

THE MOOSE WE SAW ON THE WAY

We stayed at Beech Hill Campground, which was a wonderfully secluded campground. One of the best we have been at in years. We could not see or hear a thing....in fact most days we slept till 9ish....which is unheard of if your a regular camper like us. We have put in our dues tenting it over the past ten years. We had had enough getting wet and spending our time drying everything at a Laundromat so this year we upgraded to a pop up camper.....and boy did we need it because it rained 6 out of the 7 days we were there!

THE SITE


PLAYING GAMES IN THE RAIN


On our first day we caught a break in the rain and headed off to the Flume for a hike. All I can say is that God's handy work is amazing!





ERIC CLIMBING OUT OF A WOLF DEN

The historic Man in the Mountain fell off and was destroyed in 2003, but I found my own man in the mountain and I think I am going to move to NH and try to make some money off it...LOL! I think it looks like George Washington.



On day two we headed out to Clark's Trading Post. Were we rode a train and saw Wolf Man.



Then we watched a circus show under the "big" tent and the famous bear show.


Day three we got a stretch of four or five hours with no rain so we headed to the wild, wild, west at Six Gun City. The kids rode rides and got to capture a bandit with the Sheriff.









The 4th of July was low key....the rain was very light so we headed out for some fishing at the Willey's House, took a hike to Ripley Falls and had a bike parade at the campground.





Day five was the only day with no rain, so headed out to Attitash. We did some rock climbing.......





Went on the waterslides......





Did some bungee trampoline.....







We also did the mile long Alpine slide, but I have to pictures of that because after all, who do you ask to take a picture while your family of 5 goes up a mountain on a ski lift and then races each other down at 20 miles an hour. FUN!

On day six, my camera died :( We did the auto road to Mount Washington....all I have to say is WOW! It was amazing to be at the top of New England.

Our last day we packed up in the pouring rain and headed back to CT. I have to say I want to go back. I think in the ten years we have been camping to ME, VA, NC, WV, RI, VT, PA, NY. This was my favorite place. The beauty was like none I have ever seen.