Unbelievable!!

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We spent this weekend with my side of the family up at some property that my Grandfather owned with a few other families.  Our family is the only one with a functional cabin up there.  At least once a year, my mom, my sister Beth, her husband Kevin & their 3 kids, my brother Brett, his wife Christy & their 3 kids (and us of course) all meet up there for a long weekend.

It was an exceptional weekend.  It’s such a great way to get to know my nieces and nephews better.  Even with the internet and the blessing of only being 2-3 hours away from each other, it is still hard to stay totally informed about them.  I especially enjoyed watching my SIL Christy and brother Brett with their kids.  Their kids are 4, 2 and 6? months.  Their kids are truly awesome but they can be a bit stubborn. In so many ways they remind me of my boys when they were younger.  But I think that Brett & Christy have TONS more patience than Eric and I had when our kids were little.

One memory that stands out was when Brett stepped out of their tent one evening to get something.  Upon his return we hear, “Unbelievable!!”  And, that was it!  Fortunately it was just some spilled water.

But I had to cringe to think what my first response is to a childish mess.  I wish I could just say “Unbelievable.”  However, I admit that more times than not I react in anger.  I’m angry that I have to clean it up.  But that is my job.  To let them try and guide them to the right way.  Not scream and throw my own fit when they can’t do it.  Something I need to be keeping a matter of prayer.  For now, I’ll just be happy if I can just say “Unbelievable!” when faced with the messes!

Camping

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I really, really, really am looking forward to camping this weekend.

Wait…let’s just stop right here and let that sink in.

I know….it’s weird!

I am NOT a person who likes to rough it.

  • I don’t like to be dirty.
  • I don’t enjoy cooking over fire (granted, we rarely do that anymore – as long as we have enough propane).
  • I am AFRAID of the outhouse – and probably always will be!
  • I miss my tv, my laptop, my garbage disposal, my refrigerator, my shower, my bed!!, and, well, electricity in general.

And, yet, I’m so eager to get up to The Cabin and

  • To sit by the fire!
  • To teach the kids how to slide down the pine needles and then wonder exactly where the nearest ER is.
  • To swim in the lake and wonder what is nibbling my toes.
  • To sit in the middle of the meadow and watch for shooting stars.
  • To listen to the coyotes & wonder if they are getting closer or going away.
  • To worry about snakes and lizards and mosquitoes and ticks (ok – so I’m not that eager – shudder!)
  • To take an open-air shower and let the sun dry my hair (note to self- pack a hat)
  • To sit around and play cribbage, spite & malice, no peeky and teach the kids how to play.

Many things have almost prevented us from going, but – Lord willing – it looks like we might hit the road tonight after Eric get’s done with school.   Prayers appreciated.  I hope we can come back refreshed and with lots of good family memories!!

Allowing Sadness

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Today has been a long day. A good day, but a long day. Today was the reunion of my youth group. It was not well attended but I really enjoyed the folks who did show up. We are hoping to maybe organize something bigger in 2011. I seem to be the only one saying that though – and I can’t/won’t do it alone, so we’ll see what happens.

Other big news is that today our adoption papers arrived in the mail. I just need to seal the envelope and drop it back in the mail on Monday. Then it’s waiting for the judge to sign and send us the documentation that what has already happened in our hearts is legal on paperwork.

But on top of all this great stuff, I’m feeling sad. I know that it’s probably just a combination of weariness and well, sadness over some situations in our life we can’t change. But it’s there. Sometimes I think I deny the sadness of a situation and then it catches up with me when I feel weary. And, boy, am I weary. So, I guess I’m allowing myself to be sad.

Please don’t feel like you need to cheer me up. By the time you read this I will have had a good night’s sleep and be back to my normal joy-seeking personality. But sometimes even the most optimistic people feel sad.