I am not doing ANYTHING this weekend. It is time to sit on my butt! I love camping and I love having people over to my house, but it is hard work. I took a small cat nap yesterday afternoon after work. After my 20-30minute nap, we went to our deer food plots and took soil samples. Eric and Nathan are preparing the land for deer season, and Nathan is going to take a sample to the conservation office. We let Elizabeth drive to ranger down the food plots, as Eric got different sections of soil. She did pretty good. The first time she gassed it, though, she sent off the tailgate, onto the ground. I was proud - UNTIL - Eric decided to let her drive down the straight stretch of gravel of the deer lease on the way home. I had Leah in my lap, Eric was in the middle. When we got to the gate, he told her to stop. She slammed on the brake, making Leah thrust forward. Thought I was going to drop Leah. Then he told her to turn toward the house. Well, she wasn't turning it enough, and was heading toward the ditch. She would stop, turn the wheel, then gas it, and she just wasn't making it out of the ditch. So in one last effort, she gassed it HARD!. Leah and I bout flew out in the road. "THAT'S ENOUGH" I yelled, and Eric took us the rest of the way home. That was scary.
When we got home, Eric finally put up my tomato stakes, and I unloaded more of the camper, before it began to rain. I have blooms on a few of my tomatoes and blooms on my eggplants. I even started to pull up Leah's carrots yesterday, and it was starting to form a carrot. I may have carrots by fall. Wonder if they will taste good?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Last Day of Camping
Our friends, Bradley, Kerri and Amanda joined us Saturday night for burgers and hot dogs. Anna was getting really tired, so she went home with her mom. We were all pooped, so we all went quickly to bed.
On Sunday morning, we slept late again, but instead of getting up and fixing a large breakfast like I had been, they got cereal and bagels. I thought I would be the only one eating bagels, but they wanted to try, and even Harley ate a bagel with cream cheese. When Eric came in, I just laughed!. He asked what I was laughing about, and I told him "I've won her to the other side!!" She's a picky eater like her daddy, and usually snarls her nose at most food.
After breakfast, we began to clean and pack up. Eric worked on the outside, I worked on the inside. I wanted to clean it all up so I wouldn't have anything but laundry to do when I got home, but no such luck. Eric was patting his foot to leave. I do just have floors left to sweep and mop, not too bad.
All the kids rode with me. We decided to take an adventure before coming home, and what an adventure it was. There is a spring, about 20 miles from Charlton, that Eric's dad knows and loves. It's called Collier Springs, and it is a picnic table pavilion on the side of a dirt road in the middle of no-where. At the bottom of this pavilion on the side of the hill, the spring shoots out and runs into a creek down below. I wanted to take the kids there and I knew they would love to play in the water. On the drive there, we were seeing deer and hawks, and then I spotted what I thought was a gruffy looking dog in the road. I thought "what in the world is that dog doing in the middle of no-where?" Then my brain clicked! - that not a dog, THAT'S A BEAR! It was a bear cub and he was very surprised to see us. I didn't see mom anywhere, but I'm sure he was around. That was the coolest part of my day. Elizabeth keeps saying "I know mom, we saw a bear, why do you keep saying that?" Very cool. We finally got to the spring, and the water was very cold. The kids and I walked on down to the creek and played int the water and waterfall. It is a beautiful place. Then we went to the cemetery where Eric's Dad's parents and brother are buried. Leah got to see the tombstone of the grandmother who she was named after, and I think it helped her understand that Granny Petty was a person. Eric's Uncle John is also buried there. My nephew is named after him and the girls noticed that also. I would love to spend more time there, because there are many grave sites from people who fought in the civil war. The cemetery sits on a hill and overlooks the Ouchita Mountains. It is a very nice cemetery, as far as cemeteries go. Then it was onto Caddo Gap, where there is a statue of DeSoto the Indian. I have always been mesmerized by that statue. I don't know why, maybe because it's a statue in the middle of know-where, and it's kinda cool. I'm silly that way, and the kids thought I was too. Since the kids entertained my silliness to find all of these places, I treated them to a Happy Meal, then off to home we went. Their parents I believe were getting a little worried as to whether I was going to bring them home.
Once I got home, I began cooking for SNAC(Sunday Night After Church) fellowship. The youth had youth services last night and had a guest speaker I wanted to hear. The girls had met her at camp last week and just fell in love with. She is 27? years old and she is going on a mission trip around the world for a year. She is aloud to take one large backpack, and that is it. She doesn't know anyone she is going with and none of them are from Arkansas. She will go to many un-developed areas and work with orphanages. She was very sweet and brave. Please pray for her.
On Sunday morning, we slept late again, but instead of getting up and fixing a large breakfast like I had been, they got cereal and bagels. I thought I would be the only one eating bagels, but they wanted to try, and even Harley ate a bagel with cream cheese. When Eric came in, I just laughed!. He asked what I was laughing about, and I told him "I've won her to the other side!!" She's a picky eater like her daddy, and usually snarls her nose at most food.
After breakfast, we began to clean and pack up. Eric worked on the outside, I worked on the inside. I wanted to clean it all up so I wouldn't have anything but laundry to do when I got home, but no such luck. Eric was patting his foot to leave. I do just have floors left to sweep and mop, not too bad.
All the kids rode with me. We decided to take an adventure before coming home, and what an adventure it was. There is a spring, about 20 miles from Charlton, that Eric's dad knows and loves. It's called Collier Springs, and it is a picnic table pavilion on the side of a dirt road in the middle of no-where. At the bottom of this pavilion on the side of the hill, the spring shoots out and runs into a creek down below. I wanted to take the kids there and I knew they would love to play in the water. On the drive there, we were seeing deer and hawks, and then I spotted what I thought was a gruffy looking dog in the road. I thought "what in the world is that dog doing in the middle of no-where?" Then my brain clicked! - that not a dog, THAT'S A BEAR! It was a bear cub and he was very surprised to see us. I didn't see mom anywhere, but I'm sure he was around. That was the coolest part of my day. Elizabeth keeps saying "I know mom, we saw a bear, why do you keep saying that?" Very cool. We finally got to the spring, and the water was very cold. The kids and I walked on down to the creek and played int the water and waterfall. It is a beautiful place. Then we went to the cemetery where Eric's Dad's parents and brother are buried. Leah got to see the tombstone of the grandmother who she was named after, and I think it helped her understand that Granny Petty was a person. Eric's Uncle John is also buried there. My nephew is named after him and the girls noticed that also. I would love to spend more time there, because there are many grave sites from people who fought in the civil war. The cemetery sits on a hill and overlooks the Ouchita Mountains. It is a very nice cemetery, as far as cemeteries go. Then it was onto Caddo Gap, where there is a statue of DeSoto the Indian. I have always been mesmerized by that statue. I don't know why, maybe because it's a statue in the middle of know-where, and it's kinda cool. I'm silly that way, and the kids thought I was too. Since the kids entertained my silliness to find all of these places, I treated them to a Happy Meal, then off to home we went. Their parents I believe were getting a little worried as to whether I was going to bring them home.
Once I got home, I began cooking for SNAC(Sunday Night After Church) fellowship. The youth had youth services last night and had a guest speaker I wanted to hear. The girls had met her at camp last week and just fell in love with. She is 27? years old and she is going on a mission trip around the world for a year. She is aloud to take one large backpack, and that is it. She doesn't know anyone she is going with and none of them are from Arkansas. She will go to many un-developed areas and work with orphanages. She was very sweet and brave. Please pray for her.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Memories
I had a guy at our camp yesterday ask if all of those kids were mine. I told him "I might be crazy for the weekend, but I'm not crazy for a lifetime." Getting 5 kids ready each day has been experience. I enjoyed to challenge of being organized yesterday and did a great job, but I worked all day long. I didn't get much physical help from Eric, but he's a great entertainer and disciplinarian to the kids, and that's a big help. I wish I had a quarter every time they asked me "When are we going swimming." We took them to the swimming hole at camp around 12 yesterday. The swimming area is a dammed up spring fed creek. It was ICE COLD!!. The poor babies didn't take 20 minutes before they were saying "can we go back to camp yet". It was painfully cold. So we went back for some lunch, and then let Eric have a small nap. He couldn't sleep much for the kids going in/out of the camper. We decided to go to another campground down the road that is on the lake to let them swim for the afternoon. They had so much more fun then. It wasn't very crowded and they had a great time. We ate hamburgers for supper and grilled corn that Kerri had sent with us, fresh out of the garden. Then 5 kids through a shower, and easily they went off to bed. I can not imagine being the lady from North Arkansas with 19 kids. She speaks so peacefully and she still has dark hair. I yell and would be totally grey.
Today we slept till 9. Very unusual, but why not, we're camping. I decided not to work so hard today, and let them help themselves today. We didn't eat breakfast until 10. (My Grandpa Barnes would croak, ha..... My Mom would croak!) We are now swimming again at Denby Point. I thought it might be crowded today, since it is Saturday, but its not crowded at all. There are lots of campers around here, but also lots of boats on the water. I guess that's where they are doing their swimming. I think tonight Bradley, Kerri and Amanda are coming for supper. I hope they are not coming out of sympathy, because the kids are doing really great, and they are, I should say we are, having a great time. We are making wonderful memories.
Today we slept till 9. Very unusual, but why not, we're camping. I decided not to work so hard today, and let them help themselves today. We didn't eat breakfast until 10. (My Grandpa Barnes would croak, ha..... My Mom would croak!) We are now swimming again at Denby Point. I thought it might be crowded today, since it is Saturday, but its not crowded at all. There are lots of campers around here, but also lots of boats on the water. I guess that's where they are doing their swimming. I think tonight Bradley, Kerri and Amanda are coming for supper. I hope they are not coming out of sympathy, because the kids are doing really great, and they are, I should say we are, having a great time. We are making wonderful memories.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Camping at Charlton
I bet the other campers think " That woman is crazy. She has her laptop and blackberry. This is suppose to be camping." The kids are asleep still, so I am making use of quiet time to check e-mails and blog. I don't get much quiet time.
Last Friday was Elizabeth's birthday. It was a wonderful and busy day. We got up and went to Brew Heaven for breakfast. Then we went to White Hall to Hunter's Refuge (per her request). She wanted to buy her birthday present there. She's a little on the strange side. She picked out pink with brown horses rubber boots, a camo bikini with a pink bow, and a sling shot. (Eric's child!) Leah, Elizabeth and I then went and had our nails done in town, while Eric went back home and got a trailer. After nails, we drove over to Benton with Eric to pick up a box blade that was part of his tractor deal. We then bought groceries, went home for a small amount of time, then left again. We went to Macaroni Grill with Mom and Dad for supper, then went to a 3-d movie. We got home about midnight. But what a great day. My children are spoilt. I love them.
Saturday was party day. Lauren, my 4 year old niece, had her birthday party in Fordyce, and after that we came home to get ready for our party. We had tacos, and a Rock and Roll theme. The kids got dressed up and gave us plenty of entertainment. We had about 20 guest.
We have left the home this weekend. No entertaining for us. We have had people over the last 3 weekends and it has been so much fun. Even though it is hard work, I think I have really got myself into a tougher job this weekend. We are camping at Charlton. It is us, and then we brought Justin, Anna and Harley with us. We got here after dark last night, and we got the last spot. I'm eyeballing the a spot across from us, they look like they are packing up and it looks a lot more private than the one we are in now. Eric is going to have to go to town today to get a bigger water hose for the camper because ours won't reach the hook-up. Maybe those people are leaving and we can just move. This is going to be one wild weekend.
Last Friday was Elizabeth's birthday. It was a wonderful and busy day. We got up and went to Brew Heaven for breakfast. Then we went to White Hall to Hunter's Refuge (per her request). She wanted to buy her birthday present there. She's a little on the strange side. She picked out pink with brown horses rubber boots, a camo bikini with a pink bow, and a sling shot. (Eric's child!) Leah, Elizabeth and I then went and had our nails done in town, while Eric went back home and got a trailer. After nails, we drove over to Benton with Eric to pick up a box blade that was part of his tractor deal. We then bought groceries, went home for a small amount of time, then left again. We went to Macaroni Grill with Mom and Dad for supper, then went to a 3-d movie. We got home about midnight. But what a great day. My children are spoilt. I love them.
Saturday was party day. Lauren, my 4 year old niece, had her birthday party in Fordyce, and after that we came home to get ready for our party. We had tacos, and a Rock and Roll theme. The kids got dressed up and gave us plenty of entertainment. We had about 20 guest.
We have left the home this weekend. No entertaining for us. We have had people over the last 3 weekends and it has been so much fun. Even though it is hard work, I think I have really got myself into a tougher job this weekend. We are camping at Charlton. It is us, and then we brought Justin, Anna and Harley with us. We got here after dark last night, and we got the last spot. I'm eyeballing the a spot across from us, they look like they are packing up and it looks a lot more private than the one we are in now. Eric is going to have to go to town today to get a bigger water hose for the camper because ours won't reach the hook-up. Maybe those people are leaving and we can just move. This is going to be one wild weekend.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
15 days ago
Wow, what a whirlwind my life continues to be in. We had bible school last week. It was wonderful, we had anywhere from 114 - 140 attend every night. And so many kids I didn't know. It's that way every year. The teachers were wonderful, they all got along with the kids, they helped me out whenever needed. The whole church came together to work on this bible school. I don't think I know one person in that church who did not do something for VBS. And I have the best parents in the whole wide world. My mom put a bug in my dad's ear to bring me supper Monday and Tuesday night, which lasted for leftover's the rest of the week. I am still blessed. Eric even survived, I didn't kill him.
On Saturday we began working some more. Mom kept the kids on Friday night, so I got up Saturday morning and did some much needed cleaning and organizing. Saturday night we grilled hamburgers for friends and family and enjoyed my new deck. Oh yeah - the weekend of the 4th, Eric built me a wonderful new deck - with the help of my dad, Nathan, and Dennis. So we had to entertain on it last weekend. But it was sooo hot. This is going to be a fall and spring deck I'm afraid. I'm just happy to have a way to get out the back door. My deck furniture looks so nice and the tree makes a nice shade over the deck. Anyway - back to the attendees of our deck party - Bradley, Kerri, Harley, Amanda, Justin, Anna, Mom and Dad, Bradley and Amanda's Parents, Kerri's Parents, and Nathan. After eating hamburgers and homemade ice cream, we shot fireworks. We have been doing this for the last several years, and we got so busy the weekend of the 4th, we just postponed it a weekend. The fireworks were nice, the guys did a real good show.
Sunday, we took long naps.
Monday, I started catching up on my charting I had not done during bible school.
Tuesday, Fold Laundry.
Wednesday, Baked zucchini bread for a friend in need. Leah helped and she called it bikini bread.
Today, get the rest of the house cleaned up for the house cleaning lady tomorrow!! It hasn't got too bad since last week, because I threatened everyone!! PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF!!
Elizabeth's birthday is this weekend. I'm' sure it will be another busy filled weekend.
On Saturday we began working some more. Mom kept the kids on Friday night, so I got up Saturday morning and did some much needed cleaning and organizing. Saturday night we grilled hamburgers for friends and family and enjoyed my new deck. Oh yeah - the weekend of the 4th, Eric built me a wonderful new deck - with the help of my dad, Nathan, and Dennis. So we had to entertain on it last weekend. But it was sooo hot. This is going to be a fall and spring deck I'm afraid. I'm just happy to have a way to get out the back door. My deck furniture looks so nice and the tree makes a nice shade over the deck. Anyway - back to the attendees of our deck party - Bradley, Kerri, Harley, Amanda, Justin, Anna, Mom and Dad, Bradley and Amanda's Parents, Kerri's Parents, and Nathan. After eating hamburgers and homemade ice cream, we shot fireworks. We have been doing this for the last several years, and we got so busy the weekend of the 4th, we just postponed it a weekend. The fireworks were nice, the guys did a real good show.
Sunday, we took long naps.
Monday, I started catching up on my charting I had not done during bible school.
Tuesday, Fold Laundry.
Wednesday, Baked zucchini bread for a friend in need. Leah helped and she called it bikini bread.
Today, get the rest of the house cleaned up for the house cleaning lady tomorrow!! It hasn't got too bad since last week, because I threatened everyone!! PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF!!
Elizabeth's birthday is this weekend. I'm' sure it will be another busy filled weekend.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Pulling Teeth
Elizabeth pulled a tooth last week at Mrs Leann's. It actually fell out. She is a BIG baby when it comes to pulling teeth, or anything that may give her a little pain. I hope she lives a healthy life, because I don't think she could handle it if she didn't. Monday night, she had two more that were so loose, you could see underneath the teeth. My uncle, Ross, had come over and he has been successful in the past at keeping her calm and pulling her teeth. He was outside talking with Eric, so I went to Elizabeth's bedroom and told her I had a surprise for her outside, and that she would need to close her eyes. She got excited, covered her eyes, and Leah was in on the trick, too. Leah wanted her to pull it, because they are saving their money to buy UNO Attack. Anyway - once we got her outside and she saw Ross, she tried to run back in the house, but I picked her up and took her to him. He didn't get to pull it. She pulled out the alligator tears and so he didn't try anymore after that. She eventually pulled one tooth that night- I think it fell out too. I tried to bribe her to pull the other one by telling her I would buy her some more fish. She said she would, but she didn't. Eric and I worked some more on VBS, then we all went to bed.
On Tuesday afternoon, the tooth still wasn't out. Leah was getting really frustrated with her sister. I was finishing up charting in my bedroom. It is during this time and when I am on the phone, the girls seem to start pilfering. They know that because they are quiet, and I am left alone, they can quickly get into something. They found my gum on the cabinet in the kitchen and they were seeing how much they could put in their mouth, before I caught them. I told them to stop getting in my gum, but I continued to chart. Elizabeth ran in my room a little bit later and yelled "Momma, Momma, My tooth, my tooth." The gum had pulled the tooth out. FINALLY.
We got a late rain shower yesterday and after supper and working on bible school, we all sat out on the front porch and watched the rain. Eric fell asleep in the swing. Such a nice life.
On Tuesday afternoon, the tooth still wasn't out. Leah was getting really frustrated with her sister. I was finishing up charting in my bedroom. It is during this time and when I am on the phone, the girls seem to start pilfering. They know that because they are quiet, and I am left alone, they can quickly get into something. They found my gum on the cabinet in the kitchen and they were seeing how much they could put in their mouth, before I caught them. I told them to stop getting in my gum, but I continued to chart. Elizabeth ran in my room a little bit later and yelled "Momma, Momma, My tooth, my tooth." The gum had pulled the tooth out. FINALLY.
We got a late rain shower yesterday and after supper and working on bible school, we all sat out on the front porch and watched the rain. Eric fell asleep in the swing. Such a nice life.
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