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Let the Summer Fun Begin!

So what do you think of the new blog colors? Thought it was time to play around with the look of it. Maybe with all this pink I need to stick to black for my font color though. Kind of gives it a very hip look, don't you think?

I am currently enjoying some time at home alone. Alone! I'm so happy. I had thoughts of doing some housework and even taking a nap, but blogging sounded like a better idea at the moment. Maybe I can actually have an insightful thought without anyone interrupting me! Well, there is the dog, but he's currently napping under my chair. Oh, and I have the garage door closed, so maybe the neighborhood kids won't think we're home either. Aaahhh...

Well, yesterday we did something we hardly ever do as a family: go to the beach. I've never been much of a beach fan, but I put "going to the beach at least monthly" on my summer goals list. I just decided that it is silly to live this close to beautiful Lake Michigan and not take advantage of it! I think especially with homeschooling now, and having the kids around me so often (which I'm normally perfectly fine with)...I've decided that this summer we need to be purposeful about doing certain things. And in particular, certain things that are outdoors and appreciating the beauty of this state we live in. Michigan IS a gorgeous state. Yes, I do hate living here from about January 2nd through March 31st. But the rest of the time I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. So, yes, we hit the beach yesterday.

I must say, it was actually quite enjoyable! I've gotten over the bathing suit hang-up (because I found one that has surfer shorts for the bottoms, so I don't have to be self-conscious wearing it), but I'm still not a huge fan of the sand. Oh, the sand. It goes everywhere. Literally. Nothing like taking a bite of our sandwiches and gritting the sand in my teeth. Or getting it stuck in places on the kids that only a bath would help wash off. I guess, though, if the sand is the worst of our problems, then that's OK. And, I'd say that was the worst of it.

Now that the twins can swim and Hannah has her life vest on, I was able to relax a fair amount yesterday. Of course it helped that Daddy was in the water with them most of the time. But Lake Michigan still scares me. It's a big lake and the conditions can change in a flash.  If it weren't for Dave being there, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the time nearly as much. Thankfully everyone was safe and tons of fun was had by all. The funniest was when we got out our big inflatable sea monster. I got lots of laughs watching the kids (and sometimes Daddy too) floating around on that thing. Hannah most enjoyed using it as her personal beach bed. But we left the beach with lots of color on our skin, smiles on our faces, and sand in our...well, sand everywhere. Pictures will come on Facebook soon.

I guess it's about time to get off the computer and start packing Luke up for camp. Camp, you say?! Yep. My little boy decided he wanted to go to Bible camp for 5 days with a friend. I really don't think I'm ready for this! He leaves tomorrow after church and will be home on Friday. The twins both went to this camp with friends for 2 days a couple summers ago. Somehow knowing that they had each other there made that experience seem easier to handle. Plus, it was only for 2 days. I have to do a lot of praying between now and tomorrow afternoon to be ready for this one. Leaving my baby boy for 5 days?! Oh heaven help me. I hope I can hold it together when we drop him off.  I'm sure he'll have tons of fun and be perfectly fine. It's just a whole new road we're taking here. I guess it comes with the job (parenting, that is). If he has the confidence to spread his wings and go to summer camp for 5 days, then we must be doing something right. The girls and I will do some special things together while he's gone. I'm thankful that the camp posts pictures of the campers during the week. You know I'll be checking that website several times a day!

Before I go, let me be accountable (per my previous post): I have been doing a smidge better. I still have a hard time getting enough of the veggies and getting in enough exercise. Although my trips up the dune yesterday at the beach sure wore me out! I think I've only lost a 1/2 a pound so far though. I hope to kick it into high gear and start to see those results accumulate quickly. I need some encouragement for this long road ahead! You can pray for me as I continue to change my thinking on this topic. That's all where the problem is, for sure. Still trying to convince myself that I really can do this. Too many failed attempts make me leery of even trying again.

Well, until next time...enjoy your blessings!

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