September Photos of the Month

I had major issues with Blogger a few weeks ago, so I was not able to post this in a timely manner. It turns out my kids had downloaded an extension or something like that and it was interfering with my uploading and posting. But that is all taken care of now. 

I decided to Zentangle in blue, I really like the effect. 

Elyssa took this picture when she went on a ride with her dad. 

Brothers out for a ride.

Taking a break

A dear friend of ours got married. 

My favorite! 

Lots of dog art these last few months. 

Back to school Picture, Ash 9th grade.

August Photos of the Month

In August we were able to take 2 camp trips back to back. 

It was crazy but we had a very good time. 

Lots of work involved in getting ready for a trip to the lake.

 I am sure you all have been there.

Unfortunately I did not take my camera on the last trip

so I have no photos to share of the trip to Pineview. 

Oh well, maybe next year.

But for now I will share my favorites. 

 This is my lil' buddy, Garrett. 

I love everything about this picture: the colors, the subject, the background, the bandaid.

 What is camping without a campfire? 

 Justin, leading morning worship at the lake.

 Justin and Scott baptizing our dear friends: 

Taylor (top), Carl (middle), Regina (bottom).

 Justin had never been involved in baptizing anyone.

 It was a very special time for him and he felt very honored to have been asked. 

Church on the beach we had a fairly good turn out!

Good bye Skye Puppy

Our dog died this morning at about 3:30 am I know this because I heard her barking and then she gave out a little yipe and a whine and I heard her collapse in her kennel. Being the middle of the night and I was half asleep I didn't get up to investigate, much less make much sense of it. But this morning Justin told me she had died. 

Today we are going to remember her as the happy little social butterfly that she was. 

 Instead of wasting little bits of meat that are left over after dinner, I cut it up and feed it to the dogs from a fork. Surprisingly they know exactly how to eat off of one. 

 She was not very active but every once in a while she would find a stray sock and attack it. 

 She loved to go for a ride for all of 30 seconds and then she wanted to be done. 

 At the lake sitting on a wave runner.

   Camping. She was a happy camper and loved to visit other campers. 

 She always followed me everywhere I went. 

 Apparently she wanted to go to Hawaii? 

 Happy girl!

For the last year or so this has been her favorite spot. Under the sofa. She slept a lot this last year, she had cataracts, her teeth were falling out and she was getting skinnier all the time, but you couldn't tell because she had so much hair. 

I think all dogs go to heaven, see you there one day skypup! 

July Photos of the month

So much has happened in this last month that I can barely wrap my mind around it. It has been a busy month to be sure. Lots of  fun was had by all. There have been some life changing events as well.  However I am going to let the pictures do most of the talking, because I am one tired girl!

Newly decorated bedroom, This used to be a room for J's hobby stuff. You could not even walk in this room! I don't know how he was even able to work in there and enjoy it. But now it is a cute room fit for a teenager. E painted the lamp shade. 

Art I made for the room. 

It says: 

{LOVE} It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails.

 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

My favorite stop in Idaho.

 Crystal clear waters, Cold, Crisp, Beautiful. 

I may or may not be inspired to write a haiku about it. 

More photos from our river rafting trip in Idaho.

Elyssa drew this dragon and framed it. It was auctioned off at the family reunion for $20. Now her confidence is up and I have seen a dramatic increase in her desire to draw, and her skill level. She is pumping out those sketches!

 Ah Dixie! Such a sweet little girl, well as long as she knows who you are!

 A girl and her dog. 

Climbing a rock in Soldier Hollow, Justin is helping the kids scout their way down. 

Youth Camp

Justin and I had the privilege of being able to attend youth camp with our church this year. It was AWESOME! We went to Idaho and took 2 trips down the snake river. I thought it was going to be scary but it wasn't. I want to take it up as a hobby!

We started in Hagerman, Idaho with H.A.R.T. (High Adventure River Tours)  They have a camp ground and it was an all inclusive trip that included camping, meals, and river rafting.  These guys are awesome!!! If you are looking for a river rafting trip and you are in the Idaho area, Check out HART of Idaho.

 Our whole group this year, from left to right: 

Top row; Ashton, Christianna, Justin, Chunou, Randy (our camp host and owner of HART)
Middle row; Rick, Theodore, Natalia, Elyssa, Taylor, Chloe, Debi, Myself
Bottom row; Madison, Nicolet, Juliana, Wayne (our river guide), Bree,

This was the most incredible group of kids I have ever been with. There was no drama, and such a sense of love for one another.  

  Hagerman National Fish Hatchery. These Sturgeon are 20 years old, and they are HUGE!!! They love the attention and will let you pet them. 

 Camp is not all fun and games. We had some deep discussions and a lot of bible time. 

 So much fun!!!!

 Playing slip-n-slide on the snake river. 

 Worship time and a lesson. 

 What would camping be without a nightly toad hunt? 

 Twin Falls, Idaho

 Shoshone Falls, Idaho

 1000 Springs State Park, and Ritter Island area.  This has to be one of my most favorite stops. Green is my favorite color after all. The colors, the cool, crisp water, the beauty was almost too much to take in. It was late afternoon and the temperature was hot hot hot. Taking a nice dip in the water sounded so wonderful. Little did we know that the water was super cold. Almost glacial like. Never have I seen water so clear before, in a wilderness setting. It was like glass.

We had a blast on this trip. I got to share a tent with the older girls, and we had so much giggly fun! Working with these boys and girls and connecting with them has been such a wonderful experience. So many of them come from really tough circumstances that they did not ask for, but they were thrown into anyway.  Some of them are just trying to cope. Others are beyond that stage and are survivors. They are wonderful girls and boys who have so much love to give and so much potential, if only they could see that they are loved unconditionally. I am so humbled that so many of them have chosen to call me friend and share with me their struggles, and bestow upon me their trust.