Hurricane Else and Family Happenings

 

Well we are waiting for Hurricane (barely) Elsa.... But you never know....so we are hurricane prepped and ready just in case.  In all honesty I will probably sleep through it.  Jon laughs at me because he says I must have a clear conscience -I sleep through every storm while he sits up and prays :) I'm hoping I'll sleep through this one too.  I've gone through countless numbers of hurricanes in my lifetime living in Florida.  There have been a few that were rough!  One of the 2004 hurricanes had us without electricity for about 2 weeks.  That was when Sam was a baby and it was rough.  A few years ago we had one here at this house and we lost electricity and water because our generator quit working....that one was rough too!  Well we have our fingers crossed here in Florida!

the blue dot is us....

Molly looks stressed but she is not.  Nothing bothers her.  Our neighborhood sounded like a war zone for the 4th but she didn't care she is such a chilled dog.  

Here's a picture of my Angel Trumpet tree at night.  I love Trumpet trees and yes I know they are poisonous.  But they are beautiful.  Mine blooms 5-6 times a year.  The fragrance is called the smell of heaven.  I can not even describe it it is so sweet.  But it's only smells at night.  I like to sit out on the back porch and smell it.  It's beautiful.  

I have sad news- my Ginger died.  She was such a happy chicken.  We'd nursed her through a recent illness and she'd rallied but she was around 8-9 years old and it caught up with her.  I had a day to baby her and seperate her to the front porch where she could just go to sleep and that's what she did.   Ginger always made me smile because when I called her she came skipping.  I've never seen a chicken do that and it was sweet.  

RIP GinGIn if there are chickens in heaven I expect to see you again.  Thanks for all the smiles you gave me-you are missed.  

The other day I was coming home in a monsoon and had to take some pictures.  I love Florida in all seasons.  

On Mother's Day we were all sitting around talking about some things we wanted to do as a family this summer.  The boys were giving me their schedules work/camp/vacation....and all of a sudden my oldest starts acting squirrely about a date.....  The boys start laughing and Shad says that Steve was going to go swimming with sharks on that particular day.  For a second I thought they were kidding....they were not....

Steve told us it was our fault because we raised him around animals and watching way too many Steve Irwin shows..... not to be insensitive but I reminded him how Steve Irwin had died....

He also reminded me of all the vacations we've taken over the years and how we taught him about appreciating nature....  Well we never swam with sharks to appreciate nature!!!  LOL  I can truly say I prayed all day until he called and said they were back on land.  To be honest, Jon and I are considering going to swim with sharks but staying in the cage!!  

The crew! Headed back to the Grand Canyon  Las Vegas and Zion National Park

THIS is staged LOL he is on the ground with his legs tucked under!  

This is Angel's landing in Zion National Park a very dangerous hike.  They did it and had a blast 

And last weekend he went to the mountains and white water rafting I love this picture.  He is the one in the back looking at the camera

I love this picture even more hahahah!!!

Steve has kept me praying this year.  He says it's his year of adventure and saying YES to things....I wish he'd say YES to staying home hahahahaha!  but my prayer life has grown by leaps and bounds:) Although I do love that he loves nature.  He grew up climbing mountains (not real dangerous ones) white water rafting snorkeling and adventure.  He just has taken it up a few notches to say the least.  But I do love it....after it's over .... and he survived and I see the cool pictures!   

Shad went to a camp last week with his local friends  and is at the Assembly of God camp this week-between him and Steve they've been going to this camp for about 12 years....this is the last year he can go as a camper....

Its a campground/ convention center that our church owns.  The first time I went there was in 1984 for a college banquet.   Thinking back it cracks me up because I had no idea I'd have kids going to camp there one day.......

For any new moms out there just so you know this is what you'll see your kids doing more and more...walking away from you to their own lives....  sweet but sad too.  

For our 4th of July we had a luncheon after church for our music minister Guy who retired from his full time job.  

Guy is facing some health issues so please keep him in your prayers.  He has been our music/youth minister since 2008.  He is such a blessing to our church and our family.  In fact he is a part of our family.  

Sam loved the menu chicken and dumplings (that I made) broccoli (he eats it every day and loves it ) and pizza. 

It was a good day to celebrate friends family church and the 4th of July!  

One my next blog I will be sharing a video where Jon and I were interviewed.