Camping

So, I have a couple of daughters that are American Heritage Girls. And the group decided to hold a Camp-o-ree. Original plan was for mother and daughter to attend camp. Andrew and I had planned to attend the prior week for cub scouts. Ours didn't work out. So, the day before the camp-o-ree we decided that we should all go. (5 of us anyway). So, we loaded up the truck and off we went of a Friday night. Excitement abounded. We quickly chose a campsite and started setting up camp. After putting up the tent, we realized that we had set up on some tree roots. I said no problem as I had an air mattress and it wouldn't matter to me anyway. Life is good. Then we go to bed.

By 10:00 we had no air in the mattress and my son had a real nasty cough. Add to that a pretty nasty rain storm around midnight and sleeping was not going to happen. Being a typical competitive man who does not like defeat, I was determined to not let one bad night beat me. So, while everyone started their activities on Saturday morning, I went off to Academy for supplies.

After collecting 3 new air mattresses and a sleeping bad I headed back to camp via my house where I took a shower. My wife had previously decided to not stay a second night but the kids wanted to stay and I was game. Armed with a new outlook and functioning gear, I proceeded to set up camp again. The 3 new air mattresses fit perfectly across the tent. Our food preparation was stressful that night as it just didn't want to get done.

Finally about 10:00 that night we settled off to sleep. Probably one of the best nights of sleep ever. The next morning after breakfast my 17yr old broke down camp all by herself. I am very proud of her.

I am hoping to continue this with my children as we all learned a lot and came closer as a family.

So, it's been a while

Not quite a year since I last posted. Not too bad. But definitely time to write again. Life has been interesting. I have a daughter graduating from college soon who is also getting married. Read: whole new set of emotions and thought here. I have another daughter in Europe until May. When she comes back she will only be around for a couple of weeks before going off again. These things are kind of hard to get used to but at the same time there is a lot of satisfaction and pride in seeing these 2 fine girls growing up and making there way in this world.

But lets not forget that we still need to focus our attentions on the other 4 children that are still at home with us. I am extremely proud of my 2 high school daughters. Both have had to face different challenges this year and are battling through them. They have both shown fortitude and high moral character. My two little ones (6 and 8) can be a bit demanding with all of the activities that we have going on. But with the great support of my wife we will overcome all of these challenges and be stronger for it.

Currently, I have been looking at all of these challenges as part of my lenten journey. I have had some success and some failure with the lenten resolutions. But, that is part of it. Isn't it? Perhaps the hardest part of my lenten journey has been my pledge to be positive and encouraging in everything I do and with everyone I meet. I don't think the devil likes this one because I have sure been attacked recently. Please pray for me as I will pray for you.