Summer Joys for Boys

We've been trying to soak up as much summer fun as possible before it's gone.  Last weekend we spent the day at our favorite beach.  The older boys wanted to go fishing, but the only thing they caught was some crawdads, which turned out to be bucket loads of fun.  I am learning that sunshine and laughter are like free therapy and that life's simplest pleasures truly fill one's heart to overflowing...  I hope you're counting your blessings by the bucket load too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pray for my boys...

Today we took the scenic drive up the Seeley-Swan Valley to Salmon Lake to drop our eldest 2 sons off at a Catholic camp called Legendary Lodge.  They having been eagerly awaiting this camp all summer.  The location of the camp is breath-taking, with majestic mountains towering on all sides and surrounded by a crystal mountain lake.  You even have to take a ferry boat to get across the lake to the campsite...

 

It was bittersweet taking the boys across the lake, knowing that I won't be seeing their smiling faces for 5 days, and knowing also that they are growing up and strengthening their wings of independence.  But I had a peace knowing that they would be learning to soar towards heaven at this camp, growing in their faith while having the time of their lives. 

I wondered if I would cry and turn into a puddle as I said goodbye to them and blessed their foreheads underneath their favorite baseball caps.  But I didn't cry (shocking, I know!).  I felt at peace because they had each other--how blessed I am that these brothers are truly the best of friends!  I knew they would look out for each other and they wouldn't be too lonely or homesick with each other nearby.

And not only did they have each other, they were also surrounded by a huge group of their best buddies from school and church.  We know and love all of these boys and are friends with all of their parents...another huge consolation to this mother's heart!

Plus, I knew they were in very good hands---our Blessed Mother's!  Oh my, I just noticed how it looks like she is even holding them by their arms in this photo!  I have nothing to worry about :)

All that being said, I would still love it if you would help me pray for our boys while they are at camp this week... Pray for their peace and protection; pray that they create legendary memories and lasting friendships; but pray most of all that they come to love the Lord in a powerful and personal way.

a prayer/poem

 

Sacred Heart of Jesus,

draw me nearer to Thee

my heart has grown cold

from bitterness set me free

through Your unquenchable flames

warm the chill, melt the numb

I know Your love is enough

all I need is to simply come

 

Sacred Heart of Jesus

in Your pierced wound heal me

for my heart has been broken

from neglect and vanity

with your burning love

consume my heart torn in two

replace it with Yours

that I may start anew

I know I am no great poet, but writing poetry is therapy for my soul, no matter how silly and amateur my words may be.  As you can tell in my rhyme, my heart has been a bit heavy lately.  It's the same old cross, but perhaps the baby blues and lack of sleep make it feel heavier than usual.  I'm praying for the grace to carry it with perseverance and joy, knowing that it can make me more like my suffering Savior and closer to His merciful heart.  I recently came across a quote from my favorite saint, Therese the Little Flower, which gave me great hope:  "Let us remain very remote from all that glitters.  Let us love our littleness; let us love to feel nothing.  Then we shall be poor in spirit, and Jesus will come seeking us, however far away we are.  He will transform us into flames of love!  Often we are saddened here by the very thing which will be the cause of our eternal happiness above." 

Dominic Launches to age 7

Dominic, affectionately called "the Dom-Bomb," or "Nic-Nac-Patty-Wack" by his family members, turned seven last week.  Dominic, our impulsive, fun-loving,100% boy, who loves to talk non-stop to anyone who will listen, wanted to celebrate his 7th birthday "Angry Bird" style.  With the summer temperature in the 90s, it seemed like the perfect idea to have an Angry Bird water balloon war.  We filled up 200 water balloons and then divided the birthday guests into two groups:  angry birds vs. little piggies.  The birds got to fire two water balloons each at the group of pigs, and then the sides were reversed, back and forth, until all the balloons were gone and the kids were drenched.  It was the perfect game for a hot summer day!  The water balloon war was followed by pizza, presents, and an ice cream Angry Birds cake from DQ.  Dominic was happier than an angry bird at a pig class reunion, which makes me one happy mommy! :)

my 2 hot babes

who needs Disney World?

We just returned from a fun-filled vacation to South Dakota to visit our family.  Our kids reacquainted themselves with their cousins, we got spoiled by my mom's home-cooking, we spent lots of time at my brother Mike's house at the lake having fun in the sun, the older boys had a blast catching walleye with grandpa, I was blessed to spend some time with dear friends, and Paul and I were even able to steal away for a date night. We are realizing that now that we are a family of 7, it simply isn't feasible to take a summer vacation to places like Disney World, Hawaii, or Europe like some other families do.  But the more I think about it, the more I believe that spending time with family doing simple pleasures like fishing, swimming, and playing board games is more fulfilling, for we are creating memories and special relationships that will last a lifetime.  God is training my heart to be thankful for simple blessings rather than wishing my life away wanting things I can't have or things that would ultimately draw my heart away from the things that really matter: faith, family, and friendships.

So here's a plethora of pictures to give you an idea of the fun we had, fun that beats Disney World by far in my opinion:

All the cousins proudly showing off their trophies after their incredible piano recital performances.

 

 

Our boys at Storybook Land in Aberdeen, SD.

They are my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

 

 

Our boys riding the train at Storybook Land with Grandma Theresa, Grandpa Pat, Uncle Jon, Aunt Debbie, and cousin Evan.

 

 

My parents who are still happily married, and they were so happy to have all of their kids and grand kids together for the 4th of July.  Next summer we will all be together again to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary!

 

 

Paul and I were able to spend some quality time together talking, relaxing, and reconnecting our hearts. 

 

 

I had fun using my new telephoto lens at the zoo at Storybook Land.

 

 

I love photography, but I honestly have no idea what I'm doing.  Someday I'd love to take a photography class so that I can improve my skills.

 

 

The kids playing games on the iPad with their cousin Evan during a moment of down-time.

 

 

Nathanael loved spending time with Grandma Theresa putting together puzzles,

and the older boys kept grandma very busy playing cards and board games.

 

 

 

One of the highlights for the older boys was a quick trip to Minneapolis to attend a Twins baseball game and to visit their Minnesota relatives (Grandma Jean, Grandpa Dick, Uncle Dann, Aunt Rachel, and cousins Rowan, Kennedy, and Hollis).

 

 

Dominic's favorite activity was swimming and catching frogs at Richmond Lake.

 

 

Michael's favorite activity was catching fish.  He rarely took a break from fishing to swim!

 

 

Joseph looking very cool with the carp he caught.

It's bittersweet to realize how old and mature he is becoming.

 

 

Nathanael thought he was a "cool-guy" riding the jet ski with daddy.

 

 

Joseph and Michael with C-R-A-Z-Y hair after their jet ski ride.

I am so blessed to have boys that love each other so much!

 

 

Nathanael and Grandpa Pat (on the blanket) loved taking their afternoon naps in the sun.

 

 

Nathanael wasn't too crazy about playing in the water, but he loved playing on the beach.

 

 

Uncle Steve, who is still a great slalom water-skier, teaching Joseph how to ski for the first time.

 

 

Nathanael looking like a little pyromaniac!

He loved the 4th of July fireworks!

 

 

Big brother Joseph helping Dominic shoot bottle rockets.

Not sure how safe this was, but it sure made for a beautiful shot.

 

 

Summer vacations in SD are AWESOME!

Who needs Disney World anyway?