Ma, blackberries, and grandkids!

This is one of my favorite pictures of ma. Today would be her birthday.... she would have been 78. Today she is celebrating in heaven with her mom, sisters and brothers and loved ones. Selfishly.... I wish she was here to celebrate with us. Rita and Becky are baking a cake. I miss her so much.... and I am so thankful for the time the Lord gave us with her!!! She was an amazing person!

I love weekends! Whether we are alone together or have grandkids.... I love weekends! It is impossible to be in a funk with them around! They make me laugh and bless my heart so much!
This morning it is 7:43 and Papa, Andrew, Maddie and Lauren are all sleeping. Dylan is in the den watching tv from his bed. Fans are going and it is all quiet and peaceful. Wish I could freeze time.

Yesterday Karla Jean brought the kids over after lunch. We had a reunion to go to so we all got ready and went up the street to the park it was at. Drove down there and froze. No Rhonda. Called her cell. Called Hilary. No answer. Didn't see cousin John. Didn't really see anyone we knew well enough to get out of the van! So we snuck away. shhhh. Don't know if we were spotted or not. They were all eating at huge tables. Felt bad and double checked with Lanny a bizzillion times because I didn't want to take him from his family. He drove us out of there. It was weird and awkward. lol

Maddie almost cried because she saw blackberries to pick. We went down the road where we went last year by the bridge and picked! We got whole bucket for Maddie and Dylan to take home!




Usually I crop and fix all the pictures but kids are starting to stir and I am running out of time before they are "hungry" or want my computer or attention. So now I am typing and posting faster..... Here is papa's arm last night from blackberry picking! Wish you could see what it really looks like.... it looks worse.We drove under the bridge and on that road looking for more. Papa picked while the kids explored.
Maddie wanted me to take a picture of her on a rock.... it took her awhile to find a rock that didn't have bird poop on it. lol
Dylan helps Maddie..... wow. No wonder he is her hero.


After we got home we all had a fried egg sandwich. Maddie never had one before and loved it!
That was about 3:30. We knew it would be a late dinner because Ryan called and asked if we would like 2 kids and a dog, too! Well, of course I jumped at the chance! We met them in Poulsbo and got all but Andrew. His bus was running late so we got him later. It was funny when we got home. Toby was in the house and Sandy ran in and got him.... they dove off the deck running around the yard. Now, that is love. And so is this.... last night we did our story time on the deck and I wanted a picture of the three of us together and they kept blocking me out! Oh, they thought they were funny. Have about 20 pictures of this!

The highlight of the night was going to pick up Andrew! Well, not the "going". I was driving on Big Valley Road in Papa's car with Dylan and going a bit fast (over 50 in a 40... if you know the road it is really easy!!!). Well, of course, there was a sheriff. He turned around and turned his pretty lights on. I started praying and asking the Lord to PLEASE not let me get a ticket. Papa would kill me and we can't afford it at all!!! He came up and the first thing out of my mouth was "Please don't give me a ticket!!!!" He said "So, you know why I pulled you over." I said "Yes, but I was slowing down!" He smiled and asked for all the usual. He said he'd be right back and went back to his car. I prayed the whole time!!! He came back with just my license and talked about my address on it.... and said to slow down. I said "You're not going to give me a ticket?" He said "No, I only have two hours on my shift and I don't feel like writing out a ticket. But slow down." I said "Oh, thank you!!! I promise!!!" And I thanked God and slowed down and did the speed limit the rest of the night. Close one. I told papa and still got the lecture. But we got Andrew too!

There were so many kids there!!! He said there were over 200 kids at camp! Four churches... CMC, Bayside, one from PA and one from Seattle. He had a blast!!!! He feels so much closer to God and made so many friends. Our prayers for him were answered! He loved his camp counselor. My kids got close to theirs too. I'm happy for him! He is happy.Well.... the kids are slowly waking up and I need to get off. Papa is going to make some bacon! They love that! Have a great day! Give God the glory!

Forecast: Some overnight clouds return with pockets of early morning fog Sunday before skies begin to clear again. Highs should reach the mid 70s by afternoon with north wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday through Wednesday: Mainly sunny. Highs in the 70s.
Thursday Through Saturday: More clouds and a slight chance of showers. Highs around 70.