Nuggets Along the Trail: And They’re Off!

Over the years, we've always compared our family life to a wagon train heading west. Just as everyone had to do his part to get to Oregon years ago, so everyone in our family must do his/her part to make our journey through life successful. If somebody climbs in the wagon and lets the others do the work, we just don't make any progress. We all have to pull our weight and work together. Along the trail we find lots of pebbles that make for a smooth ride and some bigger rocks that jar us a little; we hit the occasional pothole that can slow us down. But if we purpose to search diligently, there are countless gold nuggets and precious gemstones along the way as well. This journal is an attempt to preserve some of those precious moments for our children, and our children's children, as together we travel this trail called life.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Monday, May 23, 2016

And They’re Off!

A morning of Friday jobs, then some free time on a warm but cloudy-ish day.

By mid-afternoon, Jacob was home for final packing & preparations. When Andrew came out a little before 5:00, he drove by a neighbor’s tractor burning in the field; needless to say, all trip prep stopped for a time.

Was glad when Josiah came a few minutes later and told us he saw our neighbor standing safely beside the tractor. This wasn’t exactly the pre-trip picture I had envisioned, but it was a good one anyway! I got a few smiles but couldn’t get most eyes away from the fire.

All kids found good viewing spots. Ladder was conveniently there already because Ben’s been doing some swing repairs. Josh is at top of slide; only the tiptop of his head is showing.

Since I had pizza in the oven at 450*, I passed the camera up high and headed back to the house. Someone got some pretty sobering pictures. Very thankful no one was hurt.

Also thankful for emergency squad that had the fire under control amazingly fast.

Back to packing.

Ready to go,

a few good-byes,

and they’re off!!

After supper, a beautiful but cool night at Dave’s pond.

A few pond scenes -

Why??

I guess because youth has no fear.

Best kind of fishing – no bait so no fish to mess with Smile Smile .

Favorite game: Run Across The Water Without Getting Your Pants Wet.

Obviously no one was catching any fish.

Until Ryan came out.

And caught about 20 fish in the first hour. I might be exaggerating but not much. I’ve never seen cast/catch, cast/catch, cast/catch like he did.

This young man knows how to fish, and we look forward to learning a lot from him this summer!

Ben’s wet head – yeah, he fell in again. Seems to be a common happening when we’re at the pond.

Renewed determination since Ryan very ably showed us how to do it.

This one likes to canoe - solo.

Josh scooped up some water and got this little sunfish with it. His excitement was so cute!

that’s it

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Mom-isms

When you've got a lot of irons in the fire, sometimes you're gonna get burnt.
Much gain comes to him who hustles while waiting.
Good intentions produce little.
Efficiency is utilizing effective but careful shortcuts for the sole purpose of making more time for the next productive pursuit or service to others.
Laziness is utilizing shortcuts, careful and effective or not, for the sole purpose of making more time for the next selfish or nonproductive pursuit or activity.
Never try to multi-task while giving haircuts.
Carelessness hurts.
I've never met a mess that can't be cleaned up.
God made dirt not to hurt.
When you go on a walk, take gloves and a bag for trash.
Shortcuts usually aren't.
A job done right has been done twice.
When sick children are almost better, we always regret taking them anywhere.
When sick children are almost better, we are always glad we kept them home.