Birthday Parties

I am going to be completely honest and admit that I STRONGLY DISLIKE kids parties (Jess said I shouldn't say hate.) Don't get me wrong the kids were good but everything about these parties STRESSES ME OUT! I can say this because today was Aric's "kid" birthday party. I'm pretty sure it's the NOISE, chaos, NOISE, food, NOISE, smelly boys, NOISE, all in all craziness and did I mention the NOISE??? We had 7 nine-year old boys ride the bus home after school today to enjoy pizza, brownies, icecream and then off to laser tag. It was all I could do to keep from climbing the walls. Imagine 7 boys playing Rock Band all wanting to be lead singer or a game of football where it takes 30 minutes to decide who is on who's team. PLEASE! When does this stop? I know I need to get a grip but I can feel the number of invitees dwindling in the years to come. Like, lets say maybe one person.....would that be mean? Here is a short video of our car ride to laser tag....I think you will understand about the volume.

Cardboard Testimonies

I first saw this video on my cousins blog and thought it was AMAZING so I thought I would "pay it forward".

A hunting we will go....

One of the requirements of my marriage was that I would be able to "camp out" for at least 7 days without running water, hot showers, telephones, etc... After 12+ years I think I've passed. It's not every one's idea of a dream vacation but I can tell you that this was one of the best and we didn't even get any deer. You might be asking yourself what is so great? I'll try and sum it up for you: no schedules, no practices, no computers, no telephones, endless football games, mini bikes, hiking, BB guns, Dinosaur adventures, movie night, family, friends, sleeping in, going to town for icecream, riding in the back of the truck, reading books, coloring, card games, smores, snow ball fights, snow cones, wood stoves, no diets and endless amounts of candy! Who could ask for anything more.