Life Lessons

THANK YOU! I know that those 3 who have made this happen do not want me to name names - so I won't.....but I shared a few weeks ago that Jared was looking for jobs to earn the last 50% of his way to World View Academy. He earned all his money last year - and planned to do the same this year. School took us further into the summer than we expected. He had other obligations. We went on vacation.

Several of you sent donations. Today was the kicker! I knew it was coming but hadn't said a word to Jared. This is the moment he realized that there was signifcantly more money in the envelope than he expected. He now has all $600 he needs for World View.

The boys and Mike and I were talking this afternoon about how sometimes God wants you to work hard and earn your $ for missions trips or dreams He deposits...and sometimes He wants to use the body to meet those deeds as you remain faithful in other areas where He has placed you.

The boys cracked us up by Jamin telling his lesson in faith from last year. Please know that we TELL the boys we will always pay 50% of any of these things that we can. The boys, however, are aware of "the budget" and have taken to paying 100% for this, CAP, CWG, writing conferences etc.

It seems that when Jamin was trying to earn money to attend last year the mower kept breaking. It had broken 3x in one day and he got frustrated, kneeled down in the middle of the road and asked God to DO SOMETHING about the mower. That afternoon Ian and Becky called and gave him a new mower. Isn't that cool?

Thanks to all who gave to Jared - you've blessed our entire family.

©2008 D.R.G.

Fun Science

This happened yesterday but I couldn't post about it with the vacation icon on the blog. ::snort:: In a move strangely reminiscent of science experiments with the older four from years gone by, I blew up 5 eggs…. only 3 of blew up come to think of it. ::snort::

THIS is what happens when I try to get “one more thing” done before breakfast . I forgot the eggs on the stove.

Zander was getting a drink and I heard an explosion and then he started yelling, “Wow – it’s like a bomb!” and another two went off…..he had my full attention by the second explosion with the bomb comment. I ran in and there were egg shells and bits of egg EVERYWHERE…..two eggs saved…but they were about to blow too.


I’ve been praying about how to engage Zander in school and he was fascinated with dinos at the resource center in CO and the exploding eggs…..I think I’m on to something.

©2008 D.R.G.

::Sigh:: It's Over

Vacation is over and it's time to get back to our new normal.

I spent the a.m. loading photos, doing laundry, talking with TOG (Yippee - they are sending me a free loom), sending out co-op emails and various other emails, weeding through the in-box.

Mike called and we drove out to the Fam Camp to pick him up. We then spent a couple of hours totally cleaning the trailer, unloading, putting things away etc. We're officially home.


I'm pretty sure that I will post more scenery photos in the weeks to come. I'm also pretty sure that I'll post some thoughts about vacations eventually....but for now we are home.

It's time to look ahead to the start of our new PWOC year, our new School year et al.

Mike took me out for a late lunch/early dinner after we parked the trailer back on the storage lot. We brought pizza home for the children. We've set up the screen and will pick one of the awaiting Netflix movies. LOL

*Michelle, I thought of you today. I went to a garage sale that had a pair of beautiful silver candlesticks (2 - 3 candles each) for $20. Is that a good price? Should I have bought them? I saw someother stuff that I knew were good prices (luncheon plates/cups, toaster/convection oven, Tupperware) but I told myself if I don't really want or need something it is NOT a great deal regardless of the price. I HAVE been wanting some special candlesticks for Shabbat and Passover....maybe I should go back tomorrow.

::snort:: NOW I have giant photos!

©2008 D.R.G.

Going Home - 20 Aug

The second day of our return trip took us from the panhandle of TX back to Western TX. From plush grace and friendly ants to cockleburs and fire ants and HEAT! I must admit that the mid 90's we've come home to are much nicer than the 109* that we left behind. ::snort::

Our trip home was shadowed by our new Adventures in Odyssey volumes.

Amarillo, TX


TX.....


I had to delete all the photos of Zander helping Mike at various gas stations. They ALL clearly show our license number.....

Our gas here is $3.45 a gal - a full .55 cheaper than when we left. I'm not sure if we should be excited that it is down to $3.45 or appalled that it is over $2.99. ::snort:: The only place that Mike has seen cheaper gas than here in W. TX is in MO. LOL

©2008 D.R.G.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

We LOVE this zoo. LOVE IT! If you are ever in the area it is worth effort to visit. More text here.





























































We have a photo of Mike @ 6 years old on this same deer

Stacia just walked in and said, "Wow, animals!" LOL

©2008 D.R.G.

Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center - estb 2006















Comparing their "jumps" with various dinosaur's














Dino rubbings


Digging


Creating

This center also has a BIG area where various sceintists are working on various projects. It's all glassed in so you can watch. We had saved this in case we got rained out of the zoo on our last attempt. We ended up doing both as we made it through the zoo before the storm began.

©2008 D.R.G.