Backyard Camp Out

With summer quickly ending, and the weather pretending to be fall-like (60s at night), we decided to hit the backyard for a camp out this weekend! 

 

 

This is what I get trying to capture a "cute" pic of Ty looking out the tent window.

 

 

There was a lot of jumping off the air mattress onto piles of sleeping bags.

Sometimes the best way to camp is with a flushing bathroom within a few feet and after a Mosquito Squad treatment.  Two adults, two little boys and two puppies are a lot for one tent!

 

 

Hotdogs and marshmallows are perfect camping food.

 

 

 

The boys went to bed when it got dark and J and I stayed up and talked with the fire going and the stars popping out.  The dogs had some trouble getting comfortable in the tent and whenever they walked around on the sleeping bags and it sounded like someone pouring rice out of the box.  Not a ton of sleep for me, but the boys seemed to sleep fine!

 

My favorite thing about camping is still getting away from phones, TV and video games.  Even though the phones were still a part of our evening, we still got to hang out together as our little family.  Good times.

 

 

And this is what the boys do when I run out to the store.  Yikes.  So glad I wasn't there.  Scares me to death!

 

 

 

 



Radical Obedience



Blog Hop Thursday

 

This week in my Bible study, we are discussing Radical Obedience.  When I think Radical, I think more like selling all my possessions and moving to the Amazon to share the gospel.  But obedience does not necessarily need to be something quite that life changing in order to change your life.

 

I am struggling with an issue that has been with me almost my whole life.  It has framed how I look at myself and think of myself.  It affects all relationships in my life including how I view my value in His Kingdom.  I have tried to master it, and failed.  Over and over and over.  I have failed publicly, privately and everywhere in between.  I have given up, convinced myself I'm fine with where I am, and tried to move on.  It continues to come back again and again.  Obviously it is something God is not quite finished with.

 

God has been whispering to my heart how to set some priorities.  I am one who struggles with balance in my life.  There never seems to be enough hours in the day to do all I want to do and have any energy left at the end of the day.  My body wants to drop on the couch and veg out with mindless TV before heading to bed.  But God is showing me that this time at night is just as valuable as the rest of the day.  I have prayed for help with balance.  He is answering me with guidance on priorities.

 

I feel he is asking me to wake up early and instead of using that time to work out, He wants my first fruits of time.  He wants me to spend that quiet time in the morning with Him.

 

At the same time, He is impressing on my heart to use some of that evening time to work out.  Working out does have value and there is a place for it, but its not first thing in the morning before sitting with my Heavenly Father. 

 

So are these two things "Radical?"  Well, getting up at dark-thirty could be radical to some, I guess.  Does this involve me selling possessions and applying for a Visa?  No, it doesn't.  Will it change my life?  Man, I hope so!  I can't wait to see what God does when this small-time, ordinary Mama decides to listen to His whispers and prioritize His way.  I can't wait to see what He will do when I choose to obey!

A Mario Ninja Turtle Birthday!

I can’t believe my baby turned 4 this summer!  I am slowly watching as my squishy little snuggle monkey is shooting up through all of his size 4T shorts and out of his size 9 tennis shoes.  There is no denying it.  I have a preschooler on my hands!  Look at my big boy in his booster seat!  No more 5 point harness.

 

All year leading up to the big 4, Ty has asked for a Mario Brothers birthday party.  I had decorations done (thanks B!) and cake planned when a month before the party he decided he wanted Ninja Turtles as a theme.  Yeesh.  But who really makes the “birthday party theme rules” anyway??  Why not have Mario with a little cameo from the pizza-eating, crime fighting, sword swinging green guys?  So this mama plopped a pic of the Ninjas on the invite and hit reprint!

 

It was Ty’s year to have a big party, so when I asked him what he wanted to do, he said he just wanted his friend Caden to come over and play.  That’s it.  So we had a backyard bash with his friend, Caden, Caden’s family and the rest of our clan!  We had pizza and fruit inside (lesson learned from previous summer birthday that flies are a problem with fruit food outside) and ate under canopies in the backyard.  We had cornhole, the water table and a bubble machine set up.  We borrowed most all of our supplies and had a very fun budget-friendly party.  Once the kids got together, we hardly saw them other than presents and cake time.  They had a blast. 

 

I did a mushroom cake in honor of Mario and his brother, and then conjured up a quick Ninja Turtle cake.  I loved how the mushroom cake came out!  I actually baked that thing in a mixing bowl.  Then used halved marshmallows for the dots. 

Braden made almost all of the Mario décor, which I turned into a couple of banners and then I added some streamers.  Streamers do a lot and are cheap cheap cheap! 

 

We also decided to have a morning party this year.  We were able to be outside before it got too hot, and finished up before afternoon naps.  We opened presents before lunch and cake.  This mama is just breaking all kinds of rules this year.  Huge steps as a recovering Perfectionist. 

 

Happy Birthday to my little Preschooler!  My boy who loves all forms of plastic weaponry as well as the occasional “gwoop hug, gwoop hug!” 

 

Love you, Ty!