Where Does the Time Go?

Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that the school year was wrapping up for summer break? Suddenly, we are shopping for school supplies! I think I actually felt my stomach do a flip when I walked into Wal-mart the day after July 4th and the workers were busy packing up the sun screens and beach towels and replacing them with markers and glue sticks!

We, in Indiana, long for the good ol' days of an after Labor Day start to the school year. The powers that be don't seem to feel the same way. I ran into a resource teacher from Leighton's school the other day while shopping and she talked my ear off on this subject. Until things change (which, I believe, never will) we'll buck up and start school on August 11th, in the middle of summer!

We have had a nice balance this summer between being busy and just taking it easy. Olivia attended church camp in early June for a week and then both girls attended our church's youth camp for a week in Illinois a few weeks ago. Both experiences were fantastic both spiritually and socially for the girls. They look forward to many more years of camp.

We had a very nice visit with Rich's parents in late June during our annual summer trek to South Dakota. While there we took in the Sioux Falls Zoo, Falls Park, Washington Pavilion, Sertoma Butterfly House, Celebrate Church, Rich and Leighton got in a round of golf, and of course some shopping!

Rich had a conference in Minneapolis which was tagged onto our SD trip. It worked out great that we were able to visit with our Minnesota relatives as well. Leighton got to spend a couple of nights with the Minnesota cousins and that allowed the girls and I some serious Mall of America shopping (16 hours to be exact). Along with working at the conference, Rich and his brother, Brian, were also able to squeeze in a round of golf. On Friday night, Robert, Rich, Brian, Leighton, and Ben all got to go to a Minnesota Twins game. I believe a great night was had by all!

Last week we were given the privilege to use our friends' pool while they were on vacation. What an excellent privilege! We definitely made good use of the pool since last week was an extremely hot week. We even hosted Olivia's friend's surprise birthday party there one night!

Last Friday we spent the day at Holiday World and Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana. It was one of those incredibly hot days with the heat index easily over 100 degrees. Thankfully, Holiday World is better known for their water park than their amusement rides, so we were able to stay fairly cool. The "refreshing" water was, well, warm. The girls and I enjoyed our ride on the world's longest water roller coaster. It was pretty cool! My personal favorite was the one where you are shot out of a water tube into a large funnel, coasting up the side, and then back and forth until you make your way down and out of the funnel.

The following day, we were supposed to meet up with friends at a state park to do some "camping" (the kind where you show up mid morning, play all day and then leave early evening). Those plans came to a screeching halt when we showed up at our hotel at 11:30 pm after a long and tiring day at Holiday World only to find out our room had been given away and the entire hotel was sold out. It seems the credit card number I gave when booking the room was an old card number. The hotel clerk was very apologetic and had tried to call our home that same day, yep, at the same time we were having a great time wearing ourselves out at Holiday World! So. . . we began the three hour journey home on unfamiliar, two lane roads, through the Hoosier National Forest no less! We made it home in the wee hours of the morning and after getting a good nights rest in our own bed, we were glad everything worked out the way it did. It was good to be home on Saturday and get caught up on some things around the house.

The above was written earlier in the week and I still have yet to insert pictures - hopefully, that will happen soon!

Tickets were purchased a few weeks ago to go with some of our friends to see one of our favorite Christian comedians tonight. We were all looking forward to it, especially the kids. Plans were made to leave early, drive an hour to Kokomo and eat dinner near the venue. It was a sold out show to 1400 people and when we arrived at the venue, many of the 1400 were standing in line outside of the auditorium. We found out that a tree had fallen onto a power line and there was no electricity! We stood in line for nearly an hour since we had been told that the show would start around 8pm. At 7:40, the show was cancelled. We (all 1400 of us) were bummed! So. . . we drove an hour back home, changed into some comfy clothes, grabbed the homemade ice cream I had made earlier, and went to our friend's house for games, warm brownies and homemade ice cream. "Who needs Tim Hawkins?" was heard several times tonight in jest as we were laughing, having fun with friends. Tonight was fun anyway, and now we can look forward to seeing Tim Hawkins when his show is rescheduled in November, hopefully!

One Day Stay-cation

It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it is usually desperately needed . . . time away for just us. Our time "away" just happened to be very close to home, yet felt far from there.

When we realized earlier in the week that on Thursday all three kids would be gone for the entire day/night (Olivia at Teen Camp, Alex in Chicago on a shopping/out-to-lunch & dinner with friends, and Leighton golfing with G-pa & G-ma) we decided it would be a great time for us to do something. Several ideas were tossed out the window (day trip to Michigan, canoeing at a friends' lake, etc.), but the one that seemed the most feasible and accessible was biking on the Monon (www.indianatrails.org/Monon_Indy.htm).

We parked our van in Nora. It was a perfect weather morning, sunny with no humidity, in fact, the first leg of the trip was so shaded that I was actually cold.

Our first stop was Broad Ripple (www.discoverbroadripplevillage.com) for breakfast at Taste (www.tastecafeandmarketplace.com).

We spent almost two hours of uninterrupted talking and reconnecting.

After living in Indy for a combined 60+ years and never having biked downtown, we decided to go for it. Once the bike trail ended at 10th St. we had to do some 'creative biking' to get into the heart of the city. Rich's 16 years of working downtown came in very handy especially at Mass Ave. where the intersection shoots off at about six different angles and crosswalks the same. My fearless leader lead the way and got us to our destination.

I'm chuckling today as I think of us riding our bikes downtown on the sidewalks with all the business people walking to their lunches/meetings. There were many of them and few of us.

We ran into an old friend while riding around Monument Circle. She recommended that we go over to the canal for a walk. It had been several years since we had done that so we took her up on that suggestion. We locked up our bikes and took a nice, long walk along the canal. Once again, we we discovered little tidbits our city has to offer and realized once again what a great place to live.

It was after two o'clock and we needed to start the trek back north as we had 10 or so miles to ride, eat lunch, get home, shower, and get Leighton to the baseball field at 5:00 for his 5:30 game. I was not at all cold this time since most the ride back was not shaded, that and it was close to 90 degrees. We were very motivated to bike fast in order to get all the above accomplished. Lunching (indoors) at Brothers in Broad Ripple was so refreshing and cool. The food was great and we were also able to catch a little of the World Cup too!

We had a great day of connection, exercise, good food, beautiful weather and so much more. As I mentioned earlier, it doesn't happen often that it is just the two of us, but when it does - we try to make the most of it!

By the way, we did make it home, showered, and we were in our seats before the team hit the field. Sadly, baseball ended for the season; the Lookouts won the first game of the tournament, but were defeated last night.

What's on for today? Olivia comes home from camp in the next hour(!), swimming with friends this afternoon, Alex has her last travel soccer try-outs later, and then the baseball team party tonight. Humm. . . there is nothing on the calendar for tomorrow - except maybe a family bike ride. : )

Summer is in Full Swing!

Summer break began May 28th and we are finally beginning to feel the "break" part. The month of May was just about as hectic as you could get. There were a few of times I had to tell myself to just breathe. Crazy, yes, but would I want it any other way, no. Between soccer practices, soccer games, baseball practices, baseball games, track practices, track meets, band concerts, field trip, field day, birthday parties, homework, studying for finals, banquet, tournaments, sixth grade party, pool parties, etc., etc., even arriving at school to pick up from track practice only to find there was not track practice that day, duh!

Successfully, everyone accomplished all they needed to and finished strong. I am a very thankful mom who is blessed to be available to taxi, carpool, and volunteer my time for the cause of my teen, preteen, and tween's schools, sports, and all their extra curricular activities. Did I mention I really do love doing it!!

Now we're ready for some fun with friends, fun with family, and fun in the sun!

Here's a little glimpse into the Moorlach madness during the month of May (which I am beginning to believe is the new December).

4th Mini and best time yet!

Staining the deck including lattice roof (huge undertaking)

Field trip to Conner Prairie - dipping candles

Drawing water from the well to give to the cows

Being awarded the "Run, Forrest, Run" award by Coach Dave

Last soccer game of the season

Last band concert of 6th grade

When the game started it wasn't raining

Alex won the 400m by a long shot

Some Grandma Marilyn time

Hot and frustrated

Soccer tourney in Columbus, IN

All three bands performed at Fishers High School

Last band concert of 8th grade!

Going to Nat'l Jr Honor Society induction and banquet

Receiving NJHS certificate

Niki, Olivia, Bebe, and Natalie

I'm tired and want to go home!

A smile that says yea to Jr. High!

The face of a Freshman!

CHEERS!!

Look out 4th grade, here I come!!

Daddy & Alexandra Time

Alexandra had a soccer tournament in Cincinnati the weekend before spring break. It was decided that just Rich would go since big sister didn't want little brother to attend. As much as I would like to have gone and hate to miss any of my kids' games, the time Rich was able to spend with his youngest daughter was invaluable. As a family we don't like to be split up too often, but when the opportunity comes along to spend some quality time one on one with your child, you can't refuse.

Fortunately, her first game didn't start until 11:25 a.m., so the hotel room for Friday night was canceled and they left early Saturday morning. Her team won the first game, lost the second game, and then lost the 8:00 a.m. game on Sunday morning. Sunday's game was cold and rainy which lent itself okay to a loss. Although cold, wet, and tired, they got in the car and drove straight to our 11:00 church service. Now I call that - dedication!

Where to Begin? Part III

Tomorrow is the first day of spring (yay!!!) so I would like to finish all the winter "blog worthy" happenings and be (finally) caught up! If nothing else, at least the blog will be caught up. : )

Alexandra turned 12 on December 8th and to celebrate she chose to have a bowling party with

school friends.

As a family we celebrated by going out to dinner at the restaurant of her choice. Alexandra chose to dine at P.F. Chang's and we were happy that grandma and grandpa (mom/dad) could join us.

She was very happy with her new digital camera.

December is so busy! What were we thinking 20 years ago and 13 years ago??? Absolutely nothing, except for the fact that December weddings & anniversaries are gorgeous and festive. As for 13 years ago, well . . . Alexandra just happened and are we so greatly thankful! : )

My wonderful husband of 20 years and I celebrated our anniversary as we do each year with breakfast out and Christmas shopping. This year, although, at breakfast we did something a little different. We each wrote down our top 10 highlights of our marriage. As I was writing mine down, I looked across the table and noticed my sweet man wiping tears from his eyes, which in turn got me started. We looked at each other crying and then burst out laughing. We were both an emotional mess, but it felt so good! The tears were of joy - joy that comes from the Lord and his blessing on our lives over the years. Three of those blessings were in the form of little people who he has entrusted us with. Our prayer for these children would be that they would grow to know and love their Savior with a deep rooted faith that nothing can shake.

Our goal is to get in a cruise sometime this year. Hey, why not celebrate all year long?!

A little look back . . .

Christmas 2009

Leighton got the DS he had been wanting. Alexandra went crazy for her cell phone that she had wanted so badly but wasn't quite sure she would get it. Olivia was in total shock with a new cell phone that she had absolutely no idea she would get so didn't even ask for it - which is the best gift of all.

My favorite gift this year was this picture that Olivia came up with and sketched from a real picture of the three of them. She let the other two have a part in creating it also. Love, love it!

Christmas with the Fam

We started a tradition two years ago of tobogganing at a state park in northern Indiana on the day after Christmas. We do this trip with several families we've known for years and are dear friends of ours. I hope this tradition continues because it sure is fun for all. This year due to a back that was feeling "funny" I chose not to go down, but all the other things we do (eat dinner at the Inn, play games late into the night, laugh a ton, etc.) is well worth it.

Happy 14th Birthday, Olivia!!

Olivia's Birthday this year was pretty low key. We went to church, ate lunch at her choice restaurant - Cheesecake Factory - and then vegged out the rest of the day until our small group that night. Olivia ended up going to a youth group get together and had a nice evening until she got home and her dad got sick (threw up) for the first time since he was a very young child. Not the sort of thing you want to happen anytime, but especially not on your birthday. Fortunately, no one else got the stomach stuff until a few weeks later - poor Olivia.

Two of Olivia's girlfriends surprised her and came over after school with this cake. How sweet!

The following Friday, we were asked to take Olivia to McAlister's Deli at 6:00 for a surprise party that her friends had planned for her.

It ended up being 15 guys and girls surprising her with dinner and a party. What an excellent surprise!!

We were given two tickets

to the AFC Championship game between our Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets!! What an awesone game!

So there you have it - winter was looooong, but we made it through and have the memories to share and keep forever. Many other things took place during the last three and a half months but life does go on and things need to be done, so I'll opt out and just say - life is busy, crazy, fun, hectic, and sometimes, just plain boring, but the journey is worth every minute.