Birthday Week

Last week was completely crazy, as most of the weeks of summer seem to be!

The weekend started out celebrating one of my niece's birthday at the lake. We went tubing, wake-boarding, and knee-boarding. It was a super day on the lake.

Then on Saturday, three of my other nieces spent the night. On Sunday, we all headed to church.

The next few days, it was one thing after another. My parents' celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. I am so happy to see the the influence they have been to me and to the people around me. They are truly living their lives to serve God by serving the people around them. I also had a job interview on the same day as their anniversary that was over 100 miles away.

Next it was my birthday and we also celebrated that at another one of the lakes in the area. About half of the family was able to attend and we had a fun day. Lots of sun (and sunburn) and even more playing in the water. I was pretty sore the next day! :)

The middle of the week we spent at home. It was in the upper 90s so we spent time in the pool! And during the hottest part of the day, we watched the movie I got for my birthday: Les Miserables! I have now watched the movie twice (once in the theater) and it has such a message in it. It really makes me think.

Back to the weekend again, we had the opportunity to go to a dinner theatre. I have to say it was one of the most fun experiences that I have ever had. We saw the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.

Joseph

Saturday was Niece #10's baptism and then we went to a party afterwards at her house.

Sunday, we went to church and then a family reunion on my mom's side. After we got home, I finished reading a book by Colleen Coble. My brother and his family had supper with us and we had a beautiful evening. No bugs and very nice weather!

MN Mosquitoes...

The last couple of days, we spent cooking for a family friend! We cooked about 7-10 meals for them and several desserts and snacks. It was fun to do the cooking! I am hoping to share a new blog with you all soon that my mom and I will be co-writing on the food we make and share!

Here are a preview of some of the recipes to come:

Chocolate Cream-cheese Cupcakes

Monster Cookies

Ranch Snack Mix

 Hope you are enjoying the summer!

June 2013

June was a whirlwind...

Really the whole first part of this summer has been super crazy. My summer started after we got home from Washington D.C. at the end of May. After we got home I started the job hunt again and then shortly after that, I headed to my brother's house to help my sister-in-law out with their 3 kids. (She was expecting at the end of June). So the first weekend of June, I spent time with her and the kids. Then I came home and celebrated my younger sister's birthday with her and one of my nieces. We went to a water park and stayed over night in a hotel. It was a fun time. At the end of that week, it was Niece #7's birthday! We celebrated that birthday by going to Paul Bunyan Land!

He closed his eyes when I took the picture!

After celebrating birthdays, I headed back to my brother and sister-in-law's house for a week. In between helping out and hanging out with the kids, I was able to spend time with two friends that live around there. It was so good to see them and be able to spend time with them. It was long overdue! Also at the end of that week, I had my last class with MEPS. I was sad to see it end; I will miss the fellowship. But it is onto graduation in the fall. (Also, if you are interested in donating to the program, I am raising money...so let me know!)

About this time it was the middle of June and I came home again and had a job interview and also helped my parents with some remodeling they were doing. They redid all the wood floors in the house and that meant moving a lot of furniture! And now putting it all back. :)

So the end of the month, I was able to work a few days at the job I had worked earlier in the year. On the last day of filling in, I got a text from my sister-in-law that she was having contractions. Finally, the baby was on the way to meet us. So I finished up work early, went home, picked up my younger sister to go with to help with the kids, and then headed to my brother's house again.

My sister-in-law was induced the next day and Niece #10 was born! It was fun to get to meet her and hold her.

While that was the exciting part of the month, there was also a hard times during the month, one that brought tears to my eyes. About two weeks ago, just before my little niece was born, I found out that my 1 1/2 year old cousin has leukemia. She is just a little one and much too young to have to deal with something like this. I ask that you keep her in your prayers. Pray for healing for her and strength for her parents and family members as they struggle through this. I was glad to be able to visit her at the end of June as well.

July was here all of sudden and Independence Day was coming soon. On the 3rd of July, I was helping get ready for the 4th, including making some food for a picnic supper. I went to drain the potatoes that I was cooking and managed to pour some of the boiling water on my leg instead of in the sink... Not much fun... But thankfully, the burn is well on its way to healing!

This float won the award for the best!

On the 4th, we went to a parade. Then we went to a lake and had a picnic while waiting for it to get dark enough for the fireworks to start. From there we went back to the fireworks! I have to say they were some of the best I have ever seen!

Fireworks!

Here is the grand finale!

Since then it has continued to be busy. We are still putting the house back together after floor renovation! And we have also had a chance to go to the lake, go swimming in our pool, and do a few things around the area. Coming up for the rest of the summer we have many more birthdays to celebrate (including my own), we will go to other local events, and spend time with those we love.

*Are you having a fantastic summer? What is keeping you busy?

Happy Independence Day 2013!

Happy Independence Day!!!

From a local fireworks showing last night. 

My grandma's birthday would have been today, July 4, but 3 years ago she went to be with the Lord. I miss her a lot! She loved that her birthday was on the same day as our Country's birthday!

My grandma loved Ronald Reagan, so this is in honor of her!

Have a safe and great weekend! I pray you can spend it with family and friends! Dont miss the fireworks!!!