Adam At Camp

Adam hit a new milestone this past week.  He went to camp for a full week.  This was new to him because he had only been to 1/2 week camp before.  It was new to me too, because I had never been away from Adam for a week!!

His counselors were Curtis (not sure of last name), and Daniel Martin.  Daniel goes to church with my mom, so he knew a little about Adam just from when we attended there, and from knowing his grandmother.

When I dropped Adam off I mentioned that he has been known to sleep walk and sleep talk.  Daniel assured me that he was a light sleeper, Adam would be fine.   Thursday night they went to sleep in the Tabernacle.  On the way there Adam asked Daniel if he could sleep beside him, in case he started to sleep walk.  Daniel agreed that was a good idea.  That was the one night that he did start to sleep walk/talk.  I was so proud of Adam for asking to sleep beside someone who could help him if he did start to do that.

Adam was so happy to tell me about the bat that was in the upper level of their cabin and even more excited to show me the mouse head that was in the trap under his bed.  They have no idea what happened to the body!

I am so thankful for these young men that spend their summers leading young boys through the wilderness and closer to God.

Adam had a great week and wants to go back again next year.

12

Austin turned 12 this week.

I look at him and wonder, "when did all this happen?  How did he all of the sudden become a young man."  He no long has that little boy look to his structure (he is almost as tall as me!),  he certainly has his own ideas of what he likes and doesn't like.

He had a friend and his cousin over to "hang out" on Wednesday evening.  His friend needed to go home due to having other plans, but his cousin stayed for a sleepover.  It was a simple party, but it was so much fun.

I really thought this year I had it under control.  Every year since Austin was born, I have cried (some times more than once) on the day of his birthday.  I sit here typing this (it's not his birthday) and I have tears running down my face.  Austin was quite an adventure before he was even born.  I went into labor at 30 weeks.  I was on complete bed rest for 6 1/2 weeks--that meaning that I could only get up to use the bathroom.  I had Austin on June 20 at 12:43 pm.  I thought he looked perfect!  Little did I know how much my dear baby boy was struggling.  The nurses heard something in his breathing, that I did not.  After only holding him for a few minutes, they took him from me.   He was so sick that I was not able to hold him for the next 30 hours.  I think on his birthday I relive some of the pain that he was so incredibly sick, and there was nothing I could do for him.  (Mom's are suppose to be able to fix everything, right?)  It was a long 2 weeks until we were able to bring our baby boy home. I truly wonder what age he will be when I can control my emotions.

Austin, you have brought so much joy into our family.  We are so thrilled that God chose us to be your parents.  I said you have been an adventure,  which is true.  But that is not bad, you just keep things lively.  We love you so very much!  

Beach Trip

We took a break from our regular duties at home to take a trip to the beach this past weekend.  

Our boys have Have been fascinated by the Ripley's Believe it or Not books for quite some time.  We found that there was a museum (I think they actually call it an Odditorium) about 1 hour before the beach.  So we made a  stop on the way to the beach.  There were certainly some things that I had never seen before!!  It was very interesting.  

Once we got to our hotel, we had lots of time to play in the sand and water, and just relax for a few days.

Glen loved the sand.  There was usually a willing participant to play with him.  Austin like to "build"--I guess it more like drip--sand sculptures.  Glen loved to knock them down.  :)

Adam loved the water.  If he got any chance to be in the water he was there.  He would end up moving down the beach a little, and I would have to call him back.  But he would come back to where we were and go right back to the waves.

 I did get a picture I love of the boy together on the beach.

 I had to at least try to get a picture or two of all the grandchildren.

I was pretty happy with the ones I got.

Our family off the balcony of our room.  This hotel was wonderful.  It had an indoor and an outdoor pool--both had lazy rivers.  They boys did not utilize this as much as the beach, but it was nice to have as an option.  (It was a great place to sit a read my book!)  They had a movie playing one night.  And the breakfasts they offered were AMAZING!!

Carol, Eamon and Shannon were there.

Mom and Dad were there.

 

And, of course, there was Grace.  

Matt and Lana joined us as well, but somehow, I did not get a picture of them.  

We had a wonderful relaxing couple of days.

My Boys Many Sides

Yesterday, I asked the boys to wipe down the sinks in the bathrooms.  They were gone for some time, yet they seemed happy.  I was getting lots of work done, so I let them be.  A short time later they came to the kitchen giggling.  When I looked up I saw...

 I had to grab a camera and capture this moment.

Today when Mike went back to work after lunch, he found they were having some sort of party.  They had inflatable bounce houses, and all kinds of games.  He asked if our boys could come and play.  He quickly called us and we were on our way.

At one of the stations they had fake mustaches.  I needed a picture of my boys in these mustaches!!

The boys LOVED playing the laser tag game and riding the mechanical bull.  I think they really had a good time.

Awards

The last week of school, Adam had an awards ceremony at school.  That afternoon he showed me the awards he got.  He got 1 award for being a part of the Waterman Singers.  He got 2 awards for his score on his SOL tests.

It was very cute, he was explaining to someone what the awards were for and he said, "I got these 2 for my SOLs.  I severely passed."  The actual term for his passing grade is called advanced passing.

I was very proud of Adam for how he did on his tests.  This has been a very challenging year for him.  For him to end it with 2 advanced awards,  all I can say is...

...Adam I am so proud of you for severely passing!!