Fourth of July Weekend

We were coming back from vacation on the 3th. We were not sure what the weather was going to do on Saturday. Since the 4th was on a Sunday, Keystone did all of it's festivities on Saturday. We decided to go to Keystone even though there was rain. We planned to meet Ryan and Celena and ride our bikes to the park! It was funny to see us 'roll up' to the fireworks with 9 of us on bikes--in the rain! It was a night that we will not forget! It was perfect!

On the 4th, Ryan and Celena picked us up and we headed to St.Augustine--once again, with our bikes :) We parked just outside of downtown and we pedaled our way to the waterfront. We got a wonderful table at the A1A Aleworks on the balcony. We might have stayed longer, but we were told that people reserve tables for $500 dollars!!!!!!!!!! There is also a 4 year waiting list. Is that not the craziest thing?!??!! I guess if you had money....... Anyway, we got our spot on the water and biked over the bridge--IN TRAFFIC, to go to the Conch House. Celena and I were so scared!! They have Reggae Sunday and it was lots of fun. I love to listen to live steel drums--so cool! We watched the fireworks and had an interesting time trying to get out of there. The four of us laughed and had a fabulous time. It was a perfect way to end the week.

Camp Decision

We had one day between our vacation and church camp. This is something that Chase has done the past few years and they have ASKED me for the past few years. I've always wanted to go with the youth. It just never fell at the right time. This year I made the exception. I was sure it was going to be great but we had no idea of the events that would take place and the lives that would be changed.We started off with a group prayer with our friends and family that were not going with us! It was a great send off.

Our first night at camp! We definitely have the best looking kids.....

This was the first morning service. They pulled different people on stage. Joe Mano was the speaker that morning and Daniel Eric Groves lead worship the entire week. They both were awesome. Anyway, they came to Chase and said some things that really hit home with Chase. As you all know, we've had a tough year with Chase-typical teenager JUNK.Starting off on day one, he knows for sure that God is real and that his best days are ahead. God knew that Chase needed to be reassured and I got to witness it first hand.

Church camp is broken down into 3 section. There is team competition. They mix everyone up together and there is different types of things to do. There is a dodge ball and basketball tournament and 2 services a day. Our church won EVERY TOURNAMENT--Boys dodge ball, girls dodge ball and boys basketball!!!

Pictures during dodge ball...

The winner of the tournament gets to play the pastors. Our boys swept them!! It was a fun time.

CHAMPIONS!!!

Daniel was great with the kids. He a man that they can look up to. Go to www.danielericgroves.com to hear his music.

Every night we would end our night in my room. We had some amazing conversations throughout the week. They are wonderful young girls with so much potential. They have lots of issues to deal with but they are doing their best. I love those girls!

I was getting some lovin'

The spirit award.is very important. This is only give to one person on the team. The team leader picks them or the team votes. Chase won this award for his team! This made me very proud. It shows me that other people see what I see in my son....friendly, caring, fun, good leader and the love of Christ.

Basketball Tournament Champions...

If you like Christian music, Daniel Eric Groves is the man. He is so great! We really got to know him and his band. There are plans for him to play a concert in Keystone next year after camp before he leaves Florida. He loves our entire youth group!

This is the gang! I am so proud of the changes that took place this week. Great things are ahead for these young people! They are all so amazing and have so much to offer their school, town and world!

Kids pictures and Sharks teeth

~Our Beautiful Children~

She is gorgeous.........

These are the number of teeth we found each day! Great job Cait and Chase for the presentation.

We had a great time in search of our 'treasures'!!

Crazy Summer, Busy Life

I've been extremely busy this summer. I am aware that a blog page is to keep others up to date on our lives and so far this summer, I've done a horrible job. So....sorry! I've trying my very best to keep it up. I feel like this is my real first break this summer. I had VBS for a week, vacation the next week---tons of fun but STILL WORK--just different scenery :) I was home for one day and then off to church camp with our youth for a week!! That was an awesome experience. I can't wait for next year. Caitlin wants to go and that will be amazing for her and it will be Chase's senior year too--yes, I am already wiping my tears! I had 2 weeks in between and this Monday I will be teaching a summer camp for incoming Kindergartners all week. Then I will have one week left and then back at it! I am mentally not ready. Celena and I talked yesterday--while floating down the Ichetucknee River :) SOOOO FUNNN=that normally we are ready to go back at this point of the summer--but we are not. But August 9th is coming no matter what!!! In between all of this, Chase has had work, 7:30 am work outs for Football ALL SUMMER LONG, and typical teenagers 'stuff ' going on. Cait has cheerleading twice a week and Ty is trying to stay in shape for football. So the next few days, I will be making posts of our summer activities. It is on my list of things for the end of summer!