The Road Less Traveled

The Halverson Olympics

Of course I didn't have my camera, so I have to blog about it. 

The Olympics have been a hot item to watch at our house.  Last night my daughter came up with the idea of having the Halverson Olympics.  She said there could be 3 competitions, swimming, running  and gymnastics.  I laughed at the gymnastics. 

Tonight, we decided to go for a short swim at Lake Lanier.  After we had been there for a few minutes, my daughter decided we should start the 1st round of the Halverson Olympics.  She and her brother lined up on the beach, and when I shouted "Go!", they raced to a buoy out about 15 feet and back to the starting line.  It was really fun to watch.  They did this about 3 times, because my son kept winning and my daughter was determined to "win the gold."

Our next event was the relay, boys versus girls, same race as before to the buoy and back.  This was even funnier. The ids lined up with my husband and I in our perspective "lanes".  My husband and I shouted "Go!" and the relay race began.  My son and daughter raced to the buoy and came back to tag us.  Then my husband and I raced into the water to the buoy.  On the way back to shore, my husband faked like he fell and "let" me win.  Exciting and fun stuff for our family. 

I think that this was our best night at the lake this summer.  And I even won a medal, a paper one at that.

Lake Lanier Water Park

Yesterday, we took advantage of $10.47 admission via the Fish radio station coupon that is good only on Wednesdays this summer.  We met some friends that have season passes.  The weather was great.  Mommy was TIRED and is still recovering today.  B. road every slide except one.  C.  road everyone except 3.  The crowds weren't bad, so we got to ride many rides multiple times.  The kids said it was "the funnest day of their lives." 

Ready to have fun????

Going into the wave pool...

Friends...

Beth going down the slide.....

Happy Birthday Bethany

Happy birthday to my baby girl!  You are passionate and outspoken.  You have a flair for decorating and design.  You like to lead and teach.  I pray that God give us the wisdom to point you in the right direction, our precious arrow.

Summer Update

I  haven't been much for blogging this summer. 

I am sure up for reading and commenting on other people's blogs. 

We have spent as many days as feasible at the lake, swimming and playing.  We have also spent a few days on the lake on our old faithful boat, tubing and enjoying nature. 

We have yet to camp yet.  Our first camping trip is going to be in a couple of weeks, to my husband's flying field.  That means dry camping.  Yes, no water and no electricity, which is not my fav.

Today, we went bowling again, by ourselves, at the spur of the moment.  The kids really enjoy bowling.  I am trying to decide on them doing a league in the fall or winter. 

This weekend is my baby's birthday.  She will be 7.  So not real!

Sorry for all the random thoughts...Just trying to catch up.  

Summer

Summer seems to be moving swiftly.  June has come and is quickly flying by.  We're still busy doing summer things. The thoughts of schedules and school days ahead are faint in the distance.  Wanting to soak it all in, to enjoy, to savor every moment.  To forget the future, and live in the now.

A Day at the Lake

Every summer for the last 4 years, the kids and I spend many summer days at Lake Lanier.  We live about 2 minutes from the nearest "beach", so it is quite convenient for us. 

Over the last few years, the lake has gone down due to lack of rain.  Our area of Northeast GA has been in drought condition for over a year.  Here is a picture of our beach.

I didn't quite capture the perspective, but where the orange buoys are laying, it used to be about 10 feet deep.  The water line also was about 3 feet from the wall in the back corner. 

My kids love the lake and so do my husband and I.  It is very relaxing to go and be away from everything.

Here are the kids in the water.

There other favorite activity, digging in the sand, making moats and castles.

Some beautiful closeups of my two cuties!

Free (???) Bowling

This summer, our local bowling alley is offering "free" bowling to schoolage children.  I say "free" in quotation marks because  the games were free, but we had to pay for the shoes.  So, not free, but a good deal.

Here are my champion bowlers:

Learning How to Stand

I wonder sometimes why God is silent.  The heavens seem completely closed.  At first I am full of faith and then as time wanes on, I begin to question and even doubt.  God where are you? 

As the country's economy strikes worry and fear in the hearts of many people, we too find ourselves affected.  My dear husband had a couple of weeks with only a few days of work.  In the middle of  this, I was standing in faith and believing that my God would never fail. Then this weekend, I began to have thoughts that diminished the faith that had seemed so strong just days earlier.  Where are you God? 

Sunday night I couldn't sleep because of my worried thoughts.  I got up to think and then to pray.  But, I didn't have any more words to pray, and I told God that.  I was at the end of my strength. 

Monday morning my husband went to give a customer an estimate on painting and wallpaper.  There was a glimmer of hope in this.  My husband returned with no news of new work.  I broke down crying.  I went into our bedroom and just said to God, where are you? 

About 2 minutes later the phone rang.  It was the customer, calling to schedule about one week of work.  This verse became true: 

"You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed , Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed."  Joshua 23:14

It doesn't matter how I "feel" or how things look.  God's promise to me to be faithful, to provide, to work all things together for my good never changes.  He IS.   He is never early and never late.  No matter how much I want to rush the process of becoming more like Him, He says in My time, in My way.

Summer Firsts

Last night marked a "summer" first for us.  Every year since my son was around 5 and my daughter 3, we have gone outside on summer nights to catch fireflies. 

Last night, we were outside about 8:30.  We began to see fireflies around 9:00.  The fireflies were present then, but scarce.  No luck in catching one.

Today was another "summer" first.  The first day to swim in still chilly Lake Lanier.  The kids jumped right in.  My husband waded in and then took the plunge.  Me, I kept to my tradition of inching my way into the water.  No sudden plunges for me into the icy waters!

Last Day