Giveaway!!! (And July Update)

OK....are any of you still out there? I hope so, absent blogger that I am!

But at long last, my give-away is here!

But first...

This month of July has just flown by and I can't believe we're at the end already. Here's just a few tidbits about our month:

As some of you know, we here in the great northwest U.S. are in the middle of a heat wave. Over 100 degrees all week long, with today supposedly the highest, reaching 106 in some areas here! I was going to try frying an egg on the sidewalk with the girls...it could pass for a home schooling moment...but I find myself pretty much gravitating to inside all day where we are blessed with AC.

The girls are on their last week of swimming lessons this week, too...it's been pretty much the only times I've ventured out. I feel precariously cool watching all the kids swim below in the pool while I sit with the other parents in the hot bleachers, vying for the closest place to the fans.
But seriously, it's been a lot of fun, even for me, seeing how far they've come this year- especially my youngest who use to be afraid of the water. She is loving it this year!

In other catch up news, I gave my oldest an American Girl slumber party for her 10th birthday, complete with crafts, cupcakes (see picture at top) swimming in the backyard pool, watching an American girl movie and all the general craziness and giggling that accompanies all slumber parties.


A good time was had by all!

And now, back to our heat wave....I was remembering another heat wave that happened when I was growing up and I posted about it on Facebook today. I'll copy it here as well...don't worry, it's very short!

As Tony Curtis smiled, his white teeth gleaming at me through the little black and white television set, I smiled back and took another sip of ice tea. I was only about nine years old, but I knew a handsome movie star when I saw one!

We were in the middle of a week long heat wave in my little corner of the world- Kent, Washington. And though we didn't have air conditioning, we did have a nice, big basement- half of which doubled as my own personal play room. But this week, my parents and I were using it as our campsite...and it seemed like such a cozy adventure!
It wasn't a "finished" basement, but the cement all around only added to the cool comfort and cave-like feeling.

My parents had one mattress and I had another...and because we'd be there all week, they even strung up a rope with a blanket over it- just like in that classic movie, "It Happened One Night". I'm not sure why we needed this private wall of Jericho though...after all, they were just...you know- parents.
But somehow it just added to the adventure having my own private area for sleeping.

Yet before sleep would come, we'd all get our snacks and drinks and settle in to share the little TV, which was showing "The Great Race" ...part one the first night, followed by part two the second. It's has if they had planned this just to entertain my parents and I for our heat wave retreat down below.

This week as we go though our current heat wave, I am so thankful for our air conditioning....especially now that I'm a "mature adult".
But it will be forever ingrained in my memory the summer that my parents and I hunkered down in our cool basement with our ice cold drinks, he fan blowing breezes on us as we told stories and watching Jack Lemon chase Tony Curtis around on a little black and white screen.

OK...drum roll please...
Since I'm celebrating my three year blogaversary (a little late now!) I wanted to host a little giveaway.
I am giving the winner a choice of one of the following gently used (like new!) Christian fiction books-and tucked inside will be a $5 gift card for Starbucks!

The book choices are:

"With this ring, I'm confused" by Kristin Billerbeck
"She's finally found that nice, good-looking Christian guy who-gasp-actually wants to commit, but will she make it to the altar with her sanity intact?"



"Sweet Treats"- Four Fun Romances, written by four different authors- including Wanda E. Brunstetter.



"The Negotiator" by Dee Henderson
Book One in the O'Malley suspense series.

So, what do you need to do to enter? If you have already clicked on the sidebar to become a "follower" you are already entered! What if you don't actually want to be...let's say, you have all of these books and can't stand frappicinos? Well, if you neglect to tell me you don't want to be included but you win, I will just draw another name...simple as that! :)

If you want to be entered but haven't done that little sidbar thing yet, you have until this Friday -midnight. I'll be drawing one of your names on Saturday.

Blessings!

Father's Day Camping Trip- Conclusion

I know...I know...
After being such a devoted blogger for three whole years, I have recently become a "Random Blogger"... someone who no longer posts three or four times a week, and who rarely even visits you anymore.
I'm sorry.
But I think it will have to be either this way, or the "highway"...meaning, I'd rather be sporadic than completely say good-bye. But I will promise to visit most of you a little more often!

And the good news is that I am feeling good physically...in fact, yesterday I had so much energy that I could have done circles around my hubby and girls...and I'm so thankful for those of you who have prayed for me in the last month or so!

So, even though some time has elapsed, I just can't let the adventure of Father's Day weekend half done...so...

After our tour of the Oregon Caves the day before, we drove onto Wildlife Safari...I was so excited to finally go since it had been on my list from the time I was a kid.



We were all excited...and when at last we headed through the gates into the vast "safari" and spotted herds of yaks and zebra grazing, had to stop to allow a lone giraffe to cross right in front of us, and even wild rhinos roaming freely...we were all giddy. As we continued on, I saw my first herd of buffalo in person...it was amazing.

Here we had to stop again to allow for some yaks to nonchalantly cross in front of us...

And just look at this guy whom I caught munching on some leaves...I thought he (or she) was so cool...even if there was some obvious need of grooming going on.

Although I don't have a picture of it, there were some ostrich looking birds (I don't think they were ostriches but I can't remember their actual name) that roamed around, occasionally trying to check out the cars that eased passed them.
One in particular sauntered over to us...well, to me, actually. As it came closer, it's mouth grabbing at invisible things in the air, I casually rolled up my window...just in time for it begin pecking at the glass...much to the glee of the family. The bird really was a hilarious sight!

We really enjoyed our whole day there...they also had an area where you could walk around, eat, shop, and there they had a few animals as well. We decided we really wanted to go back again some time...but for now, it was time to say good-bye...

The next morning-our last day- we packed up camp and drove several hours before reaching our final destination...Crater Lake.
We had to spiral up a mountain, before finally reaching the lodge area and the breathtaking sights....and to make things more interesting, it was snowing on this first day of summer! Even though we are in the higher altitudes, we were told they rarely see snow in June...and we weren't exactly dressed for it!

Look at us, all huddled together, and my husband shivering in his shorts and sandals...

But the view was well worth it!

The girls and I also gave my husband his cards and little gifts this day, since it was Father's Day. Since he insists on being the driver, he didn't exactly get to relax or lie in a hammock this time, but it was still a wonderful family day to remember.
And an incredible weekend for all of us.

Next post I will be having...at long, long, last...my 3-year Blogiversary giveaway. With a few exceptions, I will be choosing from those of you who are listed in "my followers" so if you haven't already, go ahead and add your name if you want to be included. (And if you actually follow me!) ;)
I hope you're all enjoying the summer(those of you in this hemisphere!) which seems to racing by at lightening speed...
I'll try and catch up with you as I can this week!

Blessings!

10 years ago...

We interrupt this mini-vacation...



To wish my first born a very Happy 10th Birthday!

Seems like only days ago, you were a little bundle....
but you're growing into a beautiful young lady before my very eyes.

A decade ago today I became a mom- beginning an incredible journey which has both challenged me and has given me great joy.

For you, a decade of growing, learning and blossoming....and now you're half-way grown up as you continue to become the person God wants you to be.
And I am constantly amazed by your talents and blessed by your pure heart and integrity.

I love you, Sweetiegirl! Happy Birthday!!!