Ranger Lakes Family Getaway

(I know this post is mostly pics. Please bear with me.) About a month ago, we met Hubby's Mom, Brother and Family at his other Brother and Family's home outside Denver.  After some preparation (but not much - Bro 1 and Sis had outdone themselves getting ready for this trip), a dozen of us made our way to our camping destination. (This picture is missing Mom and Bro who were in "town" getting supplies and Another Sis (Pink) and Babe. Well, me too - the photographer.)

 

We camped at Ranger Lakes and spent quite a bit of time there fishing.  Even though at times it felt like all it did was rain, we really did have nice breaks to get outdoors. Pink, Babe, M and I went for a short hike on the last day. A squirrel pelted us with acorns!  I really had wanted to see a moose - there was evidence at the campsite and on trails.  We had to settle for just hearing them.  My disappointment didn't last long.  How could it, with all this gorgeous scenery?

A "real" Christmas Tree

I know it doesn't look like it by the picture, but L. caught lots of fish.  I love this candid picture below.  It doesn't get much better than fishing in the mountains with all your cousins!  I do hope they do something like this together when they are adults.

Hubby loves to fish and loves his family!  This was a much needed reprieve for him (well, everyone).

I didn't actually get a fishing license.  I was completely content though sitting here, watching my family, taking pictures, thinking and just being.

Babe celebrated her first birthday on our trip!  It was tricky getting this part done around rain and napping!  We gave her a Little People van.  I have bought so many vehicles for my sons and nephews, it just seemed fitting that she have a pink one.  Later in the day we were all excited to see an amazing birthday gift given by God...a triple rainbow! (Sorry no picture here.)  We had seen doubles before, but never a triple.  Since our elevation was so high, the bow seemed like it was RIGHT THERE in our campsite! We could see end to end of the first one - even sent the littles out to find the pot of gold!  Ok, I know that's silly.  We truly marveled at God's promise of the rainbow and our Wonderful Creator Who still makes and keeps promises. How wonderful for a 1st birthday and for our family to share!

All that fish we caught has to be cooked, right?  This picture shows fried-the night before was grilled.

M & L are really growing up quickly!

Can we go back next weekend?  I prefer the mountains over the beach any day, but I'm glad my family can enjoy both in one year.  I love being together!  I love my family!

On the Home Front- April 28

A peek through my window…. The sky has become gray and the wind has picked up.  Our rain chances are mostly for the morning. 

What’s going on this week… I haven’t looked yet!  Finishing up an online project for me.  L.’s class goes to the middle school for three different functions next week.

What “the boys” are doing… camping with Scouts, mowing (each of them more than one yard), practices (soccer and band).

On my mind… I’ve either lacked motivation or been distracted and haven’t worked online as much as I could have.  I can’t change the past, but I can try to do better for the next month.

On my bedside table… my Kindle.  Hubby and I were playing Words with Friends before bed last night.  We’re evenly matched (both the boys are currently beating me right now).

I am richly blessed… by my small group.  Enjoyed an evening out with them last night.  Am always blessed to enjoy my front or back porch in the mornings – the flowers, my devotional book, and so far a nice cool breeze.

I’m praying for… God’s direction and timing for my family.  I am also praying for friends in a difficult situation.

Our home…  is in desperate need of cleaning.  I’m not sure how things from the week pile up so quickly.

Menu planning… Garlicky Brown Sugar Chicken, Goulash, Spaghetti.  I’m a bit frustrated with fitting dinner in around activities and eating in shifts.  This isn’t for dinner, but I need to make No Bake Cookies for the bake sale!

A photo or two…

L and Me at the Spelling Bee

Getting ready to go camping for the weekend

Not What I Expected

I knew we would be in the City into the late afternoon because of errands and a dr.'s appt. on Wednesday.  I didn't expect to be caught in traffic where a twenty minute drive home took an hour. ( I really didn't expect a repeat on the road the next day either!)

Sitting there on the road wasn't as bad as what I came home to.  A sick doggie. An inside sick doggie.  You get the picture.  I spent most of the evening scrubbing.  I was very unhappy with doggie and when I ran outside I angrily told her "Stay!".  Then when I glanced back to shut the door I saw her eyes.  Her eyes that aren't as clear as they used to be.  Old eyes that said she didn't mean to.  Of course I opened the door, petted her and invited her out.

I didn't expect to be eyeglass shopping for a son during Spring Break or for it to take soooo long.  I didn't expect to be in the emergency room for three hours for another son with an infection (or for him to be allergic to the antibiotics - and me out at the pharmacy late late late for a second night in a row).

I'm not saying any of this is "bad".  It's just life.  I'm glad to spend time doing the errands with the boys and thankful to have some answer's for L's eyes.  I am particularly thankful for medical care and for such easy access to it.  Wednesday night Hubby attended the mission trip testimony service at church - He reminded me that in another country a simple infection such as M's could have resulted in death.  BTW, I'd like to give a "shout out" to the pharmacist who called ME to let me know that he had talked to the ER dr. and had a different antibiotic ready for me to pick up.

Through all this I am reminded of God's sufficiency.  "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10".  I can in no way identify with Paul's hardships and persecutions, I'm just saying that EVERY day I am weak and I rely on Christ's strength.

I also didn't expect letting my baby go on a campout with BOY Scouts would be so difficult!

Daybook - October Number Two

My Daybook this week is getting ultra simple - mostly pictures!

One of my favorite things...

spending time with family and friends, fall, camping (to a degree - not having flusing toilets is NOT a favorite of mine, and I get quite resourcesful in finding one)

We spent Friday and Saturday night at a state park with family and friends. The weekend was filled with fishing, hiking, playing, laughing, eating junk food, star gazing, pedal boating, sitting by the campfire, enjoying each other's company and enjoying the beauty of God's creation.

To view more daybooks visit Simple Woman's Daybook.