Training Wheels

I know every parent says this, and I didn't think I would find myself saying it so often, but Caleb is growing up so fast!

We didn't think he would be using his mini bike with training wheels (second hand from some friends) until next summer. But he has been pulling out lately and attempting to ride it. And now, he can do it pretty well!




Also, sorry I tend to blog so many posts together with long breaks in between! Keep reading the next few new posts!

Fourth of July

We had a very fun celebration of the Fourth. Joel's parents, brother, and grandma came over in the afternoon. The guys went fishing for a little while, and then we had a delicious meal together.

Caleb didn't get to go fishing this time, but he enjoyed sitting in the boat parked on the street just as much!

My hot hubby at the grill!

Yummy food!

(check facebook for many more pictures)

Strawberries!

The boys and I went strawberry picking with some great friends last week. We had four adults and six kids, but we still managed to get two bucketfuls for each family! We had such a fun time, and the strawberries were delicious! I even tried freezer jam for the first time with some of our berries, and it turned out great! I'm thinking this should be a yearly tradition!

Fishing

The week of June 21st was deemed Fishing Week. Monday Joel headed up north to a cabin on Hunter Lake with two high school buddies for some fishing. The boys and I joined them for a few hours Monday evening to take Caleb on a boat ride and let him swim a little. We had dinner together and Dairy Queen cake to celebrate Joel's birthday. The guys stayed until Wednesday.

Father Son Fishing = Priceless!

Then on Thursday, after bring Caleb to see the ENT (he will most likely get his tubes replaced in August), we headed up to Lake Vermillion to join Joel's parents at the White Eagle Resort. Unfortunately it rained quite a bit while we were there, but we still enjoyed time together in the cabin.

Micah enjoying the morning view of the lake out the front window of our cabin.

When the rain let up later on Friday, Caleb enjoyed the playground. That evening, Caleb and I joined Dave and Joel on the boat for a little while before bed.

Joel caught three walleye - 16, 21, and 22 inches! Too bad he had to throw the larger two back - they were in the slot. (I have a lot to learn about taking pictures of fish! Joel was quite disappointed that I didn't capture the whole fish!!!)

Caleb loved being in the boat, and did very well, but was a little nervous with those big fish flopping around in the boat!

Caleb couldn't be happier!

Beautiful sunset as we drove back to the resort!

And a beautiful full moon over the lake our last night there!

Five Years

Our five year wedding anniversary happened to fall on the Friday of our week at camp. Joel was such a romantic - he planned a wonderful day! As all the campers were lined up outside the dining hall waiting for breakfast, he got everyone's attention and had my dad read from 1 Corinthians 13 and say a few words. Then Joel pulled me up and said some vows in front of everyone! I cried! It was so thoughtful!

Then during naptime, Joel arranged for my grandma to stay at the cabin while the boys were sleeping, and the two of us went kayaking! It was a beautiful afternoon to spend on the lake!


Then he arranged for his parents to watch the boys for a couple hours so that we could go out for supper together (just the two of us!!! eating!!! not cutting anyone's food or entertaining a baby or trying to keep a 2 year old from having a tantrum in the restaurant!!!).

We ended the night with these Betty Crocker microwave delights in our cabin. The bobcat definitely added to the romantic atmosphere!

It was such a perfect day to spend celebrating our anniversary at the place where Joel proposed. Thank you Lord for 5 amazing years together!

Who Knew?!

Once upon a time, I attended summer camp for the first time following 1st grade. I absolutely loved every minute of it. The games were great, the music was fun, the lake was cold, I adored my counselors, and I grew closer to my Lord. I returned to Grindstone Lake Bible Camp every summer after. When I was almost 15, I applied to work in the kitchen, just for an excuse to spend more time there. Then I moved on to be an assistant counselor, and finally a core counselor for several years, spending entire summers at my beloved camp. I grew by leaps and bounds in my faith each summer as a result of the speakers, director, fellow staff, and campers. So many wonderful friendships began there and will continue for a lifetime. Joel and I met there, became friends there, fell in love there, and got engaged there. There are so many memories wrapped up in that land, I can't even begin to tell.

When Joel and I got married, we both felt disappointed that our time as counselors was ending. We really felt the Lord somehow telling us that we would return there one day, but it was hard to see how. Well, I really never imagined it would be like this. I probably would've laughed if someone told me that I would be returning one day as a speaker's wife taking care of her two young boys. God is so good.

That's my son on the tire swing I spent hours swinging and singing on with my best friend.

That's my son on the teeter totter where we ate our canteen.

And there he is at the same lake I spent every afternoon swimming back when I didn't care what my hair looked like.

Micah Smiles