Little Presque Isle

Karl, Sue and Kevin

We had our first overnight guests (other than my mom who helped us move in). Karl and Sue, whom we met up with camping, came to visit us and use our showers! Today is just a beautiful day, so we went exploring a bit with them. This is a gorgeous spot on Lake Superior that we have gone to previously, and both times were driven away by the biting flies. So today we dressed appropriately and were ready to take them on! But it was windy enough that there weren't any! I took lots of pictures because I love this spot....enjoy the beauty of God's creation!

Little Presque Isle

Sue and the girls looking at ladybugs

Kayleigh found a bug on this stick and was very proud of it

Ladybug Dress

Here are some goofy pictures of the girls....Sydney gets to pick her dress for church every Sunday (it's the only time I can get her to wear a dress) and today she picked this dress with ladybugs on it. Of course, you can't see the ladybugs in the pictures! But she picked it because we have a CD with a ladybug song on it (by the great group GoFish). So she asked me to put the song on so she could dance to it in her ladybug dress. Well, Kayleigh LOVES to dance so the two were getting down this morning!

What's really funny are the lyrics to the song....here are a few:
I had a brother, yes I did
I guess you could say he was a unique kid
Everyday after school he'd be playing' outside
One day I saw him in the yard
And what I saw left me permanently scarred
I just couldn't hid the horror I saw

As the sun heated up
He pinned a ladybug down
He took his magnifying glass
I heard a hideous, gruesome sound

It was a ladybug fryin' on the sidewalk
Listen to it sizzle while it burns in the sun
Ladybug fryin' on the sidewalk
And if that bugger was a burger then it'd be well done

This is a group of 3 guys who sing kids songs acapella...most of their songs are fun, upbeat, Christian songs....there are a few that are just nonsense and silly....When I first heard the ladybug song, I did a double take...got the lyrics out to confirm that what I thought I heard is what I really heard. Oh well...to each his own, I guess.

Enjoy the pics of the girls....as always, I took about 12, trying to get just one good one. I posted a few of my favorite ones...like this one where they decided to lay down.

Going in for a kiss...

On a side note....I am on a mission to find longer dresses for Sydney...anyone have any ideas? She has no idea how to be "ladylike" in a dress so she's always flashing everyone! Why do they have to make little girls dresses so short?!?! And now that she's older most of the dresses in her size don't have the panty covers. I want dresses that fall between the knee and the ankle...I have a couple from last year that are size 2, April Cornell....but even her size 4 dresses that we have are shorter than those.

Pictured Rocks

We returned to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore yesterday to do some more exploring...hiking and kayaking. We went to the part called Miner's Castle and this is what we saw. We saw the lake from the cliff overlooks and also hiked a mile through the woods to get to the beach. It was just breathtaking!

I actually forgot my camera, so I didn't take these pictures, but this is exactly what we saw. The water was this blue. You will not be disappointed if you come to visit us. So far, our hottest day has been 74 and there have been very few rainy days.

The picture above is looking up at Miner's Castle from the beach....the picture below is looking down at Miner's Castle from the cliffs overlook.


These are two more pictures from somewhere along the National Lakeshore...we did not get to see this yet.

I cannot describe how awesome this area is....there are so many accessible beaches along the Lake. And there are many, many smaller lakes where the water is warmer if you really want to swim. But many of the beaches right along Lake Superior are child friendly, in the sense that they are quite shallow and perfect for those little ones to play. My girls are loving it.

I'm so thankful the girls are both at an age where we can be active...we have gone hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, fishing, picnicing...it's great! The bike path stretches for miles along the lake shore and through the town. I've been running more, too. July 4th I am running a 5K through wooded ski trails. The following week, I am running in a 10K!

The national forest up here is so beautiful...I took 2 hikes through it, both ending up at Lake Superior. There were so many beautiful wildflowers, varieties of ferns and moss, lichen, trees....it was amazing. And we have seen some cool wildlife. We saw these really interesting ducks yesterday...there was a mama and 5 babies. They had red heads and a tuft of yellow. We actually got pretty close to them, close enough to see that the babies were riding on the mama's back. They would jump off to swim a little, then climb back on. It was really cool to see.

We are off to the library to see the Bergonzi String Quartet...they are giving a free children's concert!

Camping

We survived our first Foley family camping trip!!! My mom's next door neighbors in Morton recommended a specific campground in Pictured Rocks National Park and so that was our destination. I was talking to my mom on Tuesday and she mentioned that Karl and Sue had just left for their annual camping trip in the UP...so we camped with them! It was lots of fun and since this was their 3rd time there, they were privy to the best paddling spots, hiking trails, etc.

I didn't get any pictures of our kayaking adventure, because I didn't want to risk getting the camera wet, but we paddled across a small lake, through a channel and over to a bigger lake. It was pristine wilderness and we had it all to ourselves...not another soul in sight! It was warm and sunny and the side of the lake was shallow enough for playing and walking....a toddler's paradise. Both Kayleigh and Sydney had fun digging for shells and throwing rocks in.

Because we started paddling right about nap time, Kayleigh was so tired she fell asleep in Kevin's lap. It was precious. Sydney actually hitched a ride with Karl and Sue in their canoe. The winds picked up while we were across the lake so we decided to walk the boats back instead of trying to paddle against the wind. Kevin spotted and caught a painted turtle and the girls thought that was cool.

Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying the campsite. This pillowcase that Sydney is laying on is the one I always used when I went camping as a kid. Syd remembered this story and when I was packing the pillows, she reminded me that I had to get the special camping pillowcase. I guess I've passed it down to her now!


Peeking out of the tent and eating goldfish crackers.




For some reason, Sydney was putting these flyswatters in her pants....she thought is was really funny...I just love the look of pure joy on her face.




Sydney LOVED Sue!!! Of course everytime I looked, Sue was feeding her chocolate (cookies, marshmallows, hershey's bars)...no wonder she took a liking to her! Karl and Sue camped right out of their van and Sydney was fascinated by the "house on wheels".

We did end up coming home a little earlier than we intended, due to weather. We had a good thunderstorm last night and then the fog still had not lifted by 10 am this morning. You couldn't even see across the little lake, not to mention the temp had dropped to 50. So we headed home. I guess it's better to quite while things are going good!

Going Camping

Well, we are taking our first family camping trip tomorrow...it feels like we are packing for a 2 week vacation, but we are taking everything since it's our first time! We are only going an hour or so away, so it's not too far. We are all looking forward to it and hoping for great weather!

Here is a picture of the girls at the computer this morning...

Global Food Crisis

Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Day of Fasting and Prayer

I got a letter from Wess Stafford, president of Compassion International, urging me to join him and many others in a day of prayer and fasting on behalf of all Compassion-assisted children. This is what he wrote....

"I am saddened with the news we are hearing about how the current global food crisis is affecting our children, their families, and even some of our field staff. The price for rice, beans, corn and other food staples has risen exponentially in recent months, creating extreme hardship and suffering. I cannot overstate the need.

Families earning less than $2 per day cannot afford to keep up with these rising prices. There is just no margin. The impact is truly devastating. "

I certainly have noticed the strain on my finances...especially at the grocery store, but I'm not feeling it nearly as much as these families. You don't have to be a sponsor to pray for these children and their families.

Join me and several others in a day of fasting and prayer. You can officially sign up as a participant at www.compassion.com/pray or you can just get on your knees.

Addiction

There is an addiction that runs rampant in my immediate family (mom, dad, brother and me)...has seriously afflicted 2 of the 4 members (mom and brother)....and now seems to be working it's way into my life. What is it?!?!....GARDENING!!! I am addicted, I am obsessed, I am loving it! I have enjoyed gardening in the past, but lately, it's all I think about. The previous owner had no interest, apparantly, so I've got alot of work to do. I have spent hours splitting huge, overgrown hostas and moving them around.

I just made my second trip to a greenhouse where their quart perrenials are half price!! I can get a perrenial for less than $2...how can you pass that up? So I have been "investing" in some plants for the yard and gardens around the house. It's funny to think you are buying plenty for the whole yard...then you come home, create your garden and realize that you've only completely one small sqaure. I know it's a process, but I'm a little impatient. I want big, beautiful, mature gardens NOW.

As I get things planted, I will post some pictures....here's one of the girls playing in water with their animals. Where was I?...planting, of course!

Sundae Sunday

We are an ice-cream loving family!!! I think this is a tradition worth continuing...Sundae Sundays! When I was growing up we had a Sunday tradition of eating our big meal at noon and then just snacking on popcorn in the evening. I have great memories of eating popcorn on Sunday nights at our house or our friends and watching The Muppet Show. So last night, when we brought out all the toppings to make sundaes, the girls lit up and thought it was a great new tradition!





Sydney said, "I need another sundae because this one is all gone!"

Meet Dominic Muchangi

Today I would like to tell you a little about one of our sponsored children, Dominic Muchangi from Kenya. As the years go by, and our relationships develop, these children truly become part of our hearts. Dominic is the child that we have sponsored the longest...10 years now! Prior to sponsoring Dominic, I sponsored another girl from Kenya named Judith. When Judith "graduated" from Compassion's program, Compassion sent me Dominic's child packet to see if I would begin sponsoring him. I was thrilled and amazed that God would choose this child for me.

You see, my mom's maiden name is Domnick and I had always thought if I were to someday have a son, I would most likely name him Domnick. So when I got my little Dominic, from across the world, I had to smile. I also had to call my mom and tell her she was becoming a "grandma", though not in the sense she probably had in mind. Still, this little boy, now a young man, was special to me from the beginning!

In one of his first letters to us he wrote, "I am happy because you have chosen me to be your friend and my sponsor".

More recently he wrote, "I would like also to recognize your support all through from when you started supporting me...from when I was a young boy in primary school and now I am finishin gmy secondary school education."

And it blows my mind to think that a little boy, in Africa, is praying for me and my family. "How is Sydney now? I am still praying for her and I know God will support and guide her in over coming the challenge of life"

When I was pregnant with Kayleigh he wrote, "I am praying that God will bless you with another child as you told me and may the almighty Lord bless you with the child."

What a blessing is has been to have this boy in our lives. He, too, will soon complete Compassion's programs and make a difference in his community.



This is Dominic today...at 17 1/2 years old....isn't he handsome?


This is an earlier photo of Dominic.

Jilly the Cow

There is a bike festival going on this weekend so we went downtown to check it out. We caught a couple races and walked around. We thought this enormous cow named "Jilly" was quite funny, so Kevin took my picture. I don't know anyone here yet, so it wasn't too embarrassing!

Pictures of my Cuties

My T-Shirt

Never underestimate the power of what you are wearing. Here's the story of what my t-shirt did for me.

I took Sydney and Kayleigh to the Library's program "Roaming Reptiles" yesterday afternoon. They got to see and touch a box turtle and a corn snake...I even touched the snake! Anyway, near the end I walked by a lady taking a picture of her children and I accidentally walked into her picture! I apologized and then she commented on my shirt...said she had one just like it. I was wearing my Compassion t-shirt! She used to live in Colorado Springs (where Compassion is headquartered) and her family sponsors a child in Kenya. We started chatting and I mentioned that I am an advocate for Compassion and just moved here. In our conversation I learned that she homeschools so we started talking about that a little since I plan to homeschool the girls and want to get involved with a local group.

I also saw the "homeschooling" situation for an opportunity to promote myself as a violin teacher...just in case she knew someone wanting lessons. So I told her that I am also a Suzuki violin teacher....Guess what?!?!? She is too!!!

Now really...what are the odds that I would randomly run into this person? And then to have so many things in common? I truly believe God orchestrated this meeting and I was so happy when I left the library. And to think there was a time in my life when I would have been too shy or embarrassed to wear a Compassion shirt in public. I'm so glad I've grown up and gotten over that! It was the shirt that connected us in the first place...only to find out all the other things we have in common.

Compassion International

You will notice over in the side column I have added pictures of the children we sponsor through Compassion. This is such a big part of my life, that I want to share it with everyone I know. Compassion International is an amazing organization...It is an evangelical Christian child development ministry that is helping release children from poverty and enable them to become responsible adults. Compassion equips children for the futre by providing for their core needs: spiritual, physical, economic and spiritual. Their programs offer educational opportunities, heatlh care, health-related instruction, supplemental nutrition, life skills training and opportunities to hear and respond to the gospel.

I first heard of Compassion when I was in college...Bart Compolo, son of well-known speaker Tony Compolo, came to speak at chapel. I was intrigued and knew this was something I wanted to become involved in. I sponsored a girl from Kenya named Judith. After receiving a couple letters from Judith, I knew I had to do more and so I became an advocate. That was 14 years ago and our family of sponsored children has grown to include the 7 children you see to the right.

As part of my adventures as both an advocate for Compassion and a blogger, I will be devoting some of this blog to the ministry of releasing children from poverty. I will introduce you to each child I sponsor and even more children that I correspond with. I hope you find it informative and uplifting.

Just Some Goofy Pictures

This is Sydney showing me her mouse face...she was making a squeaking sound to go along with it.

And once again, Kayleigh is decked out in her Sunday finest.