The Pip was snuggled in bed with me. As she was touching and studying my face, she said seriously, "Is this a freckle or a moose?"...
about the MOLE close to my right eye.
I almost wet my pants.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Freckle or Moose?
This just in from Saturday morning cuddles...
The Pip was snuggled in bed with me. As she was touching and studying my face, she said seriously, "Is this a freckle or a moose?"...
about the MOLE close to my right eye.
I almost wet my pants.
The Pip was snuggled in bed with me. As she was touching and studying my face, she said seriously, "Is this a freckle or a moose?"...
about the MOLE close to my right eye.
I almost wet my pants.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Camp Courageous
Nate and I were privileged to have the opportunity to spend last Saturday as camp counselors for Camp Courageous, a children's grief day camp through Methodist Hospice. It was held at Camp Manitoumi in Lowpoint, IL.
We started out the day at 7:15a.m. waiting for our little 2nd graders in the Methodist Atrium. As our little ones arrived, we got to know them and their parents. Then it was off to the camp on Peoria Charter Coaches. Nate rode with our campers while I drove with Teresa and Eli. We needed to take Eli because he is still nursing and Teresa graciously volunteered to watch him during the day on site so I could remain an active participant.
When we arrived on the campground, Nate led the camp song, There's A Hero In Everybody's Heart, around the flagpole followed by watching Nadia, the dog, perform tricks. Then it was off to ride horses in the Ring Ride. I was impressed that I was actually able to lead my horse while one of our little girls rode. She had put her trust in me and rode a horse for the first time. No pressure. :)
We then headed back to our cabin to talk about the loss of our loved ones and had small discussions and activities geared toward grieving. Each one of our 7 campers had lost a mom or dad. My heart ached for them.
Even though the weather was cold and it did rain, we snuggled down in blankets and fuzzy socks in our cabin enjoying our time together.
Lunch was at 12:15. After lunch, the kids were desperate to play on the playground. Thankfully, it had stopped raining and they were able to run around. It was touching to watch Nate with the children. They wanted Nate to play with them and felt comfortable enough to drag him along. It was like he was the Pied Piper. They loved following him around. I should mention that 5 of the 7 had lost a dad. The significance of Nate's care was huge. They called him Nate the Great and great he was.
The afternoon flew by with face painting, grief miniature golf, crafts, a special stone ceremony, and t-shirt signing. The final activity was really special. The children wrote messages to their loved ones and we tied them to strings on balloons. We gathered around the flagpole to release our balloons and watch them soar high into the sky. It was definitely an emotional and touching experience.
We ended the day back in Methodist Atrium around 5:30p.m. As we said goodbye to our children and parents, we hoped that we were able to make a small difference in the lives of these precious children.
We started out the day at 7:15a.m. waiting for our little 2nd graders in the Methodist Atrium. As our little ones arrived, we got to know them and their parents. Then it was off to the camp on Peoria Charter Coaches. Nate rode with our campers while I drove with Teresa and Eli. We needed to take Eli because he is still nursing and Teresa graciously volunteered to watch him during the day on site so I could remain an active participant.
When we arrived on the campground, Nate led the camp song, There's A Hero In Everybody's Heart, around the flagpole followed by watching Nadia, the dog, perform tricks. Then it was off to ride horses in the Ring Ride. I was impressed that I was actually able to lead my horse while one of our little girls rode. She had put her trust in me and rode a horse for the first time. No pressure. :)
We then headed back to our cabin to talk about the loss of our loved ones and had small discussions and activities geared toward grieving. Each one of our 7 campers had lost a mom or dad. My heart ached for them.
Even though the weather was cold and it did rain, we snuggled down in blankets and fuzzy socks in our cabin enjoying our time together.
Lunch was at 12:15. After lunch, the kids were desperate to play on the playground. Thankfully, it had stopped raining and they were able to run around. It was touching to watch Nate with the children. They wanted Nate to play with them and felt comfortable enough to drag him along. It was like he was the Pied Piper. They loved following him around. I should mention that 5 of the 7 had lost a dad. The significance of Nate's care was huge. They called him Nate the Great and great he was.
The afternoon flew by with face painting, grief miniature golf, crafts, a special stone ceremony, and t-shirt signing. The final activity was really special. The children wrote messages to their loved ones and we tied them to strings on balloons. We gathered around the flagpole to release our balloons and watch them soar high into the sky. It was definitely an emotional and touching experience.
We ended the day back in Methodist Atrium around 5:30p.m. As we said goodbye to our children and parents, we hoped that we were able to make a small difference in the lives of these precious children.
We have entered a new phase of creativity and cleverness.
On the way down a big flight of stairs at church this morning, the Pip decided that jumping the steps would be a good idea. I, of course, scolded her and told her that she better never ever jump steps again and I threw in the line, "I had better not see you do it."
Little Miss Creative and Clever said, "Well, you can look the other way."
On the way down a big flight of stairs at church this morning, the Pip decided that jumping the steps would be a good idea. I, of course, scolded her and told her that she better never ever jump steps again and I threw in the line, "I had better not see you do it."
Little Miss Creative and Clever said, "Well, you can look the other way."
Sunday, October 4, 2009
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