Snake creek

Will there never be an end of new creeks to explore? Let's hope not! As long as we have our blanket to sit on, a container to inspect what's been caught, and treats to keep hunger at bay, we can't wait to meet out next creek-filled adventure!

As is often the case, we headed out on this new adventure with our fellow explorers the Crunchers. They bring great support, enthusiasm, talent and treats! But before getting to the water, we needed to sample the local blackberries to gather strength.

This creek is much smaller than our regular stomping grounds, but don't let size fool you...there was much to catch in these shallow waters!

Our oldest son was back in his element! What an amazing 6 year old--I love him so much! As soon as we arrive he starts looking for all things that crawl, swim, jump or slither...and he finds them too! He especially loves having young grasshoppers to share his skills with!

After catching a few crawdads (alas, one tried to get away but did not go too far), a frog,


a fish and a few mosquito bites it was time to leave our new creek.

Until we spotted one more unsuspecting fish.

With that last fish captured all other creatures were released. I could almost hear a sigh of relief from our observation container as it was dumped back into the creek! I love spending these days with my boys! I am so glad I get to be their mom!

A glimpse into our sick days

No one likes being sick, no one! This time of year always seems to cultivate the germs that wreak havoc with our temporary health--just enough to make us feel physically miserable and somewhat paranoid that everyone will end up getting sick before health is restored. As a mom this all has an added facet--being responsible for clean-up! Yuck!! It's a wonderful thing to have a husband who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty right along with me!!

Our oldest is in his second day of fevers over 103 degrees. The good part of this for me is that I have so loved just stroking his face and hair and having quiet times just to love him. For that I am grateful. The two older boys get to kick back and watch cartoons together--somewhat peacefully too!
I figured I'd throw in a few other pictures of our youngest as he is blissfully oblivious to my attempts at seperating him from germs. Ignorance truly is bliss! Is that really what I look like without makeup?

Ohhhh! I love those cheeks!! Don't you just want to chew on them or squeeze them or something???
At the same time that I've been complaining, I'm reminded how grateful I am for these small challenges. In our extended family right now, as I type, my youngest sister is in labor with their third child--a girl this time!! While this is a happy event, I am grateful that I am not in labor and getting ready to go through the infant stage of sleeplessness again. (recently been there/done that!) My sister is a strong one though, so I have no doubt that she will soar through these initial discomforts as they are expanding their beautiful and active family!! Good luck Emily!! In another branch of our family tree my cousin is laboring diligently to support her husband as he had a heart transplant just over a month ago and is currently facing life changing challenges each day. His surgery was performed in another city than where they live so my cousin has been seperated from her 4 children since the transplant other than an extended weekend when they were brought up to them. The kids have been lovingly watched over by grandparents and aunts and uncles, and all will be well. Blessings continue to come and we all rejoice as each hurdle is overcome--however large or small it may be. We love you Melanie and Scott!!

So I guess as I sit here, I am grateful for our sick days! Yes, there are aspects of them that I don't like, but looking around lets me see many other challenges that are being experienced by others that we love and I realize that we are just fine! I'll just keep the antibacterial wipes near by with a prayer of gratitude in my heart!