OUCH

In my attempts at getting the family moving I challenged the children to some rope jumping. The deal was they would jump for 2 minutes each and had to count the number of successful jumps. Then they had to add the 3 numbers together and that total equaled the number of times I had to jump rope. Well my little warriors jumped over 300 jumps. So fast forward to lunch today and you'll see me trying to figure out why my legs feel like they're both cramping. It certainly didn't take me long to realize what the pain was from. Today the challenge involves my hand weights, they get to set the rules and present the challenge to me when I get home from work. A woman glutton for punishment.

Cousins

Julian (8), Justin (20), Alex (5), Lindsey (3), Jessica (12) and Chace (10).

Justin (20), Julian (8), Andy (24), Jessica (12), Chace (10) and Nick (5).

Tomorrow is William's birthday.

He doesn't like cake or most sweets for that matter. The tradition for the last 4 or so years has been to stick a candle in a stack of Reese's peanut butter cups. He likes Reese's peanut butter cups (RPBC). Yesterday I purchased a package of RPBC for the birthday boy and today he thanked me for buying RPBC because he had one and it was very good. Can I now scream for RPBC and not ice cream anymore? Give me a break. Stay out of the kitchen. It's no different then him buying himself something he's been wanting, right before his birthday, therefore leaving someone with a gift to give him that he's already purchased for himself. Anywho, I guess there are 8 RBPC in the package, but at this rate tomorrow there won't even be enough to shake a candle at.

I scream

for ice cream. Actually, I scream ABOUT ice cream. Yesterday afternoon Chace informed me he had burnt his finger. Ever the curious boy I wasn't surpirse, until I found out how he had burnt his finger this time around. He was getting ice cream and was having trouble so thought he should warm up the ice cream scoop. And all that makes sense or it did until he said he put the ice cream scoop in the microwave to warm it up. The metal ice cream scoop. "I only did it for 15 seconds mom," he reported. YIKES I'm thinking I'm glad he didn't blow up the microwave and the kitchen and the house, all for a bowl of ice cream. Then we all would have been screaming for ice cream.

Rainey

Our beloved Rainey, after 20 years of living, died in the night last night. We ended the evening knowing she probably wouldn't wake in the morning. The whole family gathered in our room to spend the night. We said our good-byes and then Rainey left us as we slept. After a fretful night of sleep we woke to find that our prayers had been answered. We love you Rainey and will miss you dearly.

Camp Kid Blast

A week of amazing fun, walking in the Word and some gross stuff along the way. What a combination. What a week. We were exhausted and what a good feeling. There were daily slimings, messy games and water slides. The week ended with a food fight and had team challenges through out the whole week. William invented the camp, this year Jessica worked at the camp, I had year two of working the kitchen and Chace and Julian had year two of participating in the camp. And there were songs, lots of songs like Ants in my Pants. Thursday even Chace fell asleep in the bath tub...now that's tired. Friday there were plenty of naps taken at the Long house. New friends were made and old friendships were bonded even tighter. And Chace is still washing is hair in case there's food in it somewhere.

So this week will prove to be BOR-ING!!! Without a doubt.

Saturday the children and I fly to Charlotte to spend the week with my sister and her family. I hope to see some other family members show up as well. With the children starting school in August and us losing our freedom to travel whenever we want to, I thought I better get a trip in soon. William will be in Naples with the pastors for Staff Retreat the same time. Anyone want to care for our pets while we're gone? Still working on that one but trusting in the Lord to provide the right person or persons to do the job.

We're still having regular thunder storms roll through. The dock Chace built is under water and a source of rest for the canal turtles. Our yard is green and lush. Temps have been in the upper 80's and lower 90's and is relentless with the humidity. The mosquitoes have set up camp and are enjoying some fine dining.

William took the children to see Ice Age leaving the house nice and quiet. Ahhhhh

ttfn

Keeping my baby, my baby!

Cousin Andy