Our View of PYC '12...

It's hard to believe that youth camp is already over! Since we are currently using rented facilities, we go right into family camp the day youth camp ends. Our youth camp has a minimum age of 12, so Ryan was able to go this year. Because he went to band camp last year, he was familiar with the routine, but this was definitely something he had looked forward to for a long time! He was on Brian and Rhoda Line's team. Paul Stetler was the evangelist, and the Stetler Trio provided the music. I was a scorekeeper for Bible Bowl, and helped some in the cafeteria. Mostly, I just enjoyed taking care of the other kids, and spending time with my mom and my sister in between events. Although youth camp ended on what was clearly a tragic note, God's hand could be seen through every part of it, and His presence was unmistakable.

Here are a few pics from the week:

Ryan's 1st year @ youth camp

Ryan's team - Brian & Rhoda Line
photo from midwestphc.org

Alli and Aubrey enjoying some sunshine!

That's my boy!  ;-)

Afterglow...

Volleyball
photo from midwestphc.org



"tossed" salad

Happy faces!

Our popular "patio"...at one point
I counted a dozen kiddos hanging out
there! They needed popsicles.  :-)

Allison taught herself to ride without training wheels on
the bumpy gravel at Frankfort!

Silly girls!

Mama and Annie

Saying our goodbyes after a fun week together!

Never underestimate the sun.

Now we're looking forward to PYC 2013!

May's Days (Part 3)

Ahhhh...summer vacation!  The kids took about 48 hours to recuperate from an exhausting school year (lol), then it was off to Michigan for them!  Allison was set on going with them, even though they would be gone for at least a week.  Knowing her (quite the independent spirit),  we weren't worried.  They had a wonderful visit, thanks to their Grandpa and Grandma Burley, Uncle Gene, Aunt Tina, Amanda, Harmony & Chris, Kristen, Sonny (the exchange student from China), and Brody (the dog)!  While they were gone, we were BUSY! 

The house we are remodeling is pretty large - at least it seems that way when there is so much to do!  Greg has been rearranging an oddly placed closet/door situation, so it seems he has spent most of his time so far hanging drywall and removing carpet. I am still working on the walls. 

Watching the bright mint green disappear!

Looking better!

When the opportunity came for a little break, we jumped at it!  A Saturday in Holmes County was relaxing and fun.  It's rare that we do anything with my parents without the kids, so we made the most of it.  :-)

An Amish BBQ

Amazing food!

The next night, after church, we went to Cincinnati with mom and dad.  We hadn't seen Grandma Yount since Christmas (other than me dropping off some food to her one day when she was sick and I was in town).  It was a quick visit, but it was fun to surprise her.  :-)

And then of course there were a couple of bonuses to this trip...

Annie + bath paint

Aubrey

And we were able to spend a few hours with Adam, Valerie, and Jenny (a friend from GBS).  We grilled up some steaks, and had us a little feast before heading back home!

Then it was time to start couponing again...something that gets shuffled to non-priority status when we are in survival mode.

And reading!  Yes!  Something that we both love to do, but it's all too rare these days.

And cruising the car lots...yup, that's fun, too!  I guess it's kinda in my DNA.  As kids, we did this regularly.  :-)  Although I'm well aware that my 171,000 mile, 10-year-old mini van will be in the family for the foreseeable future, there's no harm in looking.  And if you ever see one of those "Don't laugh, it's paid for!" bumper stickers...pick one up for us.  We're ready for a disclaimer.

Then, after nine days in relative calm and quiet, it was time to pick up the kids.  They weren't quite ready to come home, but we had to prepare to leave for youth camp and so it had to be.  We met in Shipshewana, IN. 

 And the crazies were back!  We missed them.  :-)

Allison was all excited because a friend had given her a "music dvd"...lol...

Nothing like the scratchy sound of an LP blaring tunes while four little girls twist and shout!

With Livvy and Suzie

The kids entertain themselves on the deck while we spend yet another evening working on the rehab project...

With Halie

Ryan and Evan are keeping super busy doing a couple of lawn jobs and helping with projects.  They recently learned to pressure wash, and Ryan used an auger to dig holes for the deck they are building at my parent's rental house.  Fun stuff.

And then we are happy to have Speedway's 99 cent fountain drinks back for the season.  Miles of smiles, thanks to them!  :-)

May's Days (Part 2)

It seems like May 18-22 was such a blur of activity!  On Monday, we took a field trip to Boonshoft in Dayton.  We don't have pictures because I ended up bringing a sick student back home after just a few minutes.  The kids had a lot of fun, and I'm sure there are a few parents who have some great photos of the day...I'm just not one of them.  :-) 

That evening, our Women of Worth chapter met at a steakhouse for our final meeting of the year.  We typically have a Mother/Daughter Banquet, but the ladies in leadership decided to change it up a little.  I really enjoyed it!  The ease of going to a restaurant and visiting without having to worry about food prep and cleanup was perfect!

On Tuesday, we celebrated the last day of school with the traditional picnic.  Greg took off work, and he and our friend Josh organized some softball and kickball games.  I didn't make it out to take pics until pretty close to the end when they were playing kickball with the little ones.  It was the cutest thing ever!  :-)

That evening, the school hosted the annual Awards Ceremony, followed by the reception.  It was a special time for the students, as well as the rest of us. 

Allison received her preschool certificate that night, as well.  I was disappointed to see that I didn't get a pic of her, but she was so excited that she practically ran to the stage to get that piece of paper!  The photographer probably didn't even have time to get his camera in place!  I'm hoping one of the other parents has one, but here she is with one of her classmates...

I can't believe she is starting kindergarten already!  She loves school, and is a pretty smart little cookie, in spite of us being her parents.  :-)

One of my co-workers completed 15 years of teaching at PCS this spring, so we focused on celebrating that milestone. She has taught all three of our older children, and I have been blessed to work with her for 14 of those years.  She is a gem.  Evan sang a song written especially for her.  He did a great job...maybe I'll upload the audio.  It was cute.

Marea Pouzar

The reception decor team did an excellent job!  Mrs. Pouzar (not knowing she would be celebrated) chose the theme of "Promises".  I made a sample 'pot of gold' using a glass globe, styrofoam, push pins, and butterscotch candies, and the school moms pulled together and did the rest.  :-)

That pretty much covers it for Part 2!

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Unspeakable Tragedy...

No one could have known what today would bring. No one would have imagined that the young, smiling boy who played on the "B" All Star team this morning would be in eternity within minutes after lunch.

There are no words to explain such a thing to the groups of teens that are reeling in shock. No reasons good enough for a mother's aching heart. No answers to the questions that loom.

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jordan Franklin, Jordan's church and school families, and the campers and staff of PYC 2012.

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