Last summer "Hoo-Rah" for the Summer gang!

With an abundance of Southwest frequent flier tickets, Steve graciously agreed to let the kids and I take a multi-city trip with three connecting stops in Chicago!! First we went to Oregon to visit a dear friend, then Indiana to visit cousins.

I’m convinced I was born and raised to travel, it’s in my blood! Traveling for business was easy for me and afforded me the privilege to see many of the states as well as Europe. As a business woman I boarded a plane wearing a typical black suit with a newspaper and cup of coffee in my hand.

Traveling with kids is much different. I spent days thinking, preparing and brain storming how to entertain three high energy kids flying across the country with three two hour stops in Chicago!! I had every electronic piece of equipment charged and ready to go. Every time we stopped in Chicago we ran for all the outlets we could find to recharge our entertainment devices! I also brought reading books, activity books and puzzles. Since the airlines did away with serving food I had a cooler of snacks and sandwiches to keep all the bellies full until we got to our destination! While in Chicago we found the McDonald’s. By our third visit they knew and recognized our patronage.

I knew traveling on six airplanes in eight days could have thrown me right over the edge. Looking back I think there were a few angels God provided along the way. Whether it was a grandma sitting next to Sam commenting how utterly charming he was, or a teenager from Bend Oregon starting off in the window seat (from Chicago) and switching to the middle seat to have my boys on either side of her so she could talk to them, I knew God was watching over us and going before us. Many came up to me (especially in Chicago!) to tell me how well behaved my children are (IMAGINE THAT!!). I was proud of them all.

Our trip was filled with many memories. Portland Oregon is beautiful and majestic with the mountains. Climbing in and around water falls was breath taking. Zachary will not forget the day he helped rescue a dog missing for days stuck in a stream. Sam enjoyed meeting all the dogs in the neighborhood and their owners at the park each day. Emeline picked blackberries and learned how to make a pie with my friend Bridget. Stopping in Indiana on the way home for a few days to visit the cousins was, as usual a blast. My parents met us there as well. Going to the lake house is like a little Disney World for the kids. My boys love to ride the quads and motorcycles while Emeline is all about the water sports.

The best part of the trip was being with friends and family we love so dearly. Sure, we did a lot fun things but it is the love and acceptance of my gang that means more to me then the place and activities.

After eight days we were ready to come home. Like Emeline says, “Being away is so much fun, but home is the number one place to be!”

To Bridget, my sister, and all the angels along the way – THANK YOU and WE LOVE YOU! You made our last Hoo-Rah a BLAST!!!!

Blessings,

Debbie

A Life Long Friendship

I wasn’t sure how my kids would fair a trip from the Northeast to the Northwest with a two hour stop in Chicago! I took all three kids for the first time by myself to Oregon to see my friend Bridget. This was the last Hoo-rah of the summer! I had every piece of electronic equipment ready and charged to give them maximum entertainment from one coast to the other!

As much as I love my kids, I’m also aware they can tire anyone out quickly. They’re loud but happy. Full of energy yet hysterical. My guys and doll love an adventure and Bridget was ready to love them like her own, and give them just that!

I’ve known Bridget for over twenty years. We met in Philadelphia. She was married, and pregnant with her first child. I was single and busy with my career.

I have always admired my friend for her faith, strength, and grace. Seeing her as a wife and mom was an inspiration to me. She was patient and realistic yet full of a sense of humor. She could always find an optimistic view for whatever challenge that faced her. Her love for God and determination to trust Him no matter what has encouraged me to keep pressing on during more difficult times.

Bridget loved having my kids and they knew they were welcome. Her home is relatively quiet but she welcomed the noise, dirt and fighting! Living next to a park allowed the kids to be out and about visiting neighbors and playing with their dogs. Zachary is almost a hero...he found a dog in the creek crying. His paw was struck under a rock, he had been missing for several days. After running for help, the dog was rescued and returned to his owner.

To have a friend like Bridget for so many years has impacted my life in many ways. I never stop missing her. She is the one I call when it seems as though my life is falling apart. After a few minutes of talking we somehow find a way to laugh and see the brighter side of things. I have never once felt judged by her, only encouraged to seek after the Lord and His will for my life.

Seeing each other go through ups and downs of life has drawn us closer, even though we are thousands of miles apart. Today our lives are challenging in different ways yet there is a common bond in Christ, a life long friendship, and a thankful heart that God would see fit to bring such a wonderful person in my life (sniff!).

I love you and miss you Bridget, thanks for such a great time. I'll see you in HB for the big celebration!!!!

Blessings,

Debbie

A Hunt To Be Remembered

With two birthdays within on month of each other I decided to simplify things by having a combined party for Emeline and Zachary. After deciding to have the party at our pool I started to wonder how the group would stay together at such a large club. It didn’t make sense to me to have guests come only for them to scatter throughout the four pools.

With a mix of ages between five and ten, boys and girls, how would I entertain them all? Many of them did not know each other, so I had to think of a way to get everyone doing something together. A Scavenger Hunt! Brain storming with a friend one night, then my mother, we came up with a hunt that was so much fun. I think I was more excited then the kids.

The day came for the party and of course the weather was not good. It was raining in the morning and there were threats all day for showers. We prayed the skies would clear, and clear they did. In addition, because of the poor weather earlier, most members went home, so we practically had a private party!

With more guests then I planned for and additional family members joining in on the party, we had a big hunt with lots of kids, five teams strong. Yes, it was utterly chaotic but a blast from beginning to end. Seeing the parents leading the groups with their varying personalities was hilarious! My favorite task was having one team member blow a rubber ducky across the pool. Watching the pyramids form, kids dressing up with “lost and found” clothes, teammates posing for a picture with a grandmother, all made the hunt fun and creative, promoting good teamwork and sportsmanship.

Being on a team teaches kids (and us) great life lessons. Sometimes we have control over the outcome of the game and sometimes we don’t. Giving it our best and having fun is key. Supporting and encouraging one another is a must.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works”. Hebrews 10:24.

The scavenger hunt was a success, and from what I could tell each team worked together, encouraging one another with many laughs along the way!

Blessings,

A Sweet Birthday

Nine years ago at this time I was in as much pain as I could remember. After the text book fourteen hours of labor I delivered my first baby girl, natural and all!

I had been told by a doctor I would never be able to get pregnant or I would need a lot of help. After two miscarriages Emeline McKenzie Summer entered the world!

I had been working in New York and a confirmed corporate gal. During the pregnancy I was busy hunting for child care, the perfect place to take care of my baby. From the moment I set eyes on her I knew I would not be returning to the work place for awhile.

The day of Emeline’s ninth birthday was special from beginning to end. It started with blueberry pancakes and ended with surfing at the beach. With a creative mind she spent a good part of the day making jewelry. I sat beside her with my computer planning her scavenger hunt birthday party and we both enjoyed and sang to Hannah Montana. “I Miss You” is Emeline’s favorite song so we listened to that about forty times. I like it too!

Having a daughter is an incredible joy in my life. I love the person God has made Emeline. She is changing almost daily.

My prayer is for her to love the Lord her God with all her heart, mind, and soul. She sees the need for Jesus in her life, and for that I am so very humbled and
grateful.

Emeline’s favorite verse -“I will sleep in peace, for You alone oh Lord make me dwell in safety”. Psalm 4:8


I love you sweet Emeline!!!

Blessings,

Debbie

The Noise Of My Boys!

“Can somebody shoot me please?” How often these words run through my mind!! With only nineteen months apart, ages five and seven, Samuel and Zachary wake up most mornings swinging at each other. They’re not malicious. Just boys! Some days I handle it better then others. Being away with them recently for five days without my husband left my nerves frazzled. Sure, we had fun mountain climbing, canoeing, swimming, miniature golfing, rock climbing and tubing, but all the while I teeter back and forth between the role of camp director, disciplinarian, and referee. I’ve tried different ways to conform these boys into non-aggressive, gentle, well mannered, “kind to each other” young men, but there are days when I just want to give up!

Samuel spends 95% of his life fretting over Zachary, and Zachary pushes every button imaginable to make Sam act that way.

Since my husband works late many nights, the days can seem long, especially since I don’t allow TV or video games. Sometimes I believe I have the worst boys this side of the Mississippi! Every other mother seems to manage and raise calmer boys then mine.

The one main ingredient that keeps me half sane is praying that God will give me wisdom, strength and lots of patience!! In the global picture, I am the first to admit that they are fun, adorable, full of life, and loved by so many!

Honestly, the only strategy that works is to keep them separated when AT ALL POSSIBLE.

Recently I was at my “wits end”, asking God, “How do I do this?” Once again, He was faithful to reveal Himself to me. First, he reminded me through a friend, how quickly these crazy years will be over, and I’ll miss it. Second, through another friend, I was reminded that my boys really aren’t that different. Most siblings argue, annoy each other, and yes, even fight. Sure, there are the exceptional “well behaved” children, but we decided together that CRAZY KIDS ROCK, and laughed our way through sharing stories. Finally, my dear sweet mother offered to take one of the boys for the whole morning. Having a break for a few hours from the chaos was like a vacation!

These days of mine are not ending any time soon. I’m determined with God’s help to keep going, enjoying my CRAZY boys. God has provided me with friends (with older boys) who encourage me, help me to laugh, and remind me just how amazing my boys really are!

“I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only”. Psalm 71:16

Blessings,

Debbie