Ahhh, Good Times....

...were had a few weeks ago in Mackinaw City. After a busy first two weeks of school and all, these pictures remind me of our relaxing, fun week together - away from it all. The Mill Creek Campground was great - shaded sites, ours was a quick walk to the lake and across from the playground, bath house, and heated pool! We all could have stayed longer! We were more experienced campers this time - and the weather was beautiful, so no mud to worry about - and it was truly relaxing and soothing to the soul. We hung around the campground some, enjoyed the beach, the pool, the mini-golf course, the incredible views of water and MI's #1 bridge. We also trekked around a bit - to Fort Michilimackinac in M. City one day (definitely recommend this) and into the UP another - to Tahquamenon's Upper and Lower Falls and the Oswald Bear Ranch.

Highlights included:

• Aaron and I enjoying a gorgeous afternoon in the shade (while Ken & the 3 older kids swam), gazing at Lake Huron and reading a book. This was our view:

• Enjoying S'mores with the Watson family while watching the sun set over the bridge.
The kids being so happy just to be with us, doing simple things!


• Aaron smiling at everyone.


• Getting our picture taken with a real bear cub at the bear ranch. (Yes, Dad, it was safe.)


• Taking the Sunday evening Vespers Cruise and going under THE bridge at sunset. Gorgeous!
• Curling up in the pop-up camper on the cool evenings.


• Ken & Nathan buying a kite from the original Mackinaw Kite Company and flying it on the shore of Lake Huron.
• Watching the kids collect rocks, sand, etc., on the shore.
• Attending the craft fair at the Paradise Festival in Paradise, MI.


• Seeing a doe with 3 fawns walk across the Tahquamenon River just upstream while we were at the Upper Falls!


• Being away from the responsibilities of life, except for enjoying and building into our sweet family.

p.s. Can you guess how many hours we were there before we ran into people from KCBC? Two! Each day over the 5 days we were gone we ran into Kent City folks - either from church or school. :) It's always fun to run into people you know in a place far from home.

I know there's many pictures on this entry; I hope that's not too frustrating for you dial-up folks. I leave you with one of my favorites:

There She Goes...

We're ready to roll!!They sure like each other...Nathan's been telling her lots of the good things about school lately & they were eager to go this morning.
. . . not just a walkin' down the street, because we don't live down from the school any longer. Instead, she, Daddy, and Nathan piled into the truck this morning, and she headed off to kindergarten. She was excited and cute, with her big smile, jean skirt with polka dots (aren't polka dots on little girls the cutest thing?!) and bright pink shirt with a flower on the front. She is a sweet girl. Lord, please keep her sweet and help her teacher, classmates, and others to be kind to her. Keep her safe - emotionally and physically. Help her cultivate a love of learning! Please keep her heart tender and loving. Maximize the positive influences and minimize the negative. May she show others she loves You! Above all, please help her learning and interactions mold her into a godly little girl and young lady. Thank you for Mrs. Taylor, her nurturing, Christian teacher.

My mother's heart is happy for her (she has been looking forward to this for some time) as well as a bit wistful & sad. There's something about seeing your little girl head off into the big world that catches in the throat.

(I know this is blurry, but so "Robyn" -)

I wrote all the above this morning; now I write the following (10 pm):

She was happy when she left; she was happy afterwards! Big smiles & hugs, joy oozing out of her, and wow what a difference in how much she shares! Things from strategies how Mrs. Taylor gets their attention (a clapping repetition they repeat) to how they sit (criss-cross-applesauce) to where she puts her lunch bag to how hot it was at recess "so we had quiet time afterwards - but not rest time, Mom" (i.e. no sleeping)! Very cute to hear it all and Ken smiled as he knows I crave to hear from Nathan what's happening but he's a boy of fewer words. My heart is grateful and light for her now and I know she is in our Father's Hands! At dinner we asked everyone to share something they liked about their day. Robyn: "Recess and lunch!" Nathan: "Lunch and Recess." "Math, too." and Seth: "Playing at Mrs. Rivard's." Seth was sad to see his sister and brother head off to school and I'm glad he had something fun to do, too.

Here's to a great first day! Let's remember to pray for our kids & grandkids who are in school.