Family Campout

So, last weekend was our family camp out with Jake's troop. We loaded up the van on Friday after work and headed for the camp. We spent Friday night and Saturday night in the tent, under the stars. Friday night rained on and off and the wind was crazy (so Lily said), but on Saturday night, the most disruption we had was the scouts playing capture the flag until 1:30 am (in the dark - no flashlights allowed). We had so much fun just hanging out together.

The highlight of the camp out was the Saturday evening Court of Honor and bonfire. This was the time set aside to present all the merit badges and awards that the boys had earned since April. This is also the time when all the patrols have to present a skit for everyone to enjoy. Jake's patrol decided to do a skit about Chuck Norris. He was Chuck and everyone was supposed to be afraid...be very afraid. In actuality everyone laughed because when he tried to do his karate moves, he looked more like a robot. It was too funny.

Jake earned five badges - Weather, Archery, Metal Working, Citizenship in the Nation and Space Exploration. He also received patches for summer camp and a special one for the help he gave to the Cub Scouts at their annual 'Weeblos Woods' camp. But, he was most proud of earning his Tenderfoot and Second Class ranks. He is ready to go with First Class as well (which is half way to Eagle), but he has to be able to swim quite a distance first and he is just not quite there yet. It will happen soon, though. He is also currently working on his Personal Fitness badge which is requiring him to have a 90 day fitness plan that he has created on his own and that he carries out on a daily basis.

Hannah enjoyed the camp out because she met a new little girlfriend there. It was pretty funny, though. While we were there another mother sat down with Hannah and french braided her hair. Awhile later the mother said "wow, she sure can talk!" I just smiled.

Lily enjoyed being outside all weekend, but she did not like the mosquitoes and she did not like the wind on Friday night. But it was hilarious as she screamed to Jake receiving his awards "I believe in you Chuck Norris!"

Kermit had a great time and afterwards decided to sign up as a leader. So, after his training this month, he will be Assistant Scoutmaster Ruoss. I love a man in uniform : )

I really enjoyed being with the family without the rush of life in the background. My favorite part of the weekend (besides seeing Jake get his awards and learning how to cook on a camp stove) was learning the beaver song. It's hard to explain, but basically you steal the beavers from the zoo, roast them over and open fire and then eat them. I know, doesn't sound appetizing but it's great fun to sing about. Maybe that's because they are so close to weasels : )

Couple prayer requests:

My dad - had to go back for a third surgery this week. I haven't been posting about him but he has been having some setbacks with his leg (was back in the hospital for a week, bad infection, etc.). This week they put another drain back in his leg because the infection and swelling were getting worse. He is pretty tired and not able to do much. Pray that he will be healed and that he would follow doctor's orders about resting, etc.

Our friend Amanda's mom Diane - Diane had a small stroke this week. I am not sure of all the details but I am 100% sure that this is not the progress they were hoping for during her recovery from her heart surgery and other issues. Please pray for Diane's complete healing and that the Lord would refresh her mind, body and spirit.

Tina and Daniel - they are still waiting to find out about heading back to the Fayu. Pray that they will receive a response soon.

Oh..and here's a shout out to Kristy and the man crew! We miss you terribly, but are praying for you in your new home.

Air Show

So today was a busy (but fun) day. Kermit and Jake started the day by leaving the house at 7am to pick up the tent for our church picnic and then going to the church to set it up. Hannah, Lily and I met them at the church at 10am for an AWANA leader's meeting. After the meeting, we all went home for Kermit and Jake to shower (trust me, they needed it!) and to each lunch. We then headed for Waukegan to see the air show. It was SO COOL!. It is a small airport so no Blue Angels or Thunderbirds, but definitely enough to keep us watching. My favorite was the WW2 Corsair. That baby could fly! We all enjoyed, except Lily...she did not like the noise.

Jake has been working hard to have a good year at school this year. He is enjoying Spanish a bit more (un piquito)but is still not convinced he will ever need it. If he ever wants to order at a fast food place around here...he better get to learnin'! He is looking forward to the Scout's family campout later this month. We have a huge bonfire, court of honor (where they present merit badges) and camp out (including capture the flag until midnight). Last year it rained on our heads all night and we accidently rolled up a small garder snake in our mattress pad (stinky!)...so we are hoping for a better year this year. Oh yeah...we also go to the orthodontist on Tuesday to find out if he needs braces.

Hannah is thrilled to be back at school and back in band. She just loves everything about school and can't imagine why Jake dislikes it so much. She is looking forward to AWANA starting this Wednesday. She played the piano for the church on Sunday. Not like a special, but she actually led the church as they sang. Our regular pianist was out and our backup just moved to New Mexico, so Hannah got the opportunity to play. She did fabulously! She made one mistake but did the right thing by just keeping playing and not letting on that she messed up. Even Jake complimented her at the end of the day : )

Lily went back to pre-k this week. She really enjoys going and learning but she does not like the homework. Mind you the homework is usually coloring, but she still doesn't like to be bothered. Oh, I must not forget to tell you that she did let me know that she has decided what she wants to be when she grows up. We were flipping channels the other day and passed something that caught her eye. She said "wow, that's what I want to be when I grow up!". I said "what is that?". She responded "A juggler! Not just any juggler, but a girl juggler!". I laughed so hard I almost cried. She just looked at me and I realized she was dead serious : )

Quick prayer request - Please continue to pray for my dad. He was put back in the hospital on Wednesday. He was running fever and the back of his leg (where they stripped the muscle) was hard and red. They found out he had a huge abcess that they had to drain, etc. They then found that the abcess was a staph infection and that he has two places of staph on his skin graft as well. On top of that he pulled the hamstring in his 'good' leg and possibly separated/fractured a rib while trying to get up. He's not feeling so hot, so please keep him in your prayers. He will not be able to come home until at least Monday.