Smoky Mountain Vacation - Day 1

Months ago when we planned our vacation, we had no idea there was going to be a solar eclipse on the very day we were headed south to the Smokies (homeschool mom fail).  But since there was, we determined to try and get to a POT spot (Place of Totality) before the eclipse.  Which meant getting up at 6 and getting on the road as quickly as possible.  We did it!  For our night-owl family, this was a major feat!

Little Man made an eclipse viewing box out of a cereal box as we drove.

Couldn't resist!

The drive south was very memorable.  We saw license plates from all over, and everyone was speeding at least 10-15 mph over the speed limit.  After about noon, the speed picked up.  Several police and sheriff cars passed us, so they were speeding too, and not pulling anyone over!  Literally everyone on the highway was racing to get to a POT spot.  It was like sharing something special with hundreds of strangers.  Kindof oddly brought us all together.  The time of total eclipse was slated for 2:27 at the nearest POT spot we could drive to, and we drove until about 2:26, took an exit (there were signs all along the highway not to pull over on the shoulder for eclipse viewing), and pulled over on the side of whatever road that was.  It looked like dusk when we pulled over and hastily got out of our vehicle.

At the time of total eclipse it was dark like night and noticeably cooler in temperature.  Surreal!

When the moon was completely covering the sun, we all looked with our naked eye.  It was amazing!

We then got a very belated lunch, as we did not want to stop to eat on the way and potentially miss the eclipse!

The eclipse viewing took us about 4 hours worth of driving out of our way, but the kids all declared that it was worth it!  This meant that we got to our cabin after dark, and everyone immediately began exploring its amenities.

A set of queen bunk beds!  Where the boys are sleeping..

And above the loft, a crow's nest that daughter G gets all to herself!

King sized bed for me and hubby!

The pool table and the arcade game have seen almost continuous action whenever we are inside the cabin. :)

It was a really fun first day, and we are feeling incredibly blessed to have this opportunity!

Worship

There is almost nothing better than seeing my children worship God, and when they get to do it by leading others in to worship it's a little piece of heaven.  Last Sunday Little Man played a piano prelude right before our worship service started!  It was his first time to play in "big church," and he was nervous but did a great job.  I videotaped him during rehearsal, at which time he made several small mistakes (no biggie!), but when he played it for real he absolutely nailed it.  So proud of him!

Immediately following this, son G led the congregation in the opening worship song.  He has played guitar in big church before, but has never been the lead singer.  He also did a fantastic job!  I am both proud and humbled, and so very thankful that my children love Jesus and want to worship Him!

Summer

Mission Trips

Three of our boys participated in two different mission trips this summer.  The first one was a week in a local inner city, and you can see from this commissioning service photo that it was a big team!  Three fourths of the team ran a VBS style day camp for children who live in one of the poorest zip codes in the country.  Son C was in this group of kids.  The other one fourth of the team did physical labor type work projects in the same impoverished neighborhood, and Little Man was in this group.

When we dropped them off we prayed AGAIN!  (can't ever have too much prayer!)

The man in the red shirt and baseball cap is one of our two wonderful youth leaders.  Son C is in the foreground.

Both our youth leaders.  So thankful for these godly men who invest in the lives of my kids!

One week after this mission trip ended, sons G and C went on a similar mission trip to Puerto Rico!

They partnered with a local church there, putting on a VBS program for children, doing work projects at the church, a community center, and a local nursing home, but also participating in outreach events to give the church a greater presence in the neighborhood.

Even though the work was similar to that done on the previous mission trip, it felt different because they were working in a different culture and there was a language barrier to work around.

All three boys were greatly impacted by these mission trips, and I am so thankful they had the opportunity to go!

At the Cottage

We spent a few days at the cottage last month, going up early before a big family reunion.  We had only the two younger boys with us, and while we missed the older kids (who were all working), it was nice to spend time with just them.

The river was C-O-L-D!  (I went in up to my waist but no deeper)

Sun bathing with the dogs!

There is no other sound quite like that of waves lapping at the shore.

We celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday while there.  87 years young!

The dock was much more crowded when everyone else got there!  Cousins and friends, enjoying the warmth together.

My hubby and his brother...rocking the raft.

Happy 15th Birthday son C!!!

This boy.  Oh my heart.

He is such a joy and a blessing to me!  He has such a sweet spirit, a helpful attitude, and he's a hard worker.

And he has the nicest friends.

We ate pizza.  We played laser tag.

They played xbox.

We ate cake!

This boy is an awesome young man.  Happy birthday C!

Goofing off in the Photo Booth!