Who, What, When, Where and Why:

Recently our longtime *friend*  Frank was featured in a local newspaper. He and his wife Nancy are tireless volunteers who give generously of their time and resources to help others. They are amongst those rare types of people who make you a better person just by knowing them. Their wisdom, warm hearts, easy-going mannerisms and depth of character makes them soar above the rest. We value their friendship immensely.

I love when good news makes the headlines don't you?

Who, What, When, Where and Why: Frank Berlin

*The word "friend" is used here only as a formality. Technically we are not family; but I cannot think of another family more like family to us then his family.

So after hearing of his celebrity status about town we had to have a little fun...

While we were up north I faked a "celebrity spotting" and Peter acted as "paparazzi". Naturally, Frank took it all in good stride and played right along with me. It was great to be the one dishing it out for once as usually I am on the receiving end from him, lol!

Oh, there he is!!

Getting his autograph

So many fans

Thankful to share in the joy,

~Kate-Lyn~

Labor Day 2011

Due to the events of last week, first day of Kindergarten AND High School oh my gosh how did that happen??!!!, I am delayed in my posting the events and fun of our Labor Day weekend at Cedar Ridge.

What ended as a wonderful weekend started as NOT a wonderful time for our Ryon. You see he had tonsillitis last month and we thought he'd tackled it. Nope, it came back. With a vengeance. After a full day in the ER, three prescriptions, one visit from the ENT Dr. who used scary sharp medical implements to cut and poke him to no avail, he was sent home for some rest. Thank.You.God. Now we wait for his infection to subside. Then those little nasty tonsils are comin' out! Say a prayer for him please.

After returning home to the rest of the family who waited and worried, we headed north. By that time all of our family and friends had arrived at camp. They had the fire started. They were all cozied in. It had never looked so good.

This was Baxter's first trip north. In fact, it was a weekend FULL of firsts for our little guy. He met his furry friends at camp. He met his human camping family. He played with his Cuzin' Merlin who gave him the cutest toy, a doggie Binky! He swam in the river. He went camping in the RV. He took his first road trip. Well, you get the idea.

Another highlight of the weekend was our Low Country Boil done Adirondack style. Thanks to our Virginia friends, we couldn't wait to try this out. I'm happy to report it was a huge success and very well received by all at camp. I'm thinkin' that we'll be making this a Labor Day tradition. At least I hope so. We are now on the hunt for the official cooker that our Virgina friends have 'cuz theirs is way more fun and infinitely easier to manage.

On Sunday we participated in the annual Duck Race in town. It's a cute little fundraiser for the Lake Association which helps fund the processes that keep the lake water clean and safe. A very worth cause. We bought a pink duck.Of course, Miss Grace picked it out. She (the duck) did not win the race; but I'm happy to report I did see her bobbing downstream and she did not get stuck in the pools along the way.

Here they come!

Silly Spectators

Finish Line

Our friends and neighbors from here in town joined us up north at camp for a day at the lake and for our special dinner. The kids had a great time on the lake. I even got a chance to ride in their really cool three-seated tube they tow behind their boat. Me and Miss Grace rode with Matt and Julianna, it was awesome! Miss Grace was SO serious the whole time, but I knew inside she was smiling BIG. Later on she told everyone how she rode in the tube. Too cute.

The boy children had a good time at camp, the furry one too that is...

Digging a hole, napping in the cool dirt.

Big boys, big toys

All in all it was a great weekend. The bitter sweet part is that it's the last summer camping weekend. It always comes so fast. But, I am grateful for all the good memories beforehand.

Sweetly remembering summer days,

~Kate-Lyn~

First Day of Kindergarten

I am so proud of her. Really proud.

For more than three days she insisted that she needed to ride to Kindergarten on the Mommy Bus. She would have more time with me. It was faster. It's the way it's always been. She never shed a tear or wavered from her matter of fact delivery. So I never thought it was anything more than a preference.

Then came the day before school. Bedtime.

The truth was revealed in a flood of tears that she could not longer hold back. After a busy day her coping skills were gone. It was then that I realized it wasn't about convenience, or Mom Time or routine. The tears fell in buckets. She was afraid. Really afraid. Of being safe with a stranger. Of not knowing the drivers name. Of the fact that she was in the care of someone she'd never met. That I'd never met. I never knew until then how deep her fears were set in. Oh boy.

I learned something about her that night. She didn't want to burden ME with HER problem. I was floored that she would hold this all in. Creating a mask that I might buy into, trying to tackle this on her own.

Thank God, she opened up to me. Thank you God that You gave me the words to quell her fears and the opportunity to learn more about my amazing daughter.

After a long heart-to-heart chat, day one came and she was ready to tackle her fears. Praise the Lord!

A Soggy, Rainy Stroll to the Bus Stop

Telling me all about bus safety tips from Mr. Mike

It's coming!!!!

Sending her on her way

I must say, sending a daughter off to school for the first day is entirely different than sending a son off. I'm not finding the right words to express it, but it just is. Maybe the fact that she is the last one to fly the nest has something to do with it?

Post Script: She sat with her little friend Luca. The bus driver is a wonderful, kind woman named Cathy. She is doing just fine.

I am so proud of her courage to tackle life, even when it's hard. She amazes me.

In Awe,

~Kate-Lyn~