Up North with the Herrings

Sleeping bag wrestling with Daddy

2009-05-29T19:22:00.003-04:00

Wrestling in the living room was the first celebration of the summer. Drew was trying to pin Kent. They looked like big caterpillars scooting around the floor. Ahh, Family time!

Daystar's class trip.

2009-05-24T14:42:00.002-04:00

Well, I am happily back home with my family now but what an awesome trip we had. I took Daystar's 8 high school girls to Washington DC for a week, along with Sherly Nabozny, good friend and great navigator! We took off Sunday night about 9:00 p.m. and drove through the night, arriving at Gettysburg about 9:00a.m. We soaked in the history and felt moved as history became alive and more real to us as we stood where so many had fallen. Next we drove on to Arlington and watched the changing of the guard as well as some presentations of honor to the soldier by means of wreaths. We finished up our first night with The Wall and Lincoln Memorial. The next two days we took in DC and all of it's wonder.
After 3 days in the city we were all ready for some nature. We went white water rafting down the Shenandoah River then camped on a mountain (near Camp David). It was primitive camping with the only amenities being a pit toilet (housing a spider the size of my palm and a mouse who walked about the seat at will. I found out I can hold my bladder a long time.) and a pump. After a roasted hot dog and s'more supper we began devotions Sherly tuned it over to the girls and as they began their testimonies God settled down on that mountain top in a way that still brings me to tears. One by one the girls began to pour out their hearts and then started ministering to each other. Revival broke out and needs started being met. Sherly and I stood back in awe of how God was working in and through these girls. What a humbling and awesome
experience. Abby told of her fears and how she would start singing "Jesus, Jesus" and his presence would drive away all those fears. We wept in His presence and finished the evening by dropping to our knees ( at Abby's request), raising our hands and hearts before Him and praising God for who He is. GOD IS SO AMAZING!
We cleaned up camp and settled in to sleep. Some in a tent, some in the van, and the brave ones out under the stars. In the morning the girls found two 4" centipede squished under their pillows and I found one still alive in an unexpected place. I went to wash my hair under the pump and felt a twig in my hair I threw it on the ground and it crawled away. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! It had slept in my bun all night. Maybe it was God's joke on me after I pranked Jerusha the night before with a tuna fish s'more, yes, she bit it. That was funny! Whatever it was it was nasty. Also I was the one to have a snake (4 1/2 foot black rat snake) slither by my side the next day as we hiked up the mountain.
All in all it was an awesome trip. I thank God for the opportunity. If you really want to get to know people go on a road trip with them. There are always challenges but I am so proud of our girls and I will never forget meeting God on the mountain top.

End of the school year.

2009-05-16T03:25:00.002-04:00

Well It's over, my first year as the upper learning center Supervisor. It has been a good year. Full of learning and growing. I never would have made it without my mentors and my husband standing along side, always ready with advise or just a hug of encouragement.
I find it interesting how you can go through a whole year with little problems and then at the end of the year, Wham, something crazy comes along. I think I learned more the last week of school than I did the whole year. I found out it isn't always easy being the responsible and authoritative one. I knew this before but somethings need experienced not just known. I learned what it's like to be disappointed by unexpected sources, and I learned I can make it through with God's and friends(including my best friend, Drew) help. I learned a lot of good things too. Girls I had tried to reach all year opened up during Convention. It was awesome! One way this happened was writing notes back and forth to a girl sitting 3 feet away, and it was nothing secretive it was just the way she felt easy communicating. I had forgot the art of note passing but I am glad she let me back in on it. I love ACE convention. It brings out so much about people you never would have known other wise. I was so proud to watch all of our girls medal at State Convention several of them medaled many times. More importantly I had the honor of walking up to the alter and praying with 2 of our girls. God is so Good. I can see God working in lives and I love watching that struggle of becoming a young lady and growing up, it's not easy, but I am so glad i can point them to a Heavenly Father who is there to guide and help and most of all never let them down.
He has never let me down either, not one time. I look forward to more years of teaching young people to strive to be their best so in the end, as our scripture says, " I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." Thank you to everyone out there who held me up in prayer this year. I know God was listening.
The next step for me is actually one more school trip. Sheryl Nabozny and I will be taking 8 girls to Washington DC for 5 days. We are ending the trip with some white water rafting down the Shenandoah River. AWESOME!!! I am looking forward to it. The only glitch was when Katie came up to me and said, "Mom, what would be more fun, going on a trip or being with me?" She broke my heart. We are going to be away from our kids so much this summer it's crazy. God's gonna have to help all of us this summer. We will do our best to grab some good family time every chance we get. Until next time. TTFN
Dana

Taking one for the Team

2009-05-12T22:44:00.001-04:00

Drew and I got our shots out of the way. Drew only had to have 3 because of the shots he received in the army but he was quick to volunteer me for a fourth shot that the nurse said was recommended but not required (so sweet of him). I will say that the experience was very pleasantly quick and painless. She was a great nurse. She was pitching spent needles in the bin before I thought she had even given me a shot. All the while she talked about when she went to Africa. She warned us that they would steal our hearts. We already know what that is like :) Drew hadn't had anything to eat so she made him suck down a little juice box before he received his. I missed that picture but was able to capture these lovely poses. Kent was along and enjoying being the one to watch instead of receiving for once.
Today(the day after) all four of the team are comparing sore arms. The shots weren't bad but the day after is a bit surprising. We all feel like our arms have been on the receiving end of a batting contest. Small price to pay. Eyes on the prize!

Visiting with the Chamberlin's

2009-05-10T17:30:00.000-04:00

Bro. & Sis. Chamberlin arrived Friday night about 8:00 p.m. We had planned on giving them that first night to settle in and rest but as we shewed them to their room, conversations started and continued on until ..Oh, 11:00 p.m. We were so happy to have them here finally and both sides had so many questions, it was impossible to wait. Mrs. Chamberlin has so much knowledge and stories to tell it was like tapping into an oil field and finding a gusher. :) We soaked in every word.
I have to tell you about Kent ( my son). Our kids have shared our excitement about meeting the Camberlins, but I had no idea the reaction it would invoke on Kent when I called him in from out side and said, "Kent, The Chamberlins are here." He let out a whoop and started running and yelling to his cousin, "THE CHAMBERLINS ARE HERE! THE CHAMBERLINS ARE HERE!" Then he ran into the house, as if Santa had arrived and, much to my big eyed wonder, climbed up beside Mrs. Chamberlin (practically on her lap), wrapped her arm around him, and sat there for the next hour or so patting her hand and hugging on her while we talked. It was a greeting and a half.
We were able to spend the next three days with them, and in that time we learned so much stuff, it was enough to make our heads swirl. Everyone of us enjoyed every minute of it. They are wonderful people and we can't wait to get the four of us over there and start helping out.

Passport

2009-04-26T14:40:00.004-04:00

Dana got her passport. Drew's didn't arrive with it but it should be here Monday. Every new step makes it closer and more exciting.The Chamberlins will be here, at our church, next Sunday. We are going to get to spend some time with them and be able to learn more about the mission and how we can help. We can't wait!
We ( the mission team) are trying to meet once a week for a prayer time together. We know that physical preparations for the trip are only part of it. The most important thing is knowing that we have prepared our hearts for the Lord to be able to work in us and though us. This trip is not about us, it is all about a wonderful Saviour, who has done a work in our hearts and has given us a desire to share His love and message with others. Pray for us as the time grows closer that God would make clear our path and keep us ever close to Him.

Our New Baby!

2009-04-23T23:03:00.004-04:00

We have a new baby. Just arrived this week. It's a girl! She weighs about 80#'s and is as cute as a button. She is black and white with big, brown eyes and a big, pink nose. Yep my farmer man went to an auction and bought us a baby calf. A couple of days after he bought him, he prepared to get him fixed. As Drew got down in position to do the deed, he discovered that there was nothing to snip. "he" was a she. Hence the name Daisy not Buddy or Buster etc. (don't laugh at my names you should here some of the ones my kids come up with, God help their children) Anyways back to Farmer Drew, well there went that idea, but Daisy was much happier doing without the cruel discomfort Buddy would have had to endoer. So a good day all around.
Katie and I got to feed her a bottle tonight. That was cool, but you've got to watch out because when that bottle runs out a head butt is sure to follow, next comes the sucking on anything she can get her lips around-sleaves, skirts, fingers, whole feet. Yep she's a joy.

Check one,check two.

2009-04-17T19:42:00.003-04:00

Our passports have been bought and the plane tickets have been purchased!
This makes things a little more real now.
We are looking at around 24-25 hours of travel.
Some of our stops include New York and Busssels.
Practicing for our 6 hour Layover!

Our Cameroon Plans

2009-04-17T19:31:00.003-04:00

Dear Friends and Family, April 13, 2009 Everyone has moments in their lives when something happens that makes them stop and realize that this is going to change their lives forever. For Drew and I one of those moments happened about two years ago. The Chamberlins were holding a missionary service at our church, accompanied by three little orphans from their mission in Cameroon. As they sang and shared their stories they completely stole our hearts. As we sat in the service that day God began to do a work in our hearts. After the service we went home and sat around the table. After a few moments of pushing food around our plates Drew spoke up about how God had been talking to him, and I was excited to be able to say the same. Both of us agreed that we would be willing to go “right now” if we could. Well, we didn’t go right then and as life got busy, thoughts of the mission at Cameroon, though always there, were pushed further back in our minds. God is patient and His timing is perfect. Last year, as we spent a week at our Family Camp at Rock Lake, God began moving on our hearts again and this time it was much stronger and clearer, God was calling us to Cameroon. I cannot explain the overwhelming joy of seeing that God had a plan for us beyond anything we had ever dreamed, and knowing that He had prepared our hearts for this moment. From that time on we began seeking to make this calling more of a reality. We have been in contact with the Chamberlins and the EBM board and have planned a mission trip to Cameroon this summer.The mission we are going to help with is run by Victor and Claudia Chamberlin. They are in charge of a Christian school that teaches between 250- 300 students, as well as an orphanage that houses 15 children now, but has the capacity to house 60 children if they could find sponsors to support them. The Chamberlins have been faithful missionaries for many years and are now in their 80’s and desperately in need of some help. We are excited to be able to go and help out for a few weeks. We will be leaving for Cameroon around June 19th, and be there for about 3 weeks. We are blessed to be going with two of our friends, Sheryl Nabozny and her daughter, Haley, who also share a heart for missions. We will be leaving our children in the care of their grandparents for this trip. Kent and Katie are excited about the possibility of getting to live in Cameroon someday, if the Lord so leads, along with some reservations, like leaving cousins and friends for more than a week, but they are excited about being missionaries and helping the orphans and school children in Cameroon.We ask that, as we begin this journey, you would keep us in your prayers. We have many details to work out and costs to cover such as plane tickets, visas, passports, vaccinations, etc. We would also like to take over some supplies and needed items for the mission.We would like everyone to share in this adventure with us as much as possible, so we have set up a BlogSpot so you can follow along with us as we prepare, and later when we are over there. We will do our best to update with pictures and information as we have opportunity.We thank God for the way He is helping us, and are assured that where He has called us He will provide a way. If you would like to help us financially as we begin this journey we would greatly appreciate it. You can send your support to one of the addresses below. Most of all we covet your prayers and hope you share in this excitement by visiting our blog and letting us hear from you. Thank you for your time and prayers.
In His Service,
Drew and Dana Herring

You can send support to us directly by sending it to:
Drew Herring
2141 80th Ave
Evart, MI 49631

If you would like to receive a receipt for tax exempt purposes send to:
Evart Bible Methodist Church
3976 80th Ave
Evart, MI 49631
(Memo- Drew & Dana mission trip)

If you would like to find out more about our trip or the Chamberlin’sand their mission work, here are some links you can visit:
http://cameroon-thejourney.blogspot.com/Our blog for this trip
http://cameroonforjesus.org/This is the Chamberlin’s website.
http://www.ebminternational.com/This is the ministry that the Chamberlin’s work through.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbe,_CameroonInformation on Limbe, Cameroon. Also feel free to contact us at drewherring78@hotmail.com

11 years and counting

2009-03-22T23:03:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Drew and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. Our song since the beginning has been.. Looks Like We Made It, by Shania Twain.

Looks like we made it,
Look how far we've come my baby.
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missing.
They said, "I'll bet they'll never make it."
But just look at us holding on,
We're still together still going strong.

You're still the one, still the one I run to,
The one that I belong to,
Your still the one I want for life,
You're still the one, still the one that I love,
The only one I dream of,
You're still the one I kiss goodnight,
You're still the one.

I am know there were plenty that didn't think we would make it, but thank God for the rest of you, who were true friends, that stood by us and held us up in prayer. Now today, by the grace of God, we stand together, still loving each other and enjoying every moment of lives that were meant to be shared together.

Along with that some of you may know that God has been talking to Drew and I about going to Cameroon to help with a mission school and orphanage there. We are planning on taking a three week trip over there this summer in June and trust the Lord to lead us with more future plans after that. We are excited and hoping to be able to tell you more specific plans soon. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. Until next time, and hopefully that wont be a 1/2 a year from now like last time, TTFN & ta ta for now.
Dana

The Getaway

2008-10-05T10:16:00.004-04:00

To get over the depressing thought of turning the dreaded 30, I wrangled Drew, Dan, and Sharra into doing a getaway at Manistee. The original plans of a peaceful, romantic camping trip got changed into a 'Hey, lets get up at 3:00 in the morning and go fishing' trip, courtesy of Drew. Sharra and I had been wanting to go Salmon fishing so we did some web searching and found nice Super 8 right next to the lake. So we gave up the tents and headed off at 3:30 a.m., in the pitch dark with boat in tow. Did I mention it was supposed to be COLD? Well with this in mind Sharra and I traded in the cute nighties for winter clothing but as we stepped out of the van, expecting to be hit by gusts of frigid air, we were greeted by calm, warm breezes. It is still dark as we slide the boat into the river, looking out we see that only about 8 other boats have had the nerve to beat us on the river. We motor out to "the good spot"and begin trying to figure out how 4 of us are going to be able to cast from this small boat without hooking each other. When it was safe Sharra and I would give a mighty cast into the darkness and wait..and wait.. then PLOP, the lure would splash about 3 feet from the boat, or so it sounded.

Drew was the first to get a bite but it got off after a bit, I was the first one to land one(it was awesome!!!!!), then Sharra let out a "Oh Help us! Dan I think I got one. Dan! DAN! Help!" It was hilarious but her best one was " OH! He's HONKIN'!" Dan said "Honey you can't say that out here." HAHAHA We totally their whole manly fishing thing. Sharra did great and fought it all the way in (it turned out to be the biggest of the day, about 29")

Now that the girls had caught the only fish in the boat the guys took on a more serious edge. THEY MUST CATCH SOME FISH. While they got to it Sharra and I , jobs accomplished, decided to take a little nap since the were no floating cappuccino bars around. then the giggles started and that was another thing 'you don't do' at the sacred fishing hole so the guys took us to shore and dropped us to "go get breakfast or shop(and stop embarrassing them, we really weren't that bad ) while they went back out for some more fish along with my brother Doug who also showed to catch 'the big one'.

Sharra and I drove around and finally stopped at a shop but neither of us had the energy to get out so we curled up on the front seats and took a nap until the guys called. Everyone of us got to fight a big salmon in to make our grand total of 4 salmon (Doug caught 3 also. gurr! ;). Sharra wouldn't touch her fish until it was nicely bagged. I got brave and did the whole hand in the gills thing but they are so slimy and nasty to feel, it was weird.

We rested up at our hotel then went out to the piers. It was Beautiful! It was everything I was wanting it to be. We walked out to the smaller lighthouse and watched the waves crash on the rocks. Then we found an adorable restaurant for supper. We ended the evening on the beach watching the sun set. Every part about it was great. I am so thankful for a cool brother and Sis-in-law to do fun and crazy things with. And most of all my awesome husband who made a horrible number turn into a perfect birthday.

Sunrise
Sharra catches a honkin' big fish.

Nap time
Sharra's fish

Katies 10th Birthday

2008-10-04T06:40:00.003-04:00

Katie's 10th birthday cake

Katie hit the big 10 this year. She is growing up so fast. She is almost as tall as me. Her life is full of Polly Pockets, My Pets, and the Awesome new baby doll from Aunt Leah. She is turning into a little mother. She is working hard in school and competing in Jr. Convention in November for her 2nd year. She is a good little seamstress (whether she enjoys it or not haha). For her birthday we had about 12 kids crammed into our kitchen for some fishy snacks and cake, followed by a Babie friends movie and finally the grand finally of running across the wet, plastic wrapped hay bails which turned out to be the equivalent of a slip and slide. They had a blast.

Soccor Time

2008-10-04T06:16:00.004-04:00

A little daddy time.

Uncle Doug is the coach.

Kent is enjoying soccer this year. He is the smallest on the team. At first he was a bit intimidated but he has gained confidence as he goes along. Then there are other times that he is off in his own world out on the field, being happy go lucky Kent. As you can see he can get very motivated if the destination is right!

Daystar

2008-10-04T03:57:00.005-04:00

Our scoring table

This is Fabio Goobersteen Pip our class chameleon. Same "Adorable" shoes..Yep, I'm still cool. hahaha

School is going very well this year. The Lord has really blessed us. I had fun preparing the room in a jungle theme and the 17 girls in my class have enjoyed it. Our pond under the waterfall started out with some sweet little goldfish and zebra fish then one night my dad stopped

by after a fishing trip up the river and had a bucket full of baby bluegills so we threw those in the pond too and I told the girls when they get their goals done they could go fishing. They are hilarious! They chase the poor little guys down with a fish net and throw them in a bucket then when they have caught them all they throw the shell-shocked little buggers back in and begin again. They are a trip and we are having so much fun. I am so thankful for all the prayers that went up for me. God is defiantly answering prayer.

Family Pictures

2008-09-06T13:27:00.005-04:00

Success! We got all of us dressed up and to Sears for a family picture. We tried to get as tan as possible the first few days at the Cabin

(something Katie never has to worry about as you can see) then crossed our fingers and stepped into the studio praying the camera
would be as kind as possible. We were really happy with the way they turned out.

Fishing the cares away.

2008-08-23T21:39:00.006-04:00

It has been a long, crazy week of school prep. and we topped that off with a school yard sale this weekend and 2 back to back up nights that Drew and I split. It all was taking its toll so tonight Drew loaded us all up and we drove about 6 miles up the river were Drew could fish and the kids, Koko, and I could play in the river. We met a "jolly little fellow" fishing there already when we arrived (Joe Kretoski) so Drew joined him, letting out a few hollers about the temperature of the river on the way. Kent and Katie enjoyed chasing crayfish and catching clams. After opening about 11 poor clams Katie was finally convinced that there were no pearls in river clams however, she opened up an "empty" shell and let out a shrieking scream when a crayfish (having a heart attack of its own I'm sure) jumped out at her. Koko did really good swimming and overcoming his water nerves. He wasn't about to be left on the shore so he waded right in after us. Joe caught 4 fish while we were there (14 total for the night), Drew caught 2 fish and after awhile Kent got the urge, picked up a pole, and on his first good cast landed a nice bass. If you look close on the picture you can see it. Then on his second cast he nailed another one. It was enough to make him feel like it had been a successful night. It was the perfect way to spend a couple of hours. We climbed into the van relaxed and happy. There is something about water that can soothe the soul and being able to say you 'caught a few' doesn't hurt either.

School

2008-08-20T23:41:00.004-04:00

These next few weeks bring much change and many new experiences. I start as the Supervisor of the upper learning center at Daystar Christian Academy on the 25th. I am very excited and only a tad bit terrified. It is a big, big step but I know God is with me. He has helped me so much already and I know I am not going into this alone. We will have 16 girls this year (no Boys) so it should be really fun and interesting. We have some great kids and I am so honored for this opportunity to teach them. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated this year. I definitely don't want to mess up. aahhh

What time does school start again????

Just kidding!

The Cabin

2008-08-20T23:13:00.003-04:00

Uncle David having some fun with katie on the tubes.

Oh, the Cabin. Relax, get wet, have fun, enjoy family, food and Olympics. We always love our family week at the cabin in Travers City. Katie and Kyra are part fish. They stayed in the lake at least 3/4ths of the time. Katie did awesome on the tube this year hitting some big waves and even getting some air.

Katie and I started out on a nice, friendly tubing ride until I suggested that we see who could stay on the best out of three. She grinned and said "Your on!" Round one went to mom, round two to Katie, round three was a tie with a double wipe out, and the final wipe out went Katie. OH YAH, mom is still cool. hahaha

We had a mother daughter date one night, going shopping at the mall and Toys R Us. Fishing was the name of the game for the guys, however, one night the ladies got out the poles resulting in Mary and Dana catching pikes (30" and 27" ) and a nice small mouth(27") by Sharra. Kent went shopping with mom and dad one day and was most excited over the lure shopping. He walked down the isles pointing out the good lures and informing me what kind of fish they would catch. He is quite the little fisherman. It was a great week.

Pineview Open House 2008

2008-08-20T22:58:00.003-04:00

Open house fun. Katie and Rachael Ward teamed up for the 3 legged race and egg toss while Kent and Derek worked together taking 2nd in the egg toss with "The egg that wouldn't break" even after several drops, but look how far they had to throw it. They were pretty proud.

Drew and I took 1st in the egg toss with my Big Brothers Dan and Doug taking 2nd. Drew ended the contest by thowing the egg to me across the field KNOWING it had a crack in it. He was all encouraging saying "Come on, Babe, if you catch this one we win." I caught it all right followed by a big splat all the way up my arm and shirt. But we won ;) .

Frogs in the bathroom.

2008-08-20T22:44:00.003-04:00

My latest artistic attempt. I did an upnight the night before Pineviews open house and the

Pugsley house bathroom needed some help ( it was plain off white, yuck) so I started off with painting the white on top, blue bottom, and green border. Well about 2:30 a.m. inspiration struck and these little frogs started appearing. It turned out pretty cute.

Farmer Boy

2008-08-20T22:08:00.005-04:00

Farmer Drew.

This is for all you city slickers who just can't see Drew as a true, country boy, farmer. Here is the proof. He is true, John Deer Green. He can drive a tractor with the best of them and look good doing it. hahaha

Drew is raising his second batch of meat chickens (50), he decided not to do 125 at once like last year. We were all pretty tired of chickens after butchering, plucking or skinning, gutting, and packaging 125 chickens. We also got 35 egg layers this year and turkeys. Only 3 of our 10 turkeys made it.( they are in this last picture with 10 black egg layers. The little brown and yellow chicks will be layers too. We will be starting the whole "chicken death row" thing in about 2 weeks. Chicken anyone?

Don't worry the little finch is safe. He was freed due to good behaviour.

2008-08-20T21:51:00.003-04:00

Going to the fair is always fun. We all love seeing the animals. This year there were some surprises. The fashion world has found its way to the fair. AAHHH! We were shown a side of sheep that we had never seen before or at least not quit in that way. This bunny stole my heart. Isn't he adorable? As for the goats they were deceptively cute until they lured you in, then you find out what they are really after. "Uh, MOM! DAD!"

2008-08-20T21:16:00.004-04:00

Betsy and I (still best buds) are enjoying actually getting to sit down together and catch up as we watch our men show us that they've still got it.

2008-08-20T20:58:00.004-04:00

This is a "little" late but before I catch up the rest of our summer I wanted to finish off our camp experience. The Drakes brought a petting zoo to camp. The kids loved it! They got to ride horses (Katie's favorite past time), watch a sheep and lama get sheered, play with a 2 day old baby pygmy goat and a very tolerant billy goat (as you can see with Connor, he like to wrestle). It kept them busy which made everyone happy.

Just Like Dad

2008-08-06T11:23:00.003-04:00

This Year at Rock Lake Camp we enjoyed a little of the Great American Pass Time. After watching the "Greats" Kent was inspired to create his own league on the side consisting of mom and Kent. Batter up! The pitch , the swing, and the hit and now he is running to 1st and.. he skips 2nd and 3rd and heads straight for home, the chase is on, just before he is tagged he dives AND>>>SAFE, HE IS SAFE!

Yep, he is his fathers son.

But I don't want to eat that

2008-07-23T13:45:00.001-04:00

A picture true despondency. THAT! I HAVE TO EAT THAT! BUT I DON"T LIKE THAT! We have all been there, right? After seeing what has been laid before you to consume you nose immediantly crinkles up and your mouth involuntarily claps shut in protest of what it knows is going to get shoved in it. The taste buds on your tongue start scrambling for cover. So you sit there, and you sit there, staring down at this...stuff that you don't want to eat.

"Eat it!" your mother says. You look again and sit some more. Minutes fly by until now is it not only yucky but cold so now it is doubly gross. "Pick up that fork and start eating right now." You jump, realizing this war can not be won so you slowly pick up your fork and with a lump in your throat stab the first of several now chilly morsels and raise it to your lips. Your mouth opens and your tongue feels a cold sensation followed by a blend of flavors that had they been warm might not have been so unpleasant after all.

"Hey, when you get done do you want to play?" calls one of your friend. "Yes!" you reply enthusiastically and start shoveling food down the hatch with gusto.

Just another day in the life of a kid.

2008-07-22T16:36:00.001-04:00

Hi again just wanted to share some pictures across the miles :) 1. Kent got hit with a hocky stick ( by a girl :) ) daddy took good care of him though, then there is the Mother daughter banquet the men from our church put on for us every year, the theme was umberellas this year. That was fun. Our church has some pretty great guys, they go all out to make us feel appreciated. Next we are actually taking time out for a family night at Doug and Mary's house. The guys and kids put a couple boats into the pond behind our house and fished.They caught a few frogs. hahaha Have a great summer everyone.

Dana

Fourth of July

2008-07-22T16:06:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone, Happy 4th of July! We have been busy the last 2 days working on our Nature Club float. My dad has a nature club for all the staff kids in the summer. They meet every Monday at 10:00a.m. and go catch slimy, creepy crawlies to bring back to their mommies and daddies as well as learning how to identify different plants, trees, birds, and animals. They have lots of fun. This year we decided to do a float for them and as you can see they had a blast.They took live snakes, salamanders, frogs, and turtles and let people pet them or scream and run as they passed by. The crowd loved them. We were definatlythe most talked about float. Kent was pulling the turtle wagon but he got a little tired 1/2 way though and hitched a ride. Katie was the butterfly catcher. We had butterflies hanging on fishing line and she had to pretend to catch them. Well I hope all is well with you and I will talk to you again soon.

Love, Dana

First Time to Blog

2008-07-22T12:44:00.000-04:00

Hi,
We are starting to blog after enjoying reading many other people's blogs over the last little while. We like being able to keep up with many friends from the past this way. We also know that with how busy we stay that we are horrible with getting in contact with those that mean a lot to us. We hope that we can keep you all updated with our lives this way. Hope you enjoy the pictures of our activities from now on.
Your Friends, Drew, Dana, Katie and Kent