Those Kids!

 

Mini loves her boy!

 

Kammy's recent drawing of Connie and Eugene from Odyssey. Love the attention to detail!

 

In my recent blog from our camping trip, I told about Kaderick's cute sayings, but I didn't mention a couple of things Kaite said.

She and Rick were on a team together playing a family game and she said, "We should get something to drink daddy; it's important to stay hydrated if we have any chance of winning this thing!"

Then, she was contemplating things and said, "We are all original Borks except for mommy; she was changed into one, so she's not purebred."

The Best of Circumstances

 

 

Spring Break took us to City of Rocks National reserve for a short but sweet and much needed get-a-way.

 

The nearest town to City of Rocks is Almo, Idaho. We loved Almo! One gas pump and one general store/post office, yet everything you needed! I think I could easily feel "called' to Almo. Beautiful Mountain backdrops and packed with history.

 

Window Arch at City of Rocks National Reserve.

 

 

The view from our campsite.

 

City of Rocks literally looks like an old city of ruins.

 

We were thankful that it wasn't hot summer, and also thankful that we had a nice warm trailer and full hookups in the Smoky Mountain Campground as it had recently snowed and was a nippy 21 degrees for a low, making it all the way up to the mid 50's during the day time.

 

The California Trail ran straight through here and the rocks still hold signatures of many pioneers. They used axel grease to autograph the rock walls and it is beginning to fade.

 

Of course the inner child was alive and well in Rick and he had to show off with a little rock climbing, a sport that is quite popular here in the summer months.

 

 

I loved this directional sign in Almo.

 

This trip was perfect for Kammy who is studying Idaho History this year. The California Trail came right through here, and this monument sets on the site of a horrible indian massacre where out of 300 immigrants, only five survived. 

 

 

Some of my very favorite boys right there! At one point Kaderick sighed and said, "These are the BEST of circumstances!" He had so much fun! Really we all did...just to slow down and enjoy one another. Maybe just my opinion, but I think camping is the best way to keep your family close and bonded.

 

This is the ruins of a pioneer family home.

 

Since things will be very busy from now through Easter, we took eggs along with us to color. We call these "Easter eggs, Idaho style." They are hard boiled and then nearly frozen. lol.

 

 

Coffee and games were abundant.

 

And physical activity was plentiful as well, when the sun shone!

 

In the sunny afternoons, we opened the back of the trailer and enjoyed its warm rays, getting our share of vitamin D!

 

 

Home Sweet Home!

 

The pictures are seriously out of order, but this was where we stopped for one night on the way home. Three Island Crossing State Park. A spot on the Oregon Trail this time. Where three islands converge on the mighty Snake River and many pioneers made the dangerous crossing.

 

The girls warming at the fire and Kade with his ever-present "snake and mountain lion fighting stick," He and Rick saw some tracks and Kaderick said, "Those either belong to a mountain lion or a very spoiled chihuahua

 

 

Elephant Rock. This was Kaite's favorite rock formation.

 

Bread Loaf Rock. The dive up here was definitely 4wd! Fun times.

 

Somehow we ended up with lots of pictures of this little mountain man.

 

We were just soaking up the last few minutes of the last night out. No laundry or dishes or anything for momma to hop up and do.

 

S'mores were his favorite part.

 

First trip in the new camper is in the books! Camp trip #35 has been recorded in our camping journal and in our memories forever! Thank you Jesus, and thank you daddy for your investment in these precious lives!



Marching on!

It's hard to believe that March is almost over! Time just keeps marching! The following will be a brief review of highlights from our week.

Monday morning:
Kaderick at 6:30: Can I get up?
Mommy: If you promise not to be grumpy.
Kaderick: Sighs and goes back to bed.

Also on Monday morning, Kayla Bork and I met daddy downtown for cardiology and breakfast. I think we had a mostly positive day. Kayla will have an echo and be wearing a heart monitor to rule out anything more serious, but from all appearances so far, it looks to “just” be “inappropriate sinus tachycardia.” Perhaps caused by the hole (PFO) in her heart, and perhaps not, Meaning, that everyone has “appropriate” racing heart at times, in reaction to certain situations, but hers does it at inappropriate times as well. Some people are just prone to this for unknown reasons, and it comes and goes randomly throughout life. The symptoms are usually treatable with medication or “simple” procedures. He changed her medication up a bit in hopes of eliminating the nasty side effects and we will know more in the next few weeks. 



We have a nice big sink in our laundry room in which the girls and I like to wash our hair. So, I was bent over, washing my hair and my husband came in the back door and spoke to me and then patted me on the backside. I replied to him and he didn’t speak again, just stood there and kept touching me in a rather odd way. Every time I moved a little, he patted again. Kinda weird, but okay.....whatever. I kept talking to him, but he was strangely quiet. Something didn't quite add up, but he's the only one who pats me there, so it had to be him, right? When I was done with my hair, I turned around and looked at him and he had turned into a mop. The real hubby was nowhere to be found and I’d had a whole conversation with my mop which hung on the wall behind me and patted me on the backside.

 

 

My verse this week. When there is too much to do, and to many people counting on you for something, sometimes you have to just take a deep breath and remember that you can only do so much and Jesus said that's okay.

 

Rick finished the porch and front door area this week. I just love it. He did all the cedar work and then I got the paint and décor job as per usual. The happy home is no happier, the family no more content, and nothing is sweeter than before; yet, we have thoroughly enjoyed making this place our vision of beautiful! 

 

 

And then to remind you, here is the before picture.

 

 

And on Palm Sunday, looking toward Easter, I'll leave you with a favorite quote of mine. This is my desire; to simply be used of Jesus in humble ways.

Corrie ten Boom was once asked if it was difficult for her to remain humble. Her reply was simple.

 "When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches and throwing garments on the road, and singing praises, do you think that for one moment it ever entered the head of that donkey that any of that was for him?" She continued, "If I can be the donkey on which Jesus Christ rides in His glory, I give him all the praise and all the honor."