Camp Senator Wash

Last weekend, we did a trial run for our camping trip this summer. The goal: to take all our gear and tools and put them (and ourselves) to the test. We needed to make sure we have everything we will need, and that we know how to use it!

I thought it was also a good time to assign responsibilities. There's no room for free-loaders on a camping trip.



Everyone helped with the tent and gathering firewood.

While Dad chopped the wood, the boys made a fire ring nearby.
They did such a great job!
Especially for the first time! After the ring was ready and the wood was ready, Ev found some horse poo to really get the fire going! What kind of a marine would he be if he couldn't build a great fire?!

We enjoyed the peace and quiet of the open desert. No other people in sight. A crackling fire.

The night was quiet and full of so many stars. I expected to hear some coyotes, but heard only the odd bird or insect.

The sun comes early in the desert. I was awake at 0430, with plenty of time to catch the sunrise.

We were sleepy, but excited and happy campers.

I was really excited to try my thrifted cast iron skillet on our new camp stove. Everyone said the eggs and sausages were yummy. I think all food tastes better in camp.

Charmer

Let me start by apologizing for the quality of these pictures. I was halfway to Dana Point, CA when I realized that I had remembered none of the three cameras that I own. We were headed there for the wedding of one of Ev's good friends: from the Academy, flight school and also a fellow cobra jock.

The wedding was beautiful- orchids everywhere, beautiful California sunshine, fresh seafood and a reception at the Ritz-Carlton right on the ocean. But that's not even the good part. I'm going to tell a story now that still amazes even myself. Many of our friends and family have commented on Trevor's ability to charm those around him. Give him about 70 seconds- he's like jedi master. On friday night, we attended the wedding rehearsal; Ev was leading the sword detail and needed to discuss with the groom where it would take place. Trevor watched the rehearsal intently, and finally commented on the fact that there was a flower girl, but no ring bearer. "Where is the ring bearer?" he asked. Well, I didn't have a good answer, except to say that not everyone has a ring bearer. So, at the rehearsal dinner, he decided to bring this issue to the Bride's attention. After they were introduced, he was chatting her up, and suddenly a few words caught my attention. . .something to the effect of, "I could be your ring bearer." (You have to understand that he does have experience from his Aunt Heather's wedding last May. Apparently he thought he might make a career of it.) Anyways, everyone laughed, including the Bride, "Oh, how cute! See," she said as she turned to the Groom, "I told you we should have asked them. I saw their Christmas picture and thought how cute they are and said we should have them as ring bearers!" Ha ha ha! Everyone laughed, and I told Trevor to stop bugging the Bride. End of story. Right? Wrong. Trevor continued to charm the Bride with his clever conversation and sunny personality for the next 20-30 minutes. About an hour later, the groom comes over to Ev and announces that, "Alright, they convinced me. They're going to do it." Do what??? "They'll be ring bearers." I don't think I've ever been so shocked. Only Trevor could convince a Bride to include him in the wedding party 18 hours before the weddding. So, that's how Trevor and Braden came to be Ring Bearers this past weekend. They walked down the aisle, one one either side of the flower girl. I have to admit, they were pretty darn cute.

Getting Dirty

I found some holes in my garden. Spoken like a true gardener, am I right? So I headed to my local home improvement store for some cheery color. This is what it's like to get plants in a two-door hatch-back because I forgot to bring the truck. It only got really crowded in 5th gear. What's that? You say I could have bought the smaller hibiscus plants? That's too much to expect from a gardener long denied her plant fix. That's right, move over Landlord, it's my garden now! And I'll happily share it with my cheerful garden helpers!

Marine Meals

Last week we did a tent dry run in our back yard. To start it out right, we dined on MREs (Meal Ready to Eat). They liked the potato sticks, peanut butter & crackers, bread & cheese, oatmeal cookies and dried cranberries. A few bites was plenty of the spagetti and beef with vegetables. Go figure. Still, it was fun to listen to the water boil and wear boonie covers. (aka Marine Hats) Those are my boys!

Ode to Moms

Don't forget, Mother's Day is coming up this sunday! The first time I saw this I laughed until I cried...or maybe I cried until I laughed. (It probably depended on the day.) I hope all you moms out there get a laugh!

Bug Bait

I've been silent on the topic for a while, but I still haven't had any luck attracting Hummers to my feeeder. You might notice that this is a new style: my attempt to pacify the pesky, picky little birds. Still no luck. But I am not deterred. I recently read that hummingbirds eat bugs. I had no idea. So I'm trying to attract bugs, which might attract the birds, hence the rotting strawberries. I know, I'm crazy. I've yet to see any bugs, but the strawberries are dehydrating very nicely.

I seem doubly crazy when you consider the fact that I see hummingbirds all the time, just not at my feeders. (I read that they may prefer natural sources, which my yard has in abundance.) And I finally lucked-out and saw one when I had my camera in hand. Their peskiness is no match for my perseverance.

Opening Day

The family pool is open!

A Little Bird

Maybe if I sit up in the tree with this little bird, I will be able to get some perspective on this crazy week. Some thoughts:

• My evening small group finished the Truth Project series this week. It has been a metamorphoo- a transforming experience for me, and this last session was the convergence of all the previous sessions. The Sphere of Community: God cares, do I? Well, do I?? Matthew 22:33-40 & Luke 10:30-37 are seen with fresh eyes, as are many other things, due to this series. It is impossible to come away unchanged.
• Additionally, I had my normal women's morning bible study, and I tried out a new study here in my neighborhood. We went to our church's saturday evening service, for the first time as a family. If I was on a spiritual high, I suppose you could say that I was brought down a few notches when we had to leave early because my sweet 3 year old pee'd on my lap during the service, while he was napping. I'm not sure if that qualifies as spiritual warfare, but it was interesting.
• I need to have all four wisdom teeth removed next month. Enough said.
• I've taken over most of the work that my landscapers are supposed to do. But they don't do it right, and I'm too cowardly to fire them. It took me most of the week to get caught up, but it's such satisfying work.
• WTI is over, but now we're back to being the airport shuttle. Sometimes it's hard to believe that this is our break.
• Yet, in the midst of all this activity, I don't think we really feel established. Maybe that's why we're doing so much running around. In the words of Anne of Green Gables: "Marilla," she demanded presently, "do you think that I shall ever have a bosom friend in Avonlea?"