Occoneechee Mountain and We're Going on a Bear Hunt

There are times in our lives when things seem so easy ... carefree, light and fun.  Other times that seem heavy and dark and scary.  I feel like I've been bouncing around between easy times and hard ones over the last few months.  So much going on.

In the midst of the trials, I'm reminded that my worries don't accomplish anything.  Its an opportunity to place my trust in God.  (Not saying that is an easy thing at all!)  Its an opportunity to allow others to love and pray for me.  Its not that the weight or the situations magically change.  Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.  And I don't mean to say that things just become easy.  They don't.  I am thankful though to know that I'm not alone.  God is always with me.  There are things in this world that just are hard to make sense of.  We all see that around us.  I'm thankful that in the midst of a world filled with contradictions that there is One who never changes and who loves us completely.

Sharing about the challenges we have been facing has been hard because it is not just my story.  It involves others and is private in some ways.  Its different to share something face to face and another to put it on the web.  I can share that my Dad's health is not doing well.  He is in a very hard place right now and I know would appreciate prayers.  

And yet in the midst of the pain and heartache that we experience and see around us, life continues to go on.  There are happy, sunny days and moments.  Things to be thankful for each day.  Sometimes the things are small.  Learning to be thankful though is a sweet exercise indeed.  Its one that I want to cultivate in my own life and encourage my children to do as well.

In that light, I wanted to share a sweet time with you.  This was one of our last field trips and it was indeed a happy day.  Its something I've been planning and hoping to share for months now and yet life has just gotten in the way.

The day started out bright and sunny.  We met at Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area for a field trip.  For this outing, we had rangers doing programs for us.  They were able to do 2 programs.  The older students went on a geological hike to an abandoned quarry.  

This link has a neat picture (see below) and more information.  

The middle age children (elementary) went on a nature hike to a pond where they spent time looking for frogs.

This left our youngest children with nothing much to do.  This happens on occasion and we just usually make the best of it.  Sometimes using an activity box provided by a site or doing a hike.  This time however, we planned something just for them!  It was so much fun too!!!  We are looking forward to doing this again in the future!

We planned to read a Before FIAR story to them ... We're Going on a Bear Hunt.  What a delightful book!

After reading the story, we had a craft time.  The children colored and glued and made pictures of the various places in the book using these story patterns.

Love seeing my sweet girl joining in and having fun.  :-)

We used the pictures that they made to help set the stage for out next activity.  Acting out the story.  This was my part of the day and I was so excited about doing it.  I wasn't sure how well it would go over though as this is a new thing to be trying with this group.  It was so much fun to see their reactions!

I started leading them in the chant/rhymes of the story.  The first thing that we came to was the long wavy grass.  I had brought easter grass for them to swish between their hands for the "swishy swashy" of the grass.

Next came the river.  "You can't go over it, can't go under it.  I guess we'll go through it."   I gave water bottles to the moms who spritzed the children as they walked through.

Next was the mud.  I mixed several colors of paint in ziploc bags to get brown.  My goal in this activity was to create a sensory walk through the story.  I had imagined them picking up the bags to squish them.  I think they liked stepping on it to feel it on their feet better.  Thankfully the bags were strong.

I couldn't think of something great for the forest - other than walking through the real trees.  I did have an idea for another fun sensory piece though and I went with that.  They didn't question at all the connection and just had fun with it.  Bubbles!

Next was the snowstorm - whirling all about.

I chose cotton balls which they loved throwing up into the air.

Isn't this just a fun picture?!

Lastly, we made our way to a cave.  (A large tarp pulled over two picnic tables.  Guess what they found inside?

I'm not sure you can see much of the bear in this photo, but he's in there.

And did they have fun running back out - squealing - as we ran back home.

It was so much fun!  I loved seeing their smiles and hearing their delight.  When we finished, they wanted to do it all over again.  And so we did.  Until the sky grew cloudy and threatening.

We quickly gathered our things and made it into the vans before the clouds let go of lots of rain.  While our day ended a little more quickly than we had planned, it didn't put a damper on the fun that we had and the memories that we made.

I'm thankful for friends to have fun with and am looking forward to doing this again.  For anyone who wants to read more, we are planning a very informal Before FIAR co-op this year.  We have met once this summer and plan to meet once per month during the year.  Our time frame is simple.  First is story and discussion.  Second is craft and Third is  hands-on activity.  That's it.  :-)  I'm glad for Eliana to have this opportunity to learn and have fun with friends too.

Thanks for reading.  Thank you for praying for my family.

with a grateful heart,
Leslie

Life is hectic

I had really planned for July to be a slow month.  There was a lot white space on my calendar.  That ended up being a good thing because my time has been needed in other places.  Life has just unfolded differently than I thought it would.  I'm thankful that it was easy for me to make the changes and turn in different directions.

Spending time with my parents as hard decisions are made.  Just being there to love them, pray with them and encourage them.  They have done so much for me and I am very thankful for them.  It is difficult though to see them struggle and to feel so helpless in the midst of it.

Spending time with my oldest son to learn more about his summer.  I have missed him.  We all have.  It was good to see where he is living and what he is doing and to meet some of his friends.  We had a great time and I'll be posting more details soon.

The contrasts in the visits made me reflect on life.  How fast it moves at times and how slowly at others.  How your mind feels  young even when your body doesn't.  How relationships are really what matters.  Not things.  People.  And that one relationship is really what sustains you no matter what your age or stage in life.

I'm leaving for a few days to attend the National Down Syndrome Congress convention in DC.  I'm excited about learning more and hoping to come home with tools to better help Eliana.  And after all of this running, I'm hoping to stay put - for a few days anyway.

I'm going to enjoy the white space on my calendar.  Knowing too that I am willing to fill it if and when I am needed somewhere else.  God has ordained my steps.  He knew that there would be other things going on this summer.  I'm thankful that my calendar wasn't too full to be there for all that He had planned for me.

In the midst of it all - tears and laughter, sorrow and joy, challenges and discoveries - God has been there with me.  Guiding me and holding me.  I wish I could say I was always listening.  Still so much to  learn in that area.

Praying that this week brings blessings and joys to you and your family!

Blessings
Leslie

A day at the river

This summer has been filled with such twists and turns.  So many things that I just didn't foresee.  Its been a much harder time than I could have imagined and I'm thankful I didn't know that this lay ahead.  Early in May as we were heading into warmer days I pondered how we would spend our time.  I've been reminded afresh that my time is really in God's hands and not my own.

This past week has been filled with yet more challenges.  Some of it is too much to share because its not fully my story to tell.  I will come back to it though because I do believe that there is comfort in the prayers of others and also in knowing you aren't alone in trials.  For now though, I'm thinking back.  Because even in the midst of the challenges, we have also had many sweet moments.  I'm exceedingly grateful for those!

The river was something Christopher mentioned as I discussed our summer plans.  One of my friends has a summer "bucket list" of fun things that her children wanted to do.  I really liked that idea and wanted to do that with my family.  We started making our list.  Since our days with Christopher are few, I wanted to hit one on his list first.

We headed out on a beautiful day with our family and two of Christopher's friends from State.  What fun to have them join our family.  I've really enjoyed getting to know his friends.  I love how easy it has been to add them in with our family.  He has great friends.  I'm so very thankful for the blessing of friendship and love seeing him developing wonderful ones.

Even though it was a holiday, it wasn't too crowded and the weather was just perfect.  (It was Memorial Day and not the 4th in case anyone is wondering.)

As we walk through life, there is much that is out of our control.  Yet we still go forward along the path that is ours.

Sometimes the path leads us to beautiful peaceful places.  

Sometimes we just can't see what is ahead.  I'm glad for that though.  I know God gives us grace and strength to handle challenges as we walk through them - not before we walk through them, but in the midst of it.  It doesn't mean that this makes the challenges easy - not at all!  It means though that we aren't alone.  We have hope.

It is also such a blessing to have family and friends to join you on the paths.  To walk with you with times are hard and heavy and also when they are light and fun.

This day was one of those light days.  Sunshine.  Laughter.

The day was fun and yet slow and easy.  No rush to go or to do or to be anywhere.  I think more of our days should be just like this one!

When my pace is slow, it is easier to reflect, to notice God's handiwork and to just enjoy all that is around me.

People.  Really life is made up of times with people.  I want to be a person that is a blessing whether the time with someone is short or long.  Days or years.

Just looking at these pictures makes me smile.  It brings back the memories of sweet times even in the midst of hard ones.  Its a reminder of good times past and a looking forward of those times to come too.

Who can resist smiling at this sweet face?  Can't you just see the happiness?

Really all of these faces make me smile.  I thank God for the many blessings He has poured out in my life.  

Climbing rocks and building dams

Splashing in the water.

Taking walks through the woods.

Together for a picnic lunch.  Then off to play and explore some more.

For those that are local, this is Few's Ford on the Eno.  A really fun place!

I love pictures like this.  Just reminds me of so much.  To slow down and enjoy.  Even when things are swirling around you - in your control or out of it.  Take time to enjoy.  Especially the people.  Enjoy those around you that you love.  Time sometimes seems in abundance and then one day you wake up and find it just moves so quickly.

Things change.  And even sometimes when I wish I could go backward to an easier time and an easier pace, I have to stop.  And remind myself to be thankful for today.  God has blessed me today with so many gifts and I want to enjoy them fully.  Today.

Sometimes it is looking for the blessings in the little things.  In unusual places or circumstances.  I know when I look or rather pay attention, that I see them.

In other ways the blessings are abundantly obvious.  Staring me in the face.

At this point in my life, I find that I'm looking forward and looking backward, but mostly just trying to enjoy the present.  It is a gift to be enjoyed.

Mostly, I need reminders to keep my focus on God.  To look at Him and not to dwell on my path, but rather to concentrate on Him.

What are you thankful for today?

I'm thankful for so many things - family, friends, freedom and much more.  My heart is full.  I hope yours is too!

With love
Leslie