1st camping trip of 2011

A couple weeks ago when the weather was beautiful we planned a 2 night camping trip to Jones Lake. A couple days before we were to go I came down with a horrible cold and when looking at the weather it was supposed to rain & thunderstorm the whole time were were there. But who listens to the weather report, they are not correct that often right :). So the morning we were packing up and the weather was fine and my cold was on the way out so we kept on with the plans. As we were getting buckled up though it started to sprinkle and by the time we were 20 min into the hour drive it was pouring down rain. Sam & I kept looking at each other laughing, what should we do. Neither of us felt strongly either way. Sam made the decision to turn around and we would go the next day, but as we did the kids said "No, we don't want to go home, we want to go camping." We sat on the side of the road for about 10 min discussing it and watching the sheets of rain coming down sideways and finally said (with a smile) why not, its just rain :). And we got back on the road. We prayed for safe travels and we prayed that the rain would slow down just enough for us to be able to get the tent up. We were excited for the adventure and knew we would have fun no matter what. By the time we got there the rain had slowed down, Sam & I put up this tarp up & when it was time to set up the tent the rain had completely stopped. Abriella was a great helper with the tent, Ethan was already peeing on a tree, and we sat down for a snack and praised God for no rain! Sam got right to work with the fire and the kids got right to playing & riding their bikes ( no other crazy people were camping this week). Then we had my favorite camping dinner, Chili! It was a great warming dinner on a cold evening! All the kids wanted to do was ride their bikes. It was so much fun watching the 3 of them able to do the same thing together. I'm loving their ages! Still, there was no rain! We had hot chocolates by the fire (w/ coconut milk, Yum), read a bible story and went to bed. It was a great night with lots of giggles and finally sleep, together as a family! The next morning was COLD. But Sam got the fire going, coffee made, and hot water boiling for warm oatmeal (abriella's favorite camping breakfast). After clean up & getting dressed we got right back into bike riding! I brought games, coloring stuff, & books but all we did was go on bike rides. It never got old, it was perfect! As we were heading back to camp from one of our bike rides for dinner it started to sprinkle and by time dinner was done the rain was coming down hard. We huddled under the tarp and ate. Something inside me got all worked up and I really felt like we should pack up & leave. The kids of course didn't want to but the rain kept coming down harder. Puddles were forming around the tent & the kids were drenched from playing in the rain. I finally said, nope, we need to pack it up. So with smiles on our face, that is what we did. The kids played in the puddles while we packed everything up as quick as we could. Everything was soaked :) I am so thankful we didn't turn around that 1st night! We had a WONDERFUL time! I think God was looking down on us in the truck thinking we were absolutely nuts for not turning around so He showed us grace & stopped the rain that night :). I'm going to do some posts on the kids camping but thought I would share what the mama & papa loved during this trip. This was the 1st time all 3 of them were able to bike ride together (more about this in their posts) and it was so much fun to see. We love having 3 children and it was amazing to see Ethan trying to keep up, them playing great together, & Abriella doing so great without training wheels. We enjoyed just being together. Nothing we HAD to do! Time to hold hands and walk with the kids. Time to just be quite and enjoy a fire together. Time to take pictures and thank God for all our blessings. Time to laugh together about how cold it was and the rain & how crazy we are. When the kids went down for a nap we sat around the fire and secretly shared dark chocolate smores together! We had to have 2 of course because Sam is so good at making them :) And thank goodness we did because we couldn't have them that night! In the car ride home we told them what we did while they were sleeping, they laughed and told us how unfair that was :) Then Sam went in for a nap & I went for a 5 mile trail run around the lake. It was sooooo much fun!!!! I haven't been on a trail run for a really long time and it was amazing. Something about running on a narrow path through trees, dodging low branches, running over rocks and stumps makes it a great run. The air was damp & I got to wear a hat and sweatshirt the whole time. It was wonderful! There were a few times though, when I hit big open fields, that my mind would wander & start thinking that maybe a scary animal or a scary person could jump out and get me at any moment. I just had to run a little faster :). When I got back I had time to sit by the fire and read "Crazy Love" before everyone woke up. And my other favorite thing.... I was able to wear an outfit that didn't match at all!!! I laughed at myself in the mirror & had to take a picture :) We had such a great time and do not regret leaving early at all. There was thunder & lightning most of the way home that night. God totally blessed our time!