Kehler/Krahn Family Photo Shoot

Ain't Life Grand Part Deux

 

 So last week we spent 3 days at Grand Beach, and had a wonderful time.  Everyone loved the beach.  The soft white sand, the clean water, the waves, it really was amazing.  We also discovered a small marshy area, and the kids tried to catch frogs.  I believe at least 2 were caught, and they were named Frogga & Kermit.

 One morning I found a large catfish skeleton washed up on the shore, and we were all shocked by how heavy it was.  We saw ducks, chickadees, 2 types of woodpeckers, lots of geese and pelicans, gold finches, and I even got to see a tiny little humming bird hovering by my brightly colored beach towel at our campsite.

At night we had 2 unexpected visitors at our campsite.  I woke up and heard a large twig snap in the woods, and then I heard the sound of animal footsteps go right past my side of the tent.  I woke Jeff up, and we both sat in nervous silence for a moment.  We had tied a sealed garbage bag to a tree branch on the other end of our site, and our hearts pounded as we heard the plastic being pulled and ripped down from the tree.  Jeff set off our van's alarm to try and scare what we thought might be a bear away.  Then he unzipped the tent door just a little, and shone a flashlight toward the tree.  2 buggy sets of eyes pierced through the darkness, and to our utmost relief, we realized that these were not bears, but raccoons.  Very large, curious, hungry raccoons.  We got out of the tent, scaring them away, and took the garbage to the bin away from our site.  Settling back into the tent, I found it very, very difficult to relax.  Every tiny little sound in the woods made my heart pound, and when I finally did fall into a restless sleep, I had serious bear-mares.

 

 We witnessed gorgeous sunsets, found empty turtle egg shells, and watched the kids have the time of their life frolicking in the crashing waves.  It was an amazing time of relaxation and family bonding, and as each of the kids have exclaimed, "We HAVE to go back there next summer!!!"

 

Ain't Life Grand

It is late in the evening, so I will not write about our camping trip to Grand Beach right now, but I will share these pics with you, and add more pics and stories in the next few days. 

One Thing Remains

I have had this song in my head this evening, and it is such a comfort to me.  To know that whatever is going on, and no matter how challenging the trials of the day have been, that God's love never fails.  God, You are awesome, and I thank You so very much for loving me, for loving my husband Jeff, for loving our 5 amazing children exactly where we're at.  We place our precious family in Your hands, and go to bed tonight comforted by Your amazing love.  Your love never fails, it never gives up, it will never run out on us.  Good night.

One Thing Remains

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing… Remains

Your love never fails, it never gives up
It never runs out on me
 
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains
 
In death, In life, I’m confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
separate my heart from Your great love..

Ticked Off On May Long

Thought I'd share some pics from our May long weekend camping trip to Stephenfield.  At this point in time, Jeff & I had been married for less than 2 months, and this was our first big adventure together as our new blended family of 7.

We endured a lot of rain, cold temperatures at night, and yes, the dreaded TICK season was upon us.  Literally.  Up.  On.  Us.  Bryce was so lucky, she got 2!!!  Alyssa had one as well, and as we said farewell to the campground, we thought that was the end of Tick Mania 2013.  But we were wrong.  Dead wrong.  The kids?  Fine.  Tick-free.  The dog?  Fine.  Jeff?  Good.  Cheryl.............not so much.  An ugly little bugger had gotten really cozy right beside my belly button, and Jeff had to yank him out with a tweezer.  I believe a few legs remained embedded in my flesh that had to be pulled out separately.  Yeah.  Good times.  Ahem.

Needless to say, Jeff & I have decided that we will NOT be going camping on May Long any time soon.  I don't ever want to be that ticked off again!