An ALMOST Sleep-over for 5!

Tonight we all somehow ended up piled in our bed... and we had about the best 30 minutes of fun and laughter that I can remember! I told the kids about how Alan has been waking me up in the middle of the night, asking me to "roll over because I'm snoring so loud that it's waking him up." First of all, I can't believe I'm snoring that loud. And he demonstrated what I sound like... and... it's like... OLD MAN snoring! AAAAHHHH!! We all laughed at the thought of me, sweet little Momma, snoring like a bear. Then Bryce said "Yeah! The other morning I heard you and I looked at Daddy and said "Is that MOMMY??" and we all busted out laughing again! Charis was beside me and muttered under her breath "aw, this is the best night ever!" And it really was. Real laughter and humor and love and warmth. Togetherness. They begged and begged to actually have a sleep over and make it all night long. Well... not tonight. And probably not really ever... but we sure had a fun time ending the night this way.

Family Fun on the Water

The weekend was spent just being who we are. The Summers. Hanging out. There were fun times, good food, laughter, doting over the babies, laughing and "awww-ing" over the big kids, story-telling (for example "what was the maddest Dad has ever been at you?"), some sentimental moments, communion and prayer time, and other than that... hours and hours on the lake! Here are a few of my favorite pics on the water this weekend.




Tasha~~ she's a natural


James~~ he rocked it!



Matt~~ He rocked it too. Okay, no he didn't. haha


Daniel... smooth



Me~~ still got it goin' on!

Tubing on Grand Lake

The sweet, gracious family that let use their lake house for our family retreat also gave us access to their boats, tubes, wake boards, and wave runners. Here are a few pics of the TUBING. And let me just say " I ROCKED IT! Aw yeah... Aw yeah... I still got it goin' on!"




Yep... that's me up there ^^^

And here are a few of everyone else! The kids had a blast! Especially the boys, trying to see who could stay on the longest. Nathan held the record for awile... Drew always complaining Nate was kicking him off. We were like "Yeah... whatever Drew!!" Then Bryce dualed with him, and we noticed Nathan WAS in fact putting his legs all the way to the other guys side... and nudging him off the edge!! At one point Nathans legs were on TOP of Bryson's legs! It was hilarious to watch. That particular ride Nate fell off and Bryce was the champ. And of course we gave Nathan a VERY hard time, and told him that we now know his trick! The kids loved it!









And... a few more of me because I feel like bragging a lil' more. Aw yeah... Aw yeah...

Classroom, Pupils, and Me

Here's a few pics of our new school room. And here are a few pics of my kids being goofy. We learn alot in here... and we laugh alot.












Me and my cushy teacher job. This is job satisfaction. For today, anyway. Er... for the moment, anyway.

School of Fish

What a lucky day... we happened to be learning about FISH in our science book. The kids were just a little bit excited. You know... along down the way on the chain we are studying.... from Vertibrates to Cold-blooded to FISH.
We read our pages and talked extensively about the characteristics of fish. They knew most of it just from the hours and hours and hours they have fished in our pond over the summer so far, but connecting the dots and getting more details from the book was great info.
Charis had the grand idea that once we finished studying and learning about it, they could all go out and fish together. They hoped to catch some fish and check the fish for scales, for the clear slimy substance on the fish, (to see that catfish don't have scales, but the bass and perch maybe do), and maybe even to see if there were any parasites on the fish. So they went out to the pond, and just a few minutes later Bryce had caught a catfish. How fun... THIS is one of the many reasons why I LOVE learning at home!!

ps. Well... they didn't catch a fish with scales. Hmmmm... maybe I will send them back outside to fish a little longer. You know... for research purposes

pss. the catfish was not out of the water long... we made sure he swam away.

psss. we are having salmon for dinner tonight.

E-mail from Dad and Janice... 1st weekend at MD Anderson

(Janice typing)
For years, I have looked for an old friend that I met in Bible School. Could not find her. She was a Haitian Missionary and nurse. Last week, I got a lead as to her new last name. I Googled her and found her in South Dakota. She was connected to a Hospice Center, which I now know, she owns. I called the hospice at 5:30 yesterday and her answering service put me through to her. It was wonderful to renew our friendship!!!! I told her what Tom is going through and then I started taking notes. She told me exactly how to help him. He has suffered for 2.5 weeks with a terrible headache that was increasing which causes nausea and he does not want to get off the sofa. She said narcotics will not help this pain, he needs Dex (anti-inflammatory). She told me the dosage. I called the ER and got the doc to call it in... he was willing to help. He had his first dose at 8pm last night. He has not had any narcotics since. Praise God! Now that was around the elbow to get to the thumb, BUT GOD!!! Yahoo!
Now that was me, now Tom wants to talk...
(Dad typing)
Janice had told me a year or two ago (one of few times we were talking about motorcycles) about this motorcycle club that came to Florida every year to their church and stayed at their house each time. She described them a very big, burly, tattooed, biker dudes..... one always, upon arrival, walked to the back yard and got a drink out of the swimming pool !! Keeps down the parasites you know. I have many times noticed their members around wherever I go--- it’s an international motorcycle club called the "Tribe of Judea"--- they are reformed bad boy and girl bikers. I've even thought that I might someday want to join one of their chapters.
Yesterday, Janice told me that she knew the overall head of the club and his wife from their visits to Florida and she thought their headquarters and church was here around Houston. I asked her to find out, as I thought I would like to attend their church today.
We attended with Daniel and Tasha this morning..... the attached photos are from the service.
The pastor (and head of the international club), during his sermon, stopped, walked down straight to me, asked my name and said he knew I suffering from a major health problem and needed prayer, which he did right then..... later at the end of the service, he and his wife and two other men (one with a cancer diagnosis from February and now is cancer free) prayed for me again.
Told them I intend to come back "on MY ride" sometime but they might not appreciate as I suspected they are all Harley guy/gals)..... they said that me and my Beamer would be quite welcome anytime.
Been walking and sitting with my head up all day without any narcotics..... new meds from Janice’s old friend and complements of her ER doc friend.
Hopefully, tomorrow, we will get appointment with pain management people and schedule for chemo.
Good to let you know positive things.
Love you guys, Dad