A Camping we will go...

Well, we made it - our first trip to Teddy Bear camp at Rock River Christian Camp. We had just a wonderful time, especially since we got to spend some time with old friends. Brian and Christine Beck were here at North Point when we first moved here, Brian was the Children's Pastor at the time. He has since moved to be camp manager, something he is really good at! But their daughter, Elizabeth, is only 1 month older than Emma and was her first real "friend". While we were there, Christine brought our baby pics of the girls one day at their house - boy have they both changed! But they seem to pick up right where they left off, they both talk about the other often and miss each other. Elizabeth even wrote Emma a letter last week and Emma was so excited that I think she had a letter written back to her in about 5 minutes! So we had a great time, just me and Emma - I'm not sure thats ever happened but I like the idea of having the one on one time with her. Took a few pics, the best one didn't turn out, I think Brian has it though so I hope to post it soon!

On our way!

Fast friends!

Gotta love the swimming!

At campfire

A little left over for later

Monkey in the tree!

The egg demonstration

After we decorated them

After the egg toss!

Couldn't leave it alone!

End of our time together - boo!


On the way home...

And we're off!

Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks here since school got out. We have been in full form this summer with mission trips, summer school, swimming lessons, work... which includes BlastZones! This is our summer VBS program where instead of having 1 big event week at the church building we are hosting 13 different Blast"Zones" around the area. This is our 3rd year with it and its really taking off. Last week between 2 different sites we ran 53 kids - 70% of them Non-north pointers. And thats what we're looking for, we really want (and need) our kids at these zones but we want to reach more un-churched kids for Christ. This week, again with 2 sites, we have had 67 kids!!! Not sure on the percentages yet but we are so excited about this! With 9 more to go this is gearing up to be a great summer. Watching the kids, you can see on their faces that they get it, something that is harder to see with the bigger event. Not that one is better than the other - just something that North Point is trying out to see if we can reach more kids. Thats what its all about (are you singing the tune in your head?)

Tomorrow Emma and I take off for Teddy Bear Camp at Rock River Christian Camp. We are both looking forward to our little get away, just one night but fun none the less! Although I heard something about an early morning hike on Saturday - 2 bad words there, early and hike! Not sure I signed up for that!

Sniff, Sniff!

Today Lindsey will be promoted to middle school. She's so excited and I am for her. I see so many exciting and positive changes happening with her. Their class gets to go to Golden Corral for lunch (hopefully none of the kids will get sick this year, last year Kurt said 3 kids ate so much and were so hyper that they puked, I bet the restaurant loves this day!) and then at 1pm a ceremony at school. Our school doesn't do these at night... not sure why but luckily Tim has a job flexible enough that he gets to attend these things. She talked me into buying her a dress, painting her nails, curling her hair - and talked her dad into the makeup! She also made her own jewelery and jewelery for 3 friends to wear. Its fun to see her excited about this, its been a good day so far.

In the upper right corner is a pic of her at 6months old. I didn't realize it when we took it this morning! My babies are growing up...

The New Look

Hey! Is this cool or what! My friend called and said, "I love the new look on your blog!" and I said, "I know!" which you can only say when you didn't do it yourself :-) My friend Anne has started a new business creating blogs, banners, logos and more. Visit her site and see for yourself what all she is offering and utilize this opportunity before she realizes what a steal she's doing it for! I know many of you - I won't mention names - have been contemplating creating a blog but don't know where to start... have Anne do it. I gave her a color scheme and my thought process and this is the first thing she sent me and I absolutely love it, its exactly what I wanted.

The Final Product

Here is the final creation. About half of the beads are different than the one before. They are all glass 6mm round beads. Stacey is still taking orders and should have about 15 on hand by tomorrow. You can contact her at jandsdutton@frontiernet.net or stacey.dutton@cancer.org if you'd like to purchase one. They are $20 and are all 7-1/2 inches on stretchy string. We still have the charm that was shown below as well. If you would like one bigger or smaller let Stacey know and we would be happy to take orders. All profits go to The Relay For Life!