I want to go to homeschool swim camp! (with out the rain, though…)
Author Archives: Jess
an impromptu camping trip
Thursday evening I told Barry I wish we had planned a camping trip for the long weekend.
Friday morning I was packing the cooler and Barry was loading bikes onto and into the back of the van. The whirlwind of packing, helping Brenna figure out how she could go from a state of no clean underwear to a state of clean underwear, last minute grocery shopping, and all that must be done to get a family of 7 reading for a camp out made us question our sanity, but once we got there it was all worth it.
Our lungs and spirits and entire bodies were filled with a breath of fresh air.
Our feet were refreshed (or nearly frozen, depending on how you look at it).
Our mountain bikes are dusty.
I even went on a real mountain bike ride– my first since we lived in Albuquerque nearly 7 years ago. It felt so good. I’ve come to the point in my life that there is no shame in walking the steep climbs with too many roots and rocks. I’ve decided that is the perfect place to be. I ride my bike to feel my body move and watch the birds– not to prove I’m a cool, tough girl.
Our tummies were filled. Our toes were warmed.
Our collection of random pieces of wood has grown.
Discoveries were made. (Like Logan’s friend the Pleasing Fungus Beetle.)
It was just what we needed.
2 days, 5 days
2 days old
5 days old
out in the open
The little eggs on our front door hatched on Saturday. Oh, the adventures that lie ahead! I keep having visions of baby birds hopping around our living room with all of us running around not sure what to do.
On Wednesday night Barry had to run out late, and instead of opening the garage door and risking waking up a kid or two he opted to go out the front door. He opened it quickly. The mama bird did not have a chance to fly away until the door was opened all the way. As most front doors do, it opens inward.
Mama bird was flying around inside our house.
I sat and watched her, not knowing what to do. I turned off the lights in the house, opened all the doors I could, turned on the porch lights, but she kept flying into the windows. Oh, I felt so bad for her. I kept praying, “Heavenly Father, you made this bird– help her figure out how to get out…”
She perched on the high banister in our tall open entryway. She was so tired and I was too afraid to traumatize her any further. When Barry came home he chased her around a bit more, then finally got a bed sheet, gently tossed it over her, and took her outside.
I was scared that the trauma would make her abandon her nest, but she came back.
Now her and papa bird are busy with all those mouths to feed!
And while we’re talking about baby birds, you must see Molly’s nest of blue birds!