Backyard Camping
Friday night was one of those nights where you just feel so content and happy with life. After Burke got home from work and the gym, we went over to support a little boy in the community named Ethan Mendenhall who has been fighting cancer for over 4 years. His family has astronomical medical bills from all the treatments trying to keep him alive, so some friends organized a big fundraising night on the rec center lawn with bounce houses, a dunk tank (pay a buck to try and dunk a local police officer), face painting, hot dogs, carne asada tacos, cotton candy, t-shirts, a photographer donating photo sessions, and even a place where people could get their heads shaved to help Ethan feel better about losing his hair. We were amazed by the turnout and the generosity being pored out for this family. What especially touched me was about 15 minutes into the event when sirens were heard and a police escort came driving down the street with little Ethan in the front seat of the lead car, waving to all those who had come to help him and his family. It was a good reminder of goodness still at work in the world.
After the fundraiser, we rented "Lincoln" from redbox and made our way home. We were so excited to be spending the weekend at our own home. Since Christmas, we have only been home 3 weekends and it felt so good to not be traveling. We decided to celebrate by putting together an impromptu family camp out. We set up our tent, pulled out the sleeping bags and decided it wouldn't be a real campout without schmores. So we quickly drove to the store for mallows, grams and chocolate, returning to see our neighbors the Holts out playing football. We decided the more the merrier and invited them out back to roast mallows over Burke's little propane stove. It was such a pleasant evening getting to know the Holts better and Daphne of course thought the whole affair was the coolest thing ever. By the time we tried to get her to sleep in the pack'n'play in the tent, she was sugared up with mallows and she kept yelling with delight at the moon and stars. We tried to snuggle her in our sleeping bags, but she was way too excited, so at 10 o'clock we all went inside. She slept while we watched "Lincoln" (phenomenal show!) and then Burke and I talked and talked until we crashed into bed.
As I fell asleep, I had that impression again - THESE are the good times you'll always remember. I'm so grateful to be happy here and now, recognizing how blessed I am that I get to share my life with such wonderful human beings!
After the fundraiser, we rented "Lincoln" from redbox and made our way home. We were so excited to be spending the weekend at our own home. Since Christmas, we have only been home 3 weekends and it felt so good to not be traveling. We decided to celebrate by putting together an impromptu family camp out. We set up our tent, pulled out the sleeping bags and decided it wouldn't be a real campout without schmores. So we quickly drove to the store for mallows, grams and chocolate, returning to see our neighbors the Holts out playing football. We decided the more the merrier and invited them out back to roast mallows over Burke's little propane stove. It was such a pleasant evening getting to know the Holts better and Daphne of course thought the whole affair was the coolest thing ever. By the time we tried to get her to sleep in the pack'n'play in the tent, she was sugared up with mallows and she kept yelling with delight at the moon and stars. We tried to snuggle her in our sleeping bags, but she was way too excited, so at 10 o'clock we all went inside. She slept while we watched "Lincoln" (phenomenal show!) and then Burke and I talked and talked until we crashed into bed.
As I fell asleep, I had that impression again - THESE are the good times you'll always remember. I'm so grateful to be happy here and now, recognizing how blessed I am that I get to share my life with such wonderful human beings!
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