RazNoggle

That’s what this camp week is having. The teens, not all of them of course, seem to have a severe lack of energy. The counselors are doing their best to get them pumped up, but it’s a challenge to be sure. Oh the days of camp counseling. Sometimes I miss it, and other times I’m happy to be on the outside lookin’ in. But do pray for the kids who are here this week. God can do a great work in their hearts through camp if they will open up.
On to other things. Qade has started saying, “wack-um” when I tell him thank you. Can you guess what that means? Ha ha ha! He’s cute, but difficult too. Qade is my adorable helper on many occasions. He loves to take diapers to the trash for me when I’m changing Myles. He’s also pretty good about picking up the dead bugs, but he has to have a wipe or a kleenex before he’ll pick them up. Our most recent challenge with him has come as a result of greater mobility. He learned to climb out of his pack n play. I was pretty sure that he could do it for some time now, but he hadn’t tested it himself. Now that HE knows he can get out, it’s been difficult to keep him in. We have a few concept sharing times at bedtime and nap time, but one day I’m sure he’ll “get it.”
Myles is still working on the crawl. He sometimes seems motivated to move, like when he’s after his big brother’s snack! Most of the time though, he’s content to sit or roll, so he’s not working too diligently on the other stuff. I’m okay with that though because I know that all of our worlds will be changing once he does figure out how to get around on his own. He’s still such a sweetheart and has smiles and giggles for everyone he sees. When I was in Wal-Mart with him this weekend, he found one of the old man workers very hilarious and just kept laughing at him. He was kinda funny lookin.
I’m starting to look forward to being “home” again. It’s been fun to be at camp, and the little cabin is great and all, but I do miss just regular home stuff. Home cooked food would be nice too. Well, I’ve got to get myself busy, but wanted to send a hidy out to my faithful blog readers. Hope your summers are going swell!

They live all around us apparently! This weekend was a great “wild thing” sighting time. On Saturday we were driving into town for our park fun when out of no where I saw a bear! I was looking intently for Elk because they often are along that way, but sure enough back in the woods there was a big fuzzy bear! I did a double take and then yelled out “A beeeeaaaaaaar!” (so Stuart says I said) and freaked everyone out. We turned around but “Teddy” had already disappeared into the thick woods so no one else got to behold him. Ain’t I special? We also saw the Elk and occasional Mule Deer, and a little heard of Antelope with their babies, too cute! Then yesterday as we were driving back from the new camp property just around dusk I saw a bob cat off in the field. I hollered again and Stu stopped and turned around. This time we were lucky enough to both get to see it. He was just sitting there in the grass waiting for us. Once he decided that we had actually seen him, he wandered off into the brush, but that was pretty cool! We also saw this ENORMOUS heard of Elk just grazing away like cows in a field. There were LOTS of them out last night. I’m sure we saw a couple hundred of them all together. It’s so cool to be in a place where you can experience God’s creation first hand! I told Stu that it was too bad that Qade had no concept of how cool it was to get to see all of these critters. But then again, Qade thinks that it’s awesome to look out the car window and see “Tows” and “Howsies” (cows and horseys) so he is impressed with God’s creation too. Maybe I should learn to think it’s cool just to see a cow or a horse. They are after all, just as much a part of creation as the Elk, Bear and Bobcat. I can learn so much from my little lads!

We were introduced to an amazing park last fall in the “town” closest to camp. We’ve availed ourselves of this treasure several times this summer. It’s great! Now that Qade is old enough to want to do some of that stuff, it’s great fun! The boys especially love the swings. Myles just squeals with delight as he swings back and forth. He’ll also chomp on the rubber if he gets a chance. Qade likes the “baby” swings too because he can swing high, but he will also hang on tight on the “big kid” swings while Daddy pushes him. Today we got to go again, oh and let me just tell you this is one of the NICEST city parks I have ever seen! Nicely kept GREEN grass, and the play equipment is all very nice and well maintained. There’s more than one set of play stuff, and a sand volleyball court, basketball court and a fenced in skate park as well. It’s just awesome! Anyway today the grandparent Noggles were here and we all took a little trip to see the progress of the new camp property and after had some fun in the park. There were quite a few kids there today and I had several interesting little conversations with some gals playing there. One little four year old named Maddy claimed Qade as her own and played with him nearly the entire time. She was funny! Another little lady named Summer who was 3 (but almost 4!) told me all of her brothers and sisters names as well as her parents and babysitter and what they were all doing today. So funny! Girls are just so chatty it cracks me up!
Well this up coming week will be our last camp week here in AZ. Most of the staff will be traveling to Canada, but we are going to stick around and help with uh… something. Not quite sure yet what all, but I’m planning to use the time to inventory the store stuff and do things like that. I believe that Stu will be helping at the property with whatever is going on there. It’s kind of hard to believe that the actual camping part of our summer is almost over. It seems like we spend so much time looking forward to it and “whoosh” it’s gone. I won’t be sad to get back to a “normal” life though. It is hard to transplant our family each summer. I’m looking ahead to the day when, Lord willing, we will be permanently at camp and can devote all of our time to that rather than be pulled in so many different ways. I know though, that God has us in this “limbo” time for a reason, and I don’t want to miss out on the blessings and lessons that He will bring our way through this. Hopefully this year we will pick up some meetings and some financial support. In the mean time I know we’ll keep doing what we need to do and God will direct our path.
I’m going to attempt to find some babysitting work again this fall when we get home. I want to keep it limited to school hours so that when Stu is subbing we all have the same schedule. If you think of it pray that God will bring along the “right” kids for the job. I’m so happy that I’ve been able to stay at home with our lads, but I think that if I can help with the income even a little, it’ll be a big help in the long run. Stu will be able to work on getting meetings more at least. So anyway, those are some of my thoughts for the soon to be future. But between now and then we’re here doing what needs to be done. Camp is exhausting work, but so fun too! We love it!

It’s difficult for us to really celebrate while camp is in full swing, but we carved out some fam time yesterday and the boys gave their daddy his card. (I even got them to “decorate” it with crayon, but Myles kept trying to eat them so it was a fast art session!) I gave Stu his daddy’s day gift which was a sealing wax kit for the note writing that he likes to do. Hopefully it’ll work well. We took the boys out to the ball field and played for awhile then took a family walk in the national forest. So we actually had dad’s day a little early, but it’s easier than trying to cram something in on a Sunday between everything else.
Today after church we and our good friends Matt, Rachel and baby Benton are all going to spend the evening and night in a cabin away from camp. It worked out that this cabin was available for get aways free to us. So we’re taking advantage of the chance to spend some time with pals. In previous summers we have stayed with them in the staff house, but as that wasn’t available this summer we’ve been split up and kind of miss the time to just chat in the evenings. Since our little fam isn’t going to Canada this summer our time is cut short for good fellowship. It’s something that we’ve come to miss living in the middle of no where. So we’re stocking up on as much as we can this summer, and that will get us through quite a ways.
This past week we had a great time at camp! The atmosphere was different, of course, but I think that a lot of good decisions were made. The speaker has a great way of connecting with young people, and I’m sure it’s a week of camp that they will never forget. I was busy, but not as busy as the week before. Mom and Dad were here and that helped a TON! I’m always able to focus much better when I know that someone is looking after the boys. Having that burden lifted was such a help! I had to make a couple of “town trips” this week so I didn’t get to know the campers as well, but it was all fun anyway. Some of the kids I’ve known for several years of coming to camp, and it’s exciting and fun to watch them grow up and change.
The lads are doing well. Myles is still working on crawling. He can get up on his knees and elbows usually and then will rock a bit, but hasn’t got the forward momentum down yet. He’s so fun to watch though. He and Qade like to ‘wrestle’ and they will both laugh hysterically the whole time. Qade is still working on his obedience skills. He’s two for sure! It’s a challenging, but rewarding time. Some days I feel like it’s a battle from sun up to sun down (or later!), but on other days, he will respond right away the right way, and does it with a happy heart as well! So while I can get worn down and somewhat discouraged at times, I still am seeing progress and know that he is learning important life lessons and so am I. I’m learning each day that God is so patient with me. I’m that “spiritual two year old” kicking and screaming my way through life because I want things to go MY way. I’m so very thankful that God has more patience with me than I often do with my son.
I’m reading again the book “Don’t Make Me Count to Three” and it’s SO good!! It’s probably one of the BEST parenting books, discipline wise, that I’ve read, and I’ll probably read it often in the years ahead. It’s a reminder to use heart centered discipline when training our kids rather than just behavior modification. Anyway, I highly recommend it so if you get a chance BUY it! It’s not long, and is easy reading, but will totally change your perspective on training your kids.
Well, this has gone longer than I expected, and I have a lad complaining of a “pooey” so I need to take care of that issue. Hope you all have a wonderful Father’s day! I’m so thankful for my Dad! He’s a great example of a godly dad, and I hope to follow in his footsteps, only on the mommy side. Ha! Toodles!!

If there is a fountain of youth, it is most certainly caffeinated! ~ I can’t remember who said it, but I believe I could use a dip in that fountain!

Hello faithful readers. I have SO many stories to share with you, but so little time. Camp is in full swing and I find myself busier than ever this year with the acquired responsibility of the craft shop. We have completed our first successfull week of camp FULL to capacity!! Next week will be just as packed, but we love the energy. Unfortunately I can’t hop on here often, but did want to let you know I’m still breathing and think about all the wonderful chuckles you all are missing out on my blog. So I’ll just share one with you. The cabin we are staying in has had quite the assortment of bugs. Ick! Stu and I have been faithfully dispatching them though and apparently Qade had taken notice. One day as I was playing with both lads on the rug, Qade jumped up and exclaimed “Oh man! A bug!!” Then he ran over to his shoes, grabbed one and came back to smash an already dead moth, to smithereens! It was SOOOO funny! He has become quite the expert bug tracker and helped me let out 6, yes 6, hornets out of our cabin today. Hope you are all enjoying your summer!
I shall endeavor to post whenever the opportunity arises. Myles nearly crawled tonight too! What great times!

I know you’ve all been dying for your fill of the coffee quote. You’ve all become coffee quote-a-holics, ha! So for your entertainment, here it is.

“One cup of coffee is worth 40 years of friendship” ~ Old Turkish Saying

Yesterday morning the boys slept till almost 8!!! WOW! They then entertained each other quite nicely while mommy was getting ready for the day. When I did go into the room, Qade was walking around holding his build-a-bear cow named Buford. He looked slightly concerned as he told me “Boofud cying.” It really humored me to think that not only was he pretending that his cow was crying, he was also working hard to comfort him by hugging him tight as he walked around the room! What an imagination for a 2 yr old! I was pretty impressed. But just to let you know Buford got over it quickly and Qade took him out of the room and placed him in his special plastic chair. So fun!
Myles is doing so well! He has cut 3 teeth in the past week and a half, and has one more on the way (I think). Yet he hasn’t been fussy or grumpy at all. He’s such a sweet heart! He is sitting up well on his own these days, though I often put a pillow behind him anyway because he will topple over if he gets excited about something. He has finally mastered the “roll-over” ha! We were wondering if he’d just forget about that talent altogether and just go to walking! I knew that when he was finally motivated to do it, he’d just do it and that’s exactly what he did! Qade was slightly disturbed when Myles rolled within reach of his carefully lined up cars. I can tell already we’re going to have some ’sharing’ issues. Qade doesn’t mind sharing when he can choose the toy and take it to Myles. When Myles comes to get one himself, well that’s a different story.
I’ve been working on camp registrations lately. It’s exciting to see the names of campers that have come in the past, and of course all the new names! Can’t wait till we get to meet everyone! Our staff will be slowly trickling in over the next couple of weeks, and we’re really looking forward to getting to know them well. Camp is an awesome place! We love it!
Well, I’d better get busy on this… what is it… Wednesday?? I think so. Well happy day to you anyway.

That’s what I’ve been asking myself. For some reason I thought today was Tuesday for the longest time, and was even going to say that I finally “figured out” that it was Tuesday, but since writing the title for the post and the first sentence I have ‘figured out’ that it is actually Monday. Wow! Should have know just based on the fact that my brain refused to work, duh! So happy Monday to ya!
This morning I got up, got ready, got baby and boy up, fed baby, put screaming boy back in his room, fixed pancake-egg-bacon breakfast, changed several diapers, and decided when baby was fussing for nap that Mommy seriously needed one too! The grandparents are here and Stu is done with work, so I handed over my “captain-of-all-things-kid-and-home” cape to whomever felt like taking it on, and hied myself back to bed. It was much needed!! Now and then I just kind of hit a wall, and with all of the running around that we’ve been doing recently along with how busy we are going to presently be, I knew I needed a bit of a reprieve. Ahhhhhh… sweet nap-time! Myles and I slept like babies and I have no idea what else went on, neither do I want to. Now I know why Myles is always SO much happier after his mornin’ nap. I should join him more often.
Well, “the time has come (the walrus said) to talk of other things.” We attended Joey’s memorial service at IBC in Phoenix this past Friday. It was a very nice service and we’re glad we got to go. A huge answer to prayer is that both bodies of the missing boys have been recovered. So there will be a funeral for Joey sometime this week. It is a blessing, but it hurts too. I know his family really needed this closure to be able to move on from here. It’s been a long process! Three weeks is a LONG time to have to keep reopening the grief wounds, but we know that “Jesus is good” as Joey liked to say!! Three people indicated that they accepted Christ during Joey’s memorial, and we know that he was up there shouting with the angels too!
Camp is looming upon us like a giant about to swallow us up! That’s kind of how the last couple of weeks of preparation feel! It’s going to be a great summer! We are so excited about the staff that God has put together for us, and we’re supper excited about the campers who are coming. Summer camp is just an exciting time all around. I feel so privileged to be a part of it. I know that my part is small and limited because my main “job” is mommy, but I’m so glad that I get to visit with sponsors when the drop off their campers. I love working in the snack shop so that I can interact with the staff and campers! It’s great! This year the staff dynamics are different now that we have more staff families, but I think it will enhance rather than detract from the program that we provide to the campers. I’m sure looking forward to getting down there.
I’m not, however looking forward to packing! Ugh! That’s what we have to do this week. We’re going to be camp bound pretty soon, so that means that I have to get my act together and figure out what in the world we need. There’s all the “necessary” baby gear, and of course Qade will need his bike, and oodles of other stuff on top of the regular clothing and so on. T’will be an exciting time, I know.
Well, I suppose I need to stop. The word count is up to 634 already and I’m sure you all have other things to do besides read my blatherings. Have a marvelous week!

That’s what I’ve been thinking the past few nights. I’m happy to report that the boys have completed their 3rd successful night of rooming together! Ahhhhhh, tis so nice! I sleep OOODLES better when there’s not a baby in my room. So far our routine has been that Myles goes down around 7 (he just can not last longer!) and then about an hour later (it’s been more like an hour and a half because the grandparents are here and Qade is reveling in the spoiling) Qade goes down. The tricky part has been getting Qade into his room and rocked and into his bed without totally disturbing the sleeping Myles. It hasn’t been easy, let me tell ya, because Qade has decided that he needs to pitch a royal fit every time “nigh-night” is mentioned. Ugh! Last night we did manage to wake up Myles, but he gave a short fuss and that was the end of it, so I’m encouraged that he can figure out how to get back to sleep even when interrupted by his brother.
So Myles is still getting a “bet-time” bottle before I go to bed. I’m going to start working toward getting him off of that, but for now one hurtle at a time. Anyway, 2 nights ago I creapt into the room, so as not to wake Qade, and snagged Myles out of his crib. As I made my way to the rocker to sit down I noticed something on it. In the dark it was hard to tell what it was. I knew Qade had been up after I put him down so I figured it was some of his animals or something. Just before I started to sit I looked a little closer and realized it WAS Qade!! He was all curled up, sound asleep, in the seat of the rocker! Ha! Poor guy, it would have been a surprise if I had sat on him. I had to go get Stu to see it, and he transported the sleeping tot back to his bed. Last night I again went in not knowing what to expect. I looked at Qade’s bed first, no him. Looked at the rocker, no him. Looked at the pile of animals and blankets on the floor, still no him. Hummm?? Stu walked in and I told him I couldn’t find Qade. I had picked Myles up already, but suddenly the crib started rattling, and low and behold, out crawled Qade from under it! Ha! As far as I know he spent the rest of his night in his big-boy bed, but I wouldn’t bet money on it for sure! As long as he sleeps all night and wakes up happy I suppose it doesn’t really matter.
Well, my parents came for a visit, and it’s been so fun to have them here. Qade just LOVES all the attention and spoilin’ he gets. They watched the boys for us while we attended the funeral for Mark this week. It was a good service, and the grace that the family is showing in the face of all of this is amazing. It really makes me so thankful that we do have a relationship with Christ and a promise of life eternal. Joey’s memorial service is this week as well and we are planning to go to that as well. Joey hasn’t yet been found and there’s a possibility that he won’t be by this point. Please continue to pray that he will be recovered. The family would really do well to have that closure, I know.
Well, we are all wearing Lime-Green today in celebration! Hope that you all have been having a swell week. Ta ta for now.