Guilt-ridden Blogger

Well, I can't say that I'm a once-again inspired blogger, but I am feeling a little bad that I have not posted anything since June, so I'm going to tell my readers what I've done over my summer vacation. Sound riveting? Just you wait...

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Well, in early July, as alluded to in my last post, we went to Family camp and spent several days with some fellow bloggers which resulted in the rejuvenating of my creative juices to the point where I was bursting forth with abundant posts just waiting to get out...well...not really...but I did have a very good time. This first picture is one of the MANY Settler's of Catan games we played during the week. I believe that Scott and Chris are in a dispute over the interpretation of the rules as this photo was taken. If my memory serves me right, Sarah won this game. Johnny wasn't actually playing, but did play the next night. Maybe Chris, Jeremy or Josh would like to blog about that game!

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After family camp, we enjoyed a visit from June and The Fundamentalist That Never Blogs, and their three charming children, including my niece who's about to leave for college. We had an enjoyable time but it did not inspire a return to the blogosphere -- although word has it that Christian's dancing at cousin Johnny's wedding would have merited quite the post! Or better yet, You Tube!

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In the middle of the Graves visit, we had Vacation Bible school. Michelle & I taught 4th grade with Debbie Lin -- we had a blast! Catie enjoyed the realization of one of her dreams and had a starring role as one of the main characters in the VBS skits. Needless to say, she ate it up. I took about 350 pictures during the week and made a new slide show for my class to view each day complete with music and silly effects.

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Well, the same day that four of the Graves flew back to Indiana, we took the remaining Graves the fair. Since 2004, I have worn the shame of being the only member of my immediate family to never have received a blue ribbon at the fair. Even my dear husband won a blue three years ago for his pound cake. It's been a source of genuine, unadulterated pride for him ever since. During VBS week, I got a call from Debbie to tell me that the stamped Bible verse/prayer cards I entered had received a Best of Show.

When I got off the phone, I told my family, "Guess how one of my entries did at the fair?" Scott turned and said, in a rather condescending voice, "Did you finally get a blue ribbon?" I answered no, but did not elaborate, to which he responded, "Oh, that's too bad. You still don't have a blue ribbon," and then under his breath he muttered, "like I do." It was at this point that one of the kids said, "Did you get a Best of Show?" The look on Scott's face as I nodded yes was a better prize than the ribbon. Speaking of that very large ribbon, I have had fun displaying it prominently in our room!

I must say too, all the kids did well with their entries, and Catie entered the little doll dress she had crocheted last September that impressed me so much. Apparently it also impressed the judges because she too ended up with a Best of Show. You go girl!

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And finally, the last big event of our summer vacation was our family trip to Spirit West Coast held at Laguna Seca in Monterrey. For three days we had the opportunity to enjoy non-stop Christian concerts and speakers. We only attended a fraction of what was available but still managed to see quite a bit. We camped with several other familes on a high, windy and foggy bluff that overlooked the race track. If you have teens and can brave the porta-potties and loud music, I recommend it as a family adventure. The two pictures I am including from SWC are of dodging Captain Crunch at the Newsboys Concert and one of David Crowder on the jumbotron. Getting to see what David Crowder (whom I called David Chowder the entire time) looks like was one of the educational aspects of our SWC experience. Honestly though, he put on a good concert.

So there you have it -- two months worth of blogging in one fell post. I guess I can graduate from guilt-ridden to caught up.