Memphis Fun!

Our first week in Memphis was relaxing and fun! Aunt Boo (CC's sis) and her family were at the beach. Though we did not get to have family time with them during week 1, they graciously let us stay in their home....and play with their toys....

What we did have was lots of fun grandparent time. I think this picture is one of my all-time favorites. I've already made a copy to take back to Turkey. CC says they remind him of gold and silver!

We also got to enjoy being back at our home church, which we miss so much.

Uncle C's Birthday

My Uncle C hit a big milestone this past week, his 75th birthday! We got to attend his party since we were in town.

These were the littlest grandkids at the party.

And here's his whole clan.

My uncle deserves all the attention he got that day and more. I can't think of a time in my life that he hasn't helped my family and others. Happy birthday to a great guy!

Happy 4th

The 4th of July was just perfect for me! I've been overseas sometimes on the 4th, and we have always worked hard to make it special, but it's just a lot easier here.

I went out walking and greeted everyone I saw with a "Happy 4th!" We are blessed to be staying at CC's sis' house this week. His parents came over, and we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. I threw some baked beans in the oven and made my mom's blueberry crumble. I even put red cherries on top for red/white/blue, but my blueberries turned a beautiful shade of purple when baked. I think the kids were in the pool all day.

My in-laws came over and spent the afternoon and evening with us. CC even recited the beginning of the Declaration of Independence aloud for us. And though our country is continually turning its back on God and He really owes us nothing, He is still so good, isn't He? "The righteous will not be forsaken." I am glad because of Him I can be called "righteous" and I am glad because of who He is, I will not be forsaken.

I quote CC in this picture, "Is this going on Facebook?"

Happy 4th of July!

Jackie

Jackie is a long time friend of mine, but I haven't seen her in about 9 years. We stay in touch via all the electronic gadgets, but there's nothing quite like a face-to-face-let's-meet type meeting. Jackie came into my life at an important time. I had finished college and moved away from my college town. I had become a grown-up. Working. Paying my own bills. Buying a car. She was in my church's singles group. I immediately loved her spirit and honesty. There is nothing fake about Jackie. Once, we took a road trip together. I remember she threw about 9 cd's in her car's cd holder and said, "We'll be to Florida when these cd's finish!" She was a listening ear when I told her about my new crush (CC) and when I wondered aloud if I'd ever become a Mrs. Campbell. During that same time, she met and married her dear husband and I served her wedding cake. She's just a fun gal, and everyone needs a friend like her. She has backed us since day 1 of Singapore and now Turkey. I really am beyond blessed to have a friend like her.

She is a little out of town, and we just never made "lunch" happen during the busy weeks of summer when we are actually in the USA. The last time I saw her, neither of us had these children. It was so neat to talk about how their little lives came into our lives.

There's just nothing like a friend with whom you pick up where you left off. And I'm planning to pick up every summer from now on!

Catchin' Up in Nashville

After we had our fun Kentucky weekend, we headed back to Nashville for a week of Vacation Bible School. I did not get any pictures, as I did not serve as a volunteer this year. Instead, I sent them two of my best girls to do the job! Firstborn and Twinkle Toes both signed up to help and were placed with the "little ones" tribes. Separately, they both came to me after the first day describing a little person in their group that was shy, crying, unhappy to be there. Both girls took them under their wing and by the second day, they were happy campers. I told them that is exactly why God called them to be volunteers this week. The main leaders needed to focus on the big group, but they were able to help with the little stragglers and love on them!

Our days were busy with watching American cartoons (!), fun with the cousins, sliding on a slip-and-slide, and picking the garden. Our evenings consisted of big country dinners and winding down without any big agendas! We also had a visit from old friends from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and CC's college roommate and his wife. One night we went down to my brother's house to celebrate his firstborn's 14th birthday. I failed to get pictures of so many of these events, but I guess I was busy having fun. That night my son left his camo crocs to his cousin. Big Ben was outgrowing them, so we donated them to cousin and his brothers to come from the Congo. The crocs turned up missing later, then were found...out by the trampoline...with a black garden snake curled up in them! I guess camouflaged little boy crocs would make a good snake bed!

Here are my kids enjoying country air. I know, I know...it's illegal. It was also just a house or two down the road, and at 15 miles per hour! I spent many summers at my Granny's riding to the Taste-E-Freeze in the back of a truck. I guess I just think every kid should at some point!

And the highlight of Sweet Cheeks' summer has been getting to dogsit! My parents, sis-in-law, and in-laws all have little doggies. Since we can't feasibly have a dog in Turkey, she gets to play dogsitter here. In this photo, she is riding my old tricycle (returned to us by our Fort Wayne friends after about 30 years in their attic) as Santa Claus with Waldo in front as the reindeer.

After a fun week up there, we headed down for Memphis time. The middle girls went to camp this week. Here they are in their cabin. I'll admit to lingering a bit, making up their beds, wanting some extra goodbye hugs. What did I get from them? "Ok, mom, we are ok. You can go now." Sigh. It's going too fast.

Creation Museum in Kentucky

My dad treated us all to a family weekend up to Kentucky to see the famous Creation Museum. I highly recommend it! On the way up, we stopped for a bathroom break. Just after this photo, my brother (at the back) jumped out like an ape and scared the kids! The gas station honestly could have been a field trip in itself. The magnets, shot glasses, keychains, hats, t-shirts had the Turkey kids mesmerized.

I was really interested to see the different people groups visiting the museum that day...African-American churches, homeschool groups, senior citizen groups, and even an Amish group. As much as I am discouraged to see the way our country is going, I was encouraged to see these different faith groups touring this museum that gives such honor to God. (Incidentally, these gals below looked like maybe they were in line for the zip line attraction, but I didn't get to stay in this spot long enough to see if they actually did it!)

The wax figures were amazing! Some of them even moved!

 

 This walk through what the Garden of Eden might have looked like was breath-taking!

In this portrayal, Adam had a beard, and Eve had long, dark hair. Just right!

 

This dinosaur moved!

All but 2 grandkids! And the 2 we're praying into this country!

 

 The dino exhibit was amazing! I'm so glad God put dinosaurs in the Bible, and that we can know they walked with man. That's just a lot cooler (and a lot true-er) than the currently taught version.

 

 The outdoor grounds were beautiful.

They also had a petting zoo.

Here are the grandkids offering a big thank you to Grandaddy for the fun weekend!

We went to the Golden Corral for dinner. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet. What did Big Ben ask? "Mama, do they have peanut-butter-and-chips?" Sweet Cheeks asked for a big bowl of Middle Eastern black olives. Of course. They even had cotton candy. Why not?

It was a great weekend, and we are so glad to see faith-based places like this succeed!

Swim Lessons 2013

In spite of our extra day at the Chicago airport, we made it in time for Day 2 of our swim lessons. We were pleased to find these beautiful girls in our class again. I became friends with their mom two years ago while our kids had swim lessons together. She is a precious believer and gave me some cd's from a Christian conference she recently attended.

Big Ben had perfect diving stance for his jumps into the pool!

On the last day, his Papa got to get in the pool with him to learn a few techniques to help him. Big Ben never lost his grin and never took his eyes off his dad.

Again, perfect stance...

 ...for this!

I somehow deleted my photos of Sweet Cheeks, but she really took off in swimming this year, as did her cousin buddy. Maybe we're done with swim lessons for her? As for Big Ben, he sealed his fate for more swim lessons in the future last Friday night. He stood on the diving board with a big float around his tummy. His dad said, "Let's take that off, jump off the diving board, and swim to Papa!" His reply was, "If I take the float off, it makes me kinda sink."