Rhett's Baptism Day

Yesterday was special for our family--Rhett's baptism day! He has been looking forward to it for months (since his decision in January). We were happy to have our families join us for the special occasion. My parents, Lane's parents, our niece Katie and my sister and her family came to our house for snacks before the Saturday night church service.

Romans 6:3-7

Bobba & Grammy brought the kids some new books/coloring books--they were excited! I didn't get a picture of Rhett with his things, but he got some neat keepsakes from family members: a Bible cover (which he loved--he filled it with pens and took it to church this morning), a study Bible, a cross necklace, keychain, decorative cross and a book for note-taking.

Lex loves her princess coloring book. She has colored several pages already.

Crosby brought his gift bag to the kitchen to show me--sweet boy. :)

Rhett had to be at church at 5:30 for check-in, and church started at 6:00. We tried to take family pictures beforehand, which is always a circus! We were able to get a picture of everyone, get all the kids to their classes and get in our seats before the music started. The sermon was about Trusting God (Prov. 3:5-6), the final one in the summer Proverbs series.

Jaiden, Alexee, Rhett, Crosby & Jeryn

our family

Rhett with his Bobba & Grammy

with his cousin Katie--she rode with Lane's parents

with Mo and Granddad

and with the Thomas family

We loved having family here to celebrate with us!

Four people were baptized last night, and fourteen at today's service. The church gave each person getting baptized a t-shirt. I thought they were so neat--they said either ALIVE, FREE or FORGIVEN and they all had a small cross on the back. R loves t-shirts, so I'm sure he will get a lot of use out of his!

I love the beautiful outdoor baptistry with the cross on it.

We took turns trying to keep Crosby out of the water--Granddad's turn here!

Mo & granddaughters

Sometimes Rhett stands with his hands on his hips just like Lane--I noticed them standing that way side by side and snapped a picture. I thought it was cute.

Lane got to baptize him--it was wonderful. Rhett decided he didn't want to talk, so he asked L to tell a little bit about his story. Lane did a good job sharing about R's decision.

It was difficult to see R behind the wall. Lane lifted him up while he talked.

I love this picture of them. :)

My nephew wanted to climb up to look at the water as we were leaving. He's a sweetie. I thought this was a cute picture of him.

Our families had to leave right after the service. We're so thankful they were able to be there for Rhett. We came home for the kids to eat a quick dinner and get in bed. We were all tired--Lane had worked until mid-afternoon, and I'd been busy getting things ready for company.

Rhett opening his gift from us before bed

Rhett, we love you SO MUCH. What a huge blessing to see you publicly proclaim your faith today.

Climbing Rocks!

Rhett and two of his best buddies did a rock climbing camp this week, M-F, 9:00-noon. I was afraid Rhett might get tired of it before the week was over, but he didn't at ALL! He said he wished he could do it every day all summer and during the school year, except for weekends. I'm so glad he enjoyed it. He had only been to the climbing center once before when we took him for his birthday in March.

He got his own chalk bag for the week

Wearing the gear

Way to go, R!

Each camper made a t-shirt to keep

Everyone met for lunch after camp today. I keep thinking lunch with all the kids (3 moms, 7 kids ages 7, 7, 7, 4, 4, 3 and 2) will get easier...but so far, it hasn't. Maybe someday. :)

Climbers

Only two weeks before school starts for these guys. Where did the summer go?!

Part IV: Caterpillar House & Wildlife

Our milkweed has almost doubled in size since we planted it. The plant tag said it was heat-tolerant and could grow in almost any soil. That has proven to be true since I basically planted it in gravel, and it's been 100 degrees for days now. We're hopeful that the caterpillars will find it, and if they do, we have lodging to offer them when they decide to form chrysalises. I'd been meaning to look for a butterfly kit, but hadn't taken the time. When we were at my parents' house I mentioned I'd like to build a little caterpillar box. I sketched what I had in mind, and Dad said he thought he had all the supplies we'd need out in the shop! It didn't take him long at all to build the perfect house.

Made from leftover boards from the picnic table, two pieces of plywood for the floor and roof, a few feet of wire mesh, a hinge and a latch.

Dad said that this tack hammer he is using is probably 80+ years old. It belonged to his Dad. I wish I'd had the chance to know my Papa Hopper. I thought it was neat to see his hammer being used to build something for his great-grandkids.

Almost done...adding a neat little latch for the door.

Voila! The finished product.

Thanks, Dad--we love it!

*****

It was nice to get to go to church with Mom and Dad on Sunday. The music was great, especially Days of Elijah. All three kids went into "big church" with us, and they actually all did okay. Alexee and Rhett were quiet, and Crosby only crawled under the pew twice and laughed out loud once. Last week I mentioned that the sermon at our church was about using our words wisely/the power of the tongue. I must really need to hear this message because Pastor Steve's message was on the same topic this week...another good word from the book of James!

We hurried in from church, ate a quick lunch and packed our bags. We wanted to get on the road and get home in time to see Lane before he left for work (he had 5 night shifts last week--I'm glad those are over for a little while). I took these last few pictures as we were leaving...we likely won't see anything like this in our back yard this week!

It really blends in...can you find the wild turkey?

We rolled down the window to look at this pretty fawn resting in the shade.

Then it hopped up and crossed the road to join its friend. They are SO cute. We've enjoyed watching them this summer.

A fun, fun weekend but it was also great to get home, see Lane and sleep in our own beds. The kids were exhausted!

Part III: White River

More fun in Flippin...

After we ran errands Friday morning, Rhett went to lunch with my Dad and some of the other guys from work--it was catfish day at a local restaurant. Rhett is a picky eater, but he loves fish and he really likes to go eat with the guys. I don't remember if I wrote about it, but last time we were visiting my parents R went to lunch with my Dad, (cousin) Keith and two men from Japan that were in town for a meeting. Rhett came home with three paper place mats full of Japanese words that the nice men had written for him. He liked trying to learn the words in a different language, but he did not like the idea of a much shorter summer break like they told him they have in Japan! After lunch, Dad dropped Rhett off in the hayfield with Mom. I stayed home with Alexee and Crosby, and while C napped, Alexee and I made cookies, brownies and baked beans to take to the cabin that evening.

Mom and Dad recently had the cabin re-stained and had a covered pavilion built near the water. Dad built a really neat picnic table for it himself, and it's just the perfect place to enjoy an outdoor meal! Well, it would have been perfect had the water not been high that day--I was very nervous with Crosby running around. I could not take my eyes off of him for half a second. Rhett and Alexee were very cautious and listened to our warnings about the swift water, so I know that in a few more years it will be much more relaxing because Crosby will understand, too. For now though: it's take a bite, chase Crosby. Take a bite, chase Crosby. Dad grilled steaks, and they tasted so good. We also had bread, beans and a fresh sliced tomato.

This is the view of the cabin from the picnic table

Alexee found this pretty butterfly for her collection

While Dad was grilling, we were out on the deck and Crosby said, "I love picnics!" :) It was so sweet!!! He is such a happy boy and always ready for some fun!

Dad & Crosby

Even in late July there's a cool, refreshing breeze by the river!

That night we "camped" there. (My idea of camping--a real roof, locked doors and a shower!) I think it was the first night I'd stayed there since July 2000. Lane and I had just started dating (the weekend before), but I convinced him to go to Flippin with me for the 4th, and my whole family stayed at the cabin, played games, fished, etc--such a pleasant memory! I don't know why we haven't camped there since then. I have to admit that it's slightly "spooky" there when the sun goes down because it's in the middle of no where and it gets VERY dark and quiet out there. I tried not to imagine a bear standing on the deck looking for leftover steak!! It was really nice though, and I could definitely get used to it. It was more peaceful after we came inside and locked all the doors so Crosby couldn't run off!

This picture is blurry, but it looked neat in real life--Dad and Rhett were sitting down at the picnic table telling stories by lantern light.

The boys after their baths.

These are good days. Sometimes challenging in ways, but I don't want to wish them away. Time goes by way too fast.

The loft room is so cozy. Mom and Rhett slept here.

Crosby slept in the Pack & Play in the bedroom. Dad, Alexee and I slept on this fold-out couch. Before bed, Alexee caught a lightning bug and put it in a clear Olive Garden cup with a lid. She went to sleep between us, holding her lightning bug cup (which Rhett called her "pet flashlight") :) It was lighting her face and hands with its glow. I hope I'll always remember how sweet she looked. At some point during the night she must have rolled over on the cup causing the lid to fall off. I woke up one time to see the lighting bug glowing on top of the quilt. It was still there the next morning and Mo convinced Alexee to let it go back outside to be with its friends. :)

view from the loft

It was a short night. Mo and Rhett were up at 5:30 talking in the loft. Alexee and Crosby slept in until 6:00, and Mom had coffee brewing and breakfast cooking as soon as she saw that everyone was awake! I think we were done eating by 7:00 and ready for the next thing.

Granddad and the kids on the deck watching the river

Mom inside making breakfast.

sun rising

I love the river fog!

Yummy breakfast: eggs, bacon, fried ham, biscuits and honey from Mom & Dad's beehives

After breakfast they worked on the fishing gear

Mom went home to feed the horses and everyone else left for the boat dock--excited about our fishing trip. The plan was for us to meet Mom so Crosby could go home with her while we took R & A out in the boat.

R & A ready to go!

A beautiful morning!

But...things don't always go according to plan. On the way to the boat dock (when cell service returned) Dad called to find out the status of the water generation from Bull Shoals dam. Based on the pattern from the previous few days, we were expecting low water, but to our disappointment that was not going to be the case on Saturday. The water would be too high for the kids to get in and splash around and play. Dad said that when he told the kids the bad news Rhett started crying big tears of disappointment which just broke his heart. Alexee took a different approach. Dad overheard her say, "Well let's just be mad at Granddad, okay Rhett?" We laughed and laughed about her saying that. Sometime it just feels better to blame someone, I guess, even if it's not their fault. :)

Dad did go ahead and take Rhett out just a short distance from the dock to fish for a little while. Last year when we took Rhett on the river, the fish were biting and he caught one right after another. They weren't biting this time though.

When Mo came to pick up Crosby, Alexee and Rhett both decided to go with her too. Mom offered to let me stay and fish, and while I felt bad sending her home with all three kids, I was honestly really excited to get to stay and hang out with Dad without worrying about someone falling in the water.

Dad's catch

I had fun, but didn't catch a single one.

Since they weren't biting and neither of us has a lot of patience, we decided to take a break and just look around.

We went to the old Cotter bridge and turned around

Dad learned to run a boat on White River when he was just a little boy. (I liked this article that he wrote about an antique river boat motor and some of his river experiences as a kid.) Both of my Granddads guided on the river, so I find myself hoping that Rhett, Alexee and Crosby take an interest in trout fishing and enjoy spending time here--it has always been such a special place to me.

Thank you, Mom, for watching the kids for me for a few hours. And thank you, Dad, for taking me out on the water with you--it was a great day...even if Rhett and Alexee were mad at you-ha!