The Big Three-OH!

Surprise flowers from Mrs. Ardella (our adopted great-grandma)

 We started and ended our weekend with cake! We had cupcakes at camp on my actual birthday and then ice cream cake on Labor Day. Nana joined us on Monday. We made all sorts of new Pinterest recipes for lunch.

 The ice cream cake Jeremy made me- yum!

 Blowing out my 3 candles.

 My 3 big blessings... (and a prayer that by next year blessing number four will be here to celebrate with us!)

My husband also made me a Thirty for Thirty Book with 30 notes from special friends and family. It was so special. Thanks to all of you who contributed, your sweet words were a very special gift indeed.

My "big" gift is a trip to the National Missionary Convention in Indianapolis in November. It will be a great chance to get away as a family and catch up with lots of my girlfriends from college. I can't wait!!!

3 Goals for My 30's

1- Run a 5K, or some type of race.

2- Travel to a new continent.

3- Actually implement the "less is more" strategy when it come to our schedule.

And enjoy NOT being pregnant (which I felt like pretty much sums up a good portion of my 20's!)

Family Camp Fun-2012

Family Camp has officially become a family tradition that our children look forward to. We love it so much I didn't mind spending my "big" birthday there. Here are some of the highlights from the weekend.

Pig Puppets (I think from the story of the Prodigal Son)

Settling down to sleep.....EVENTUALLY

Team Humiston (Us girls always wear matching bandanas on Saturday.)

This year's best "creature" a very interesting turtle.

Did I mention it rainted the ENTIRE weekend...it was muddy. But, the kids didn't mind a bit.

Fishing

Grace saves a worm from Daddy's hook.

We wore our Western shirts as a family....Jeremy loves matching. (okay maybe not)

The yummiest part of Family Camp....a whole hog roast. We love it every year.

Hanging out by the dining hall.

Boats at the Lake

All of our kids braved the water slide this year. Way to go!

This year the McSmith family joined us. We are hoping they will come back.

Our annual family photo op in front of our cabin.

Hannah & Faith (Hannah was born the summer Jeremy and I worked at Lamoine Christian Camp together.)

Grace loves making new friends.

Titus & Ethan

Sophie & Grace

Tabitha & Faith (Tabitha was a flower girl in our wedding when she was about Faith's age.)

We totally heart Family Camp!

Top 10 First Day of School Reflections

1. No matter how old I get I still hate getting up at a time that starts with a 5 at the beginning of it. (Sorry, buts is so true.)

2. This year has been crazy so I basically had to totally "wing it" for the first day. I'm getting better at making that work. (No school clothes laid out, special breakfast planned, or the like around here)

3. Even when I don't prepare I should still at least charge my camera battery. (Yep...got her all posed for "the one" you know the infamous first day of school pic and it was completely dead....opps!)

4. Dogs and first day of school don't mix all that well. Charlie contributed to our morning by escaping once again to our neighbors yard as we were trying to take the infamous first day picture.

5. God's grace is enough to cover it all if I can be patient. As I was retrieving escaped dog camera battery charged for 5 minutes and was able to capture these. (And now I'm thankful we started early, even if it started with a 5)

Did I mention she was excited?

6. Thank goodness for quick conversations with your own mama  where she tells you a cute picture idea she saw on Pinterest so you can look like you are so prepared even when you are not! (Thanks Gramy we thought the easel worked out great for our chalkboard!)

7. Aww.... she is still my baby even though she is getting so grown up! (tears)

8. Next year I have to send two.....move to denial for now!


9. Walking to school with a baby in a sling, an independent two year old trying to escape holding your hand, a head in the clouds dancing about four year old, and a SUPER excited first grader and PRAY is a bit of a challenge. (and it might be a glimpse at my next school year only the baby will be MINE) Lord have mercy!

10. God's goodness to me is so evident! When we arrived at school Grace went to join her class line. The last person in line was a classmate from last year Jorie. Then a friend from church, Jordan, came to join her on the other side. I had no idea she was in Grace's class. Thankful for new friends, a new school building (its gorgeous!!), and new opportunities to share Christ with those we come to know through Mark Twain Elementary.

Grace,
I'm so happy that you are so excited for school. Its SO hard for my mama heart to be away from you all day, but I'm going to choose to catch your excitement. I can't wait to watch you grow into a strong reader this year. You've alway been my "little leader" and I'm excited that your school is focusing on leadership. You are a natural! I am praying most of all that you will share God's love with your school. I love you so much. Happy first day of first grade!!!!!
Love, 
Mama