No ordinary Sunday Morning...

We have been attending a new church, Community Covenant Church, as a family on Sunday mornings. The children LOVE the children's program. However, this morning our church didn't have children's church (a week off to prepare for the new Fall Program starting next week ). So, we decided to go to the beach EARLY (7 AM) to have breakfast and so that Rich could go for a run. It was a beautiful morning: sunny, a little cool, a little breezy, few people, even fewer dogs (although one nearly ruined our morning). We ate our bagels, watched several folks prepare their catamarans--no small feat incidentally, plucked the most beautiful shells from the tide, skipped some rocks, and began our sand castles.

But as noted in the title, this was no ordinary Sunday morning. Our first pleasant surprise was watching a bride walk along the shore with her bridegroom to say their vows before a few witnesses. A few minutes later, we heard bells clanging and hymns being sung. A small group of people (later to be identified as descendants from Trinidad) gathered about 20 feet from us and were preparing for a Christian ceremony of some sort (later to be evident as a baptism). An older woman led three youngsters (about 10 or 12 years old) across the sand to a simple wooden cross, some candles, flowers and a reverend clutching a Bible. One by one, they were led into the ocean for baptism by immersion. The beauty of the beach and the simple (yet very ritualistic) ceremony brought tears to my eyes. I watched with a sense of intrigue and pride that somehow we were connected, although through different displays of worship, to a larger family. I silently thought that if all of us worshipped and praised with fewer reservations, this world, this country and in particular, the Northeast, might not be in the mess it is. We were blessed to be able to witness this ceremony, such a personal and life-changing moment for these youngsters and their families.

Its not often one finds a cross on the beach and I thought it was so beautiful. I'm pretty sure it was no coincidence that we there so early this morning--skipping church. Praise and worship takes many forms: today I praise Him for allowing me to witness this baptism.

Side note: I only took photos of this ceremony because one of the members of their group was also. I'm assuming they would have asked me to stop if they felt disrespected. I'm hoping to mail some of my photos to their church (once I find out where they worship).

We have take-off...

While camping with our friends in Maine last week, Benjamin figured out (with ease) how to ride a two wheeler...use a bike that is small enough to touch the ground on both sides for balancing. Luckily, Cameron brought his bike (a 12 inch) to tool around at the campsite. He was kind enough to share with Benjamin who quickly figured out the whole "balance thing" while being able to touch the ground. Once he learned the sensation of balancing, he was able to adapt to his bigger bike. (Feel free to slap me in the head next time you see me with a great big HELLOOO??) We often thought how strange it was that he didn't have much interest in riding a two-wheeler and was apprehensive about trying (he's always been pretty agile and often a desire to MASTER things). although we haven't had the best yards to practice bike riding. We joked between us that we'd be dropping him off at college with a bike with training wheels. Here he is at Colt State Park in Bristol, RI. This happens to be one of my favorite places in the area. It has a wonderful bike and walking path along Narragansett Bay and throughout the park and large grassy fields for picnicking, kite-flying, and ball games. Of course being on the ocean is certainly a draw. We also used to enjoy lots of family and friend gatherings as well as impromptu picnics with my family when I was young. Its one of my favorite date spots, too.
We spent the day with Aunt Nicole, Hannah and new baby sister, Gabrielle. I got a few shots before my camera battery died. Also, please note my frustration with my camera--ITS NOT WORKING WELL and I am coming home with few usable shots. I think its needs to be tuned-up?? So forgive the bad photography!!

Camping with "The Girls," Lebanon, ME

I have a group of friends with whom I ran cross-country and track in high school. We have a unique bond since winning the state championship in 1990. As life goes, we don't get together as often as we should or even want to, but make an attempt every few months. We usually make it a girls night out for dinner or something of the like. However, now that nearly all of us are married with children, we try to get together as families. With my friend, Jen, buying a camper earlier this year, we decided to go camping.

Three of us, each with our two children (7, 5, 4, 3, 3, 1 1/2) ventured up to Maine last week. Goretti, who is expecting her third in October was probably the bravest: embarking on a totally new experience (camping) with two young children 3 and 1 1/2. Whew! However, we had lots of fun! We hung by the pool daily which had a great water slide (the children spent hours on it). We played miniature golf, fished, ate ice cream, walked (lots), attempted but decided not to ride tubes down the river (safety queen), we even trick-or-treated around the campground since it was "Halloween in August" weekend. As usual, I left my camera behind on most of our activities, but will be sharing some more photos when Jen and Goretti send theirs to me. Here are just a few of Ben and Leah.

Miniature Golf turned Obstacle course

Fishing on the Salmon Falls River

Automated Gardening

If one sets a timer to water and light her herbs, can she still be called a gardener? Well, all of you know that I was not blessed with a green thumb. In fact, if magenta is in complete contrast of green, I was born with a magenta thumb. But there is hope for wanna-be's like me...AeroGarden! My sister-in-law, Renee, lent us hers thinking it would be fun for the kiddos. It is set to a timer, at which point its lights turn on for 17 hours and water filters through its roots below ( I know that's a lot of energy). All I have to do is enjoy the secondary lessons that come from gardening, such as observing and charting growth, predicting growth patterns, measuring, and of course, cooking with fresh herbs (have we talked about how I wasn't really blessed in that area either?) Renee was right, the children love it. Checking new growth is the first thing they do in the morning. Thanks Aunt Renee!

Here comes the Tide...

I have a few questions for you...

When was the last time you built a sand castle?

When was the last time you engineered the perfect sand castle for your imaginary soldiers and lions?

How excited did you feel when you collaborated to design the most effective system of moats for the buckets full of salt water that you will eventually retrieve from the ocean when the castle is complete?

What about that feeling when you finally reach the other side of the castle via tunneling under your perfectly engineered castle surrounded by those most effective moats?

Do you remember the feeling when you noticed the tide slowly rising, creeping inches closer with every crashing wave?

Do you remember the rush of excitement attempting to build up your already-designed-but-not yet-completed-moat system before the first wave reaches the edge of your creation?

Do you remember? It's awesome!!! If you haven't done that recently, you ought to make your way to a beach soon to witness such excitement in your children and feel all that excitement rush right back to you. The kiddos and I spent the day with Papa at Horseneck Beach in Westport, MA on Tuesday. It was overcast and fairly cool for August (the best sort of beach day as far as I'm concerned). We got to 'work" right away on our "perfect" castle as soon as we got there (as the tide was rising). We scoped out the best spot on the beach to work with the perfect-textured sand, close enough to the water to fetch for the moat, far enough away so as not to be washed away by the incoming tide, but close enough (hopefully) to fill the moats. We had so much fun.

**homeschool moment** Later in the day, my homeschooled children (ya' know the ones that are expected to exhibit the inability to interact appropriately with other children since they don't spend needless hours on end "interacting" with children in school...ya' know them, right??) approached a group of children (3 cousins) building their own castle in an already established activity and asked them to join in. And do you know what happened??? They let them join in. And they-all 5 of them-worked COLLABORATIVELY to ACHIEVE what ever creation they all AGREED on with NO arguments, outbusts, pouts, exclusions, or ANTI-SOCIAL demonstrations that society expects from those under-"socialized" homeschooled children. AND they played for TWO hours and begged for more when their mom-the one who deprives them from said moments-had to pack up the day to get Papa home and out of the sun.

I know playing with children on a beach does not seem like a monumental moment. And isn't even a big deal for my children, who are social children and approach other children in all types of settings. But understand that last week I was in a funk questioning every decision I have EVER made as a parent, a teacher, and of course-a homeschooling mom. And actually for no major reason. This was more than just two children approaching a group of strange children engaged in an established activity. This was more than a homeschool moment. This was a God moment--telling me..."RELAX. You have two spectacular children. You're doing plenty right. You are not perfect. Your children are not perfect. And guess what? Neither of you need to be. Keep Me the focus and all else will fall into place. Enjoy moments building the perfect sand castles. Enjoy moments watching them flourish in the knowledge that you share with them. Enjoy moments watching your children be strong, independent beings you have worked hard to mold that way. And use those moments to grow and learn with them. For someday, those moments will be fewer and those opportunities to teach through those moments will be gone." Point well taken. I'm relaxing and we're enjoying life a little more again.
My message to you...go build a sand castle, or whatever your family enjoys most!