They Don't Come Any Cuter!

Puppets are Creepy

 A confession...  I've always found puppets to be a bit creepy.  Others are bothered, some so much as frightened by and phobic of clowns.  Not me... it is puppets that give me the heebie-jeebies.  I'm not gravely or even remotely afraid of them.  I just find them very disturbing visually, and I often find the shows themselves quite boring.  Yet, oh the things I do for my children.  Uh-huh, you guessed it!  We went to a puppet show.

As part of the library's summer programming, Madcap Puppets performed Jack and the Gentle Giant.  In the program, Jack, his beanstalk, and his two sons encounter three giants. In doing so, the audience is taken on quite the journey. An Iriquois legend, a Czech folktalk, and a Brothers Grimm Story from Germany to be exact.

Believe it or not, the program was not only tolerable but at times quite entertaining.  There was a mix of acting, puppetry, audience participation, and a decent amount of humor.  For the most part, my kiddos were a captive audience.  That's impressive!  I even paid attention while holding to my belief that puppets are creepy.  Check out the pic I snagged of the larger than life giant head that poked up from behind the backdrop.... ewww!

Africa is NOT a country!

Oh sweet library lady with all the cool crafts who I usually love, I must admit you REALLY irked me today.  Granted, I understand that you are presenting a program to 4 and 5 year olds.  However, misinformation isn't warranted... even if they don't realize it.  Oh my... maybe you don't realize it?  Surely, you do and you were oversimplifying?  Could that be?  Even still - WRONG!!!

1. AFRICA IS NOT a country!  It's a CONTINENT!
2. They cannot be used to describe the people of Africa.  Do you have any idea how many people groups reside in Africa?  Each group is unique regarding customs, beliefs, appearance, and history.
3. The entire continent IS NOT hot and dry.  Do you not know about the lengthy rainy season many parts of Africa experience?
4. You will not see giraffes, elephants, and kudu roaming freely in every square inch of Africa.
5. Speaking a few Swahili words and counting by rote in an unidentified East African language after a woman on a CD does not mean you have spoke African.  Seriously, African IS NOT a language. 

Sorry... I stifled this rant in the library, so I had to exercise it somewhere.  Thanks to all of you in blog land for allowing me to vent.  Stereotypes have always made my skin crawl.  I don't believe these to be malicious in any way... just uninformed.  Most likely, just not contemplated or given much thought.  Yes, the audience was children, but I believe, they deserve to be taught accurately.  Information can meet their level of understanding and still be factual.

Fireworks

Annually, we enjoy the fireworks launched at Capital View Park.  However, our prime vantage point for viewing has always been at the Veteran's Memorial.  We tweaked it a bit this year due to limited parking.  Instead of actually sitting in front of the memorial, we camped our lawn chairs at the top of the hill.  We found that we enjoyed this spot even better.

We arrived a little after 8:30 p.m. and fireworks didn't start until almost 10 p.m.  We really weren't prepared this year.  On my to take list next year, a picnic dinner or at least snacks, and things to entertain the kiddos:  a ball, bubbles, maybe even our sparklers.  At least, we were able to view smaller fireworks being set off from various sites around the city.

FINALLY - it got dark!

Once the fireworks show began, we were all quite content to "ooh" and "aah" at every explosion.  The kiddos called out their favorite colors, and "Wow! That's a big one!"  I have always really enjoyed fireworks shows, but they are even better through the eyes of my children.

Not a great pic, but can you spot our state capital building at the bottom left?

Little Sparklers

Fourth of July weekend is synonymous with sparklers.  As a child, I remember playing with these wonders - that's as brave as my parents ever got.  Jon, on the other hand, would really like to channel his inner pyro.  However, he stuck mostly to the tried and true nostalgia sparklers bring.

After a day of tears, farewells, food, and friends, this was a good ending!  The kids got home, became jammie clad, and played with fire.  (Good things PJ's aren't flammable - I did a great speech in college on this.  Ask me about it sometime!)

My littles had a grand time and even got to see some of our much braver neighbors launch what could probably rival commercial grade fireworks in their driveways and the streets.  Best I can tell, no one lost an appendage and there was no property damage.  Wonders never cease!

Hard to Say Goodbye

Excited for the future - YES!
Thrilled at the opportunities and doors opening for our family - YES!
Confident that we are living in OBEDIENCE to God's Will - YES!
Easy to say goodbye to our GCC FAMILY - NO!

Goodbyes are hard... even when they aren't really goodbyes, just see ya laters, see ya soons, we're still around, etc.  Any way we say it, the people that we have seen week in and week out for 9 years won't be as big a part of our lives anymore.  Even still, our Graefenburg Christian Church family will be in our hearts forever.

July 3rd was very emotional day.  I pretty much cried from the time the worship service began...  Jon had his moments as well.  However, I give him many kudos.  He was emotional, tearful, sincere, but never all out blubbering.  Way to hold it together babe... he even got a few laughs.  Yes, that would, of course, have to be at the expense of the Louisville fans!  Serves them right, huh?

Our church family surprised us with an extremely generous monetary gift.  We had a closing prayer circle, and then many hugs, tears, and dear words were shared.  The most heart-wrenching part came when it was time to say goodbye to some of the kids.  College age, high-school, middle school... we've watched these guys and gals grow up.  Even though we weren't ever really in a youth ministry role, these youth are so special to us.  We are proud of them and the way they put Christ first in their lives.  We have been truly touched to see the way they have loved and cared for our own three little ones. 

In fact, Jeremiah had a really tough time seeing his "big brothers" so upset.  Lots of tears toward the end from my little man.  Rachel was a clingy basket case because her mommy was being a boo-hoo baby.  She hasn't really seen Mommy lose it, so it scared her a bit.  She had quite the bear hug going on... so much so that my earring got stuck in her hair on a couple occasions requiring assistance from others to detach us.  Caleb seemed to take it all in stride.  His main concern of the day... could his girlfriend Tori come over for a sleepover?  Hmmm... well, maybe with Rachel someday.  Haha - love 5 year old innocence.

After our bawlfest, we went out to eat with dear friends and then headed home to regroup before our farewell dinner and annual patriotic God and Country service.  We enjoyed food, fellowship, and our GCC family.  Blue No More and Sweet Spirit blessed us in song.  Then, the Ladies Circle ensured I'd cry one last time.  Rita spoke of my heart and passion for vulnerable children and adoption.  Then, she presented me with a donation to Light Will Rise, the non-profit organization I have the privilege of serving.  My heartfelt thanks to these sweet ladies who understand and support that which is so important to me. 

A few more goodbyes and then outside to launch water rockets, play volleyball, basketball, and sit and chat.  The kiddos had the best time running around, laughing, playing with their friends, and getting absolutely water logged.  It made for a soggy ride home, but I'm so glad that we were able to make our final departure with smiling kiddo faces instead of sad faces.  This was just what they needed!

So farewell GCC... we'll always be around and in time look forward to visiting.  It has been an honor and a joy to serve alongside you for 9 years.  Our prayers are for this to be a catalyst for great growth in spirit and number for the church.  We pray believing that God will direct the leaders of the church as they seek out a man of faith to fill the pulpit and serve.  Love to you all!

Falls of the Ohio

Today, we entered Hoosier Land... well, just barely.  Yes, we crossed the bridge into Indiana for some family fun at the Falls of the Ohio State Park.  I was unaware that this place even existed, but Jon had been before with a high school friend.  The kids truly enjoyed exploring this amazing fossil bed.

Before getting our nature groove on, we headed inside the museum.  While we most likely will return to the park in the future, I don't believe the museum will be included in our trip.  Yeah, once through and you pretty much grasp it all... oh yes, and get inundated with the message of evolution science.  Although, the large woolly mammoth skeleton as you enter the museum is pretty cool! 

We watched the 14 minute video supposedly explaining how this area came to be and it was heavily salted and peppered with millions of years, old earth theory.  The dry, monotone voice of the film's narrator would make a statement, and I'd loudly let my kiddos know that was incorrect.  We did have the theatre to ourselves most of the time :-)

  

Rachel coloring in the kiddie area!

Caleb constructed this foam bridge.

So... what does make a good fossil?

Rare - Mommy is actually in a picture and not behind the camera!

Virtually unheard of... a full family photo!  Thanks stranger passing by!

On the lookout for fossils... of course, in Caleb's mind they were all dinosaur bones.

My favorite peeps :-)

After this excursion, we grabbed a late lunch and headed to our favorite spot THE LOUISVILLE ZOO.  Finally, we were able to see for a very brief moment the infamous polar bear.  The kids were able to cool off in the Splash Park, and when we were sufficiently tuckered out, we headed home.  Family days are the best!