More Catching Up

Given the topics of the last two times I’ve written I’ve got three weeks of catching up to do.

CAMP, CAMP, CAMP. I mentioned before that the boys were at summer camp (that was the week of June 8). It wasn't hot like it was last year, but they sure got the rain. I saw them on Tuesday (the 10th) and Vicki and I ate with them on Friday (the 13th--see below). They both looked like they were having the time of their lives. This time their campsite was on the shore of Old Hickory Lake and their tent was about 30 feet from the water.

Both boys took the Green Bar class which focuses on getting the skills required for their next rank--Ben for First Class and Nate for Tenderfoot. Ben also had merit badge classes for Archery and Emergency Preparedness while Nate had classes for Basket Weaving, First Aid, and Soil & Water Conservation.

I brought the boys home that Saturday morning. Nate only had the weekend at home before he and Vicki left for CentriKid camp. Their group pulled out that Monday (the 16th) and returned home a week ago Friday (the 20th). They returned to Campbellsville University. I think I have said before that CentriKid focuses on one’s relationship with God. The daily schedule is bookended with worship experiences but also includes Bible study time and recreation time. In the afternoons the kids have some “track times” to take some classes that interest them. Nate’s tracks “in this order” were Weird Science, Build It, and Art Studio. Nate had so much fun he is really hoping that he doesn’t have to choose between CentriKid and Boy Scout camp next year.

With Vicki and Nate gone Jenna, Ben and I spent a quiet week at home. We enjoyed each other, but Jenna and I commented that we were looking forward to Nate returning home so Ben would have someone else to aggravate. Ben really did miss Nate and was disappointed when he didn’t get to talk to him for a couple of days. All brotherly love/aggravation aside Nate was a sad boy last Tuesday morning (the 24th) when we took Ben to church for him to go with the youth group to CentriFuge.

CentriFuge is the camp experience for teens that CentriKid is modeled after. Our group headed out early that morning to make the drive to the Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. They returned yesterday. Ben had a great time and talked more about this camp than he has about any other in the past. He said several times his favorite part was the worship services. He also had track times: Table Games and Hiking. I think he enjoyed hiking the best.

Here at home Vicki has started getting into VBS mode, and these next two weeks see her immersed in preparations. Jenna is getting some babysitting work lined up and her schedule is filling up as well.

TWENTY YEARS. It is hard to believe that Vicki and I celebrated our 20th anniversary. Unfortunately we were apart on the day with her being out of town at CentriKid. We celebrated the Friday before (the 13th) spending the entire day together doing some shopping, eating lunch at the Korea House in West Nashville (one of our favorites), catching Maleficent on the big screen, and then driving out to Boxwell to share dinner with the boys. It wasn't the Hawaiian vacation we've dreamed of but it was a fun day with my bride. Maybe we'll get to Hawaii some day.

SPEAKING OF THE MOVIES. Vicki and I really enjoyed Maleficent. If you are a fan of Disney fairy tales you should put it on your list of movies to see. Then the next day, since the boys were back home, we all went out to see How to Train Your Dragon 2 which was also a lot of fun. This was our Father's Day outing.

TRASH AND TREASURES. One thing Ben missed while he was away at camp was Trash and Treasurers. Vicki, Nate, and I got up early Friday morning and browsed around town looking for a few deals. (Jenna opted out. She participated in the Adie’s House ministry at church.) Treasures were few and far between. Yesterday morning we all worked the concession stand for the Cross Plains Heritage Commission. We did well until the lunch rush when we could have used a second grill.

REFLECTIONS. You know, I’m tired after rereading all we’ve done in the last three weeks--and this weekend is the halfway point of the kids’ summer break. July will be gone before we know it and we’ll be getting geared up for another school year. At least we are all staying put for a bit.

Joe