FISHING DERBY

I think I may have mentioned previously that Camo and Hunter like to fish. Flicka and I also enjoy it, but it seems to be more of a daddy/son event the last few years. Tonight it was a family event. Our local parks & rec dept holds an annual fishing derby each August. It is free at a local lake in our community, and is open to all children under 16. Basically, we just show up with rod/reel/bait, sign in and then fish for 2 hours weighing in each fish, hoping for the biggest in your division. Last year, this derby is what Travis chose as his birthday party, he loved it. This year it was just the four us, and it was a good night. Here are a few pictures:

One of the beautiful lakes in our community. It has a very nice walking trail all the way around it and it is right behind our library.

Our local library. You can check out fishing poles, walk out the back door and fish!

Beautiful skies & beautiful weather for a fishing derby!

The first catch! 1 lb 12 oz -she is in first place!

A rainbow blesses the event!

Uh-oh - dark clouds start rolling in! (but they are beautiful)

Brother & sister fishing together in the rain! The rain held out till the second hour (only a 2 hour event), but it was still fun!

Finally another catch - it's raining and hard to hold it up!

And the winner is... he won his division (10-11 yrs). He won a new rod/reel and new tackle box!

And the winner is.... she won her age division (12-15 yrs) as well as the overall winner, her fish was the biggest all night. She also won a new rod/reel and a new tackle box.

It was fun night. They were both very happy they won, and Flicka was ecstatic that no one caught one bigger than hers! (Not to mention how happy I am they both won, no disappointed one to break my heart!!!)

TWILIGHT ZONE

Hunter and I thought we must have been in the twilight zone tonight.

I guess first I must explain the relationship between Flicka and Camo so that you will understand. It is not that they never get along, but on any given day there will be arguments of many different natures. They do have days that they co-exist w/out much incidence, and days of non-arguing. I know w/out a doubt they do love each other tremendously and would battle for each other till the end of time - I have actually seen this: Flicka got hurt at school one day. A little boy on the playground was running and knocked her down, she did get a really nasty cut and scrape on her knee, but it was truly an accident, nothing more than a playground mishap. Now this was a few years ago, Camo only 5 or 6 years old. When he heard what happened he wanted a complete description of the boy, and I do believe if I had let him and my nephew out of the car at that moment they would have taken care of it, they were ready to defend her. I have also seen Flicka exhibit this type of behavior towards those who have wronged her little brother.

But I have to say for the last few years, their relationship is more of a battle ground. Well tonight was just crazy - we do get nights like this from time to time, but definitely it is not all the time.

What am I talking about??? Well tonight Flicka and Camo got along all night long - not one argument. When Flicka started towards the door and announced to Camo she was going to ride his scooter (it is an electric scooter), he said OK - this usually causes a big discussion of disagreement. When Camo said he was going outside for a little while, Flicka said she wanted to go too, he asked if she would open the garage door and she smiled and said sure. Several other events like this occurred all night long.

Hunter and I just kept looking at each other and wondering if someone had replaced our children, or if we were being "punked", or perhaps on an episode of the twilight zone???

I, however, for this night, choose to believe that they are growing up and realizing they do need each other.

(I do have to confess before I close though, I had much of the same type of relationship w/my little brother. He was the same distance in age from me as Flicka and Camo are. We did finally reach a point were we decided all the arguing was counter-productive and it was better when we worked together. We turned out fine and get along well today.)

So, do you ever have "twilight zone" moments?

GRANDMA

I have been thinking about many things I want to post about, but for some strange reason the last few days, I have had this strong, compelling need to share my grandmother with all of you.

Grandma is 83 (birthday was in June), and I have always loved spending time with her! I know I am so fortunate to still have her with me ( she is the only grandparent I still have down here). I still love to spend time with her and I just look forward to seeing her every time I go to visit my parents.

Grandma is my mom's mom. When I was a child she never lived more than 8 miles from us, and I got to see her at least 3 or 4 times a week and usually every Saturday and Sunday afternoons too. We had such good times with her (me, my sis, brother & cousins), it was so much fun to be at her house. I have so many stories of my times with her and grandpa that I could share, but it would take me days to do that. I will just share a few things now, and maybe sprinkle more in here and there in the future.

She currently lives in a small trailer beside my parents so that mom can look after her. She still gets around pretty well, but no longer drives, and does need someone close by now.

I remember when I was around 5 or 6 grandma had a birthday, she was 54. I then remember when I was around 8 or 9 she was still 54, that is about the time that I caught on she was just pulling our legs and she really wasn't still 54!! It's not that she was/is vain, she just liked being 54 and not getting older, also that is just the sense of humor she has - she so loves pulling one over on us!

I also remember her teaching me at one point that a young lady/woman should never leave the house without lipstick on. It didn't matter where you were going, or if you had any other make-up on, but you should never leave the house without lipstick on. To this day she still does not leave her house with out lipstick on (and neither do I!)

When Flicka was a baby, toddler and preschool, my grandmother lived in this area. So whenever, Flicka couldn't go to daycare or preschool, she got to spend the day w/great grandma. As a result of this time she spent with great grandma, she has learned how to sew and crochet!!! It is so awesome that they were able to spend time together and they have such a wonderful connection/bond to each other.

One important story that involves both Flicka and Grandma, I must share with you. When Flicka was 4 years old Grandma got sick. We found out she had some blockage in her arteries and would need a double by-pass. We were at the in-laws house later that day and I was explaining to mother-in-law what was going on and the surgery Grandma would need, and making arrangements for Flicka and Camo to stay with mother-in-law the next day while I was at the hospital, Flicka was coloring in the next room. When I went to tell Flicka it was time to go, she was crying and was very upset. I had no idea she was clinging to every word we spoke - I truly thought she was lost in her coloring. I asked her what was wrong, and she began crying even more. She finally explained to me that she did not want the doctors to open Grandma's heart because that is where Jesus lives and they could not let Him out!. I then had to explain to a 4 year old more about open-heart surgery than I even knew about it, and assure her that Jesus would not leave Grandma's heart. I was finally able to make her understand how Jesus lives in our hearts and it would all be OK. (isn't the literal translations of children wonderful!)

Grandma still loves that story. She and Flicka have a bond that will live forever, and I am so fortunate that they do.

I just hope that when I am 80something, I look as good as she does (and I will have my lipstick on!) The picture is from Christmas, and I am sure if she knew I put that one on here, she would ask me to find a better one even though this one is great. (maybe she is a little vain after all!)

I hope you enjoyed meeting her, she truly is amazing - she actually grew up in an orphanage until she was 14 years old - I will share that story with you in the future.

Mom Can Be Cool - WEIRD!!

Quick updates - **Flicka came home today - YEAH!!!!!! Camo, came home too, but then he and Hunter left to go fishing for the night, so one more night and then everyone will be under the same roof again!!! **Car not fixed completely yet, but it is drivable for short distances. (thanks for letting me UGH about it yesterday!)

Now on to the topic of the day.

As I said Flicka is home, it is wonderful. It has just been the 2 of us at home this evening so we have had some time to talk and catch up. While she was at the grandparents she got to spend some time w/one of her cousins who lives there that is her age. They exchanged several ring tones for their cell phones. A couple are of some more popular tunes that are out now. Needless to say, Flicka was quite shocked that I knew some of these songs.

Let me explain a little - I do generally listen to country music, or a station that plays 80's music, but I do venture out from time to time and listen to current tunes as well (of course it depends on the artist and music, some of it actually does make my ears hurt and gives me a headache, but, I did not admit this to her!)

So, anyway, when she played these tunes for me and I sang along, she was very, well, I guess the word would be flabbergasted! I was very amused at her reaction. She informed me that it was just weird that I liked music that she and her friends also liked. (I could tell that she really thought it was cool though.)

What fun to surprise our children and keep them guessing as to what we really know and are up to date on! So, I will accept the fact that I am a little weird to my daughter right now, and make an attempt to stay up to date with things to keep her guessing! Oh, what fun life with a teenage daughter is going to be!!!!!

The Kids - the girl

I had several ideas for a post today, but decided I couldn't wait any longer to introduce you to my daughter. A new bloggy friend commented (thank you!) on my previous post about a mother's love, and I must admit, my heart was swelling and pumping as I wrote that post, and I know it will with this one also; and that is why I couldn't wait to tell you about my daughter!

I have so many things I could tell you about my daughter, but will try to keep it down to the basics and elaborate more in the future.

Flicka, is what I have decided to let you come to know her by. I chose this because she loves horses and is somewhat of a free-spirit much like Flicka the horse in the movie (and book). Also, every time I hear that name I think of the Tim McGraw song from the movie - "My Little Girl". Every time I hear that song, I tear up and think of my little girl (who is not so little anymore, but will always be to me.)

Flicka is 13, she will be in the 8th grade when school starts again. She is very much a teenager, eye rolls and all! She loves her cell phone and her computer. Doesn't talk on the phone like we did at that age, but instead she texts and IMs (instant message). She knows I have very strict rules for the computer and phone and always asks before visiting any new websites (we can't be too careful anymore.)

As much as Camo is like his dad, she is like me. She can be very high strung and stubborn, and she is very opinionated (some times this is a good thing, because she is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, but she still needs to learn a little control with it).

She loves school and is a very good student; math is her favorite (did not get that from me or her dad!). She also loves girl scouts, and has already received 2 of the highest awards a GS can receive (bronze and silver). She just spent 2 weeks at girl scout camp - one of the camps where they ride and do all things w/horses. She did very well and will get to go to the next level next year (will get to do some overnight trail rides); she is very excited about that.

She also, loves taking pictures. Flicka is a very good photographer - she sees things that you wouldn't think would make a good photo, but she will snap a pic of it and it turns out amazing! Very creative and thoughtful w/snapping pics! I will share some of them in the future (with her permission of course.)

Yes, Flicka does have some of her dad too, she does like to hunt with him on occasion, but not as much as when she was younger. She is a daddy's girl though.

I will keep you all updated with new posts of our journeys through the teenage years - I'm sure it will be an adventure!