DAY FORTY THREE: Let the Summer Begin...

Yesterday, I got the chance to guest preach at Engage Calvary, a local church here in town.  The pastor and I met when their chance planned a youth event last year and we volunteered to help out.  And, two of the members of the leadership are cousins of Kristin.  I swear, that girl has cousins everywhere.  Anyway, it went pretty well, people seemed to get something out of it, but I felt it could have been better.  I'm often my toughest critic on speaking. 

I'd love to do more of this kind of thing, so if anyone needs a guest preacher, give me a call.

Today, summer began in earnest.

Kristin and I decided to give in to the begging from the girls and have a campout in the backyard.  It's kinda like boot-camp for actual camping.  We'd planned to do it Tuesday night, but there is a slight chance of rain, so it got moved up to tonight.  This meant I had to mow.  Now, the yard is at that point where drought and healthy grass are waging a turf (pun intended) war.  That means some grass is really tall, but the dust is really billowy.  Half the yard resides in my eyes and nose right now, but the backyard is ready for the tent.  Which will go up after dark when it's cooler.  Like in the upper 80's.

Kristin was busy this morning with her resume to Bryan ISD, then we had lunch and went grocery shopping before heading to the pool for the first family outing.  Due to a generous gift from my mother, we have a summer pass which provides our family plenty of entertainment time and exercise and sun.  Leslie is, just like last year, a fish.  She was going off the diving board within minutes of getting there and zooming all over. With Kenna, we are have to start all over with the swim lessons.  To keep her legs straight while kicking, I had to hold her knees. 

This will only work for so long.

We all got home tired and a little hungry, so the kids and I had some chocolate pie.  It is one of my favorite things.  So simple:  Oreo crust, Jell-O instant chocolate pudding, and a healthy dose of Cool-Whip. 

Kristin is off to meet with a friend she is reading a book with, then it's dinner  and camping. 

I'm sure tomorrow's edition will be a lively one.