A Cure for Thinning Hair?

Our family knows a couple through our church, who are moving to Michigan. For fun, we met up with the wife yesterday and walked a nature trail at a local park. This isn't just any old nature trail, it's a birdwatching nature trail. It was beautiful. The path was paved, blackberries were ripe, and birds and butterflies were perched on branches overhead. If it hadn't been 91 degrees and full sun, it would have been perfect. But, since we have so little time until our friends move away, we forged ahead with our eyes on the prize...the wavepool at the end of our 3.5 mile walk!

The kids were really good sports. We packed lots of water and took turns drinking and splashing each other. Since little Audrey's legs are a fraction of the length of the rest of ours, she tired sooner. When Audrey is tired, she asks to ride up on Tom's shoulders. He doesn't mind. She's a lightweight. However, at the halfway mark, Audrey threw up...on Tom's head. I've heard of wacky cures for thinning hair, but I don't think that this is a valid treatment. Thankfully, it was a tiny amount and since there was so much sweat dripping from Tom's hair, we could wipe it away without a faucet or SHOWER nearby.

Although at the time we wondered if we'd actually make it to the wave pool, we did. And, there is nothing more glorious than submerging one's self in a huge pool of COLD water after an adventure like that! (And they had showers in the changing rooms for Tom's head!) The kids had a blast. They bobbed in the wave pool, splashed under some water mushrooms and zipped through mazes of water slides. It was particularly amusing to note the different reactions between our boy and our girls. The girls emerged from the slides with big smiles and quietly hurried to get back in line. Harrison screamed "AAAAWWWWEEESSSOOOMMMMEEEE!!!!!" all the way down the slides. He couldn't have been more delighted! Charissa and Harrison were even brave enough to go down the big slides...40 feet up! I don't know if their heart's dropped into their stomachs, but I know mine did watching them!

Well, I'm off to do some cookie baking and make a run to Home Depot for Tom. Oh...and I need to squeeze in about 2 more hours of work somewhere. I'm doing a kids' event in the morning for work, then gearing up for a playdate at our house that has become quite large. We're expecting between 12 and 20 children from 2 to 5 PM. We're going to have so much fun!!!

Until Next Time,

Rachel

An Imagination Wonderland

It's been a busy couple weeks. Tom's busiest endeavor has been the remodeling of our backyard "playground". Our kids now have a beautiful little playhouse complete with a trap door, climbing wall, a roof with tar paper and shingles, three windows and two doors!

Tom is now a lovely shade of tan and his hair is a bit sun bleached. But, other than the bothersome heat, I think he's enjoyed the project. The kids are having a ball. Tonight, we ate our dinner in the little house and fun was had by all.

I've been dealing with some neck pain again. I went to the chiropractor yesterday and am once again back to weekly appointments to get the pain under control. Sheesh.

Last week, we had dinner with some neighbor friends. This Kurdish family is absolutely wonderful. I can't tell you how beautiful it is to spend time with a family that has ever only known war and tragedy and listen to them laugh and joke and smile. They are really something. And, they really know how to cook! We started our visit at 10 AM and stayed till almost 7 PM! We learned how to make two new dishes: Dulma and Beryani. Yum. I may be spelling them wrong. Our hosts took some photos of the festivities. When I get a copy, I'll add the photos and some recipes!

For now, I think I'll sign off and do some Sunday School prep for the AM. I hope you're all well and have a wonderful Lord's day tomorrow.

Love,
Rachel

Mother's Day Out

I'm sure the above title conjures up a totally different image than what my "Mother's Day Out" was. Many women drop their kids off for discounted childcare and run errands, do spring cleaning, etc. I remember the days that I wanted to catch a breath and remember what it was like to be an adult. Now, I long for days to catch a breath and remember what it was like to be a stay-at- home mom. Don't get me wrong. I'm home most of the time even now. But, I do work a full-time job from home. So, it gets interesting. And I miss playing with my kids.

So, today, we left home at 10AM, played at a friend's house, had a picnic lunch at the park, went to guitar lessons, went swimming with friends, and headed home for dinner with Daddy. I think everyone is a bit tired. 7.5 hours of running around would probably wear out anyone. Though, two of my kids are still up, reading in their beds. So, apparently, I am just getting old and tired!

Part of my "Mother's Day Out" was to play with my kids. Part of it was to allow Tom some free time to work on his latest writing project. I'd share an excerpt, but I haven't been granted permission...yet.