A *new* Sandy Lake

Sandy Lake took on many changes over the past year.  In a physical sense its had a total yard transformation and it looks amazing.  The nearly toppled over retaining wall came down last fall and a new boulder rock wall and beach were put into place.  The deck that stood for 35 years was torn down and a paved patio was put in.  The dark and cold sidewalk was ripped up and a beautiful paved sidewalk was put into place.  There are many other small landscaping touches that have been put into place making it look better than it has looked in years-she deserved a big huge makeover.

The other change isn’t as visible to the passerby in the nearest pontoon.  The golf cart that strolls down the dirt road to the beach won’t notice it either.  This change comes with the loss of my mom.  The cabin was purchased 36 years ago by a young couple who had just a little bit of money, a whole lot of a love and a big dream.  They made that cabin into something special just by being in it.  Kate and I spent every single summer growing up on the shore of Sandy Lake.  As told best by parents “Kristie was born on a Tuesday in July and at the cabin on Saturday.”  We knew no other life-and we grew to know we were lucky. 

My kids don’t have many memories of Grandma at Sandy Lake, either does my husband.  But Gary, Kate and I have so many memories that at times this summer those memories are raw. They have become what one minute we hold on to feeling so close to her, and the next what you try to push away because it is just so hard. I remember my parents one vacation they would take each year—70 miles north to Zimmerman.  To the little white cabin with red shudders, four down from the landing.  I remember my mom and forever cabin neighbor Alice sitting in the water sunbathing.  I remember the cold can of pop they would squeeze into can coozies every Saturday afternoon.  I remember the 2:00 pig-out we would all partake in.  Sandy Lake, and the neighbors that surrounded our cabin, became family. 

We’ve made some pretty drastic changes to things at Sandy Lake this year.  Things that were much needed and a few things that were just an added luxury.  Gary is spending most of his time tending to the cabin and it makes us so happy knowing he is at home, with my mom spiritually by his side, tackling his daily to-do list.  The place looks beautiful and is so welcoming its been hard to stay away.  The new memories that are being made are a little bit harder to swallow as these are memories that won’t hold my mom.  Some of my very first memories of my mom take place down on the shore of the lake as she laid in her lounge chair in just a few inches of water to help her stay cool… 

The girls continue to love lake life.  The sand and water are perfect for filling up buckets and building castles and mudpies.  Mallory loves jumping off the dock and the way she runs down the dock and bounds off the end makes me smile wide.  I remember many sunny afternoons doing the same thing alongside my sister  as we chanted “One for the money. Two for the show…”

With casting help from her dad, Mallory reeled in her first “big” fish.  She semi-willingly held it and Mikayla stood in the back and begged to touch it… 

Mikayla is brave in her own way and is “fearless” when she jumps off her end of the dock in four inches of water—we clap and cheer and she beams with pride. She is proudly keeping her swimsuit up on her own and her fashion sense on the beach tops the charts.

The boat hadn’t even been pulled from the dock and Mikayla was begging to go tubing with her sister. I tried to tell her it was going to go fast and that once it started she couldn’t just stand up and climb off—she wanted nothing to do with me trying to change her mind.  So in all her determination she did it. She climbed in her sister’s lap and when she wasn’t squealing with delight she was yelling “FASTER GWAMPA FASTER!” 

The summer is just about 1/2 over and we have many more plans to play our days away at Sandy Lake.  The sand is sure to be warm on our toes, the water refreshing and a new batch of memories to add to our story.

Lucky

Sometimes I take a minute to sit back and look.  To look is to see these two little girls that I am lucky enough to call my own.  A product of my husband and I, they have a little bit of each of us; from looks to personality they are made from love.  When I really step back, it nearly takes my breath away to realize how truly lucky I am to be living this life. 
We are blessed.

Two weeks down. Summer 2013

We’ve had two weeks of summer break and the weather is starting to turn around making it feel more and more like the Minnesota summer we are used to!  Our first full week of break had us thoroughly enjoying “Kingdom Rock VBS” at Five Oaks.  Our church home has been such a great cornerstone and being involved with VBS was a blast for all of us.  I wouldn’t be completely honest if I didn’t admit that I was hesitant on volunteering my only week of the summer that both kids have dual activities planned, but I was wrong.  I loved every day of it.  From the songs to the messages it resonated with all of us. 







We finished our last week of Bingo at Norris Square until the Fall.  We continue to enjoy staying in contact with both the staff and the residents and BINGO always seems to be hopping at the Hearth.  This place makes me feel close to my mom in many ways…


We also found just enough to time to squeeze in unscheduled summer fun.  We’ve spent some time with friends, had adventures just the three of us, and relaxed and played our afternoons away. 

Okee Dokee Brothers Concert!


Walking bridge across Hwy 61. I never would a thought a field trip would be “So Cool!” (uttered by Mallory when we reached the top)
  
A train passed by as we were on the bridge. 
We were able to stand right over the top as it zoomed by underneath.


Lazy rest time reading books on the neighbor’s hammocks.
One day I hope they realize, it doesn’t get much better than that…

Teachings

Inspired by a blog I stumbled upon, I began writing down things I wanted to teach my daughters as they grow up. Each one as heart felt as the next, it took me about a year to compile my own complete list of 50 thoughts for the girls.

1. You were loved before you were welcomed into our arms.

2. As sisters you will fight harder with each other than with anyone else in this world.

3. You will also love one another more than you can love a best friend.

4. Watch your bank accounts, doing so will make your dad proud.

5. Laugh at the little things

6. Be blessed by the simple things.

7. You can always come home. No matter how long it has been or what you have done.

8. We may not welcome what mistakes you’ve made, but our arms and minds will
always be open for understanding.

9. Marry a man who loves to play like a kid. I did and he has made one of the greatest dad’s in the world.

10. Always respect others, especially your elders.

11. Don’t follow the crowd if the crowd is hurting someone else.

12. Stand up for those that are different, as being different is what sets us up for great relationships.

13. Plant a garden…even if it is in a few pots on your front porch. When you harvest your produce, think of me.

14. Play the music loud and sing along. Singing makes you both feel better.

15. You heart will be broken by someone you think you love. I promise it will feel like a wide open wound, but it will heal. Cry on my shoulder and I will rub your back. And make you popcorn.

16. Be a friend by acting like the friend you want to have.

17. Girlfriends are the best therapy. Keep the good ones around.

18. Don’t align yourself with the mean girls.

19. Anybody who makes you feel like you are not good enough, girl or boy, is not worth it.

20. Remember this when you go on your first date; it’s your dad’s job to embarrass you. I promise this is just his way of dealing with the fact that you are growing up much too quickly.

21. Love feels different at 16, 25, and 32. When you are 16, love doesn’t mean giving your boyfriend your everything.

22. I will not judge you. Talk to me and I will listen.

23. I was a teenager once before as well. If you don’t believe me when I say I’ve been through what you’ve been going through, call Kristen, she was there.

24. You have angels watching over you, but this doesn’t mean you are indestructible.

25. Chocolate is great medicine.

26. Your dad will drop whatever he is doing to take you to a movie. Call him. You will both enjoy the afternoon date.

27. You don’t need makeup to be beautiful. God made your big beautiful blue eyes, and they are breathtaking just the way they are.

28. You never, ever deserve to be treated without respect.

29. If anyone who says they love you, raises a hand to you, turn around and leave.

30. Follow your dreams, get an education, do what makes you happy, but make enough money to pay your bills and put food on your table.

31. Come home on Christmas. Remember the warm feeling you get before we celebrate Christmas as a family and don’t ever, EVER forget it.

32. Always let me call you by your nicknames (peanut and baby). I promise I won’t do it in front of your friends.

33. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable or illegal situation with your friends, make up an excuse, blame it on me, do whatever you need to do to leave. I will pick you up, no questions ask.

34. Remember, the police will almost always find you guilty by association. See above.

35. Sometimes all you need is a good cry.

36. Most men won’t understand the need for a good cry. This is okay. Just make sure to spend the rest of your life with someone who, though may not understand it, will be there until the crying is over, just because you want him to.

37. Your dad and I don’t make up rules just to be cruel. We do it to set boundaries and keep you safe. You won’t fully understand this until you become a parent.

38. You are beautiful from the cowlick on the back of your head down to your crooked toe.

39. There was a time when your dad and I could protect you from almost anything. Telling you there was no such thing as monsters made you feel safe. I desperately want to remember those days.

40. Laugh. Laugh hard and often.

41. Find friends that make you laugh.

42. Be yourself. You are amazing just the way you are.

43. Get lost in a great book.

44. When you say “Thank You” or “I am sorry” remember to make eye contact and mean it when you say it.

45. Prayer is powerful. Turn to it when you feel troubled and grateful.

46. Whether you play softball or not, learn to throw the ball the “right” way. Not sure if you are doing it correctly, find your grandpa Crandall, and ask him.

47. Find time to carve out of your busy schedules to serve others. Not only will it help those in need, it gives a warm fuzzy feeling that is priceless.

48. Remind me that I was once a teenager. If I forget, or act like I don’t understand where you are at in life, have me call Kristen. She was there.

49. It takes a village to raise respectable individuals. Remember those adults we have surrounded ourselves with know what they are talking about. Listen to them-and don’t roll your eyes at them (or at us for that matter).

50. We brought you into this world surrounded by love.  There is nothing you can do to make that unconditional love go away.

Summer Vacation 2013. Here.we.go!

I wrote only two posts during September of 2012.  One summed up Mikayla heading to preschool and the other was written on the eve of school starting for Mallory.  Reading the summer recap, the day before we begin summer vacation 2013, was exactly what I needed to do. 

I wrote in just a few short words, “…But here we are with summer at our backs…it went by way too fast.”  And with that we have finished an entire school year.  First grade is done and once again you thrived.  You were a Daisy Scout in September and became a Brownie Scout in May. You sent a Grandma to heaven in February and quickly matured before my eyes each time you reassure your younger sister that we will see her again when it is our turn to enter Heaven. You were a guppy in swimming lessons in March and became a trout in April.  With the help of your sister you’ve filled up our Kindness jar 3.5 times since January.  You have said over and over this week “I can’t believe the year is almost over. I am happy and sad.”  You have my emotions and I can feel every word of what you are saying.  You love school.  You love getting up every morning and having that place waiting for you.  You love your teacher.  You love the routine.  You are sad that it is over.  However, you love playing outside.  You love riding your bike.  You are thrilled to have a few camps waiting for you to enjoy.  You can’t wait to swim at Sandy Lake.  You are excited to see Kentucky come home.  You are happy that this break is almost here.

We have many fun things planned.  For those many fun things planned, we have carved out just as much downtime.  Time for you and your sister to be together and play.  To eat on the deck.  To swing on the playground.  To feed the chickens and harvest the garden. To read on a blanket under a tree in the shade. To make up as many plays as you want to act in with Julia.  To camp in the backyard and roast marshmallows by the fire. To be seven. 

I will recap as the season wears on when time allows, but know that when these three short months are done, I will sit and remember on what summertime has done for us.

Let’s hope the sun shines and the weather warms up so we can enjoy our summer bucket list!  Congrats on being my favorite 1st Grade graduate.  Once again, you were awesome at exactly what we asked you to do—be the very best at being Mallory.  Love you to pieces, Peanut!

Hey Ladies

It started as a crazy dream that I shared with Brent. “Wouldn’t it be cool if we got chickens for our backyard!?!  We have plenty of space, a beautiful backyard, a huge garden!  It would be the perfect addition!” Brent wasn’t buying it…  I dabbled in some research, and slowly my crazy dream was turning into something that was sounding sort of appealing.

Then my friend Amy had four baby chicks dropped off on her doorstep and instantly she was thrown into the world of chicken raising.  Watching her clutch grow up, hearing and seeing as they grew, the idea was really starting to sound better.

Brent still wasn’t buying it….

They lay eggs! We eat eggs all the time! 
They provide great compost for the garden!
What a learning experience for all of us!

We had quite the song and dance when it came to the chicken discussions.  Multiple times the idea was tabled.  Not gonna happen.  But then…he bit.

But he wanted them WAY in the backyard where no one could see them and the coyotes would surely try and eat them.

And I wasn’t buying it…

We went back and forth and back and forth until we finally came up with a compromise.  Having done tons of research and knowing we didn’t have too many outdoor projects to complete this year, we decided to dive right in and start this year.

Two weeks later; a chicken coop (in a few boxes), a new chick heater, chicken feeder, chicken waterer and most importantly, four fuzzy baby chicks.

They arrived via air-mail and they were very noisy when we picked them up at the Post Office.  We shared a batch with Amy so after dropping her crew off at her house we quickly brought them home and introduced them to their new surroundings.  Lucy was the first to meet them and she was not-so-sure of this crazy idea.  She has since warmed up to the idea and tends to ignore the chicks all together.

   

The first month with the chickens has been a fun learning experience.  We moved them to their new home about 2 weeks ago and they warmed to the bigger space very quickly.  They grow every single day.  Whether its longer legs, bigger feet, or more feathers the changes happen rapidly.  They LOVE people. When they hear me call “Hey Ladies!” they pace in front of the wire wall and anxiously await what I may have to give them. 

They have grown from itty bitty fuzz balls that we were scared to step on, to nearly fully feathered, beautiful tiny chickens. 
 





Resting in the sun


Enjoying a snack

  

Spring? Recap

Normally a post in the beginning of May would leave me with plenty to talk about on how we are taking each afternoon and weekend and savoring the beautiful Minnesota spring.  Let this show that in 2013 we have had winter for nearly 6 months.  As a mom with two young kids, it has been nothing short of miserable.  I’ll be honest…my mood as a mom and my temper with my kids has been short.  I have needed many prayers for patience in the long cold weekend days.

I have been told by more than one person (and even more than 2 or 3!) that I haven’t been the best at blogging lately.  It seems as the kids get older, and our life stays busy, I am finding less time to use this as a creative outlet. 

Wanna Be Spring 2013 events:
Mallory is having fun doing activities and projects with Girl Scouts. Her Scout leader is amazing at tying all sorts of lessons on creating a strong community and serving others, while the girls have a blast learning.

The troop on a field trip to Gertens Greenhouse.
Not only did the girls learn a ton, this was a fabulous field trip for the adults as well!
  

Both girls are in swimming lessons and LOVING each and every week.  It hasn’t been that long since Mallory’s fear tried to overcome her, but she is doing tremendously and it is thrilling to watch.  Mikayla is most proud of her ear plugs—go figure.  She wanted nothing to do with putting her face and head in the water.  Once we introduced the earplugs she has turned a corner and enjoys blowing bubbles just like the rest of the kids.

     

Kate and I took a trip to Punta Gorda Florida to visit my dad, uncle and aunt.  They recently purchased a “Winter” home and we went down just a few weeks after the closing.  It was three weeks after my mom died and our emotions were still so raw.  It was a much harder trip than I expected, but seeing my dad in a warm environment, surrounded by family, golf, and SUN, was just what we needed.  It didn’t make saying goodbye any easier…  We are anxious to begin to make some family memories down there when the Minnesota winter rears her ugly head in just a few short months.

  

Though few and far between, we are starting to see some true signs of spring. The bikes and toys are being played with in the driveway.  The seeds we planted a few months ago are very very anxious to get in the dirt of the garden!