Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Celery Bog!

Over spring break the kids and I took a field trip to the Celery Bog! This was our first time going, we had plans to go last year over fall break but the road was closed and couldn't get there. We packed our lunches and left in the morning, the kids were really excited. Once we got there we went into the nature center to pick up our trail packets and started off down the winding path. I have come to the conclusion that I would completely useless if we ever got lost in an extra large wooded area, like a forest. Yep, I can scratch park ranger off my list of things to do!

The kids learned how to use a compass, read a map along with following the instructions as to where to go. I am just thankful we had the map to cheat and look from instead of having to rely on only the directions! Because believe me reading those directions was like reading a foreign language. Sure, a slight bend in the path, really! Obviously we survived other wise I wouldn't be blogging about it, but then again it has taken me quite awhile to get around to finishing this post!

The first check point we get too, such an easy find, we learned about how the celery bog came to be.
Then we ventured on the path again and came to this little landing to watch the ducks and other birds.
Moving along we had lunch and I found a tick crawling on Lillian's pant leg which was enough to get us up out of the grass. It was a good thing we were done eating, for the most part! Then we had to do a quick body check for ticks, thankfully none, ugh I cant stand those little things!

Then we ventured 15 miles out of our way, no just kidding it was more like 2 but felt like 15! I think at one point I did get a little nervous because the lady said it would take around thirty minutes to do. We sure passed the thirty minute mark! Then my map and directions were of no help, just stay on the path and it will take us somewhere. Thankfully we did see some people ridding their bikes and two other people running and a man in the middle of the trees! The man in the middle of the trees kinda worried me a bit! But of course after talking to him, he was a nice fellow.

Then we found the Man Eating swamp, which kinda scared me pieces! Is this thing really man eating, like bottom less, never ending! And if it was, why didn't they have a rail around the little bridge! Not to worry it wasn't but back in the day people thought it was.
At the last stop the information stated something along the lines of 'notice the trees above you' and Kyle mentions yeah they look like they are going to fall down on us! I was windy out and they did look kind of like they could fall! They only had tall and short trees, no medium sized trees and I can't tell you why, you would have to go there and figure that out for yourself! Once we finally made it back to the nature center alive the kids wanted to explore the place and watch the birds from inside!
We played frog checkers and I learned more about frogs than I ever wanted to know.
Lillian tried to touch some fossils
Over all the kids had a blast and we have decided we will go back once the trees have some green to them. Next time we may do the bird or flower adventure, where you have to find certain birds or flowers along the path. (Knowing our luck we may find poison ivy the next time, he! he! just kidding, or so I hope!) Blessings, Lisa

Monday, March 26, 2012

One Thousand Blessings


#626-235

626. Being able to walk to the library for story time in March thanks to the warm weather

627. The bird feeders the kids' made at the library

628. Watching birds come eat at our new bird feeders

629. Pretty little red birds

630. Bright red tulips

631. Lillian smelling the daffodils

632. Being called to volunteer at Kyle and Lindsey's school for a special event

633. Being able to fit into and wear a fancy dress I haven't worn in a few years

634. Watching how amazed Lindsey was at the Celtic Woman concert

635. Lindsey getting the chance to meet the singers from Celtic Woman, talking to them and getting their autograph

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Celtic Woman!

Oh my did Lindsey and I have such an Amazing time today, we went to see Celtic Woman live in concert! The first time we seen the advertisement on TV Lindsey begged to go, so I got online and seen how much tickets cost and yikes! Maybe a little more than what I wanted to spend for tickets, but now after going it was well worth it and more! We got to concert hall with about 10 minutes to spare found our seats and not long after it went completely dark and they started to sing one of our many favorite songs, 'Dulaman'. The look on Lindsey's face was priceless!

One of our favorite parts was before they sang 'Teir Abhaile Riu', Lisa Lambe was at one side of the concert hall and Chloe was five rows in front of us! During the intermission Lindsey and I bought a bag of skittles and bottle of water. Lindsey mentioned that she wanted to meet the girls and how cool that would be. I had to bring her back down from her dream world and explain to her that it isn't easy to meet celebrities like these ladies. As much as I would have loved to tell her yes we can meet them, I just didn't want her to get her hopes up for some that would be impossible!

We went back up stairs to our seats and sang along with 'Green Grows The Rushes'. The girls wanted the audience to learn the lyrics to sing along, it was quite comical. We watched an amazing drummer who had a standing ovation, a talented man playing the bag pipe and of course a wonderful finale. Once it was over Lindsey and I went to see if they had anymore tee shirts left, not in the size I wanted so we left. Once we come around the edge of the building we seen the semi trucks and people waiting by the caution tape. So I told Lindsey lets watch and see if we can see anyone come out! I handed Lindsey a pen and our tickets just in case someone came over she could have them sign it. First we seen the talented drummer come out to get in the bus.
So we waited some more, until we seen them! I was so giddy at this point, I felt half my age!They got on the bus and we all thought that was it, but it wasn't, they got back off the bus! Lisa Lambe came over to Lindsey and signed her tickets, asked her name told her that she look pretty in her dress and said a few other things I cant remember! (I was way to excited!) Isn't she a beauty inside and out! For her to take the time to talk with Lindsey and not just sign her ticket and move on was gracious, she didn't have to do that!
Then she met the newest member, Susan!
And then she met Chloe, she is so talented and Lindsey was really excited to met her!
I had my picture taken with Lindsey and Chloe.
Before we left I had Lindsey stand in front of their semi trailer!
We were so excited after meeting them, and Lindsey was so proud of her autographs. I called Chad and told him, actually Lindsey told him and he was in shock. This was something that we NEVER would have imagined. These women are such wonderful ladies and are the women that I want my girls to look up too. The concert was amazing, electrifying, comical, and beautiful. If they ever come back to this area again we will be there!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, March 19, 2012

One Thousand Blessings

616-625

616. Kyle, Lindsey and Jacob working on Lego projects

617. Kyle finishing his Lego car he got for Christmas

618. The lock on the refrigerator ice and water dispenser

619. Lindsey getting to play with her friend she hasn't seen for a few months

620. Getting new fabric in the mail

621. Lillian being able to wear a few of her dresses from last summer

622. Chad starting to put up our privacy fence in the yard

623. Borrowing a hole digger attachment for the Bobcat so we don't have to dig holes by hand

624. Buying Celtic Woman tickets to a concert for only Lindsey and I

625. Homemade rice crispy treats

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, March 12, 2012

One Thousand Blessings


#606-615

606. The anticipation of spring, even though it feels like spring already

607. Not having to wear a jacket outside

608. New running shoes

609. The difference that new shoes make while running

610. Kyle and Lindsey helping with a service project for the elders in the community

611. Running eight miles and not feeling worn out afterwards

612. Watching Lillian walk around outside around the playhouse

613. Getting my vehicle fixed and for it not costing a whole lot

614. Kyle and Lindsey being done with basketball for the season

615. Going on a bike ride for the first time this year

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, March 5, 2012

One Thousand Blessings


#596-605

596. Celebrating my birthday with Jacob as we will every year

597. A simple birthday dinner

598. Running 7 miles

599. A beautiful eulogy

600. A 21 gun salute

601. The sound of taps playing

602. Twenty four cousins all together

603. Getting to see family members that we haven't seen in a very long time

604. Knowing that we still have the last Christmas card from Chad's grandpa

605. Knowing that my children had a wonderful great grandpa and the time they had with him will be treasured

To learn more about One Thousand Blessings visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa