Bike Ride...It really sounded good at the time

Davian had been at soccer camp all week last week, and loved it! I really wanted to do something fun for his last day. So I thought it would be great if I packed up the bike and borrowed bike trailer to ride over to his soccer camp and pick him up.

So Tegan and I loaded up the "new" bike and trailer. (I bought the bike at GoodWill a couple of weeks ago, so it's new to me.) I also packed a picnic because I just knew that the kids would be hungry. Tegan and I drove over to a trail head not far from the house. I unloaded my bike, trailer and sweet Tegan. As I started down the trail to get Davian, I noticed a sign that said "Lewis Rec center 5.4 miles". Okay...5 1/2 miles I can do that. Then I started doing the math...I would have to come back to the car. I was starting to question the wisdom of such a ride. But, on we went.

The ride there was beautiful and Tegan was quietly playing with his cars in the trailer. I had to get off the bike and push up the hills in certain points. But we made it to the soccer field in time to pass out popsicles to the kids.

As we sat down to eat our picnic, I started running through the list of who I could call to come and rescue us from this crazy idea I had! Which of my friends was home and could come throw my stinkin' bike in the back of the SUV and drive us the 5 1/2 miles back to the car? But we have been trying to teach Davian not to give up when things are hard, so I knew that I had to ride back.

So on the bike I climbed. Man, I didn't account for Davian weighing almost 40 pounds, plus his soccer gear! But he's such an encourager, "You're doing good mommy!" "Keep going mommy!", "Why are you pushing again mommy?" "I am going to ask God for strength for you mommy!" After that one, I actually heard him praying and asking God to give me strength. I worked!

The ride back was tough but, I made it. About 1/2 mile from the end of the trail, Davian asked, "Mommy, when am I going to go with God?" Oh boy! My mommy instinct wanted to tell him something like "Not for a long time" or "When you're older", but that is not promised to us. So I told him, "When he is ready for you to go to heaven" knowing in my heart that I never want to see that day. We have had these questions before about where is heaven and how do I get there. We are as honest as possible. On this day I told him that he has to love God with all of his heart and ask Jesus to come into his heart, when he's ready, to go to heaven. We talked about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and asking Him for forgiveness for our sins. He said, "But Mommy, I already love God." "Well, Davian, when you are ready to pray, I will pray with you."

"I'm not ready today, maybe tomorrow." For a 4 1/2 year old, I will leave it at that, but how many times have I said that to God? Not today, maybe tomorrow? And yet, He waits patiently for me to let go of my pride and come to Him.

So, in the stillness of God's creation, away from the hum and busyness of the everyday things, Davian asked questions he wouldn't have had we been home. The 11 miles biking uphill both ways was worth every push of the pedal if the seed was planted in Davian.

Some of our favorite places

Good morning, Carol! I hope you enjoy your morning reading! Love you!

We have spent the past week very busy with trips to some our favorite places.

Last Thursday, Alison, Gavin, Julie, Will, Henry, Davian, Tegan and I piled in Ali's van and rode to the zoo! Gotta love mini-vans! This was the first trip to the zoo for Gavin and Henry, I think they liked it!

Gavin gives me his ever present smile!




Henry smiles for his mama behind the camera.

Will brought his binoculars and monocular along to get an up-close and personal look at the wild life. I wonder what strange and scary animal he's spotted???

Davian checking out the lions...

The weather couldn't have been more perfect. We enjoyed a rare day of mild temperatures and low humidity, yet after pushing a sit and stand stroller up the hills a girl just needs to cool off!

Children's Museum

The boys have been to this museum a bizillion times, yet they always find some thing new. This was the first time that they played in the amazing sandbox: complete with a catamaran and lighthouse. We were here for over an hour.

The boys love the kid sized train. It has a smoke stack that even smokes. Davian loves acting like the conductor.

Tegan loves the trains, too. But his station is the train table. He loves to string all of the cars together and zoom them around the track.

We have been having a wonderful time enjoying all the pleasures and activity of summers.

In an unrelated note, my mom's long-time friend just found out that she has a brain tumor. Please keep her in your prayers as she goes into surgery very soon!

Water guns

We have been having a lot of squirt gun fights lately. They are a covert operation with hiding places and top-secret tactics.
Here the boys are taking on enemy vehicles. :)


Tegan searching for his target, Davian.

Davian practicing his sharp shooting!

Very fun and refreshing on the hot days here!