Summer brings good friends and warm memories

Well, it is officially summer around here, and summer is meant for sharing the warm weather and time away from busy schedules (in theory) with family and friends. We are in full swing here at the Lucas camp. Last weekend we were blessed with a visit from some wonderful friends who just happened to be old neighbors. It seems like just yesterday that Dana and I met at the park and we had four children between us. The oldest ones were barely four and the youngest was just weeks old....and then there were 8. It still amazes me. The kiddos pick right up where they left off, as usual, and it is just like old times once again (only we can no longer borrow butter).

Team Lucas and Team Edmisten :-)

Maia and Landon

Boys will be boys (they had lots of rough-housing to catch up on).

Austyn does love Miss Maia.

Everyone takes a turn at Baggo or Cornhole, or whatever it is called in your region.

Dana and I decided we would always have to be friends, because we just know too much. :-)

Stevo sneaks in a hug for the princess. They both had such a good time playing and watching all of the activity. We truly enjoyed their visit and were thrilled that they finally made it to our home. Thanks Edmistens. We miss you so much.

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Happy Birthday to my sweet nephew, Ethan!

Ethan and Too Too (my sister) blessed us with a last minute visit to celebrate Ethan's 11th birthday and his big 5th grade graduation. We are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished in his elementary years. He is quite the scholar and has really matured into a fine young man. Kudos, Master Ethan. Mel and I stayed up late every night and did what sisters do :-) I love the way she just drops everything and hops in the car and drives 4.5 hours just to see her baby sister (that's me). You won't find a more loving, selfless sister in all the land (don't think for a second I couldn't have killed her growing up,though).

Two days later we rose at 430 am to send Miss Austyn off to youth camp in Hilton Head, SC. She was so excited. She had good reason. She has an excellent youth group and the camp is put on by some of the finest men of God you will meet (Dr. Danny Akin and James Merritt, for those of you familiar with local pastors). Funny thing, though: I missed her as soon as the van pulled away. She has gone to camp before and I missed her, but this time was different. It was as if part of me was leaving. Silly, I know, but I really like her and enjoy her insight and company. It started me thinking about the precious time we still have left to spend with her while she is home...

Silly girls: Landon and Helen took a break after tennis camp to swim for a bit. It has truly been a busy first week of summer. We have had four ballgames, one practice, Adventure camp, Youth camp and tennis camp all in one week.

Even Stephen and his best bud, Christian, were busy at preschool story time at the library. It was a first time visit for both boys and don't think for minute we didn't get misty. You have never seen two prouder mommas when those two boys sang "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" and stood among their tiny peers.

We are off to make some more memories...you coming?

Camp Lucas

This summer has been abuzz with all sorts of visitors, and I have tried to keep this blog updated with the latest guests at Camp Lucas. Needless to say, I am a little behind.

Here, once again are the highlights. That is what I am known best for: capturing the moment in brief clips. I talk in novel form, and yet, my documenting or blogging is usually as brief as possible, because, honestly, I stink at just giving the facts. Ask anyone who knows me and is a "bottom liner"...it really annoys these people when they want a Reader's Digest version of an answer. So, anyway, here's the RD version of the past few weeks.

First came a visit from my dear friend and old neighbor Dana and her husband Jeff. This was their first time visiting our home since we moved away last June. They were on a childless (what is that like?) vacation and came for an overnight visit on their way to pick up two of their children from their grandparents in a nearby town. It was wonderful to see them both and to finally get to really visit. We had a great time and laughed a lot. Dana was intrigued by the military town and all of its novelties. She took a photo of the "pardon our noise" sign that I mentioned in the July 3 entry and another photo of "Saigon Sam's" which has significance to her right now, but I am no allowed to say why just yet..*insert wink*

Jeff and Dana

I sure do miss my friend. Lord knows how much butter, sugar and canned goods we swapped over the years, not to mention all of the stories we have tucked away. Our kids grew up together on that street and Wilson still cries himself to sleep sometimes wanting to play with Casey, her youngest son. Jeff and Dana are also in the process of adopting. They have been waiting for a daughter from China for almost two years now. The wait for a referral from China has gone to an estimated three years right now. Press on, my friends..."faithful is He who calls you,and He will bring it pass". You WILL one day hold your Aliana Grace. If you are interested you can check out their blog in the sidebar and learn more about Chinese adoption and their story.

What did I say about abbreviated versions?

Is this a mug shot?

My nephew came the next day to stay at Camp Lucas for a week. I am not sure he knew what he was in for. Being an only child and then being thrown into a lively household of Lucases may not have been what he bargained for..He loves his cousins and they love him, thankfully, they will grow up just the way my sister and I did with our cousins....thinking of each other as siblings and acting that way..fights and all. We have one cousin in particular that our kids call Aunt just like she was one of our sisters. I truly hope this generation will remain close and help each other along the way..goodness knows there are enough of them!

Ethan did great being away from his mom (my big sister) for the first time ever. Most of the week he slept in the spare bedroom, but the last few nights, he crawled into Landon's bed. He said it was because her bed was more comfortable, but I suspect he was getting a spot of what my friend calls "that camp feeling".

Oh, we did have one more visitor while Ethan was here, but he was NOT invited!

This little guy attached himself to the upstairs bathroom window. We had a full blown science project and front row seats to boot! He ate at least four bugs while we watched. Too cool.

Take me out to the water park

While Amelia was here visiting we spent one of the days at the Jungle Rapids Water park in Wilmington. The kids (big and small) had a slippery and soaking wet wonderful time. My crew certainly misses having access to a swimming pool. The ocean is great fun, but just not the same for frolicking and relaxing. Guess that means we have to make some arrangements next year..huthem.Bathing Beauties!

I can't believe Wilson stood still long enough to let Jon cover him in SPF30!

But I am sure glad he did!

He would have never caught him again. Wilson was in hog (hawg) heaven!! This was just before he stood up on the raft and plunged into the water.

Who is having more fun? The girls or big J?


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Suffice it to say, the waterpark is one good way to insure a quiet ride home.

And a quiet night...........

Visiting with family

What a thrill to spend the week with my mom, my sister and my nephew this past week. It is always fun to rock on the front porch and sip coffee with my two favorite ladies, not to mention how much Wil loves having Ethan around to sword fight and x-box with...

Mom and Melissa at the NC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores

We stayed busy and got little to no sleep, but it was time well spent. I really miss them since we have moved and it was nice to just have them here. Her birthday is Saturday and my sister her and I got her a pair of Zebra finches, which she appeared to adore. They were simply adorable and sang with us on the deck each morning. They are appropriately named Beethoven and Olivia (Newton-John). Keeping the cat from devouring them was a daunting task at times...we were so glad they made it through the week. Birds are just another way the Lord gets glory, because they are such majestic creatures (and such messy ones!!).

Old fisherman never die....

Jon took the boys out for some swimming and fun fishing in the Inter coastal Waterway. Apparently, most of what they caught were "mini-me's" for Jaws!

If you look closely you can see the Emerald Isle bridge in the background and the blood dripping from Jon's fingers from that blasted creature (for the 2nd time that day). I can already hear the boys recanting the story in their "What I did this summer" papers!

Austyn and Landon on the ferry from Cedar Island to Ocracoke Island

The wind was blowing so hard on the way back that the kids had to hold on to their flip flops, literally. The view from the ferry was breath taking as we pulled into the harbor. One visit to Ocracoke and I am a fan for life. We are already planning a return trip and sought advice from the man who owns the Tradewinds Bait and Tackle on the Island about when to go and where to stay...of course we trust him, he is an NC State graduate.

Captured a moment from the car window at Silver Lake on the island.

The Happy Campers

This week Wilson is attending an adventure camp put on by our city recreation department.He is having a blast with 20 other 7-8 year olds. They have been to a challenge course, laser tag, ice skating, horseback riding and will visit the aquarium at Fort Fisher and Jungle Rapids Water park. For those of you who know Wilson, this is so totally up his alley!

Wilson on day three of camp...ice skating and the nature center. I don't think he was quite awake enough to be photographed.

While the camper is away...the girls will play. Austyn and Landon were certainly not left out of the fun. They saw an opportunity and seized the moment.

We have had a wonderful time doing girl stuff!

The lady giving Landon her pedicure is named Julie. She is a hoot(!) and was teasing the girls the whole time! We laughed alot and I laughed harder at them trying to be polite when they weren't quite sure what she had said in her strong Vietnamese accent. Julie is very bright and quite witty and I enjoy chatting with her. We have talked about various topics including her views on adoption of Vietnamese children and her journey to America. I have tucked away some pieces of the gospel here and there as well....

TADAAAAAA!

We finished our girls day with a little shopping and a Japanese style lunch with daddy. The girls loved it and are already planning another day...Father's Day shopping in Wilmington and a movie. *smile*

Signs of the Season...

There are a few clues around the Lucas house this time of year that are a sure reminder that Spring has sprung and Summer is on its way..................

Here is our first culprit. Four tiny Kildeer (spelling??) eggs in our backyard..on the GROUND no less. This brave mom decided Chaya (pooch) and Stella (feline) were no match for her, and she meant it. She would chase them out of their own turf in nothing flat. It was enough to alert the cavalry if she was really miffed. You might be able to make her out in the photo...just disregard the yard...grass just won't grow well in this sand! We have thoroughly enjoyed our personal WildKingdom.

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Here is our second clue....

Can you smell it? It is one of my favorite smells of all time..


It is the smell of the fresh dirt disturbed only by a batter in the box or a player in the field!

Nothing thrills my soul like seeing my children enjoy one of my greatest childhood memories:

The Ballfield.The Game.The Dirt.

The back of Wilson's jersey says Buffalo Tire. Jon got a huge kick out of the cheap advertising!
Softball and baseball in Jacksonville are a wee bit different than they were in Indian Trail. I have mentioned this to a few of you, but I have to admit, I am not sure which is better for the kids. Here, the kids play for the Recreation league which is funded by the city and is considerably cheaper ($35.00 for both of them to play=total). The problem is that the competition is not nearly as steep here. For example, t-ball here does not keep score,record outs or allow a player more than one base at a time. I can assure you this is making Wil's blood boil. We have had some "hang in there, chin up talks". Then, for softball they are using a machine which is good, but apparently it is not a very hot topic and competes with a huge soccer population. Most of the parents have NEVER seen a painted helmet and thought Landon must be hot stuff since she sported one with her name. Those of you from IT know that you wouldn't be caught dead borrowing someone else's helmet and if you did, their mom was beside herself that your kid had theirs on her head after she paid all of that money!LOL!