Camp Ethyl

Hello, peeps. I have posted twice on the LPM blog since the last time I wrote here, in case you'd like to check them out. (Here and here.)

We had an awesome time at Springhill Baptist Church's youth camp - a.k.a. "Camp Ethyl." It was a very laid back camp and the grounds were much like a farm. They had an indoor gym with a volleyball net and tons and tons of balls for Jackson to play with. He got to go crazy in there when the teenagers were busy doing other things. I tried to get my husband to play volleyball with me, but I couldn't rip him away from the basketball for more than five minutes. So I pouted in the corner. I even offered to be his setter so that he could spike and show off in front of everyone. Guys love that. Y'all, it did not work!

Jackson had tons of fun playing with his new friend Ethan. Ethan is 20 months old and is the son of the church's youth pastor. They got along so well! It's always fun to be around a slightly older boy so I can get a peek at what I'll be dealing with in the near future. The rate of speed at which Ethan could run shocked me. I'm gonna have to be on my toes.

The highlight of the camp was the homemade water slide. It was like a giant slip 'n slide going down a steep hill and ending in a pool. Are you disappointed that I didn't say something spiritual? Well, talk to my son because he cannot sit quietly in worship or during a talk. So basically I tag along to enjoy camp food and catch up on my reading. (She's All That by Kristen Billerbeck was super cute and fun to read. I'm almost done with Bringing Up Boys.) Y'all, I'm just gonna lay it all on the line here. I hate being outside in the summer unless I'm immersed in water. It's just dreadful.

One very cool thing about the camp was that Curt's sister Lindsay and cousin Erin were there as sponsors. We enjoyed hanging out with them so much. Erin even babysat Jackson so that Curt and I could go with the group on a float trip down the Current River. How sweet is that? We had the best time. Curt lost his wedding ring in the river. That was pretty sad but we will get him a new one. I had it custom made and I wasn't happy with the way it turned out anyway. I have always wanted to get something else but Curt would have none of it. So the Lord just worked it out! It will make some scuba diver's day.

After camp, we headed to Springfield to spend a few days with Curt's parents. They are still living in the Harage, but their house is coming along nicely. The next time we go, we will have the huge bottom level of the house all to ourselves! I am so happy for my mother-in-law because her closet in the new house is every woman's fantasy. I almost cried when I saw it.

In Springfield we celebrated our nephew Gavin's birthday at a laser tag place. Jackson nearly hyperventilated over all the balloons he got to play with. We also had a cook out with the whole extended family on both sides. On the last night we went glow-bowling at Lighthouse Lanes. It was a big night, y'all. I have always been better than most guys at bowling. I can say that without having to confess pride because it is simply the truth. Back in high school I spent a whole summer bowling almost every night with all my friends. It was then that I developed what I like to call MAD SKILLZ. Curt has never conceded that I am the better bowler even though I have proven it time and time again. So that night he swore that if I beat him, he would once and for all declare me the Bowling Master. But God said, "Curtis I have loved, Amanda I have despised," and I lost. Maybe it was the pride after all. Curt stood a few inches taller at the end of the night.

I have more to say but I will save it for later. Remember how a month ago I said I had gotten a new laptop? Well, I thought I had, but it was just the printer box that had arrived. My new Dell finally got here today and it is a beast. It has a 17 inch screen! Out of control! I love it. You better believe I laid hands on this baby before I even took it out of the box and pleaded for God's anointing over it. Does God anoint computers? Someone may need to check my theology.