Dad’s having a hard time these days. We’ve known for a while that his driving was becoming an issue. We tried hiding his keys for the longest time. A month ago I anonymously reported my dad to the DMV. I felt like such the traitor for doing it behind his back but felt there was no other way. We felt that if he was going to have any anger/resentment from having his driving privileges taken away, it would be better for the DMV (a non-personal gov institution) to bear the brunt of his wrath rather than family, friends, or his doctor. We didn’t want to create an animous relationship with the people that care for him or for him to get suspicious or paranoid at those that care for him. It’s a hard that I can’t begin to describe. He starting to feel the depression of losing his independence. He said to me, ”I might as well just lie down and die.” He always feels so guilty and apologetic that I’m having to drive him to all his appointments. And of course, I just brush it off and say that I am so happy to spend extra time with him even though it might not be the funnest times and for him not to please think that way. It breaks our hearts to see him like this. He was always such the strong father-figure – a great provider and there for us in every way. And of course it has all these emotional repercussions for my mom as well who is with him all the time. She’s trying hard to be strong but I can see the pain/grief in her eyes. We just pray that despite these negative but necessary transitions my dad would have peace in his heart and would continue to trust us to help him.

The above was yesterday… today was a bit better. He was still bitter about the driving but at least he seemed more calm today. He needed more labwork so Jd5 (after I picked her up from kindergarten) and I escorted my dad who was very reluctant to go. My mom came too and I suggested we go to lunch afterwards. We had a great sushi lunch and even went to the Yogurtland next door (yay, no line!). While we were now all relaxed and laughing, I chided dad for being so ornery about something so necessary and promised to take him out to lunch everytime. They came with me to pick up the older two and we had a great time hanging out in the car watching Od7 and Jd5 run around on the field while waiting for Zs9 to come out (30 min later). They reminisced about our (my brother’s and my) childhood with tears in their eyes and said that 30 years ago seems like yesterday to them.

Family Camp has become one of our family traditions. This was our third year going and like previous years, we all had a great time.





We’ve gone in the past with our small group and this year we were glad to also have the H’s join us. (EH was a former student of Roger's years ago and we've been good friends ever since our kids were babies.)



We shared our cabin with them and so our kids and S, their son, had a 4-day never-ending slumber party…where they did little sleeping. They woke up playing and fell asleep playing. It just couldn’t have been more fun for them.























Oh and our team finally won the volleyball tournament after coming in a close 2nd the last two years! And in the process I learned something new about my husband after 13 years of marriage. The man plays volleyball! And he’s pretty good too! Who knew?! It was a wonderful surprise for me to play a sport together without the kids… Loooong overdue if you ask me.



The kids had a game going too. It was Zs9's first time playing.




The kids especially enjoyed all the regular outdoor activities (bike-riding everywhere, archery, giant tire swing, looking for frogs, climbing on gialnt boulder rock outcroppings, exploring). Pine Valley had a new climbing wall and all four got to climb and liked it – even Os4! Zs9 is a natural climber. He climbed all the different faces fairly easily.







I loved that the kids were able to worship with us in the morning before being dismissed to their classes. They were up front and center and got to play the shakers and other percussion instruments along with the band.



Aside from the recreational fun and adventure, we also greatly enjoyed the spiritual messages on speech, contentment, and gentleness. The last one on gentleness really hit home for me as Roger and I have some big gut-wrenching emotionally-charged decisions to make.

The kids participated in the Families in Review talent show on the last night. Many kids sang, danced, hulaed (sp?), and put on skits. Jd5 sang a solo with Roger accompanying her on the guitar and all four kids sang a goofy song about “a fat controller’s railway” from one of Os4’s beloved Thomas Tank videos. I know- not such a great choice but it was the only song Os4 wanted to sing and it was important to me that they all participate. We’ll have to think it through a little better next year. ☺