Happy Birthday Rosie amongst other things

 Happy 14th Birthday, Rosie! 

 Reminds me of Little Lulu

 Missing a couple teeth, both fell out the same day.

 Bit of a precarious situation!

 Hill Billybo

 Fried bug... found outside... we didn't fry it.

 Boys were out in the sailboat on another lovely evening.

 How handy! a potty chair next to a drawer with band aids. I always wondered about children who had this thing for band aids as none of mine were like that... until #12. Just think what would have been missing in my education of raising children if I hadn't had 12!

 We are busy prepping our school for 2015-2016... messy project.  Here Kili is using the end of a tripod as his gun and holding his shield.  I believe his head is cocked as he is "looking through" the gun.

 I took the 3 stooges to the local Ag Fair, where they bought themselves tickets for the rides with their birthday money.

 Bilbo and I stood on the level ground laughing our heads off as these 2 went on this crazy ride.

 I guess they were happy about it.

 Picture taken on our way home from choir practice of a storm that was over Rockford. It was absolutely continuous lightning.

 Gross invention.  "NoseFrida"  I will admit I laughed right out loud.  I think I'll stick with saline.

 No joke. This is how they walk the dog back to the kennel.

 corn and sunflowers are up!  (well obviously, it's mid-July) but the sunflowers are blooming and what the cows-whose-one-purpose-is-to-get-out-of-the-pens have left us of our sweet corn we will be enjoying soon.

 I drove Frodo and Merry up to a traditional Catholic camp with the Institute of Christ the King and back again this past week.  I was blessed to attend the closing Mass and ceremony.

 They are divided up by teams.

 The campground is at a wonderful couple's house which is set up ideally for camping out and holding a splendid camp.  Living Truth in Charity.  Can't be that "theme"!

 Fire pit

 This outbuilding is where they set up their chapel, complete with choir loft!  There were lovely musical instruments played and beautiful chanting.  The homily was most excellent. The priest began by mentioning 2 men who had helped at the camp in the past years who have since "left the fighting Church on earth" (what a great phrase!).  One man I wasn't familiar with the other was Mr. Michael Rogan whose soul and family we had prayed for after their tragic accident on the way to deliver their 8th baby (Go Fund me here: http://www.gofundme.com/rogan).  The priest went on to make 2 points: 1.  departure from this earth is a reminder that when the whistle blows you better be caught doing what you are suppose to do!  "Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come, he shall find so doing" (luke 12:43). He spoke of how Mr. Rogan died bringing his wife and children to the hospical to deliver the new baby and praying the rosary on the way when he was taken from this earth. He then gave the example of St. Ignatius (or maybe it was another saint and excuse my poor words here)) who said that if it was recreation time and he was playing a board game and Our Lord came, he would not get up and hurry to some other job because he knew he was doing, at that moment what he was suppose to do. Even enjoying recreation at the right time is one's duty. However, shame will be yours if you waste your time instead of doing your duty.  The 2nd point was that we mourn those who leave in the Sign of Faith. We are in dark times and are face to face with the awful truth of the endangered species: MEN.  (strong men of Faith).  And how they will be hunted down as part of the endangered species to remove you (and into the worldly).  Don't trust in the strength of body but lift the soul to God in prayer.  Avoid the temptations of discouragement and be enticed with soft temptations.  Rally behind St. Michael. Quis ut Deus!  Of course this priest had much better words.

After Mass was the closing ceremony and the team winnings.  Following that were the thank you's. At this point they had just finished thanking the cooks and the boys men all stood up and clapped like crazy.  Cracked me up, having 6 boys of my own.

This camp was such a blessing! The boys came back very tired, achy and happy.  This week (as in tomorrow) I will bring 4 of the girls up for the girls camp.