ACT ONE
Her mother's heart wanted her children to experience the outdoors and she knew only one way for her city children to fully experience it would be to go camping. Her "city-slicker" husband wasn't so sure, but he jumped into the adventure with her compromise. No tent camping, it would be with a hybrid of both - tent and camper.... a pop-up camper, with ice cold A/C, a small kitchen, and beds to sleep 7. Her delight in dishes had begun even back decades earlier and she furnished her camper kitchen with a set of camping dishes. They would take their five children around the country....now old enough for her to handle in the outdoors...ages 13 down to 1.
 |
| Curly-headed child in left corner is now 16 and loves the outdoors. Yes, our only girl. |
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| City-slicker hubby rolls up his business sleeves to learn to set up a camper. |
Intermission - Life 101
Life came with teenager sports, graduations, engagement, marriage, an addition to our family with number 6 and other curve balls. The camper didn't make it through life's transitions and camping became a past memory. Curly-haired boy grew up with a delight for the outdoors and the youngest hadn't experienced overnight stays under the stars. Time for the mother to rethink her "I will Not" and compromise.
ACT TWO
She wrestled with the past while looking at the present. Her desire for her youngest two boys to experience the outdoors as her older four won over her reservations of tent camping. She would eat her words again...but somehow each time she ate her words, she was fulfilled in a new way. So she loaded the car. "City-slicker" husband gave in also...and off they went to camp.
The delight and wonder is worth all the effort and discomfort that camping can bring.
The joy of seeing God's creation is priceless.
Ben said, "you mean they let all the animals in?" He couldn't grasp that he could just watch the animals without them being in a cage. All of our nature hikes and lake adventures still didn't compare to being right out in the elements for three days and two nights.
My son in his element....so worth the compromise. This mother is still learning to compromise and eat her words that were so short-sighted.
Benjamin took some "beautiful" pictures of nature...he said, "here,,, this is for your blog so they can see how beautiful it is." Stay tuned... The Play continues....the end hasn't come yet.
32 Joining in with more words:
I love this post. First the pics are great...but I've never been a fan of camping. Yet....the kids....want them to experience nature...like you...one day...maybe...out in the woods...sleeping under the stars. Way to go Janette....and in the words of Justin Beiber...never say never!!!
I am so thankful for the times we took the girls camping. They are some of their favorite memories. Great pictures.
What beautiful pictures! I love that your son suggested you use his pictures on your blog. [o= You all looked like you had a great time. I LOVE that hat! And I have to ask what in the world is going on with your son upside down in the hammock? LOL
I wished I could get my hubby to take us camping. I think I will ask him again. My second is graduated now and is planning to move out at the end of the month. ((sigh)) I would love to have that memory with him before he fly's the nest.
Blessings and ((HUGS))
In Him<><
-Mary
It looks like so much fun. We did the same thing with all of ours too. It was the only way to get them away from city life and into nature, living in the city.
I love all the pictures, It looks like you had a good time.
No AC? Are you miserable or staying comfortable? Love that you have gotten back to this memory-making activity that the boys are loving so much!
Hi Janette, I love this post! Hubby and I have tent camped since our girls were little(I loved it because he did all the cooking)but now that I'm 60 and still need to get up to go to the bathroom at night, a motorhome is more my style-even a pop-up. However, we've only used a motorhome once(it was our daughter's)and now face tent camping again. While I love being out in nature the ground is getting harder.
So glad you learned to compromise.
Hugs, Noreen
I am taking lessons from your attitude!! How great, to just go and do it! I've never been anything but a Marriott camper, so this just fires me up to try something new!! :)
What a great mom you are.
My husband comes from a camping family...did it all of his life until he married me. I've never been and have no desire to start now, but I am very glad you and yours are having fun!! Thanks for sharing these sweet pictures of your precious family.
Hugs!
Love your big hat!
Such fun! What a good life, right?
I love the outdoor smells so much. I can hardly wait to stay in an old cabin on an island, with my four siblings! That's in a few weeks. We took our four kids to Young Life camp every summer (Bill had to work there and loved it, but we goofed off!) I'm so grateful!
Janette,
I so love the outdoors, but want to be able to run and and shower and clean up whenever I want.
Looks like a great trip, though.
Wow! Kudos to you, Janette. Clearly some of the rewards are immediate! I wish I'd eaten more words while our kids were still at home!
Glad you guys had fun!
Glad you guys had fun!
Loved this. Touched my already emotional heart today. Hope you are doing well. Nervous about this next week so I have not done well eating well this week. Have thought of you often and prayed for you each time. We have a huge tent that the girls and I have not slept in yet-just the boys for Cub Scouts-I think when Brandon is well again we will camp out in it-even if it is only in the back yard. Love ya
Hugs
Jill
Oh, I think camping experiences need to be had by all. I certainly had my share as I was growing up. It was called "primative camping" and it was out of necessity because we could not afford to stay in a motel when I was a child. But, I have such memories!
Great photos and I can't wait to hear the "rest of the story."
I love the photos, Janette. It looks like everyone had a great time. I've done tons of tent camping and have finally graduated to an RV. Love it. Of course I grew up camping with my folks. We spent three months at a time out in the wilds of eastern Oregon where my dad worked. To be close to him, we camped near by every break from school. I loved it, and soon, when I retire, my husband and I plan to repeat those long trips. I love seeing your photos. Beautiful spot to spend three days and two nights!
Give me a nice camper of some sort with a bathroom and a small shower then we will talk about being in the wilderness.
Recipe for eatting your own words, sprinkle them with sugar.
You are doing very well!
I will stay tuned for the next acts, for sure.
What a good mom you are! Love the photos and most of all, you sharing your family time and memories. I was always a reluctant camper but went along with it for Steve and the girls. We have some wonderful memories. I'm thinking we need to take the grandkids......
Came over to catch up and find out the latest about you and your family.
This post, and the one before it, brought so much delight to my heart as i read. I share your joy, and really, was blessed about the story of 4th born son. Such an encouragement, when other young men his age are growing up spoiled and me centered.
Thanks for sharing.
Love
Lidia
MyMom gave me some advice many years ago, "never say never".After working my grandparents farm during summer vacations, I declared I would never marry a farmer! I Did and am so glad. Your vacation looks heavenly, and I will be looking forward to the pictures that our dear farmer/rancher took!
I am always awed at how God orchestrates our life, and how He must sit on His throne smiling when we compromise to suit His plans for our life instead of for ours!
Enjoy your day.
Much love, Sue
Growing up, the only way we could afford to take "big" vacations was to camp. I'll never forget the year we went from Austin to Florida and back -- 14 days, pitching the tent in a new place 11 of those days. A few times we rented a pop-up camper -- and on those trips, I was most definitely a happier camper! I'm thankful for many of the memories, but I still admit: camping is NOT my thing! What a great Mom and Dad your kids have. :-)
You HAVE arrived, girl! A personal photographer for your blog posts? Now that's VIP stuff.
I have eaten so many words in my lifetime that I can now make them into appetizers, entrees, desserts, etc.
I can sure see why you've changed your camping perspective. Beautiful!
What a beautiful picture, beautiful writing, and I love the heart of motherhood. Thank you.
What fun...motherhood its all about compromise isn't it? We camped for years while my sons were growing up, then sports and band took over and camping stopped. My husband asked me the other day if I would ever consider camping again but I'm not sure my 50+ body could sleep on an air mattress again. So glad you had fun..Benjamin taking pictures for your blog was too cute
Just about as wonderful of a post as it can be. I loved the memories you prompted of our family camper vacations back in the 70s. We NEVER did it with our girls. I wish that we had done it just once. Sigh.
My favorite part of all is Act 2. I loved how you turned certain phrases like swallowing your words and being fulfilled. Just plum wonderful.
It sounds like the four of you had a WONDERFUL time.
Very spunky, Janette. Very spunky indeed!
Beautiful sights of the outdoors! As a family we did not do very much camping either - it slipped away with the rate race of getting thing (stuff) done - the daily life of living.. and we (me) loves the outdoors "BUT" I don't enjoy the tent part of it at ALL! So the RV is where you would find me if we went camping now a days --- the tent is SOOOOOoo not coming into this women's life. if I can help it! wink!
Hugs, for a happy day!
I'm so glad you went camping! I love the photos from years ago and then ...now. There's something so amazing about being in the outdoors and experiencing God's creation.
Love,
Debbie
Well, I am super impressed that you would go tent camping in this season of the year!!! BUT, there's nothing like the outdoors (for me anyway) to soothe and refresh my soul. NO matter how hot it is. You all look like you had a great time!
oh, and that hat! I am glad you are protecting that beautiful skin!!!!
Janette, first I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words, your special prayer and for always being such an inspiration. I can't thank you enough.
When the kids were little on vacation, I would take them to the woods to "Be Still and know that I am God." Their dad would take them to Disneyland. I haven't camped out in years... but, reading these posts, I remember... the Majesty of His Works. Thank you. blessings ~ tanna
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