And finally, I get to talk about me. Yes, me. This is my personal home blog and from what I hear, it should have the occasional post about the owner of the blog. In fact, that's all I wrote when I was getting started. Now, it is so much easier to talk about a good cause or link to articles in other venues but today I have time.

Today, I sit here under the broad red awning by the pool at the YMCA enjoying a little peace and quiet as my daughter and her friend slide down the curling white slide and my other daughter enjoys a little freedom at the library. This is new for us. When do you let a child stay alone at the library and read to her heart's content? My daughter is 12 and I think it is time and she loves it.

I see moms around me reading and hanging out– no one so obnoxious as to have brought their laptop, except me. But, I love writing. This is my passion, my favorite past-time so why not?

Last week was a big one for us and very full. For the last 133 years, Mt. Olivet campground has been holding campmeeting where families used come by horse & buggy, drink from the fresh spring well and listen to inspirational preaching, nightly for a week.

Now, campers come to their cottages with friends in tow to once again soak in good ole' Jesus preaching, sing the traditional hymns, enjoy a few new songs, play in the creek, go tubing, shop nightly at the candy store and participate in a couple other family activities throughout the week. Every year, I am well aware by the end why people didn't live as long in the past. Scraped knees, stubbed toes, treks to the bathroom up the hill, treks to the well (which fortunately is very close to our cottage) for spring water and much more make this week a bonding one for those who participate.

The various review products I brought for the silent auction – especially the huge basket of Sun & Earth products — went over very well so I greatly appreciate the companies throughout the year who gave review products that allowed me to stash them away and take them with me to support our campground. 

My big job of late has been to run the little girls tea on Wednesday and ladies program on Thursday. It's a time to get out of grungies, spruce up a little and serve all the ladies of our campground. It is exhausting but very rewarding. Below are my girls in their new sundresses. Following are pictures from the cake baking contest held during the week among the "tween" population. Lindsey's group won most creative with the horse head made of crumbled cookies and a mane of shredded caramel cow's tails.

And here's the mixer I used to stir the cakes. (Came with the ancient cottage)

I first came to the campground as the girlfriend to my husband whose mom grew up attending the annual meeting her whole life. Her uncle was among the founders so many years ago. We have been going every year since during the last 16 years as we raised toddling children as his mother did before us. Campground knee is a standard for small children unused to the uneven ground.

Brian's big project has been to clear the property line, creating bridges and trails that make a lovely nature trail. He is so talented, I tell ya. I just love him more every day. Below are the pilings to an old boardwalk used to bring travelers from the railroad to the campground.

The end of the week comes so fast and most of us are ready to return to running water and A/C but as I said before, it is a bonding experience. People love or hate it. Here's our renovated cottage on the left end with the spring well gazebo on the right of the picture:

What I enjoy most is lying quietly in my bed, listening to the bubbling brook and cicadas outside of our windows, and knowing that in this simplicity with my family and dear Christian friends, that this is all I really need – right here – right now. Sometimes it takes the simple moments to recognize the many blessings granted to us by God. I find myself undistracted and filled with praise for the amazing things God has done for me. He loves me and equips me to do His will in all I do and I am so very grateful.