Jam, Jam, and more Jam!

I've made more jam this summer than I ever have...and I don't even have a garden this year!

First I made strawberry jam with all the strawberries we picked at a local patch. It disappeared in a hurry!

Then our sweet friends invited us over to pick apricots from their laden tree. Because the apricots were so ripe, it was quick and easy to pit them. I used maple syrup to sweeten it. It's quickly disappearing, as well!

As we were leaving they said, "Hey, take some rhubarb! All the rain has made it grow like crazy!" So we picked a little rhubarb and I thought...I bet I can make jam out of this, too! So I found a recipe and loosely ;-) followed it to make Orange Rhubarb jam. Also delicious! Many mornings Anna will have toast with all 3 kinds of jam!

I definitely miss gardening, but it seems that we've been extra busy this summer (I'm not sure with what??), so it's been a little bit of a relief not to have to spend hours in the garden...even though that's one of my favorite therapies. Next year, hopefully, I'll be back in the garden!

4th of July

We started the morning off EARLY since Aaron ran the in 15K Freedom Run. He did awesome, finishing 6th overall and first in his age division!

I had to wake up everyone but Isaac to go watch him finish his race!

It was such a beautiful morning, so we went back down to the lake after breakfast. Grace loved riding the train!

Then it was back home for a late lunch and mandatory naps for everyone! I'd say Jacob had a good nap, if his hair was any indication!!

Then we went out to Ponderosa Trails to grill steaks and shoot off fireworks! The mosquitoes were awful until I pulled out my Young Living Citronella oil and slathered it on everyone and put a few drops around us on the deck! It was a fun evening...so much so that I didn't take any pictures!

Anna is 14!

We started the morning off with a bike ride to Clive's for a late breakfast.

Then we decorated the house while she was confined to her room (which she hated because she was reading a book. haha!). When she came out, everyone sprayed her with silly string! Then she opened her gifts from all of us over lunch when Aaron was home.

I took Grace to Dollar General and she picked out a notebook and some pens for Anna.

Jacob had me order this blanket off Amazon and paid for half of it. Anna thought it was hilarious.

Isaac gave Anna one of his stuffed animal horses.

 Then we had the neighbor kids over for a cherry spitting contest! It was fun and the littles ended up covered in cherry juice.

For her birthday supper, she chose Olive Garden.

 And she got a free dessert, which she did NOT have to share with her siblings! 

The next weekend, we celebrated with my family at Ponderosa Trails. Binga (my mom) painted her a Gypsy Vanner (her favorite horse)! It's beautiful and Anna loves it.

 It is so hard to believe she's 14 already. She's off at horse camp this week. Next week she'll take her learner's permit test (with much protesting) and will be driving!! 

She is sweet and patient with little ones (except her siblings! haha).

She is smart and strong and STUBBORN. I'm not worried about anyone taking advantage of her...she's not scared to fight (just ask Jacob) or stand up for what's right.

She is organized and loves structure and routine, which challenges this disorganized, unstructured Mama!

She basically has a photographic memory for words and random facts. She knows about all there is to know about dogs and horses (and other random animals).

Most importantly of all, she loves Jesus. We are so blessed (and challenged!) to be her parents!!!