thieves, amusement parks, and blistered feet....

I thought it would be only fair to share the "big" picture...Camille took this of me today at the canal park.

We walked and walked, Paul and Sonja and I with Suri, while the three youngest rode bikes.

My feet have blisters on the bottom. We went to the amusement park yesterday, and had a BLAST. I won't bore you, but oh my it was fun. I went on over a dozen rides, and screamed with the kids! We spent some time in the waterpark, lazed on the lazy river, played in the wave pool, and went down a huge waterslide in a raft. I get very queasy and dizzy on some of the rides, and have to take a break...

And...someone broke into our car and stole stuff while we screeched and screamed in the park. Harumph. My beautiful new purse...new to me, anyway. It was so nice...coral colored, lots of handy pockets...I got so many compliments on that purse, and it was only $4.99 at the thrift store. I can't just go replace it, it would be expensive to buy new...and of course the stuff IN the purse, like my 99 cent Dunkin coupon, that was reusable and good for the month of August, for any size iced coffee. wah. And some cash. And my checkbook. Yeah, we had to go to the bank today and fix stuff up, close out the account so the thief can't cash checks. I had to cancel my Target card, and the thief got my gift card from Aaron, that I was saving for a rainy day. Also, I had an envelope of receipts for the candy I bought for summer conference at church, plus...two signed church checks. So...the church account had to be frozen and fixed. ouch. Lots of work. When I remembered that was in there, in that stolen purse, I was like, dang, I have to make a phone call. oops. I shouldn't have brought the purse with me to the theme park at all, but we left from the camper and Paul was packing things up and bringing them home, and I didn't want it to be left behind.

And...Jon's tablet got stolen. He had that thing for two years, it pretty much went where he went. And, my niece had money stolen from her shorts pocket in a bag in the back. So there was some real rumpling going on in our banged up minivan. It makes me feel somewhat violated, and somewhat angry, to tell the truth. That was NOT YOUR STUFF, thief! GIVE it back!

I have so much stuff in my wallet with my name on it, I hope the thief finds me on facebook and feels guilty and mails it all back. ha.

We are home from the camper now...laundry and unpacking, but not too bad. I made burgers on the grill this evening, and served them with sweet onions and tomatoes from the garden. I love summertime.

I am still reeling from the death of our dear friend Missy. We went to calling hours on Friday, then to the funeral and burial on Saturday. I cried buckets and still there are more tears. Paul stopped up at the cemetery today and it is still unbelievable and so very sad. My dear dear friend, Missy's mama, was so overcome with grief at the graveside, her husband had to help her up...she sobbed her goodbye, and said that Missy was her friend, her baby, and never any trouble.

She was a precious soul, and life won't be the same without her.

Paul is on vacation...the five girls are still in Norway, Mirielle and Kathryn and Evelyn will be home on Sunday.

Oh, listen to this!: Jon and Char and Cam and I are taking our big trip to Washington state next month (in 41 days, not that we're counting...), and...Ben and Ashley rented a cabin in a small town at the base of Mount Rainier! Hot tub, and wilderness, a beautiful view, and the town has a coffee shop that roasts it's own beans!!!! We are so excited. We are planning the first night or two in a hotel,visiting Seattle, then on to this little town, then a night at their house, then home...we can't wait to see little Anya...and did you know that at the base of Mount Rainier there is rainforest? It's true! And it's winter on the top!

Anyhoo...it's late and I am tired out...