We brought our cleats because who knows what will happen and believe it or not a soccer game broke out with the Youth (High Schoolers) and leaders.  A couple of really good little kids joined as well as their dad but it was pretty much limited to the High School kids.  I couldn't help it but to grab my camera and start taking pictures.  There were some good shots but I didn't feel the need to capture others until they started asking did you get me doing this or that but I really wanted to get shots of Isaac and concentrate only on him.  He had a blast.  I didn't stay the whole time and was told that I should have.  Can you believe that he actually wanted me to take pictures and be there.  That may be a first. 

While at Cannon Beach we got to know another family better.  Turns out we were going to be in Seattle the same week so we adjusted our day so we could hang out.  Lona was at dance camp so couldn't go but the boys and I headed south.  We picked up Brian in Redmond then headed to Pike's Place Market.  We wandered and wandered and wandered.  I go to see and photograph the infamous "Gum Wall", we saw the Ferris wheel at the Pier, and we ate Greek food.  Here is the kicker.  I packed up my camera bag, my money, my phone however I left my camera on the table at home.  So here I was, lugging my camera bag and heavy lenses around but nothing to shoot with.  Some days, I have no idea where my head is.  Good thing it is attached.  I just need to buckle down and learn how to use my camera on my phone.  Draw backs of our trip was the incredible parking fees.  I am so glad that we don't have to deal with that.  Highlights, hanging out with friends, people watching, going on an adventure, crossing off wandering Seattle off Isaac's bucket list.

A couple of years ago we discovered skim boarding and bought one.  We hauled that skim board out to the sandy beach and Job hopped on it like he has been riding it every day. He quickly got the hang of riding it and started doing 360s on it.  I saw some people taking videos of him.  We've seen some amazing videos on YouTube of skim boarders and he actually has a ways to go but for the amount of time he's on it, he's not bad.  We use it a couple of times a year and only at Cannon Beach.  Then last year we discovered boogie boarding and loved that too.  This year we brought all of our wet suits but it was still too cold for Job.  His little body just can't stand it.  He would wade into the water and wade out.  He tried standing waist deep but was crying because it hurt so bad.  He just doesn't have any insulation on that body.  I made him get out and do something else.  He looked at me and said, "I don't understand why you don't want me to have fun."  Being in pain doesn't sound like fun to me so yes, I made him do something that he likes better.  (Rolling my eyes - I just don't get it)  He's much happier to skim board where he can wear his water shoes and stay in the shallow warmer water for long periods of time.  Lona on the other hand just loves to boogie board.  She can stay out in that water with her little shorty and wait for the waves.  She'll catch one and ride it all the way to shore, laughing and screaming the whole way.  She loved having someone go with her but would be out there by herself if no one else was willing.  Isaac did for a while but soon needed to warm up and the same went for me.  Of course I tend to swallow a lot of ocean water and just am not as graceful as she is.  Next year, hopefully it'll be warmer and we'll bring the booties for Isaac and see what we can do for Job.  Of course it would help if it was sunny and over 70 degrees.

 AVacation with a Purpose, that is how it is advertised at the Conference Center. We have attended the conference center off and on for the past 10 years.  For the last 6 times or so we've gone the same week.  The kids have made some friends here and look forward to seeing them each year at the conference center. We've made friends here some through our kids some just by eating dinner with other people.  We've been encouraged by the speakers, by the staff, and by other guests here.  We've been exhorted to examine our walk here.  Each year it seems as though we come away with a message that we've needed.  This year was no different.   I look back on the earlier years that we took our kids here. It was so important to have that time that we could really relax and have alone time too.  The kids would be off with their class or we'd sign up for the night of free baby sitting and just reconnect.  For me it has always been a ideal vacation.  We go to one spot and stay.  I didn't need to worry about where we would eat or what to make.  I didn't have dishes to do or beds to make.  It was a vacation for me as well as for everyone else.  For the last few years we didn't need to get a baby sitter anymore.  All the kids are old enough to hang out in the rec center without us and they don't always want us to be there.  John and I had way more time alone, we didn't have our three little chaperons with us.  It felt new and weird almost.  Freedom goes both ways - for the parents and for the kids.  It's a new era that we are entering into.  We gave them a curfew and they followed it.  Except for one night when Isaac didn't come home until after 12:30!  Yikes.  We were angry, worried, frustrated.  I imagined all sorts of horrible things such as passing out from low blood sugar on the beach.  He was with all the other high school kids talking about biblical issues and their lives.  He had told an adult about it, just not us.  How do you get upset about that, he was doing something good and positive with a bunch of kids.