Fun Weekend

We had a very fun weekend starting Saturday at Lake Enemy Swim.  It was our annual day with our hosts, the Johnstons, who are family friends.

Here is Nathan giving the signal for FASTER as he prepares to go tubing.  He had his thumb up for most of his rides.

Bo took the kids fishing for the first time off the dock.  They all caught their first fish in no time at all! 

Yesterday we met the Neises family in Watertown for a picnic.  Here are many of them playing volleyball in the rain.  You can see the drips coming off of the shelter (where I was nice and dry). 

Does it get any better than this?

Perspective

If I could sum up the summer in one word, it would be this--perspective. 
God has given me an abundance of opportunities to gain it these past few months.  He has placed wonderful faith-filled people in my life and opportunities to share with them.  Members of our families have gone through uncertain times, as have we.  Our lives have not always gone as planned (surprise!).  Although not all of these perspective builders they have been pleasant, I am grateful for each of them.
If you remember, I started this summer at a very fearful point in my life.  On one of those days, I opened my Bible to the Matthew (my favorite Gospel) and found my bookmark. 
There was one of my favorite verses in 8:26:  "He said to them, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?"  Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. 
I LOVE that.  It reminds me that I am human.  Limited.  But He is not.  He will calm these storms when they arise.  Until then, we will be made stronger in our faith.
I am not qualified to preach, nor have I been given the gift to evangelize through speaking.
But, I have to give Him credit for all of the blessings has has brought us through these past few months.  It is still not always easy, but I know these storms aren't under my control.
They never were. 
That is OK with me.

Dilly Ranch Party Mix

Hey, there everyone!  We made it to the weekend.  I would love a margarita right about now to celebrate.  If you are so lucky to have one close by, have one for me, too!   Last week I was sitting at the Olive Garden bar beside a 7-or-so year old.  We were having the same drink--a Shirley Temple.  On a side note, it was one of the better Shirley Temples I have had in my lifetime.  :o)
Thankfully party FOOD is not off limits and I today I developed my own party mix.  We like it here and hope you will, too!

Dilly Ranch Party Mix
1 pkg dry ranch dressing mix
3/4 cup oil
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/4 tsp dill weed
Assorted snacks of your choice--I used 1 box Cheese Nips, 1 box Club Multi-Grain minis, 1/2 box cracked pepper Triscuits, 1/2 bag pretzel sticks, about 1 cup peanuts and about 1 cup Cheerios. 
Mix the dressing ingredients together and pour over the snack mixture.  Stir every 10 minutes for about 30 minutes and then store in an airtight container.  No baking required!

Where Have I Been?

1.  Enjoying the coneflowers in my perennial garden.  Somehow all of my randomly planted flowers are taking turns blooming so there is always color somewhere. 

2.  Eating and shopping my way through Sioux Falls on Friday.  When the men are on a business trip, the wives will save money!  My friend Roxanne and I shop well together.  We both consider shopping (um . . . SAVING) at Kohl's to be an excellent part-time job!  She also introduced me to Hu Hot Mongolian Grill (which was yummy and fun) and Oh My Cupcakes! (http://www.ohmycupcakes.com/).  We both had "the Marilyn."  YUM!  If you don't live near Sioux Falls, they will ship their yummy treats right to you!

 3.  Saturday was spent at my grandparents' auction sale.  I came home with this little treasure (with my grandpa sitting on it) for $2.  He didn't want to come home and work around the house for me, so I settled for just the step stool.  It was a good day, but also bittersweet.  The great little town of Leola will no longer serve as our meeting point.  We hope "Grandma & Grandpa's house" will go to a good family.

 4.  Yesterday found us on the beach on Lake Eureka!

My boys loved the diving board as much as I did growing up. 

Why South Dakota?

As we were nearing my hometown of Eureka yesterday, Landen asked me, "Why do we live in South Dakota?"
My mind instantly started to swim.  How should I answer that?  I've asked myself that same question a time or two.
---
For me, the biggest reason I stayed here (before getting married) is this is where my roots are.  I love to travel, but being able to spend time with my extended family is priceless.  I admire those who can move long distances from their families and see them maybe once a year.  That was never in my DNA.
I also love the sunsets, the people, and the sense of security we have here that is seldom shaken. 
Even with the positives, I am still far from saying that South Dakota is the promised land.  The wind, mosquitoes, and extreme temperatures can about do me in from time to time.  There is a reason why we Germans have the reputation of being stubborn.  Our ancestors had to be or no one would have survived.  The landscape (in my part of the state, anyway) is not very exciting to the average non-farmer.  Our entertainment options are often limited to siblings of once-famous people or local bands who someday hope to make it big.
---
After those few short seconds, I answered, "I suppose because this is where our farm is."
Landen replied, "Dad said it's because people wave."
I couldn't argue with that.