Ball caps to Bows

They say (whoever "they" are) that variety is the spice of life.  Well, if that is the case, we are very spicy here in our household!  One of our friends is fascinated with the "ghost pepper" which is said to be the hottest pepper on the hot scale.  Maybe we are as spicy as a ghost pepper!  We have everything from ball caps to bows.  We have cooperation and attitude.  We have spicy and sweet.  I am certain that the Lord knew what he was doing when he put all of these very different personalities and preferences in one household.  I am challenged every day to find a balance, to meet a variety of needs, to be certain that everyone feels loved and accepted, that boundaries are defined and reinforced.  It is a bit like being the captain of a ship.  The entire crew is dependent on our leadership.  Without sound leadership, we will get off course and the ship will likely sink.

In life, we choose to have God as our captain.  His leadership keeps us on course, our ship is secure.  We are assured that in His time, our ship will arrive at the appropriate destination.  I can't imagine sailing through life without His direction.  He can see beyond the horizon.  I don't have to worry about what I can't see, He sees it all.  So, as I look around at the variety in my household, I know that everyone of us has a part to play.  Every personality is specially designed for this family.  Celebrate the differences!

Audra

Use your imagination...

Ok - here is a test of your imagination skills... I don't have pictures and even if I did, I'm not sure it would do the scene justice.  Marshall, playing the electric drum set, Beti playing this beat-box kind of toy that puts out keyboard music and a beat, Levi in a cowboy hat,  and Nardos in her purple princess dress with her red braided "fake hair on a headband".  Now put the picture in motion:  dancing, grooving, beating the living day-lights out of the musical instruments and loads of laughing.  Can't even begin to describe the joy in my heart at the joint effort and the happiness that I have for adding that well used family/kids room in the basement!  I just heard Levi say, "Let me show you how it's done!"

Oh the joys of motherhood!

5 kids + 6 days of rain = cabin fever

Six days of rain results in cabin fever!!!  We packed up and headed downtown KC to Hallmark's Kaleidoscope.  We made crafts and had fun then headed over to Crown Center to have a snack at Fritz's where a train brings you your order.  We were joined by my sister, her kids, an extra friend, my sister-in-law and her two boys.  It was a little crazy, but fun!

The gang in front of the Fritz's train.

Who are those masked men?

Chessy Marshall in Kaleidoscope.

Josh (Nephew) in the Fritz's train.

Beti, is that you?

Nardos gearing up to make her princess crown.

Beti's handmade puzzle.

New (to us) Camper and Branson!

We took our maiden voyage this past weekend.  A special thanks to Jim Chapman for helping us get the camper "unwinterized" so that we would be ready.  Another special thanks to God for sending Tom and Kristen Harris (a teacher from Fort Osage) to the same campground and just across the street from us!  Thanks Tom for guiding Bob through the labyrinth of hoses, nozzles, fresh, grey and black water (if you don't know the last three....be glad!).  We had a grand time figuring out all the special features of our home away from home and are already looking forward to the next opportunity to get out of town!  Enjoy the photos.

The Koning Bunch

Here's our home on wheels.

Our spot was right by this bear!

Audra - inside the camper.

Check out our Pet shop!

Wake up Alex!

Levi - at the camp playground.

Snuggling with Mommy.

Heading into Silver Dollar City on the 4th of July.

Having fun at SDC!

Can you spot Audra and Nardos on the kiddie roller coaster?

Nardos and her Princess umbrella - perfect fit!

The Hot Tub makes very BUFF boys!

Here's another one!

What a great bunch of kids!

I'm thinking.....

...we are sooooo blessed!