{ Unexpected Blessing }

Yesterday we returned from two days of visiting new friends. I should say new to me. Tim and Andrew met during their National Guard days and have kept in contact occasionally over the years. Also, Andrew's wife Anna is our friend Kevin's sister. We had such a good time with them. What we planned to be an overnight trip turned into two nights, thanks to their kind invitation to stay another day. We felt so at home with them. They too have three kids, three boys mostly grown. Anna, our hostess, took to having three tiny kids around again like a duck to water. Our kids just loved her and Andrew.

They have a lovely home out in the country. We met their dog and kitties and their 4H pigs. The kids played on the swing set, slide and trampoline. Oliver ran around to his hearts content and we didn't have to tell him "No, stay away from the street" and "Don't go off the sidewalk." The perfect place for busy toddlers! We walked around their property at dusk and came back for a bonfire and s'mores. And did I mention they cooked for us the whole time we were there? It was amazing! We brought food to contribute, but they seriously took such good care of us and spoiled up rotten.

We had planned to camp out in tents, but when they offered their entire basement up to us we decided to "camp" in there. That is exactly the way that camping should be done with three little kids!

Next day Tim and Andrew loaded our trailer full of wood. This was the reason we had gone up there. They graciously offered to give us a load of seasoned tamarack. Not only seasoned, but split! What a blessing. The guys were done by 10:30 in the morning so we had the rest of the day to play.

Andrew took Tim and I up into the mountains above their house on a 4 wheeler, while Anna stayed back and watched the kids. It was so much fun to get to do something like this on our own! It was Tim's first time to be on a 4 wheeler and he got to drive so he was one happy man. I'd been on one before, but didn't remember it very much. I just knew how much fun I'd had and was ready for another try. We sure got dusty, but it was worth it. From the top we saw 5 or 6 lakes, including one little piece of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

When we got back, lunch was made, the kids were happy and then they took really good long naps! I did a little reading and Tim and Andrew when out for some guy time. When the kids woke up we all met down at the lake and went swimming. The kids had a great time. There is no doubt our children are water bugs!

Anna watched the kids again at the beach while Andrew took Tim and I (along with a sleeping Wret) to his friend's private dock where the water was crystal clear and we could jump off. Was that ever a treat! Wret slept happily in his car seat there on the dock, rocked to sleep with the water lapping against the sides and we enjoyed a good swim before heading home for a bbq and another campfire.

This little trip was such an unexpected break and really felt like a vacation. We came back refreshed and rested and so thankful for the blessings God showered on us. So often they come in the most unexpected ways!