My Summer Blog Series - "Hail of a Summer!"

"SUMMERTIME SERIES"

Hail of a Summer!

Even though it was blazing hot outside earlier, it didn't keep the rain clouds and eventual storm from blowing in. Today was definitely a busy day for the kids and I, but we managed to get everything accomplished prior to the storm hitting. I'm keeping my kids busy this summer by showing them how to plant a garden. Not that I really know how to plant a garden myself, but we are having such fun with it!! I'm learning right along with them (I will post about our summer garden and its progression in posts later to come). We brought all of our 'infant' plants inside the house about 2 minutes prior to the downpour. 

Lots of rain, thunder and lightning out tonight, but at least the weather wasn't as bad as it was just about a week ago when it hailed. YES, it's summertime, warm weather and...HAIL!! Here are a couple of pics of the hail my son collected from outside...

The hail was jagged and actually looked more like clear rocks. They were very solid too! My husband accidentally dropped one on our kitchen tile floor and it didn't break, crack, chip, nothing!!! Wow, no wonder they can break windows and cause all kinds of other damage!

My kids were excited about the hail only because it was the closest thing they had to getting snow, LOL. My son placed the hail he collected in a cup and put it in the freezer. Not sure what he plans to do with the hail, but he was excited about it! Although my kids were excited, ME, not so much. I was more worried about our roof being damaged by hail for the SECOND time! Thankfully, there was no new hail damage.

And as far as the storm happening tonight as I type this blog post, I am confident that the Lord will keep us safe in the midst of this storm and ANY and ALL storms! And/or at least equip us to handle anything that may come our way! :-)

God Bless!

T Denise Clary

He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. - Psalm 107:29

My Summer Blog Series - "The HOT Mini-Vacation to New Braunfels, TX"

"SUMMERTIME SERIES"

As of today, I am beginning a new "summer" series on my blog where I will post about a day in the life

of my family as we endure the next few months of summer. I figure since I haven't had much time lately for social media, I might as well blog about our summertime adventures and have you along for the ride. Just a side note; there hasn't been much happening lately with my books. They are still quietly sitting on Amazon's digital bookshelf. The books are still not fully illustrated and I have been at a crossroads lately as to which direction to take them in (well, as far as the illustrations are concerned-- that's an entirely different post for later). So for now, I have focused my attention on keeping my kids entertained during this very HOT summer (I'm in Texas heat, although the weather has been milder compared to previous years).

The HOT Mini-Vacation to New Braunfels, TX

To jump start the summer, my husband and I (along with my parents and nieces) took our kids on a mini-vacay to New Braunfels, TX during Memorial Day weekend. This was more of a pre-summer vacation as my kids were still in school until the following week (for some reason, I went around telling everyone my kids were out of school the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. I think I even convinced my kids that they were out of school too. My mind must have really needed a break as I was utterly confused about when their summer break began). Although we really enjoyed ourselves in New Braunfels -- a very charming town, well known for patrons tubing down the Guadalupe River -- we experienced a bit of car trouble on the trip heading down there. My car's AC compressor blew out, so you guessed it...NO air conditioning in our vehicle in the hot Texas heat! Ugh!! We had no choice but to rent a vehicle once we got into New Braunfels. Thanks be to God that He lead us to find Hertz Rent-a-Car, as Hertz was the only rent-a-car place we could find in the area that was open during Memorial Day weekend -- and they had a car available! Yay!! Although they gave us a 4-passenger rental (and we have 5 people in our family), we were able to manage with sticking one of our kids in my parents' vehicle throughout the weekend.

Not withstanding the HOT start (and end -- as we had to drive my car all the way home) to our mini-vacay, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in New Braunfels. During our trip we visited Schlitterbahn Waterpark, explored the Natural Bridge Caverns, went zip-lining and 'gold' mining,  and ate and walked around the historic downtown district. Here are some pics of our trip...

My oldest daughter (left) and niece enjoying the [river] water.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark, New Braunfels, TX

  

My mom with my youngest daughter.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark, New Braunfels, TX

My husband enjoying the "swim-up" bar.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark, New Braunfels, TX

Heading into the Cavern.
Natural Bridge Caverns, New Braunfels, TX

My son and daughter inside the Cavern.
Natural Bridge Caverns, New Braunfels, TX

Inside the Cavern. We were 180ft below the surface.
Natural Bridge Caverns, New Braunfels, TX

Suited-up for zip-lining.
New Braunfels, TX

The zip-line tower. We had to jump off from the very top!
New Braunfels, TX

My daughter (forefront) and niece zip-lining.
New Braunfels, TX

The kids 'mining' for buried treasure.
New Braunfels, TX

"Found some!"
New Braunfels, TX

Historic District.
New Braunfels, TX

Despite the lack of AC in the car driving back home, we made it safe and sound! I thank God for our little 'much needed' mini-vacay and keeping us safe. I also thank God that it was only the AC that went out in my car. And $2300 later, I have AC again...

God Bless!

T Denise Clary

What a blessing was that stillness as He brought them safely into harbor! - Psalm 107:30

New Bible Verse ~ Wednesday, June 6th

My apologies for being so late in posting this week's Bible verse. It has been a challenge to keep up with social media now that my kids are out of school for the summer! Well I figure, better late than never, right?! LOL

The following Bible verse is posted for this week beginning Sunday, June 3rd. Have a great remainder of the week!


1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.


God Bless!
T Denise Clary

Do Not Give Up, Pursue Your Dream!

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:25-27

Don't give up, pursue your dream!

I watched the following video segment on the Today Show this morning. I felt that the underlying message of 'never giving up on your dream' was very powerful and inspiring! Are you someone who has always had a dream to do something, but can never quite get motivated to just "go for it?" Watch the following video, of a 67 year old man who finally went after his dream to become a comedian, and get inspired all over again to continue working at and pursuing your dream...

God Bless!
T Denise Clary