The Lake

And yet another place that pours forth memories and brings great peace and joy is the lake. My grandparents built the house room by room as they had means/time to do so. So it isn't the most beautiful home architecturally but it is full of great memories and love. I love this place. When I'm there, I just want to stay forever. It is so peaceful. It truly is one of my most favorite places on earth.

The boys love early morning fishing with grandma (and me by default since one adult isn't sufficient to tackle three boys, three hooks, worms and fish). Now I'm not a fisherman like my mom or grandfather. I too quickly became bored by it all as I child but it is really enjoyable fishing with the kids. Until the hooking the worm part. After the first slice of the worm on the hook, the body stiffens with pain and then the other half wiggles with excitement in order to prevent the impending doom. Then there's the tearing the worm in half in order not to "waste" it. I'm not an overwhelming animal lover or anything, but man, fishing is a bit cruel. Slide the worm on the hook, throw it in the water to catch a fish by the mouth, pull the hook out of the fish's mouth and throw the fish back in the water so we can catch it all over again. 

But when you don't think about all that, it's kind of fun. :)

                                                        Showing off one of his prized fish.

                                                                Oops, I dropped it.

                                                                      Got it back again.

Kenan actually caught a small bass. He was so proud of himself. They know so much about fish from watching Wild Kratts so he told us all about the bass he caught.

                                                   

And who is out there on the lake all by himself?

That would be my 7 year old who is growing before my eyes and surprising me each day with all he can do.

After this he taught me how to dive. I kid you not. I had a lot of ear infections as a child so my mom kept my head out of water. I missed the age of becoming comfortable with water. I love water, just not the swimming part so much. I have taken lessons and know HOW to swim but I in no way love it. And the whole diving thing is difficult because, well, you have to use to hands and how can you do that when you need to hold your nose? Yes I can and do jump in the water without holding my nose but you better believe that if no one is looking, I pop my hand on my nose in a pretty little second. So I guess now that my secret is out I can hold my nose with pride in front of all to see. :) After much coaxing from my mom, aunt, and 7 yr old, I decided to try. After all, the Olympics are happening now and that just seems to give me motivation to try things I wouldn't and work harder at all things physical. Oh and my seven year old encouraged me, "Mom, it's really not that hard." So I did it. Not the beautiful jump in the air and gracefully enter the lake kind of dive but more of a bent over, knees bent so far that my hands were basically touching the water before I even jumped kind of dive. But I did it. Again and again. I think I made my boy proud.