More Camping ...stuff

Can I just say...I love all you commenter's!
Our family is quite large --- My mother is one of five kids -
and diverse so ---
when we had no huge arguments or fighting--
not to mention only a few ...small melt-downs it was simply...Amazing!
so to answer Melody @ Slurping Life and Shannon @ Gabi's World...
Yes, there were ...ummmm... drugs = alcohol involved!
There were also some key family members that weren't able to come--
(One family member is a recovering alcoholic so---
usually we don't openly drink in respect-- but this year that person wasn't able to come .)

I have talked with most if not all of the family,(since it seems to be my "job" to gather the family information...AKA gossip....)
and I have come to the conclusion that this seemed to be a very relaxing camping trip !
On the very last day in the evening ...right after our traditional family picture--there was thunder and lightning ! I didn't get any pictures or video of the light show but my sister-in-law Sara did---
--- if you promise to only leave a sweet comment you can see the video at Miles' blog

This year My cousin Jannet and Jeff brought along a great foster kid, Tyler, who had never caught a fish -- It was so cool that he got to catch a fish,clean it and then eat it.... what an AWESOME moment! I neglected to take a picture-- but I know that someone else did...

The website for Loon Lodge and Resort, was somewhat misleading...
None of us had any cell service available, but there was WiFi at our campsite...!!
There was a "lodge" that had karaoke with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus-- an act from Las Vegas-- or so the flyer said!
To use the flush toilets you either had to walk up the bumpy hill to the lodge-- or drive down the road... a spell to get to the RV/Trailer parking to use the flush toilets,showers and boat access.
After we drove around some we found out that there were more than one campground-- there was a BLM one and as few others---

I tried to change the size of the font on this post
...but my computer is being difficult...
it looks right when I am creating, but during the preview it's wrong~

Preemies & The Things I Want Most

Below is some information that I found,about preemies, Jessica was born at 33 1/3 weeks, and only 3 pounds 4 ounces... so a good portion of these things apply to her.
Jessica has an overwhelming desire to absorb facts, so her vocabulary is AWESOME!

• 
  Learning Problems
  How common are learning problems in former preemies?Learning deficits or learning disabilities at school age occur in about 10% of children born at term. They are more common in former preemies; the smaller and sicker the preemie, the greater the risk. Up to 45% of infants weighing <3 1/4 lbs. at birth have one or more abnormalities on testing at school age. It is usually not possible to predict at the time of discharge or during early development who might develop these problems. Sequential evaluation over time is the best predictor. Knowing what problems might develop can make you alert to signs of difficulty. Early diagnosis enables early evaluation and intervention. On the other hand, being overly concerned and always questioning your child's development may be detrimental in itself. Problems which are normal at a younger age may be abnormal at a later time. If you have a question about your child's development or performance, talk to your child's doctor or teacher or have your child tested.
  What are the most common learning problems at school age?
• Eye-Hand Coordination Problems
• difficulty with copying pictures or words, especially if there are many objects in the picture
• difficulty with puzzles
• difficulty learning handwriting Language Problems
• difficulty following directions, especially if there is more than one step
• difficulty putting things in a logical order
• poor vocabulary for age
• difficulty learning to read
• not understanding the meaning of sentences
• inability to tell one sound from another
• avoiding classroom participation
• difficulty remembering words
• Thinking Problems
• poor memory
• difficulty memorizing words, tables;
• forgetting assignments
• difficulty with spacial relationships such as size, distance
• problems with sounds and their symbols
• difficulty with abstract thinking
• difficulty making decisions or making poor decisions
• poor common sense
• slow to grasp new concepts
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also wanted to mention a REALLY great book I just finished reading,

The Things I want Most by Richard F. Miniter

It's a true story about a family who decided/were lead to become foster parents and the young man who came into their lives and hearts, it is very moving and well written. It will have you crying,and laughing, and thinking about how can I BE the Best parent!

It is in a word,(or two...) courageous and lovely!