Round Lake Pics

Hey everybody,

Just thought we'd share a few pictures with you from Round Lake. Reese did amazingly well all week long at camp. It was so much fun watching her experiencing everything from smelling her first flower, to swimming in a lake, to eating corn dogs and cotton candy! She loved the music, the outdoors, and the kids! We are pretty sure every camper knew Reese's name, even if they didn't know ours! In a microcosm, now we have a small idea what it's like having a child celebrity! Those camper paparazzi were everywhere! Not sure how those pics turned out, but here are a few we (and some of our friends) took.

If you're wondering, we did not have to sleep on bunk beds. We were lucky enough to get a small room where we slept on our queen-sized air mattress. Reese slept in her pack-n-play. The room was in the big conference center, which is used as a girls dorm during our week. So I got to trek down their hill and up the boys hill each day to take a shower. It was worth it though! Reese got most of her naps in, either sleeping in our room or zonking out in the stroller. We got her to sleep each night by taking her on walks away from the commotion of 191 5th & 6th graders!

So it was a bit of extra work (and extra packing) on our part. But it was definitely worth it! Reese is going to grow up a camp-kid for sure!


If you couldn't see the pictures because you're reading this on Facebook, check out www.thechilis.blogspot.com.

Summer Time!

It's mid-July already, and I can't believe how quickly this summer is flying by. Everyday is bringing a new adventure as Reese is learning more and more everyday. We have had first words ("Hi" and "Dada"), first steps and lots and lots of first experiences. Reese has swam in a lake, camped in a tent, smelled flowers, oohed and ahhhed over her first fireworks, walked in a parade, and even stayed at big kid's camp for a whole week. Needless to say, we have been very, very busy.

Reese has kept up in true Chilcote style, and we are having a blast watching it all through her little eyes. Now, we are approaching her first birthday (SIGH!), and I am both excited and sad at the same time. Excited because everyday Reese is revealing more and more of her adventurous, loving spirit to us. I love watching her become. Make sense? She is giving more affection and communicating her needs and desires. Her little baby sense of humor makes John and I laugh all the time as we ask each other "Did she just do that?!" She is also little miss adventure. It seems like there is nothing she won't try. She can climb up steps, off of the couch, and is close - oh so close - to running (not walking - running). Yeah...it's been interesting.

I've never said the word "No" so much in my entire life. She almost understands it. She at least understand that it means "stop," even if she goes right back to doing what she was doing. We've actually begun using other words (thanks to the advice of a wise friend) like "DANGER!" and "yucky" instead of no. So far "Danger" just makes Reese laugh. She thinks it's hilarious no matter how sternly we say it! Try it, you will laugh too!

Okay, now for the sad part. I know it's been said to me probably a million times, but I chose to try and ignore it. I tried to hold tightly to each day and just enjoy whatever it was. I pushed away the voices that kept coming back - "It goes so fast!" But alas, they were right. Our baby, our little baby girl will be one in just a couple weeks. It HAS gone so fast.

The verse in scripture that says our lives are like vapors has never rang more true in my heart. The Father of Creation knew it first. This little mother is mourning over time, but is swiftly reminded that growth is good. God promises it, and we pray it for our little bean sprout. So for now, I steal my sleeping baby from her crib and rock and kiss her while she will still fit in my arms. It's enough.