I'm grateful for laundry

After having spent countless hours washing, drying, and folding practically every piece of clothing and linen in my house, I can truly say I am grateful for Laundry.

I'm grateful to wash Bath Towels... because that means I'm clean, my daughter is clean and my husband is clean, and it also means we have just enjoyed indoor plumbing and hot soft water.

I'm grateful to wash Dish Towels, Rags, and Table Cloths... because that means we've had wonderful food to eat and a beautiful kitchen to prepare the food with modern appliances like stoves, ranges, and microwaves.

I'm grateful to wash clothes... because that means I don't have to be naked. Work clothes indicate financial stability. Play clothes means we've just shared some wonderful memories with family and friends.

I'm grateful to wash bedsheets and pillowcases...because that means I've had a soft place to lay my head and sleep, in a safe and comfortable bed.
Since this is beginning to read like one of those forward emails you get to bring you good luck if you pass it on, this Epiphany of laundry came after a wonderful day and a half camping and boating with some dear friends of mine.

The Utley, Young, and Hardey families caravaned down to Yuba Lake to enjoy an evening under the stars roasting marshmallows, avoiding snakes and eagerly awaiting the next morning to play on the lake's beach and tubing behind the boat.

This marks the third weekend in a row that Brett and I have set up our tent, and I can proudly say we are quite the experts at it. In fact because this is the third weekend to be camping we thought we had all the basic covered. I was so impressed with how quickly Brett & I packed up the boat and the Durango with all of our stuff and even had room to spare, that little did I realize I forgot some of the basics like: band aids, firewood, roasting sticks, and a life jacket for one of the kids.

Fortunately for us we survived a night in the wilderness even without some of the comforts of home. And really the kids just wanted to be in their bathing suits and playing in the lake that they couldn't be bothered to sleep in their tents anyway. I'm so grateful to the Hardey family early risers who woke with the rising of the sun to capture the beautiful sunrise above. I just wish the sun didn't have to rise quite so early. The Youngs and Hardey's may be early risers but the Utleys are not. They must have been so bored waiting for us to get out of bed.

I'm glad Christie was able to capture this happy picture of Brett.

Oh to be young again and happy and content to play in the dirt and in the water without a care in the world.

The Hardeys brought this fantastic raft that we all enjoyed playing on. Sammy and Nate had a great time cooking in the easy bake oven and Sammy has the sun burned arms to prove it. I promise I did apply factor 50 sunscreen multiple times that day.

and here's a picture of Reagan anxious for her turn in the boat and behind the tube. And Speaking of being towed behind the boat on the Tube, I had the great opportunity to pull and subsequently dump Jeremy, Scott, and Cami. Christie held on pretty good but told me to cut the engine before I had a chance to work my boating magic on her. All of the kids even begged and pleaded to be the next in line for their turn so that must be a good sign of everyone having a good time.

Unfortunately as all good things must come to an end or if that doesn't fit then for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. Given all the wonderful memories we had there were also a few sad ones. Like when Sammy fell on the gravel and scraped her knees a few tears were shed. Or when Reagan jumped in the water a little too early in the morning that she got chilled before the sun came up. Kyle stepped on something sharp on the beach barefoot and started bleeding. Scott apparently was bit by a bug and that hurt.

any poor poor Cami see the before picture? she's happy having a good time

but in this picture she is not having such a good time why? because apparently my boat driving skills are not that great and while I was able to pull Christie up on one ski on her first try, Cami pulled her hamstring when her legs did the split underneath her as she was trying to get up on two skiis. Her pain was so unbearable she couldn't put any weight on on that leg. I'm so sad she got hurt, and wish her the best in her recovery.

There must be opposition in all things and how can we know the good if we have not experienced the bad? If and when we get to enjoy another boating trip with our friends I hope we have a little less fun so we can experience a little less pain.

(Pictures courtesy of Christie Hardey)