Summer is here...

We made it! Summer has officially arrived with the last day of school for Sarah on Wednesday.

We now have a 7th grade daughter and a soon to be Kindergartner. Brayden got to visit the Kindergarten rooms on Wednesday for 30 minutes to see what going to Kindergarten will be all about. He is ready to go.

For the next two months though we are looking forward to enjoying summer days. We are kicking off our first week of summer with a trip to Maryland for the next week visiting Washington, DC and the Reise family (Jason's sister Christy.)

Yard Sales...

My girlfriend Melissa and I have held quite a few yard sales over the years. It has become somewhat of a tradition and I can't imagine having a sale without her. The last time we had one was two years ago, so I have been accumulating items that we no longer need or use and gradually hiding it away in my in-laws attic until the past couple of months.

Yard sales are a lot of work, especially since being the "Prather" that I am I love to have things in working order, clean, organized, with everything priced. I appreciate it when people come to the sale and comment on how organized everything is. You know me, I wouldn't have it any other way. The more organized the easier to find treasures for them to take home.

We used to just have a one day yard sale until two years ago when we decided to hold the sale on Friday and Saturday because we had so much stuff and it was definitely the way to go. We had an even better plan this year with a two day sale at my house and then the following weekend a two day sale at my girlfriend Michele's house with her parents. They were already planning a sale, so we asked if we could join them and have another location to get rid of even more of our stuff.

Our first weekend sale started off amazing. Friday we were busy and sold, sold, sold.

Ready to sell.

Brayden sold lemonade and muffins. He made $8, a great salesman and cute too.

Jason helping to make a sale.

Brayden found some books to buy.

Saturday was another beautiful day and promised to be even more amazing then Friday, but much to our surprise things were slow, slow, slow and even got rain starting around 2 p.m. We closed the sale early with the hope of selling the following weekend with the Struss'.

Ready and waiting for the customers.

Instead of our second sale weekend being the following week, the weather postponed it for a couple of weeks, but we were determined to see it through. The Struss' have a great location for a sale, a busy street and lots of space to spread out.

Even room for a Christmas Tree, which didn't happen to sell.

Ruth Ann and Michele our yard sale hosts.

Cayla stepped in for a couple hours to help with sales.

Melissa and I

It was another great couple of days with lots of sales and bargaining. The majority of our items sold and I only had to pack up 3 boxes worth of items. We had a very profitable couple of weekends. Melissa and I both made a little over $700. It was such a blessing to our family. I came home exhausted from the couple of days, but thrilled with the outcome.

National JBQ Festival...

Two weeks ago today Sarah took off with 9 other students and 8 adults to Dallas, Texas for the National JBQ Festival.

It would be the first time Sarah was traveling a distance without Jason and I, but she was in good hands with "Aunt" Melissa. Sarah's girlfriend Gabriella was also traveling without her parents, so Melissa had two adopted daughters for the weekend.

Their travel to Texas went smoothly and they arrived at the festival on Thursday evening ready to kick things off at the opening ceremony.

Much to all our surprise my family from Texas surprised Sarah by coming to see her at the opening ceremony. I was thrilled that my Uncle David, Aunt Evelyn, Jessica and her children Ellis and Jackie were there with Sarah. It was hard for me not to be there sharing the experience with Sarah, but knowing that some of my family was there with her at least for a little bit of time was comforting. You can read more about their visit on my cousin Jessica's blog.

Sarah's team being introduced and walking across the stage.

Sarah and Ellis

Jessica, Sarah, Ellis, Aunt Evelyn, Uncle David and Jackie

Cousins meeting for the first time.

Friday was a full day of quizzing.

Taking a few minutes to start off the day in prayer.

Garrett, Nathaniel, Todd, Gabriella, Sarah and Coach Ashley

The second Bethany team preparing to quiz.

Saturday was another day of quizzing until around 2:00 p.m.

By the end of the day Sarah's team came in 54th out of 80 U.S. teams.

The other Bethany team came in 7th place.

As a group they had set goals for the 2012-2013 season and with Nationals completed each one could be checked off.

To celebrate the kids spent time swimming and going out to eat.

Sarah had an amazing time away with lots of special memories. When she got home Sunday night it was a bit emotional for her. Since she is a 6th grader she has now graduated out of the JBQ program and will not be a part of it next year. Sarah has spent the last 5 years in JBQ with the majority of these students and they are a group that has really bonded. Even though she will continue to see them it will be different. It is hard to think about letting those things go as she moves on from JBQ.

Sarah, Gabriella and Cayla

Luke and E-Man

The BC United Girls

Wiped out or maybe just posing for a picture.

Sarah and Emma

The beauty crew

Sarah, Cayla and E-Man

Airline partners - Miss Aura, Sarah and Gabriella

Row buddies - Cayla and Emma

Girlfriends - Gabriella, Emma, Cayla, Sarah and Luciana

We are so thankful for the JBQ program and all that it has meant to Sarah. Not only has she learned God's word, but she has learned so much in the process about being a part of a team, serving others, preferring others, friendship, encouragement, support, humility. A lot of valuable lessons we know will carry with her.

We are so proud of Sarah and all that she has accomplished in the JBQ program.

Father's Day...

Sunday was a beautiful day, perfect for celebrating our dads. 

Sarah, Brayden and I are so thankful for Jason. He is an AMAZING father. Loving, giving, helpful, supportive, young at heart, a wonderful provider, just to name a few qualities.

We love you so much. Thank you for leading our family and for all that you do.