First day of school!

It is impossible for you all to know how funny it sounds when Collin sings this song, but to quote my son, "..It's the end, the end, the end of summer...the end, the end, the end What a BUMMER.." The kids had a great summer. They went to some amazing camps, Kayla had a blast with Lunar Rendezvous, and Camping in our camper has ROCKED. Now it is time to get back on track. I didn't get to go drop the kids off at school on the first day because of my new job. Tim took them by himself and snapped a few photos for the blog...

Traditional photo in front of the clock

Whoops, Collin's eyes are closed....

Collin in is 1st Grade room!

Kayla in her 3rd grade room!

Don't they look just adorable! They survived the first day back without me. Next thing I know they will not be wanting me to come up to the school with them. Let's hope that doesn't happen for a long while. It was probably for the best. Last year, I had a few tears on the first day. Collin did almost get on the wrong bus home and Kayla had to talk to the Principal to get him on the right bus. Thank goodness she is such a great big sister. They both said their teachers are very nice, we will see how long that lasts.

Celebration of life

My Step Mother Sue Emery passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 51. We had her funeral yesterday and I can tell you with all of my heart that she would have been so pleased at how wonderful that memorial of her was. It was more than a memorial to me, it was a celebration of her life.



The speaker at the service read this poem and it truly touched my heart. We love her and will miss her.

The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning… to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And he spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Huntsville State Park

This past weekend we went to Huntsville State Park. We had Cousins Ethan and Timmy and Uncle Scott camping with us. The park had so much to offer and the kids really enjoyed themselves. Kayla was in for a little shock being the only girl. In normal camping situations we have about ten girls and Collin is usually the only boy.

We started Saturday morning out with Fishing and met an interesting creature down at the fishing hole.

Collin, Ethan, Tim and Kayla heading down to fish

What could they be looking at?

A baby gator hanging out.

One fisherman caught a fish and taunted the gator for about 30 minutes. The kids loved every minute of it. Kayla said, "this is better than watching TV." They thought it was so cool.

Kayla and I hading down to the swimming hole

(roped off so no creatures come in to visit)

Kayla, Collin and Ethan at the swimming hole

Park fun

After the swimming we went to the park and then on a hike through the woods.

Scott and Timmy on Sunday morning

We enjoyed spending time with family and will go back some time soon.

Hockey League Win

Tim's team won first place in the Hockey League this season. You have to know that was exciting for them. Tim scored a goal from center ice just as the buzzer was going off. Dang, the referee said it did not count, but it still felt good.

Here is Kayla and Collin with Tim at his last hockey game

Lunar Rendezvous

Welcome to the Rainey Family Blog. Also known as Rainey Time. Some Camping friends have been blogging our camping trips for awhile now and our kids love reading their blog. So special thanks to Keri for introducing us to blogging. Now it is up to me to figure this out. Everyone please bear with me as I work through becoming a blogger. This is a good week for me to start on this task. Kayla and Collin are out of town visiting Tim's sister, so by the time they get back I hope to have this done.

Our first blog is about Kayla. She was involved in the Lunar Rendezvous this year. She was a Little Lady in Waiting. This included going to tea party's, being in fashion shows and going to a ball. Everyone that knows Kayla, knows those types of things are right up her alley. She enjoyed every minute of it.

Our Future Lunar Rendezvous Queen

This is Kayla during the fashion show.

The fashion show was at the South Shore Hotel. They called her name and gave information about her activities and future aspirations. Of course there was mention of Dance and Camping, the two things that she loves so much and her future aspirations to be a Teacher.

Tim and Kayla at the Fashion Show

Me, Kayla and Grandpa Mikee at the show

Next was the ball and we had a wonderful time. We owe thanks to Ann and Michael for inviting us to sit with them at the fashion show and the ball. Thank you both so much. The Ball started with Kayla walking out on stage and Tim giving her flowers and escorting her through the ball room. Once all of the princesses (the teenagers) were introduced the food and dancing began. Kayla proclaimed at the ball that she wanted to be the Queen when she grows up. That means lots of work ahead for the next seven to eight years. I hope she holds on to that dream!

This is Kayla and the 2008 Queen.

Tim and I all decked out


Kayla Posing on Stage

No Pictures of Collin this time, but we will have some soon.