Amy, Westin, Madisyn, and Blaine Came to Visit

7-28-14 Amy and I took the 3 youngest kids to the park after dinner :)  Blaine's goal for the evening was to NOT let Aunt Stephanie take a picture of him!!!

Jacen and Blaine

Jacen

Madisyn

7-29-14  We had a busy and fun day.

Jacen and Madisyn playing a game :)

We went to Alamo's free movie - Rio

Then we spent time at Science Spectrum

All of the 3 younger kids pet a snake, turtle and bearded dragon.

Everyone looking at turtles

Rock Wall

Digging for Fossils

Jacen and Blaine loved this!

Westin and Jacen at the water table

Blaine and Jacen - the Veterinarians

Grocery Store

Their Shadows!

Bubbles!

Then they played outside that evening!

7-30-14 The kids got to play some Wednesday morning before leaving :)

Westin and Jacen horse playing :)

Westin, Madisyn, and Jacen playing :)

Kaleidoscope 2014 - Hospice of Lubbock Grief Camp

July 25-26, 2014 - A Day at the Farm for Kids Experiencing the Loss of a Loved One

We continue to be so grateful for Hospice of Lubbock.  Even though Nathan gained his angel wings over 3 years ago, Hospice was gracious enough to let Jacen still come to grief camp.  The suggested age is 5, so this was the first year that he could go.  The staff and volunteers were amazing.  I think it was a good experience for Jacen to see other people who have lost loved ones as well.

Friday evening, Lalani suggested that I stay the whole evening, so I got to see some fun events!!!

Playing a relay game - Jacen at this point was the bridge

Jacen with friend Ella from church (She lost her Nonny - Grandpa)

More of the relay game

Yoga - She talked with them about breathing exercises and yoga poses to help with handling grief.

They also had like a petting zoo out there as well.  I think this was his favorite part. Jacen informed me these are the same animal he saw with Grandma at Critterfest at Science Spectrum :)

Ella and Jacen

A baby Kangaroo with a diaper :)

Jacen with one of his group leaders

Ally, Ella, and Branson

Jacen trying to feed the horse some grass

Later on that evening, they talked with their group leaders about who they had lost.  They were then supposed to draw a picture or write something on a piece of wood.  It would then be thrown in the fire to get rid of the sorrow.  Jacen drew Nathan was an X across him because he is no longer here. He didn't want to throw his in the fire though :(

Roasting marshmallows to go on our s'mores

Saturday morning - I was supposed to drop him off and return that afternoon for a parent session and balloon release.  He found his friend Eli that he met the night before, and he chose an apple from their breakfast selection and was ready for me to leave.  

When I returned, he said he wasn't ready to go yet and was worried he had to leave right then.  Once I convinced him that wasn't the case he was ok!

Jacen and Ella using their yoga mats to rest on :)

The card Jacen made for Nathan to attach to his balloon to send to Nathan at the balloon release.

Releasing his balloon to Nathan

The blue one

He had to go see the animals again before we could leave!

Green Group Pic

Whole Camp Pic