Making Memories

For the last three weeks, I have been going to 91B10 phase 1 school.  Translation: wheeled vehicle mechanic school for the Army and my new job within it.  Because of this school, I have not had a lot of time to hang out with my family very much or truly clean my house.

Today, we were released at 10:30 AM.  When I got home, I was on a mission to clean the place up before I had to pick Alyssa up from the bus stop. Then after we got some lunch from Jimmy Johns ($1 8" subs were today!!!!), I was going to come home and clean out Christian's bedroom since he is away at Boy Scout Camp and what better time to do that than when they are away?

Sadly, that plan of mine changed.

Instead, Alyssa, my Sister, and me decided to go fishing instead.

     (I know, I know, I should have been responsible and stayed home to clean, but hey, you probably would have done the same thing!)

After hitting the bait shop/ gas station/ smoothy/ pizza joint combination store, we headed off to Hall Lake.

We quickly settled in with our fishing poles, minnows and worms under the light falling rain.  Before we knew it, we were catching fish!

And then....    we weren't.

The fish that Jamie caught is just a touch larger than her bait!

I caught a little one too.

But... I also caught a big one!  15.5 inch large mouth bass!!!

As the evening progressed, the sun decided to grace us with it's presence and Alyssa couldn't help but swim in the warm water... in her clothes.

When you are a 10 year old girl, you get away with doing things like that.

Which reminds me of my youth growing up on Gun Lake.

My fondest and happiest memories are when I was in the water or on it.  Fishing, swimming, laying out getting fried- it didn't matter, as long as I was by the water.  I remember getting up early on summer days and getting into our boat with my mom for hours of fishing.  We would bring a big jar to go catch our own minnows in and sometimes we would take swimming breaks.  I'll never forget how my mom was there to teach us how to fish-  not just throw a line in and wait, but how to tie the fisherman's knot and how to bait a hook.

But honestly, what I treasure learning the most from those times, is how I was taught to be still.

To appreciate the lake and the land and the peace that comes with it.

As much fun as fishing is when you are catching fish, there is a lot of time when all you have to do is wait.

That is what I love about fishing--- The Wait.  The Beauty.  The Memory.

I can only pray that my daughter has learned some of that from today.