Financial Freedom...E=C2M

In August we attended the Consumer Choice National Convention where Greg and his business partner, Dan, were promoted to the company's first National Director's. Way to go guys! It's been three years of a lot of work and effort, but it is nice that those efforts are starting to pay off.

Saving people money on products and services they already use like utilities (natural gas, electricity, phones, and SO much more) is such a great thing to be involved with. The deregulation of energy (like the deregulation of telecoms years ago) has paved the way for incredible opportunities to save people money while making money at the same time.

Check out this cool video and see if you happen to recognize anyone.
www.teamccm.com/thekerrclan

So bizarre, yet so much fun. African Wildlife Sarari...in Ohio.

Thanks to a significant discount through Groupon, we got tickets to the African Wildlife Safari near Sandusky, OH. I can only say that it was a bizarre experience - -driving around having all sorts of wild animals try to stick their heads and bodies into our car. And yet, it was hilarious. We laughed so hard -- we simply had to buy more food and drive through a second time.

   Granted, I was a little nervous that I might end up with a cracked windshield. The horns on some of those creatures -- swinging around while swatting flies -- more than a little nerve-wracking. (And someone did get their windshield cracked while we were there.)

Cambrie did not love being eye to eye with all of the "hippos."(Her words, not mine.) But she was a trooper watching through the window. Addysen and I alternately screamed and video-taped while Kenzie and Brynnley fought over who got to feed the next carrot. It was really a lot of fun...in a sort of disgusting way. (The slobber left on my window and door left a lot to be desired.)

Scouting Advancement

Thanks to some serious effort on behalf of his newly-called leaders (and ok, I will say it...myself), Cannon earned his Arrow of Light. He has now moved on to the 11-year-old scouting program with another awesome leader. Words can't express how much I appreciate dedicated Scout Leaders! While I am a huge believer in the scouting program (and gladly claim pride in my Eagle Scout dad and brother), I don't know anything about scouts. In fact, I admitted to the Bishop that I actually hate pack meeting and am very glad to be done with it.

Too much information? Perhaps. But, as the Bishop pointed out, if I could actually pay attention and listen (rather than chase bored children around), I might actually enjoy it. Maybe. But since my son has moved on, I guess we'll never really know. Either way, I am very proud of Cannon and look forward to seeing him all the way through to Eagle Scout. I can only imagine all the things I will learn along the way!

Oh yeah, we had a birthday

 Cannon is currently in love with all things Under Armour. He picked this out, then acted really surprised when he unwrapped it.

Hard to see, but this sports-lover is showing off his autographed batting club -- signed by the Indian's Right Fielder (and Cannon's favorite player) Shin Soo Choo. Additionally, he is showing off his autographed cleat, signed by the Indian's Pitcher, Mitch Talbot.

Good thing I am documenting Cannon's 11th birthday (on July 18th), the day before Brynnley's 8th birthday (September 12th.) Better late than never, right? I think we had cake -- and I am sure I have the traditional picture around here somewhere. We celebrated with cousins (whose birthdays are 2 days apart)...so maybe that is why I can't find it. Who knows? I'm just blaming this summer's lack of pictures on my camera lens not working. (But watch out! I have a new lens now!)

We took a trip

Although my camera was acting up throughout...we did manage to take a few pictures while at the lake in North Carolina. It was a super-fun trip filled with lots of jet ski's, boat rides, fish (some catching of and some falling in on top of), play time with cousins, making tye-died t-shirts (how do you spell that?) zip-lining (again, I think I am making up words here), a rope swing (oh wait, the crash landing on the rock does not qualify as super-fun...just ask Cannon) and so much more.
How grateful we are to Greg's Uncle Jay and Aunt Lynn for letting us invade (that is quite literal -- 8 adults and 12 children) their lake house!