Newt Graham Lock and Dam ~Broken Arrow, OK

We are studying the Erie Canal and since it had a lock, I wanted the boys to see one.

We have two within a two hour drive of us so I chose the closest and we headed out there.

It was a Friday afternoon and pretty dead.

Ha!

Steller planning I tell you.

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I was really hoping we would get there at a time the lock was being used but it was still cool to see.

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It was insteresting to see some of the barges that fit in the lock.

They seem too big!

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We drove around to the other side to see the dam.

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She believes in trust exercises…

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I think I will call ahead next time and find out when they have barges coming through but it was still a fun trip 🙂

If we lived closer, the Lock would be a fun place to eat lunch and watch for boats.

They even have a picnic area right next to it.

Favorites from June 2016 ~Adoption

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At the Sequoyah Wildlife Refuge.

Nick holding little bit always get’s to me.

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Seqouyah State Park

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Turkey Mt.

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This morning was rough so I don’t have a lot of words to add to these pics.

Kids in foster care have suffered terrible loss.

No matter the reason they are there.

There is so much trauma in these young lives, even babies.

Families being able to stay together is always better.

It is so painful when it does not happen.

Pain can often look like anger.

If you are wanting to adopt or foster make sure you research what trauma can do to a child.

The foster care system needs informed and trained help.

Because it is hard.

I shared some of my favorite resources a little while ago, you can check them out, here.

You can also check out this video about common characteristics of children from Hard Places.

Research the toll it can take on the caretaker or parent as well.

Oklahoma Railway Museum ~OKC, OK

We were not ready to go home yet after going to the Museum of Osteology so we stopped by the Oklahoma Railway Museum for a short visit.

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It actually worked out pretty perfectly.

They had a playground for the kids to play on and they got to go inside some of the rail cars!

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This is my favorite shirt…

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It is free so a quick stop worked out great!

Everyone got any extra energy out for the drive back!

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Just for fun I looked up pictures from the last time we went for our oldest’s birthday.

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2010 train ride at the Railway Museum!

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Seems like a different lifetime.