Recent trip to Chicago

Until Sonya and Abi post cool stuff...

And they're off

Sonya and Abi should finally be on a plane to Brazil right now. They are going to visit her brother and sister in law - and their family of course! It has been a decently long time in the making! We have hoped to have someone go for the past three years - and felt God tugging at our hearts to go this year.

So I am home with the 4 kids and no exciting stories - just moments of fun, happiness, and some moments of missing.

We went to Chicago Tuesday to take in some sights and just have fun. We sure enjoyed the Lakeview membership that gave all 7 of us admission to the Science and Industry museum. It was a great time. We even found our way to the Lego store on Michigan avenue before heading to the hotel.

They left yesterday morning - got stuck in Charlotte because JFK was shut down. This morning, after much work and prayer they were put on a plane to Miami - and now to Brazil. Just two more quick connections and they should be in Altamira tomorrow night!

The kids have done great! I am trying to think of things to do for two weeks to keep their minds off of their mom and sister being gone. Not sure how even a salon-done braid will hold out another week and a half. Not sure how to keep them moving. Not sure how to find times of refreshing when having to fill the role of two parents.

So in the first day we traveled home from Chicago - ate at Mc Donalds - came home and had a rest, followed by a watergun fight (thanks Mel and Wilf) - had a campfire with roasted marshmallows. Today - we did morning jobs, worked at a friends house, grocery shopped, ate, took Caleb to a party, napped some kids, cleaned up, had some game time, went to the swim team banquet, and then a swim party. I am exhausted!!

I know God will supply!

Log Splitting

SO we spent about a day and a half splitting wood here for the winter.

The kids all got involved. Our youngest even asked if she could help - or only big kids. She was thrilled to get involved.

The task left us all a bit sore - and wondering, where do I get one of these:

The Journey

So, for about a year Stephen and I have been planning a trip to get away.

He turned 13 last year and just went through 8th grade promotion, and we are taking the opportunity to use it as a time of transition in his life. He is about to encounter HIGH SCHOOL! With that four year experience will come many questions/decisions that will help make him into the man that he will become (and hopefully the man God wants him to be).

So we took a couple days to talk about the journey to manhood. We talked about future careers, the Christian life, changes coming in the next years, and several other topics. It was a good opportunity to have some father/son time. We camped in WI, did some fishing (no fish though), kayaked, relaxed, and had a nice time hanging out.

The rest of the family didn't quite get the concept however. Perhaps we were not clear enough! We have heard things like:

• Why did you go to manhood with Stephen?
• Why can't girls go to manhood? (as if it were a place) Do they kill all the girls?
• "When they went to manhood, did they..."
• Why do you keep calling it a journey - it is a trip!
• I know Stephen was on a journey to manhood - I think he didn't even get half way there. (this was said after an argument)

It appears that the journey (trip) has begun for Stephen. Please pray with us as he travels. He's got a great start!

-Dave