Summer field trip!

I promised myself this summer I wouldn't let it slip by without taking advantage of all the fun free things there are to do. My plan is to find a new place to explore weekly and we thought it'd be fun to concentrate on the Mississippi River and all there is to see and do in, around and about it.

Today we went to Lilydale Regional Park - Jacob, Ella, Jill and I. We didn't park quite in the right place, so had a pretty long trek, but, that's not necessarily a bad thing. We started at "Bruce Vento's View". We saw a waterfall, Echo cave and a brick oven, went fossil hunting and walked to Pickeral lake. There were many signs along the way to learn about what we were seeing.

I'm so glad that, save a few exceptions, Ella and Jacob have a blast together. When we were raising the first batch of kids they had little need for friends, pre-teenage years, as they were content playing with each other. So far, that is usually the case for Ella and Jacob - they are really compatible and just have a blast together.

Mark has been uber-busy working on Shannon's new bathroom. It is a huge undertaking and as with every project in this old house has tons of bumps along the way - nothing is ever plumb. It is only 3 weeks until her surgery - spine fusion - a very serious surgery for the 60 degree curves, 2, in her back.

Next week Mark and I are going to Chicago to visit good friends for 3 days - a post-wedding/pre-surgery getaway if you will. We are greatly looking forward to it and trying not to get too ahead of ourselves thinking about the immense impact Shannon's surgery will forever have on our lives.

Today - we had lots of fun exploring!

Wedding Wedding Wedding

Our daughter Melissa set a wedding date right after Christmas and it's been busy busy making plans for that. Tomorrow we are going to tour the wedding and reception site. Mark and I were at a wedding there, but they have yet to see it - hopefully they will like it as much as we did. Of course, there will not be any snow May 28 - I know it's Minnesota, but that would definitely be ridiculous.

Last week I went to a fabric warehouse and amazingly found a bolt of fabric that matches the sash on her dress - it's called azalea, so kind of a dark pink. I was really excited to find it as I hadn't found anything close to it at the local fabric stores. So, now 6 little girl dresses to make and 2 bow ties for Chris and his buddy - it's a long story, but he has been collecting bow ties. I will also be making Melissa's daughter Kaia's dress which will match Melissa. Should be cute.

In memory of Ian Henderson

Last February the unthinkable happened to our friends Tom and Deb Henderson. They lost their 7 yr. old son and only child Ian to brain cancer. They will soon complete a year of firsts without Ian - a relief in an odd way I think.

For Ian's birthday this summer, they planned a celebration by inviting others to package food at Feed My Starving Children. In trying to turn their grief into something that would honor Ian's memory they thought about kids whose moms and dads are doing their best, but unable to provide the most basic of needs so their children can thrive.

Rather then turn the one year anniversary of his homegoing into a time of sorrow, they are again looking to help other kids in his memory. Deb said to me that there was nothing they could do for Ian, but kids are dying because they don't have clean water to drink - and we can do something about that.

Yes - we certainly can. So, if you are able to financially help in providing a well in Ian's memory through World Vision - please go to the site listed below.

Thanks - and thanks Tom and Deb for thinking of and providing for other kids in honor of your beloved son. How very proud of you he would be.

Spinning my wheels

Some days it just seems as if I run around in circles and achieve absolutely nothing. I actually cleared off my sideboard the other day and was so proud - today it's stacked with kids stuff again. Sigh....... Just not sure what the point of cleaning is beyond the main areas that need to be cleaned for health reasons - bathrooms and the kitchen. Really other then that - what's the deal about a little dust, or stacks of papers, or piles of laundry. We sure like to beat ourselves up over that though, don't we?

I once heard a quote by a mom who was complaining about her torn up lawn due to her four sons who were constantly running around, playing ball etc. Her husband looked at her and said - in 20 years we'll grow a lawn, right now we're growing our sons. Nicely said.

However, in this marathon type of parenting we've got going on - 29 years down, another 12 just to get the last one to 18 - we will be far too exhausted and could possibly be incapable of keeping a nice tidy little house. So be it - I will make peace with the dust and try to enjoy the people who create it.

Yikes - catch up

OK so far behind. I'll never be able to get caught up with everything, but Callie did an excellent job with the flag waving and after we practiced quite a bit she got comfortable with the music and started taking bows at the end.

Tonight Mark, Ella, Jacob and I went to Chris' lacrosse game. It was the big Lakeville N. Vs. S. rival. This is the first year they each have their own team, so they really wanted to win it. Well, the day was quite warm, but when the sun went down it got very cold and was crazy windy. Anyway, they ended in a tie, had 2 overtimes with no score and then had to call it due to lightening. So now, they have to reschedule to finish it. Totally a nail biter. They kids were great even though they were freezing. Who knew Mark and I would enjoy a sporting event so much. Neither of us are much for sports, but it's so exciting to watch your kid play. Go Cougars!

off school

Another teacher inservice day.  No school for my kids.  The good news is they slept in till 8 - awesome.  The better news is it's 11 and there have been no major fights of any kind.  I have 6 kids in the house - so that's pretty awesome.  

So, now it's 8:40PM - more then a few interruptions.  All in all the kids got along well today.  

Tomorrow night my son Conor and grandson Dominic are joining the 6 at home for dinner.  His wife, Shannan, is a standup comic and couldn't pass up a gig for Valentine's night.  So, lame as it is, he is spending Valentine's day with his mom and siblings.  Dominic just started walking and I haven't seen him on two feet yet, so am super excited.

Hopefully, we can keep Callie in particular from knocking him over.  She has developmental delays and is VERY impulsive.  She has no patience whatsoever for crying kids - fortunately Dom rarely cries, but you never know.  It's hard to take her anyplace where kids are around as you never know when she might be set off.  

I suppose I should get the kids snacked up for bed - 

Later -