This Blog is for Besty

http://walkingtomaine.blogspot.com/

For those of you reading that haven't used the link I have for my wonderful friends Dustan and Betsy - they are finishing the Appalachian Trail -- (yes, the whole freaking thing!) And I just have to give a shout-out to them! (for more on their wild adventure -- click on the dang link!)

Bets, I remember when you won that award at the Honor Academy and gave that rocking speech about building monuments at defining points in our lives- like when Joshua took the people across the Jordan River and they built this sweet pile of rocks that the priests had stood on in the river- where they carried the presence of God in their backpacks.... yeah, well, ... at the end of that speech that inspired my whole community of microwave-mature friends- I stood and clapped and cried and rejoiced that you were the one who had been honored to speak to us that night. There is something of 100%maplesyrup love when you feel rewarded when your friends receive their reward. "...we will rejoice when you are victorious!"

Can't wait to catch up after you spend some time acclimating back to bath and body work showers and electric vegetable choppers.

Appeal to comment

Does anyone read this blog?! Really missing the comments lately....

PS- I Love these shoes from www.freepeople.com

Hey Mom

I made you some apple-bread. But, you're going to have to come over and get it....

Flushed Away

The boys have this new game they play for seemingly wide spans of time: They got it from a movie called Flushed Away. And they basically pile all of our well-worn couch pillows up into a giant toilet and pretend to "flush" each other down the toilet, toppling from the peak of the cushion mountain to the floor as they make a roaring flushing noise. It's quite amusing. ... so long as they are keeping all they're limbs out of the real thing.

Thanks Grandma... and Auntie Heather

Hey ladies, (Grandma and Auntie Heath)

I'm just sportin my new threads that Grandma just sent me... feeling so cool and hip and wearing out my little play mat that cuz passed down to me. Muchas Gracias lovely ladies in my life! I can't wait to see you!!

Love,

Ryland

on my day off...

I had the afternoon off last wednesday and i drove to a park and fell asleep in the backseat of my mini-van.

The pic of this guy off flickr- is a close truth to my reality minus the wendy's soda.

Tis the Season...

The baking fiasco has officially begun with the ushering in of Fall. It doesn't matter that it doesnt "feel" like fall. It is. By the book. Fall. And I'm hoping to get the season to kick into it's true identity by baking and wearing cordoroys. I may be sweating my face off... in this July-like weather... but ... it's fall. dang it all.

Pics of me studying under bread-baking master- Lauren. And the kids doing what they do... while we ... bake bread.

Ry- unedited

I just love this juicy little kid. He's vocal and happy and pretty self-sufficient (apart from the obvious can't feed himself, dress himself, or change his nappy little diapers by himself) but he's just so likeable! I love getting my nose into his neckline- even though is almost always dunking my face into a puddle of drool. It's clean smelling drool, ...

I don't really even care. I suddenly turn into a dog, lapping up his face to show affection. Kisses don't really even exist to kids this age yet- closeness does and skin to skin... but kisses are just a weird version of the mouth to mouth action that they really want: chomping on your chin or drooling on your cheek or sucking on your nose.

Jackson Jude Song

Click on the title to access the sweet song that Dan just wrote for Jackson. (There's a version II as well)

Dan, seriously great job. Jack and I listen to this song all the time- So proud of you.

Love,

Linds

For more of Daniel's greatest hits: check him out @ http://www.youtube.com/user/jonesportman21

It's a Zoo in here... my minivan, that is.

Spent the day at the Milwaukee Zoo with friends on Tues : Shanon is a heroic mother of three. But since Judah was in school today- we only had Arden and Avery. All 5 boys fit into Shanon's van. To think , so much untapped potential in our vehicle. I know that we can at least fit 2 more!!

As we made our drive north into Milwaukee- I turned around and notice everyone of our kids was wearing blue- funny. (see pic of kids crammed into van to validate) And on top of it all.... me and Shan were too. Prone to the blues?? Never!

Bear

Dear Lorraine,

Remember getting me "Bear in a tent" for my baby shower for Jackson about 4 years ago?? Yeah, well, he's one of the most instrumental parts of our school day. He makes an appearance for story time and handwriting and Jackson adores him. He uses kind words, hugs, and amazing levels of obedience for Bear...

Just wanted to say thanks. And THANKS for the amazing shirt you and Emily sent to me. I'm feeling quite lovely and loved!

Love, Lindsay

Rocket Science...

Went to the library to spend some time writing and grab a couple fun items for the kids. I almost always get a little insecure going thru the check out since my file history has a running tally of kids books and videos and ZERO content checked out for anyone over the age of 4- ... The insecurity has to do with wanting to walk out of a library feeling more intelligent than when I walked in, but the reality is- 9 times out of 10 I feel slightly more frazzled (especially when the kids are with me) and 2 knotches more simple-minded than when I walked in. So- anyway, the woman who checked my material out at the counter didn't smile at all- she just raised her eyebrows, let out a sigh, and silently vocalized her judgements. But, I'm over it- she has no idea that Jackson and I spent the day today learning about reversible change (made ice-pops) Newtons third Law (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction), and Bernoulli's Principle (physic's principle implying airlift).

The name of the book for anyone interested: 50 mind blowing, eye-popping science experiments, Rain newcomb and Bobby Mercer. Oh. And I made a phenomenon of a carrot cake in my kitchen. If I made any spelling errors during this post, ... don't be quick to judge. I AM doing rocket science over here, and making cakes to boot.

potty-training

Okay- I just have to say that the reward book that my mom-in-law got me for Emerson's potty training is superb and has really helped with the process. That being said, I have to expose how ridiculous some of the stickers are that we use on his chart. It makes me wonder who these kids are and what they are doing today, and if they feel bitter about having their faces photo-shopped into a toilet-training course.

"F" is for...

Face-painting. Okay, ... let's all take a minute to snicker at my attempt to face paint TRAINS on Jackson's face at his request. And applaud the effort to learn the letter "f". Sitting down and cutting pictures out of magazines of words starting with this letter was a disaster- so we're opting for more "out of the box" ways to remember our letters.

School is in Session

As many of you may already know, we've purposed to take Jackson and Emerson thru a pre-school cirriculum this year as part of a small coop with another mom in order to instill some "school readiness". Yesterday was our first official day of school (thought the grandparents would like to know) and although each day presents its own challenges, I am so encouraged in how God will change each of us this year. I would love for each of you to join our morning "coffee clatches" as we discuss the weather, and our plan for the day. And to take up your sword as we memorize our scripture verse for the week- (Proverbs 4:20)- both the boys already have it memorized.

This week we're learning what it means to be attentive: to listen with our eyes, our ears, and our heart.

Here's a few pics of our new "stations": play areas, book nook, art and dramatic play areas etc...

GreenLake Goodness

(Click on my title to go to the Green Lake Conference Center link)


Had a fantastic time at Green Lake this year. It was the first time we brought all the kids and although most of our spare time in the evening was spent huddled in the hotel hallway with other couples of young kids to ensure no one under the age of 5 was breaking out, ... it was nonetheless refreshing and encouraging. Here's a few pics of the boys:

Ryland -

Just a few fresh photos of Ryland: