Three is a Magic Number

Last weekend was Somerset's fine arts festival.  Our music and art teachers are tremendous!  Emilee had a picture selected for the art show.  I ran into her art teacher who raved about Em's artistic skills.  I so appreciate people who understand my children, especially when they open my eyes to parts of my kids I don't necessarily notice.  She said, "We could give Emilee art class five times per week and it wouldn't be enough."  She also had wonderful things to say about Faith.  So proud of them! Mass Choir:  5th - 12th Samuel played in the band, sang in the choir, and played handbells.  He handled himself so well all night, moving from one preformance area to the next.  The night ended with a mass choir which was super cool and a fabulous experience for Samuel.  The 5th through 12th graders all sing together.  Samuel had his first encounter with that music high you get when you are part of something rea...

I am posting this to show my husband's great talent.  This is better than flower or chocolate for V-Day. Now, let me see... Oh, where shall I start? We know that you're kind And you're sweet and you're smart A Biblical scholar Of unquestioned renown And a true savvy shopper who Finds best deals in town A cook of great skill Known for hot dishes and soups And a great family leader Who always readies the troops A stong, loving mother Dedicated and true With a firm, loving heart One who will follow through With a twinkling eye You're my wonderful wife I am lucky and blessed To have you in my life! Love, Paul

Why do all my kids get this?!  http://cyberdentist.blogspot.com/2006/03/permanent-teeth-coming-in-behind-baby.html Off to the dentist Em will go.  We wondered why she hadn't lost any teeth yet.  We've been waiting and waiting.  And then this morning, I noticed why.  Hoping they will pull just 2, instead of 4.  Update 2/14: Did you know that the tooth fairy pays more for teeth the dentist pulls?  Four teeth pulled = $10!  She did great. 

We had an unexpected journey out to the "east" this last weekend to the real part of WI.   I needed to attend a workshop in Burlington, and I didn't find out about it until Wednesday of last week.  Because the trip was so long, Paul suggested that we all go and get a hotel with a waterpark for the kids.  We stayed in Lake Geneva on Friday.  Paul drove the kids into Illinois on Saturday, just because Samuel complains about how few states he's been to.  We drove over to Lake Michigan in Racine on Saturday early evening.  Burrrr.  Stayed outside of Milwaukee on Saturday night.  Spent Sunday at the capitol, UW-Madison campus, and downtown madtown.  Pictures are poor--cell phone.  I really need to start remembering the camera. Paul and Em walking down hall. Quote from the trip:  While walking through the capitol, the kids noticed how pretty it was.  Faith said, "The person who owns the sta...

May you experience vast, expansive, infinite, indestructible love. May you discover that this love is as wide as the sky and as small as the cracks in our human hearts. And may you know, deep in your soul, that love wins. (Adapted, Rob Bell) Picture by Patt's fireplace after the Celebration of Remembrance. This World is not conclusion, A Species stands beyond— Invisible, as Music— But positive, as Sound— It beckons, and it baffles— Philosophy, don’t know— And through a Riddle, at the last— Sagacity, must go— to guess it, puzzles scholars To gain it, Men have borne Contempt of Generations and Crucifixion, shown— Faith slips—and laughs, and rallies— Blushes, if any see— Plucks at a twig of Evidence— And asks a Vane, the way— Much Gesture, from the pulpit— Strong Hallelujahs roll— Narcotics cannot still the tooth that nibbles at the soul—  Emily Dickenson

Thanks to auntie Kate for the cookie making! Hugs and kisses. Christmas Tree. Samuel's holiday concert. At a Christmas shop and tree farm, with sleigh.  Jody took us.

Having finished my first semester at UTS, I am getting asked, "How is seminary going?"  The short answer... fabulous.  I have to admit, the transition was a bit rough at first.  New schedules, new ways of thinking, new ways of writing.  It took me forever to complete every assignment, and I missed my old work place.  United is a very strange place.  People take every issue, every corner of their lives, seriously.  Talk about living intentionally.  The level of passion was a bit overwhelming.  When you walk into the cafe, nearly every table has a theological, ecclesiological, or political discussion occurring. And Bibles are opened in every study corner.   Yes, it took awhile to adjust. But after about a month, I was adjusted; Paul was adjusted; and the kids were adjusted.  Assignments started to become easier.  I started to use words like "context," "social...