A Visit to Bloomington/Normal, Illinois

Four seminarians started their careers in the Fall of 2007.  When these seminarians started (Dennis, Bill, Andy and Jon) their wives happened to all volunteer to pass out bulletins at the opening chapel.  These wives (Valerie, Cindy, Julianna and Sarah) became fast friends.  One seminarian is still at the Seminary (Dennis) the others are out in the ministry.  While they are earning paychecks, the lone seminarian is working on an additional degree.

I had an opportunity to meet up with two of the lovely wives mid-March in Illinois.  Although we all live in different states (Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and North Dakota), the miles can't separate our love for each other and their families.

Ethan relaxing.

Ethan and The Cheese

Olivia on a Frog

Julianna and Caleb

Hold on tight!

Yee-haw!

Come on little brother, let's go for a ride.

Dancing and entertaining

Clapping and appreciating

Admiring God's handiwork

A monument in the park

Cute as a button

Ethan testing out Caleb's Bumbo seat

Ethan (4 months) and Caleb (6 months)

We missed you Sarah, but we look forward to seeing you in July!

Happy Birthday Dennis!

Dennis turned 28 on March 25.  We honored his birthday Sunday night with a trifecta celebration with our normal Sunday night crowd.  Three husbands have birthdays in consecutive order, Dennis being the last.  Each of the wives made a different dessert for her husband.  I made mini hamburgers out of yellow cake mix cupcakes (bun), brownies cut with a 2" biscuit cutter (burger), red, yellow and green frosting (ketchup, mustard, lettuce) topped with sesame seeds.  They were adorable to behold and delicious to eat.  

Dennis and the kids are recreating his birthday scene in this picture before munching on leftover birthday burgers.  I didn't have my camera handy during the Sunday night celebration. 

Happy Birthday Hubby, I am so blessed to have you as a spouse!  I love to watch you with Olivia and Ethan and am eager to serve with you in the ministry wherever the good Lord wants us to go.  I pray we have many more birthdays to celebrate together.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Dear Olivia...

March 14, 2012

Dear Olivia,

Today is your second baptismal birthday.   We celebrated this morning by eating cinnamon rolls.  I lit two candles and sang you a baptismal day song I learned when I was about your age.   Ethan and I watched you as you excitedly blew them out.  You proclaimed your breakfast to be "Yum, yum."

Later in the morning, while Ethan was napping, I painted your toenails blue.  I have been waiting for a very special occasion to do this.  You recognize the color blue and like to point out things that are blue in your daily life.  As I painted your toenails I explained that the blue color should remind you of your baptism.  I told you all about the morning you were baptized.  I told you that when you were baptized you became a Child of God.  We sat on the front porch, you were in my lap, as I painted and talked.  You were enthralled.  It was a beautiful day, unseasonably warm.  You looked at your toes and then at me and said, "Blue," and I replied, "Remember your baptism."  You grinned and said, "Tank you Mama."  My heart leapt for joy.

When Daddy tucked you in tonight you sang some of, "All Christians Who Have Been Baptized". After saying your prayers, he showed you a picture of your godparents holding you in front of the baptismal font. He told you all about how Pastor put water on you and said, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," then you finished his story by saying, "Ah-um." (Amen) Then you kissed a picture of Jesus, and went peacefully to sleep (it was a long day).

Olivia--you won't remember today.  I realize that.  You don't remember the day that you were baptized.  But I do.  And I will.  I will remember and I will remind you of your baptism.  I will remind you of the cross that was made across your forehead and your heart, marking you as redeemed.  I will show you pictures of the day.  I will point you in the direction of those who witnessed your baptism: both sets of grandparents, your godparents, your Aunt Lindsey and Unlce Andy, our best man Joe and a whole congregation of people.  I was there Olivia.  Tears came to my eyes when you became "God's own dear child."  I am blessed to have you in my life.  Daddy and Mommy are both blessed to have you in our life.

Lovingly,

Mama

Olivia was baptized, happy day!

All her sins were washed away,

God looked down on her and smiled,

She became God's own dear child.

Olivia Elaine
3.14.2010

Million Dollar Picture

Dennis snapped this shot during his break earlier this month and he is still bragging about it.  He is a proud daddy and the reasons are apparent.  Having one was fun, having two is wonderflu.  You read correctly...wonderflu.

Wonderflu kids

Ethan at 4 Months

Weighing in this month at 16 pounds 5.5 oz and measuring a whopping 25.5" is our handsome little fella Ethan Charles.  He has learned to take his lolly out of his mouth and somehow managed to squirm out of his p.j.'s last night (quite mysterious).  He loves to laugh and we love to hear him.  

Ethan and Bearmey at 4 months.

A Visit to Appleton City, MO

During Dennis's Winter Break, we had the distinct honor of visiting our dear friend Pastor David Herald.  Dave is Ethan's Godfather, he was a groomsman in our wedding and he is a trusted and loved friend.  Dave lives in a large parsonage in a small town where he serves as the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Appleton City, Missouri.  Last summer we were able to attend his ordination at Trinity.  Our visit in February was a bit different than our August visit.  The weather was cooler, the house had more furnishings and we had an additional car seat.

Dennis and Olivia welcome you.

Choo-choo.

Electrifying.

The local cemetery, beautiful weather.

Dave with Olivia and Ethan

Olivia enjoying the sunny weather.

 During our stay we were able to interact with the local animals.

Olivia and Sandy

Pastor Herald sharing some grapes.

Sandy, the dearest deer you could ever hope to meet.

Olivia and a cat.

Arty the Armadillo.

Puppet Theater

The local library had a special puppet theater night.  The show was the classic story Three Billy Goats Gruff.  Before the puppets appeared on stage, the kids were introduced to authentic African instruments.  Olivia and I volunteered to play the bass drum.

Miss Jackie getting to know the audience.

All smiles for the camera.

Setting up the rhythm band with Papa Ray.

We banged out the bass and kept the group in good time.  I think Olivia gets her musical talent from her father.  Olivia loves music and dancing, this was a real treat for the whole family.