Or?

Or should we sell him? I made a lovely "Campanelle with tomatoes and feta" out of Bon Appetit and this is what I get?
Jokes on me!

"Dog days...."

If you can't beat the weather....than get in the bucket of water?! At least that was Anders philosophy one hot August afternoon! This bucket was full (not because we filled it) but because of the rain we had received! No kidding....
We turned around to find Anders with shorts on plopped into the bucket and enjoying himself thoroughly. He's a keeper....

I want to be a part of it.... First Grade..First Grade!

If any of your remember Audra's swan song to Kindergarten was a tribute to Broadway that went something like... "I want to be a part of it....First Grade, First Grade!!! Well.....today she is. She bravely walked into her new class made up primarly of boys (14 to 6 to be exact) and sat in her seat. She looked like she may cry so I zipped out of there but having her gone again during the day has given me pause to sigh. I have LOVED having her home this summer. She is a good leader with her brothers, is creative, funny and kind. She must go and socialize, learn and grow but this mom will miss her!! Happy First day of school to Audra
( AND to... Katherine, Olivia, Lile, Corey, Chandler and many more Happy BAck to School!!!)

"Come Back to Texas"

Cousin Greta introduced us to a song this summer called "Come back to Texas!" And indeed we did! After three glorious weeks in Minnesota we drove the LONG drive home and crossed the border to our "State". The Lonestar State is where we call home and we've settled back in. (Gunnar, I believe was going potty, during this photo opp!?)

A future where....

The other day I experienced "a first". We decided after our weekly ritual of Saturday night Chipottle to have Cold Stone Ice Cream with the kids to celebrate the end of summer. We have done this routine before where I run in (by myself....coping skills we've learned due to our youngest's antics!). I promptly ordered our "usual" ice cream selection to a teenage boy who seemed nice enough. Before he finished my order I saw him grab his hip. What was this? Was he ailing from some early onset of arthritis... no... no... he was answering his cellphone. Ugh..I thought to myself. I can't believe he would even answer it! Of course he'll breathe quietly into the phone "I'll call ya back" but NO he said "HE DUDE!!" and proceeded to have a "text messaged sounding" gutteral conversation with his friend while filling my order! I was, to say the least, SHOCKED!! I sat with my mouth open hoping that another customer would come so we could have our mouths open together. He walked me to the cash register, still on his phone, and I loudly said to him "I need four spoons please!". "sure.." he said, interuppting his conversation with his friend. I cannot tell you my disbelief. He was having a very animated "no it really is Frankenstien dude, you're not losing your mind!! laugh laugh... more weird talk!" all while I was his customer. I walked out of the store in a daze. Had I dreamt this? Was this what we were teaching or allowing our teenagers...our children that communication with peers takes priority over everything else? Were we teaching them that as long as they don't get caught "it's ok?". Character...."Who you are when no one is looking" has lost it's value in our culture. I had been waited on by a teenager on his cellphone who CLEARLY did not have any remorse or embarrassment or even AWARENESS of his "bad choice". OH LORD teach me to teach my kids!!!!! Let them flow counter-culturally with solid character!

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY JOEY!!!

August 19th our nephew.....our baby boy nephew JOEY turned sweet 16!!!!!!! He can drive!! He is a sophomore and he is incredible..... he is pictured here with our amazing niece Tyra who is starting High School as well in a few short weeks!!!
We love all our amazing nieces and nephews and today (all week!) we celebrate Joey turning 16!!! Happy Birthday Joey!

For Boys Everywhere!

What does it mean to be a little boy? Really?....here's to finding a mud puddle and jumping in! Summer's almost over but as a kid you take the memories of lazy days, adventures, an unscripted day of sunshine and play.

Wedding Day!

If you knew us well 13 years ago you'd have been at our wedding!:) WE celebrate years of laughter, hard work, three children, family, great memories, good jobs and great friends!!

How does one measure success?

It's easy to get discouraged in our daily life when we feel like we're not making a difference. It feels like we work at things and we're "wasting our time". Some days I feel like if I have to remind my kids to say please and thank you "one more time" and then all of a sudden they say it w/out prompt to friends and relatives. They ask thoughtful questions or show compassion (where once a mother thought there was none!) We might think....it's a waste of time for me to recycle this can (am I really making a difference?), or take the time to thank the cashier, to write a thank you note, to learn a few vocabulary words,... does it matter?
I came home from three weeks away to an entirely dead garden. Overgrown with weeds, wilted and exhausted from the Houston heat. It was a sad sight, really rather pathetic and another thing to add to my list. I was out pulling some of the weeds and old tomato plants in the 100 + heat today and something caught my eye. On top of my seeminglyl dead plant was this near perfect cherry tomato!! Just sitting, almost smiling at me with delight. It was as though this little tomato couldn't wait to show itself off and I almost missed it yanking the plant out!
This little tomato thrived in the heat, the every day rain we received while we were away. It survived the overgrowth of weeds. Do I miss more things in my life because I can't see past the weeds? Am I too impatient when conditions don't meet my expectations so I yank prematurely. Does this apply to my parenting. Can I see each of my children as unique. Thriving under various conditions? Anders thrived on the farm. He couldn't get enough of the outdoors, the tools and tractors, he was happiest dirty!
This little tomato may tell a story bigger than the heartiest tomato in a perfect garden.
At least it did for me today? OR...It could still be the delirium of recovering from strep throat too that made me so reflective from a tiny mater!!...

A Gaggle of Cousins....

(from left: Anders, Ilsa, Audra, Gunnar, Oskar & Tanyi)
THis picture was taken of these precious cousins sitting atop the wheel of a Combine Tractor that cost $300, 000 at the Jackson County Fair. These were the facial expressions after being told to "smile....smile kids....SMILE!!!!!!" The pictures get even funnier after cotton candy, milk shakes and bad 4H food! Here's to a good 'ol fashion County Fair! They had a blast Grandpa!

Grandpa's biggest fans!

If ever there were two "little farmers" it is these two. Well, I should say Gunnar is the "farmer" and Anders is the "Grandpa want-to-be". He was attached to Grandpa's hip (or as Anders' called him Papa!) They delighted in Grandpa's machinery, his cows, land, tools, boat and especially just him. Anders held Grandpa's big index finger tightly if he feared Grandpa was leaving for the day....and if I can risk it I might even say that Grandpa Bob enjoyed it...just a bit!

The "Bob" Award...

We've just returned from our three weeks in MN and what a time we had. It was hard to make the two day drive home saying goodbye to family, cool nights, the lake, the farm and summer vacation! WE had a really special time together.... It's always so grounding to be in Minnesota, to be with family, and this year was no different.
Early in our trip we got to be part of a celebration and award for my dad. It was a surprise to him but he was honored for the amazing work he's done over the last 6 years in saving, restoring and growing the once former High School in Windom to it's now thriving "Business, Arts & Recreation Center (BARC)". There was a slide show, a nice speech and finally an award called the "Bob Award" that will now be given yearly to the person who shows outstanding effort in BARC. It was very special to be part of this night with my parents..... We are so proud of you dad! (and mom too....who by the way came up with the name BARC!)
We miss you already....
(more pictures to come!)