Summer Fun

2 weeks ago Geryll spent several days at a business seminar in Texas. My youngest sister Sonya kept me company part of the time. We went to Presque Isle and rented a surry bike. Tristan was not impressed with the helmet he needed to wear or with the special seat for him to ride in, so most of the time one of us had to peddle and hold him at the same time. Sonya was 8 when I left home for Faith Builders. Now, at 15, she's grown and changed so much- almost caught up to me. I love her dearly.

Tristan and I went to the Thurston Classic, a hot air balloon event hosted here in town every year. I can't believe I've never gone before! It was lovely! I've never seen a balloon on the ground, and their size surprised me.

Blessed by a Child

"Even a child is known by his doings; whether his work be pure, and whether it be right." Proverbs 20:11. Last week Tristan's young friends came for a birthday party. 15 children brought our small backyard to life as they blew bubbles, listened to stories on tapes, hopped in a trash bag sack race, and pulled each other in the wagon.

As the party ended, I helped my friend and her children cross the street to her van. Returning to the backyard, I found my little friend Chris hard at work. He had cleaned up the yard! The blanket tent was taken down from the washline. The games, books and toys were piled into the wagon! His mom said he wanted to clean up before he went home. Earlier, when some children were in danger of being scratched by some branches from a bush, Chris came to me, worried. I clipped some branches, then gave the clippers to him. He continued to prune for a long time.

The memory of his gift lingers in my mind since that day. His thoughtfulness and willingness to help reveal the beauty of his young heart. They call me to offer my gifts to God and others freely.

Almost One

Since Mom and Dad came to visit this weekend, we had a family party in honor of Tristan's soon coming birthday. Can it be a year since he arrived? Life changed so much for me and Geryll since his birth. Stepping away from school and into motherhood hasn't been super easy for me. Mothering is WAAYYY harder than teaching! There aren't so many definite answers or immediate results; no leaving the work at school; no weekends off; no uninterrupted nights of sleep; no lunch talks with colleagues; no after school discussions to stir my brain.

On the positive side, Tristan is a joy boy. Our mornings are much cheerier with a little boy happily sharing our breakfast. Afternoon walks and shopping trips are more fun with him. He waves and kicks and makes happy sounds. He opens my eyes to kitties and action. I love caring for him and seeing him grow.

Here he is in the decorated wagon. Grandpa Sam was pulling him around, much to the delight of both of them.

His cake, a combination of his two favorite toys: a monster book with a surprise mirror page at the end, and his toy dinosaur. He dug into it as soon as I picked him up for the picture.

Kylie and Kaden help him open his John Deere cell phone from Grandma.

We spent Saturday afternoon and evening at Presque Isle with Dad, Mom and Sonya. Tristan HATES the beach, crying in fear as soon as we get in sight of the lake. Here he's riding in his favorite position, pulling Daddy's hair in delight.

Turning Thirty

A little over a week ago, it happened. I turned 30. In many ways I'm ready for this. Plenty of my friends have gracefully reached this mark. Still, it's sobering. I want to cling to the energy and passion of youth while receiving the wisdom and maturity of age. Is it possible to have both?

At times the fervor of youth surges through me: reckless ambition, wild dreams, desire to change the world for Christ- whatever it takes. All accompanied by a pounding heart. Often the feelings subside as I soberly realize how much hard work, disappointment, sacrifice, and tears will accompany the fulfilling of those dreams. Life has taught me that having your dreams come true isn't as glamorous as it first seems.

Still, I will dream big, for at 30 I know more of God's bigness than I did at 20. In the last 10 years He's taken me places I never imagined as a teenager, some happy, some sad- all full of His presence, whether I saw it or not. I open my journal, take pen in hand, and dream about the next 10 years, knowing nothing is too big for Him.

The flowers are from my dear far-away friend, Rhonda, who graciously remembers my birthday when I forget hers. The picture is poor, but there are 2 sweet lilies in the boquet.

On to other things. . . We went to Caia's wedding in West Virginia- a 6+ hr. drive. With a boy pushing 4 teeth, plus driving down Friday and coming back Saturday, most of the trip wasn't super fun. As we crossed the West Virginia mountains, I kept thinking of the pioneers. Here I'm going crazy cramped in the backseat of a car with a fussy boy. All the while I can look forward to a break for a cone, a bed in the evening, and meeting with friends the next day. None of that for them! I can't see that riding in a wagon day after day would have been comfortable for Mom or fun for a toddler. No bathrooms, friends left behind, stewing supper over an outdoor fire. . .the list could go on and on. Below, Tristan and Geryll are relaxing in the hotel. Somehow, I didn't get any good pictures at the lovely wedding.