Como Zoo

Short version: Curt presented
Sarah with a coupon for a trip to Como Zoo for her birthday. Sarah was very excited. A good time was had by all.

Longer version: We coordinated schedules with our friend Georgia (who lives in the Cities) and decided that September would be the best time to plan our adventure. We left home Friday after Curt got off work. We spent the night at Georgia's house and intended to get an early start. We arrived at the zoo around lunch time and got to see some spectacular animals. Seals, giraffes, lions, zebras, monkeys, a tiger, wolves, polar bears (we took lots of pictures for you, Katie!), flamingos, and an ostrich. Please understand this is not an exhaustive list (unless you are tired of reading it). Right. Well.

We got to meet up with our friends the Yoders while we were there, too. They have three small boys. Their second son, Uri, is the cute little guy in the picture. Megan is the short one posing as Winnie the Pooh.

Como Zoo also houses a first-rate conservatory. We enjoyed browsing through their collection of exotic flora.

We were all tired by the time we got back to Georgia's house, but it was a good tired.

What a great birthday present! Thanks, Curt.

Lincoln Reception, Part III

After the reception cleanup, we followed Curt's parents back to St. Ed to spend Saturday night in their home. Thankfully, the Suburban started with minimal intervention.

After the morning service at Creston we were invited to stay for a potluck dinner in honor of Curt's Dad's birthday. Those ladies are excellent cooks! We happily accepted their invitation.

We left for MN shortly after eating and arrived home in good time.

We have decided NOT to go anywhere far away next weekend. Megan's carseat has thanked us.

Lincoln Reception, Part II

The reception itself went splendidly. Megan and I got to meet quite a few new faces, while Curt had a chance to catch up with family he had not seen in a long time. Jon and Judy arrived safely and appeared to enjoy seeing pictures from their wedding. An anniversary celebration started right after the wedding reception ended, but since most of the same people were celebrating both occasions, we just stayed through the afternoon into the evening and made a day of it.

Lincoln Reception, Part I

We decided rather last minute that we would go to the Lincoln reception with Carol and her kids in their Suburban. We left Friday afternoon and arrived in NE after nine o'clock, post meridian. The Suburban refused to start when we tried to leave Grandma Smith's house to get to the Howsdens (pictured above). Grandma Smith allowed us to squeeze into her car as a temporary solution, and we made it safely over to the other side of Lincoln.

Megan finally. . .

Walked.

Tuesday, August 8, 2006.

Judy's Wedding, Part V

My favorite groomsman. Ever.

Judy's Wedding, Part IV

We got more chances to talk to family and friends during the reception after the wedding. Megan fell asleep in her Great-Grandma Gwin's lap, and we put her in her own little room for a nap, so she missed most of the goings on.

After the bride and groom left and most of the cleanup was done, people started saying goodbyes. We postponed a few of them by planning to meet for supper with all the family that could stay. Curt's Grandpa Gwin treated.

During the afternoon Kim played the piano and people sang or listened as they chose. Good memories are made of stuff like that.

After a wonderfully filling supper at Old Country Buffet, we had to say the rest of our goodbyes.

Our trip on Sunday was uneventful, but long. It's good to be home.

Judy's Wedding, Part III

The wedding ceremony went very well. I was a little disappointed to not be able to see it all, but Megan and Calvin needed to be somewhere else. Thankfully, Curt's cousin, Pamela, came with me to watch them, and we took turns standing in the back to watch the service.

Curt's dad gave the charge to the couple, and I was privileged to be able to hear that.

Judy's Wedding, Part II

Curt was responsible for the decorations, so he met Judy and Jon at the church shortly after 9 a.m. Megan and I hitched a ride with Abigail to LARCC and rode the rest of the way to church with Kim and Co.

Lunch turned into a celebratory picnic for everyone who has a birthday, and the rehearsal dinner took place that evening.

We got to see (and meet) lots of family that we had not seen in years. Curt's CA cousins and uncle, Curt's Mom's WA cousins, and all of Curt's grandparents were able to attend. Mom and Dad Green also joined the party.

Many last minute details had to be taken care of, but a good time was had by all. (I can feel all the English majors cringing. Sorry :)

Judy's Wedding, Part I

We drove all day Thursday and arrived in South Bend, IN, sometime after ten to spend the night with our gracious hosts, the Yoder family. Abigail was my roommate during my senior year at Northland; I enjoyed the time we got to spend with her. Megan basked in the attention she got both from the family and the family's friendly dog, Morgan. We spent Thursday night and Friday night with them, and we hope to see them all again soon.

There and Back Again

I did not go directly to the house when I got back to Danville. First I stopped by my gas station to learn that no one I knew still worked there. Next, we went to Walmart and had Megan’s picture taken. We surprised Katie by visiting her place of employment for the second time in a week. She seemed fairly busy with a hand truck and some unruly foliage, though, so we didn’t get to talk long.

For the first time all week, Megan slept well at night. Unfortunately, I did not profit from this remarkable change in her nocturnal habits because Katie and I decided to watch a movie instead of going to bed early. She had to work the next morning, and I was planning to be driving all day, but such is life. We got in some good talking time. Who needs sleep, anyway?

We left IL at a decent time Friday morning, and the trip itself proved uneventful. We arrived home before dark, and Megan gladly went to sleep in her own bed. I unpacked the car and got most of our luggage out of the way to make room for Curt’s.

I had a fantastic time, but I’m glad to be home.

To Grandmother's house we go.

Mom and Dad beat us to Grandmother and GrandDad’s house. When we got there, we were treated to a delicious meal prepared by the host and hostess themselves. We enjoyed another birthday cake for dessert, and I got to open even more presents. GrandDad had assembled a generous stash of computer parts and pieces that he knew I could use. In a card, Grandmother gave me a handwritten copy of a poem she had written for me when I was five years old. I had never even known it existed. It made me smile. Dad and Mom left later in the evening, while Megan and I stayed the night.

GrandDad took us to see their subdivision’s park and pool on Thursday morning. Most of the equipment was built for older kids, but she liked the little car on a spring. Back at their house we chatted for most of the morning while Megan played. After lunch we needed to head back toward IL so we could get a head start on our journey home.

BWCAWA

Pictures should be fothcoming later (we tried to pack lightly). We had good adventures in the Boundary Waters. It took a full day to get into the park, part of which was at night, and partly because the brakes on the car started the tell-tale squeal of impending failure. We spent Friday night at a bunk house in northern MN, then finished the car portion, repaired the brakes, purchsed last-minute supplies, and started in from the town of Ely.

We made it over the most difficult portages early in the day on Saturday, but the wind was stiff enough that we just couldn't make the headway we had hoped for. Five tired people, and stuff which somehow got heavier just by sitting in the canoes, arrived at a one-night campsite. We set up, ate steak served to order (not tent stakes, either!), and swam before bed.

Sun. morning came early: we had pancakes, repacked, and had a bite of spiritual refreshment on the beach before completing the last legs of the trip to our desired island. I could tell we were still in MN, because the wind was against us the whole way. We landed on Sun. night in good time to set up and get firewood before the masquito orchestra started its tuning forks and knives.

The days following were slow and full. We took day trips to a float-plane harbour, blue-berry picking (some in Canada, don't tell), and a beaver dam (horse-shoe shaped on each side to form an S with a lodge built around a standing tree in the middle). We were constantly reminded of the power in creation because of the rough scenery and the detail of creation in everything from the lichen to fish guts. We ate well in spite of one day being entirely fishless among us. Levi was the youngest in our group (11yrs.), and he caught the first and biggest fishes. Of course the biggest one got away.

We had much fun in the sun, swimming, reading, and cooking and eating, plus more good reading in the evenings when the masquitos and deerflies drove us in. We also found turtle eggs and later saw a giant snapper surface several times and feed on a rubber worm.

We packed up and started back Thur. after noon, camping one last time still in the park.

Friday, we got up early and skipped breakfast to finish our trip. On the river we completed our wild-life tour by spying a beaver, calf moose, and wolf. Actually, when we first saw it swimming, we thought it was a beaver, then saw its back and thought it might be a moose, and then when it emerged dripping and turned to look at us, we could tell it had been a wolf all along. We saw many eagles and lunes while paddling, and even found an eagle egg shell We Did Not Touch! on a neighboring island among the blue-berries.

To be continued . . . .

Curt left for Mountain Lake en route to the Boundary Waters and adventures galore at the same time we headed down to IL. We got going earlier than Plan A dictated, but later than Plan B hoped. Megan and I arrived around 2:30 ante meridian, and I was grateful to have keys so we could slip in and go straight to bed. Megan started running a slight fever before we began travelling, but she did well in the car. Saturday morning started with yard sales. We enjoyed just hanging out with the fam. Megan still didn't feel well, but everything else was wonderful.

After Sunday morning services in Danville, lunch with Mom and Dad, and a short visit to Grandparents Cooper, Megan and I headed south to see the Geers.

On the Road Again

Time spent with the Geer tribe invariably refreshes. We arrived at Friendship Baptist in time to join them for their evening service. I had really been missing getting to hear Uncle Garry preach. (He didn’t even tell me I had to say that one.) It was good to see the McPhails, too. Many others were gone on vacation.

Aunt Joy, Delaney, Megan, and I hit the town on Monday morning. We enjoyed some pool time during the afternoon; during supper we decided to skip the fireworks scheduled for later that evening. The extra sleep must have been good for Megan because her fever finally broke during the night.

Tuesday morning we left almost on schedule for the biggest 4th of July parade in all of Indiana. We all rode together to Linton while Delaney entertained whoever would listen with her newly learned VBS songs. Monday night’s rain had cooled the air enough to make the parade conditions warm but pleasant. The cousins collected enough candy to resupply last for several more birthday parties. A good time was had by all.

More rain on our way home moved our lunch picnic plans from a nearby park to the living room. The sky cleared up later in the day, so Uncle Garry fired up the grill to cook part of our supper. We ate outside, too, and they surprised me with a schnazzy birthday cake a day early. I got to open my present, too. A stray dog crashed the party, but she turned out to be very well behaved. After dark, Uncle Garry shot off his bag of fireworks, and Aunt Joy handed out glow sticks. Bethany, Garrison, and I played Monkey in the Middle, and Frisbee in the dark with them. I had fun; hopefully, so did they.

On Wednesday, Uncle Garry had to be back at work. I got most of my packing out of the way that morning, so I could go back to enjoying the company. Curt surprised me by sending a birthday present hidden in the car and telling Aunt Joy where to find it. Tricky man. J

Aunt Joy, Bethany, and I started working on the two back bedrooms. Uncle Garry and Aunt Joy planned to switch rooms with the girls and paint the bigger room before the girls moved into it. We moved the big furniture out from against the wall and got important bed pieces in the right places. We then washed and taped the walls. After lunch, I hung around for a little while longer, and I got to help with the grand bookcase switcheroo.

Finally, we needed to leave in order to be in Indianapolis by supper time. The only thing left for me to say was, “So long, and thanks for all the fish!”

I think that Uncle Garry is the greatest. Because he told me to think that. No, really, he is.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Megan finally discovered chocolate. "I didn't know she could reach that high" has been heard on multiple occasions in the last few weeks. While cooling cookies on the kitchen table, I thoughtlessly left them unguarded for a few moments. A crashing thud reminded me to look for the little one, and I found her in the kitchen. She looked guiltily up at me and raced around the table with something suspicious in her hand. The something suspicious turned out to be a small morsel of chocolate chip cookie. The rest of said morsel was crammed into Little Madam's mouth. And she had chocolate smudges everywhere. She got in trouble, of course, but now she knows. . . . Sigh. :)

Father's Day

All the Gwin siblings except Janice made their way to Nebraska for Father's Day this year. Even some of the kids got surprised (way to keep a secret, Judy!). We all wished that the weekend had lasted a bit longer, but we enjoyed the time we had. We are thankful for our heritage.

Megan Turned One

Megan’s birthday came faster than I expected it would. She enjoyed her first surprise party the Tuesday before her big day at our small group Bible study. Mrs. Letellier created an incredibly cute Ladybug cake complete with Oreo™ spots and gumdrop antennae for the occasion. Each family there presented Megan with a gift, and she had fun opening them all. We helped.

On the actual date we did not do much celebrating. Instead, we attended the funeral of a local hero, Lance Cpl. Robert Posivio III. We stood outside the overflowing church with 2,000 other flag-bearing locals and 500 motorcycling Patriot Guard Riders acknowledging his sacrifice and supporting his family.

Megan was not awake to know it, but the family party started when her Nana, Papa, and Aunt Katie arrived late Sunday night to stay for most of the week with us. Aunt Carol, Victoria, and Calvin helped fill our kitchen on Monday night as we ate lasagna, asparagus, bread, and salad. Two heart shaped brownie cakes along with some mint chocolate ice cream provided enough sugar to last Megan until her next birthday. Curt assisted Megan in blowing out her singing candle.

After the food was gone, Megan started on her stack of presents. She did fairly well tearing paper off her gifts but received some help anyway. She got several cards, outfits, books, and toys; but she favored Aunt Janice’s bright pink bear. Carol told us that Janice had cut out the pattern in high school and used material from some outgrown but beloved pajamas. Megan likes to hug her new friend. She also likes to eat its nose.

Memorial Day 2006

We missed the parade part of Memorial Day, but we made it into town in time to catch most of the ceremony at the cemetery. A soldier recently back from Iraq spoke for a while; we also heard from some older veterans and a few American Legion ladies.

Later in the day we were able to connect with GrandDad Green (navy man during WW2) and leave a message for Sam (Sarah's bro. just back from Iraq). I hope they heard how much we appreciate their sacrifice and commitment.

We also got to talk to family in IL and IN. They seemed to have had a good day together. (I'm still not sure how all of them managed to gather at Grandpa and Grandma Cooper's. Even outside!)

I am grateful for the reminder of liberty's cost. Freedom demands sacrifice. Our thanks goes out to all who have served.

We discovered Megan likes watermelon. Lots and lots and lots of watermelon. She also thinks that ice cubes on popsicle sticks are meant to be eaten as dessert. I have a feeling that this stage will not last long. :)

Our present to our mothers (and ourselves) this Mother's Day was to bribe them with some gas money to come visit us. Curt's Mom and Grandma Smith arrived Friday night from NE and got to stay till after lunch time on Monday. They opted to try out Ross and Carol's new house at the farm, so we spent most of the weekend over there with them. We enjoyed spending time together and talking. (We didn't have much else on the agenda.) I had some nasty sinus symptoms (probably from going to a city-wide yard sale in the wind with no hat), so I missed church Sunday morning. But Grandma Smith's amazing backrub helped me feel much better, so my first Mother's Day wasn't all bad after all.

The Green side of our family plans to accept our bribe closer to Megan's birthday and after Mom and Katie get out of school. We look forward to their visit, too.

CBS

Shortly after we started attending the Missionary Alliance church, I met another young mom who was in the process of moving away from the area. We had several chances to talk while we fed our daughters, and when she learned where we lived (a sizeable distance from the church in an easterly direction) she highly recommended a Community Bible Study close to where we live. She mentioned that they met all together and then broke off into groups. The new moms got the room with couches and were free to keep infants with them or not. She said she thought it was at one of the Lutheran churches, but she did not remember the name. I was still getting used to being Megan's mom, and I wasn't ready to make a weekly commitment at the time. But her enthusiasm about her small group made me remember our conversation.

Later in the fall of 2004 I got a slight case of cabin fever. I was more confident taking Megan out of the house without needing two hours of preparation and an un-luggable-ly heavy diaper bag. So, I called all the Lutheran churches in town till found the right meeting place. Their office put me in touch with the right contact person, and she told me what to expect and when and where. Then, I just showed up.

Since then Megan and I have gone almost every Wednesday morning to CBS. We have been studying the minor prophets that deal with the exile and return of the children of Israel. We get a lesson every week that contains a short commentary on the passages as well as questions for us to answer. We meet all together for opening songs, announcements, and the occasional inspirational life story from one of the ladies who attends. We split up into our groups to go through the questions and meet back at the end for a lecture on what was just discussed.

I really need the motivation to be disciplined that weekly accountability gives me. I don't do the work daily (as is recommended), but at least I ensure one or two days of fairly focused study.

I am encouraged every time I go by the spiritual growth that I get to see in the other ladies. In our small group of moms with young kids we have a cross-section of evangelical, economic, and family backgrounds. Some of the ladies have been saved since they were five and grew up hearing all about the Bible. Others came to Christ just in the last few years and are learning basic truths for the first time. To see the change that Jesus makes in each of their lives has meant much. I know that experiential knowledge is not the basis for faith. Even if none of them "felt" the right things, God's Word would still be true. But sometimes when I doubt things I should know for sure, watching someone else grow makes a crucial difference. I am thankful for the depth of conversation that the intentional study of God's Word produces.

That CBS provides childcare seems like icing on the cake, but it's more central than you might think. Being able to keep Megan with me for the first few months I went was what helped me decide to try it in the first place. Having a nursery (and later, more a more structured "Sunday School" flavored program) where I can comfortably drop her off allows me adult conversation about something besides surface things like the weather, illness, and Vikings. The teachers who work in those programs every week have my appreciation and admiration.

I was privileged to be able to share some of these things last week during the opening. I thought it would be a good thing to share with you all, too.

We enjoyed time spent with the Glicks and Judy during Easter weekend. Their loaded van arrived in Minnesota on Saturday night (April 15) and stayed until Tuesday morning (April 18). We did most of our eating and visiting at Ross and Carol's house. The girls stayed the night there, too, while the guys came back to our house. One of Curt's favorite parts of their stay was singing with them on Monday night till it was too late to sing any more.

I meant to take a picture of their entire group, but I forgot.

We took advantage of the extra sets of hands and had Georgia take some pictures that we can't take ourselves.

Friends from the cities (Amber, Andrea, Lydia and Georgia) came to visit this weekend. They arrived Friday night and got to stay through Sunday afternoon. Georgia got her country fix and promised to return. (She also went fishing and almost bought a motorcycle on the way home from church.) Megan always appreciates extra attention and doesn't quite know what to do with just Mom now that her adoring audience is gone. Hopefully, they will come again. Soon.

I finally remembered to bring a disc of pictures with me to the library. Sorry, it's kindof outdated. (October 2005) Megan's changed a bit, but you get the idea.

Spring has sprung.

We're finally enjoying some beautiful weather. Megan and I have taken advantage of the warmer temperatures by exploring outside. I borrowed a baby swing from a friend and hung it in one of the trees next to the garage. Megan wanted to go as high as I would push her and squealed for more. We took mini-field trips (heh) to the outbuildings to visit some cows and search for kittens. We saw a busy red-headed woodpecker before he saw us. We investigated the rocks under the flowers and tapped them experimentally on the concrete steps. Megan tried to eat dirt and had to settle for petting the grass. I got out the little red wagon so we could ride around the yard in style, and Megan only fell out once. (Sorry, kiddo.) Curt drove us all into town earlier this week, and he rollerbladed while I pushed Megan in the stroller around the lakes. I have always enjoyed God's creation, but I find it even easier to see beauty in familiar things now. I treasure Megan's newness.