Memorial Day 2....The Journey!

When we woke up this morning it was pouring! Nothing too unusual, since we have had SOOO much rain this year. After breakfast was made and cleaned up, the sun came out for a little bit, so I took these pictures of the back dexk, it is so pretty. Eric and I have sat in the gazebo as it was storming and it is so peaceful! Our humming bird feeder has attracted at least 3 humming birds that visit quite frequently.

I then decided to get Jonathon to walk the creek with me. Since we got all the rain, I knew it would be high. it was Awesome! Lakota came with us as well..............

Here is the view down the hill.........this makes a pretty good sledding hill in the winter....this is where the kids spent the 1st couple weeks after we moved ! Below is the grassy field leading up to the creek............... and here is the creek....it is pretty cool... Perry county is known for all the caves.....here is Lakota checking out one. the creek was flowing pretty heavy.......It was very relaxing and peaceful. Reminded me of the book I just read Eckhart Tolle's A new Earth Awakening to Your Life Purpose. I am reminded again and again that "we" want to label everything...A tree is called a tree, a creek , a creek....but if we just stop for a moment and enjoy "what is" with out judgement we can begin to see it in a whole new light........... maybe like Lakota see's things...... Jonathon got a kick out of all the caves.......

It was a fun way to spend the early afternoon.....now it looks like rain again......time for a NAP!

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! We have had a very relaxing weekend so far.....Our 1st long weekend in loooong time with no tournaments to go to, no big projects or plans. Our 1st weekend to just be...so nice!

Here is Miss Magoo posing for the camera as usual at the Marion, IL soccer tournament.

Same tournament.... Jonathon having a face off with the other team.......( we won this game!)

Here is Jonathon playing at his Spring band concert.......he is the short one playing the trombone....he has gotten VERY good this last year....his concert was Awesome! It was pretty funny trying to find him though!

School's almost out!

I can't believe school is almost out for the year! ( The kids can't wait!) Heather will be attending Camp Curiosity.......( it's basically summer school....but they get to go swimming and go on all sorts of field trips!) Jonathon, well I think he'll be just being a kid for the summer.....( at least we'll see how long that lasts!) I can't believe he'll be in Junior High....I am really starting to feel OLD.......

We have spent the last 3 weekends going to Soccer Tournaments.... the 1st was in Marion Il, then we were at home....this last weekend we played in Cape Girardeau.....Jonathon had a lot of fun and brought home a 2nd and 3rd place trophy.....The Tournament at home was horrible... we had 50-60 mph winds and it was COLD.....the boys didn't play there best... oh well. Heather was a good sport and made some new friends. I brought home a sunburn this last weekend.....it was beautiful.

Jonathon will be playing football in the fall and will be going to a football mini camp at school in July.......

Tomorrow Jonathon will be going on a field trip to the Cahokia Mounds.......he can't wait.......I got a ton of pictures and I'll try to get some posted here soon.

Heather

ok ok.......Heather saw my last post....and demanded I add her video........" fair is fair" she said......and by the way please leave comments if you like! This is a video I made a year or so ago.....Martina McBride is Heather's favorite artist.....I took her to her concert last year....and this song just says it all.......................

soccer and sleet

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Today the kids both had soccer games......it was 35 degrees and sleeting!!!! I guess because we have had such a messed up Spring and most of their games have been cancelled they decided to play this time. It was COLD.

Heather scored her 1st goal of the year!!! Yeah Heather!! She played goalie for the 1st quarter and didn't let the other team score either..... Her team won 1-0!!

Joanthon played a very good game.....his team lost....we won't mention the score....but his team made some great plays.........I stood in a very strategic spot so I could see both games since they were played at the same time!!!! I give both the kids kudos since I was freezing my butt off!!!

I'm including a video of Jonathon's track/wrestling / soccer and other sports video.........I hope everyone enjoy's it. Hopefully next year he'll be running AAU track again.......I think he is missing it....hopefully we'll get back in the swing of things with Wrestling as well....we'll either have to go to Ste Genevieve or to Jackson...........

I'm so glad to have the other house rented..... now we are working on all the finishing touches.....life is grand!

Eric's Birthday and water problems

Sunday was Eric's 37th birthday......it was a beautiful weekend......the 1st rain free weekend in quite a while!

Unfortunately.....by early afternoon, Eric discovered a water spot on the back kitchen wall! Oh-no.....not after all the "water problems" this house and the house in Dexter have had..........

We still managed to have a wonderful weekend.....Heather had a soccer game....her team won 3-1. We then grilled chicken and porksteaks.....had a wonderful meal and a chocolate cake with 38 candles!!!!!!

I think the water problem will be fixed...and on top of it all it appears we have found a renter for our home in Dexter.....God works in mysterious ways.....Divine Providence....if we just learn to have faith...to Trust....things usually work out.....not always in our way....but in the best possible way for the "long run".

Sunday Heather was also asked to be on an "all-star" soccer team! That really made her day. She absolutley LOVES soccer..Jonathon loves ALL sports....as long as he is playing something he is happy. Heather will play soccer..and not much else.

I have gotten back in a routine of running. Most mornings I am out at 5:00 am and back to putting in between 3-5 miles. My hope is to run the Lewis and Clark Marathon this summer.....we'll see..I may opt for the half marathon...but I can dream for now!

Easter 2008

This Easter has been a quite one of sorts.......Of course the kids awoke to find the Easter bunny had visited.....there were filled baskets and had left some eggs outside......the kids had to hurry because it was snowing and sleeting!!! Eric got a fire started in the fireplace.....we decided against making the drive to St. Louis due to the weather.....

I went onto the Swedenborg Community and read a lovely sermon and got to listen to "Morning Has Broken"....boy did that bring back memories of growing up in Fryeburg! I had a few more "missing my Mom" moments throughout the day as well......somehow Easter always reminds me of her. I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one who holds her memory close....I have done some searching today on the internet of the Church as a whole....I've read some great stuff my Rev Sage and Dr George Dole.....but became rather hurt.....where I will find links and lists of "our churches....they all leave out "The Church of The Open Word and Garden Chapel"http://www.openwordchurch.org.

This was a church my mother loved....she put her heart and soul and life into the gardens.....now there is a beautiful memorial that my brother designed......but I fear people have forgotten......I know the church is struggling financially.....it no longers employs a full time minister.....but there is still life left.....one of my mothers favorite books was The Secret Garden ( for obvious reasons) about a little girl who is sent away to her Uncles mansion and stumbles accross a "secret" garden.....she thought that garden had died.....but a dear friend showed her that it was still alive.....isn't that similar to the St Louis Church? Jesus said " where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst...."

I wish we had made the drive this morning to hear my Father preach......I know his sermon would have been good.....I hope and pray for continued life in the church......My Mother's memorial says...."Come sit with me and meditate on God's Word"...........I need to go there more often.............