Chasing After the Ball

It's that time of year again. 

Getting the kids out in the grass, soaking up the last sun before winter hits.  There is something great about it.

And then watching the athleticism grow, it's amazing. And then it makes me feel old, and reminds me I'm not in the shape I once was.  But overall, just positively amazing.

Funny how running after a ball on a grass field can be so amazing....and cause so much persistence, passion and aggression.

Today Linnea said "Someone made fun of me on the field for falling down, but I just ignored them and kept playing hard". Yes, these are good life lessons.

Shores of Superior

There are a lot of pretty terrific places in the world.  We happen to think Lake Superior is one of those places.

Our annual camping trip offered picture-perfect, end of the summer weather.  We didn't even need winter hats...which unfortunately is not a joke.

We followed paths to nowhere.

Discovered questionable signs, which were either brilliantly scribed or a serious mistake.

Enjoyed some Vitamin D.

And went "swimming".

Coupled with great, "healthy" camping food and some terrific sunsets, a great way to enjoy our weekend and the end of summer.

Until next year Split Rock....

The Start of Something

The first day of school is filled with excitement.  I was greeted at 5.50am this morning by one blond 2nd grader in anticipation of her big day.  We went through approximately 4 outfit changes and 2 hairdos before she was ready to go out the door.

The older one was more decisive.  One outfit, one hairdo, waking up 1 hour before she needed to.  I love that they are so different.

This first day of school is the culmination of a whirlwind of a month.  At one point our family was spread as far as almost humanly possible.  With Joe in Uganda, the girls in Virginia and myself in Minnesota, we were spread far and each had our own experiences.  Joe's experiences are by far the most unique, but I'm convinced that the girls experiences were just as impactful on their young lives. Seeing parts of the country they had never seen before.

Photo credit for the Kansas Photos - Grandpa

And "driving" things they had not before.

There were so many great experiences for which I am thankful. Time with both sets of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Amazing.  Somehow it all works out, and the most challenging part is explaining exactly what your family is doing "this summer".  Full disclosure: At the end of August it was a little amusing to get the full reaction of saying "Africa, Virginia, Minnesota, Work, Family, School and Work".

I am fully expecting - and looking forward to - an equally amusingly illogical year that will show blessings we cannot comprehend.