Morton Arboretum 2013

Lory and Bryce came with us this year.

 They have an extra attraction right now.

Tree houses.

But not like you (or I) might expect.

Whereas, I think 

up in a tree

when I think tree house,

The Morton Arboretum thinks

houses about trees.

 They were cute.

 This one actually had a tree coming up out of the middle of it.

 But they weren't terribly interactive.

And therefor held limited appeal.

Now, the creek with the rocks that you can move

around and make dams, and alter the flow of, 

that's FUN!

Even more fun?

Dropping one of those rather large rocks on

your naked toes.

And then getting piggyback rides from 

Grandma for the rest of the afternoon!

And On A Lighter Note

Maddie pictures for 

Mom and Big.

"Explanations never comfort. We don't need explanations. We need the presence of God." ~Rick Warren

I'm not big into the 

WHY

of things. 

Many things I just don't feel the need to know 

WHY.

Somehow planes get up in the air.

I flip a switch and I get lights.

Rain comes out of the clouds.

(Actually, Michelle tried to 

explained that to me once.)

Some things are easier to conform to

if you understand the 

WHY.

Mike likes the shower curtain left closed.

It lets the liner dry out.

Mike likes the shower curtain left open a little.

It lets air circulate so we don't get mildew.

Mike likes to engage the parking brake on flat land.

It helps exercise the mechanism.

I guess Mike has to explain himself to me a lot.

But one place I have not asked 

WHY

yet is God's plan.

He has had the graciousness to let

me see first hand how seemingly 

awful situations can be turned around and used 

for His glory.

That's what I'm going with here.

I'm not gonna understand His plan

 this side of heaven.

He could try to explain it to me but

I have the feeling it would work out about 

as well as my understanding of rain.

We Will Praise Him In This Storm

Oxymoron. 

Mike and cancer. 

They don't connect.

Except they do.

We will fight it

and I'm fairly certain we will beat it.

I'm also pretty sure it won't be pretty. 

For either of us.

I have no idea what the future has in store.

But these things I know;

God has a plan,

He is in charge,

He can make good come from bad,

He can use me if I let Him,

in Him I can find peace.

Here we go.

It's OK if I scream and cry a bit, right?

Bacon Wrapped Bananas

Just because you can, 

doesn't mean you should.

Just sayin....

Photo Op

Over the years we have revisited 

certain photos. 

There's the one with the four of us in 

resort bathrobes 

that spans 10 years. 

There's the one of Michael with the

Butler Bulldog

that spans 5 years.

And then there's Ava.

These planters line one of the blocks along

Madison near the train station. 

It is her tradition to leap from 

planter to planter

on our way to wherever. 

Oh, and pose.

We usually get some interesting looks from passerby's.

Ava doesn't notice

and I'm getting used to it. 

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bompa

That's what my friend's daughter called her Grandpa.

He passed away yesterday.

How wonderful to have lived a life so well

that at the end of it you have

a granddaughter who still 

calls you by her pet name for you

and daughters who love you so deeply

and will miss you so terribly.

And how comforting to know that he

is resting in the arms of Jesus.