The Mexican Jumping Bean

Jack borrowed the Johnny Jump Up spring loaded child projectile device from the Downeys. This apparatus was a favorite for Max, and no doubt the Downey children. I think that the only reason that there is not a Johnny Jump Up model for adults would be... Well there really isn't a reason. Why can't I have one of these. I watch Jack bounce 'till he barfs and think "Why can't I?"

Family Day at the River

We took a trip this weekend to Richardson Grove to see Kristin's family and spend time at the river. This was max's second time in 7 days where he ventured into a body of water larger than our bath tub, but it went well. He is at the stage in life now where as long as he's holding daddy's hand, no harm can come to him. After a trip down the slide at TLC, and across the deep water at Richardson Grove he's rethinking this notion, but for now he's taking big steps in exploration.

This is how Jack chooses to explore the great outdoors

The Peanut's first ink, watch out ladies!

Those Prickly Old Rose Bushes

My roses and I have a very tumultuous relationship. They were planted many many years ago in a very bad location. My front yard is very small, this reality was further accentuated by the rather obtrusive fence that I built. Most of the year these spiny, thorny, aged plants reach out to me in an attempt to snag my legs and scratch my children. They hide their thorns amongst the grass and weeds that I pull from around their trunks. And when I say trunks, I really mean trunks. The main vine of the large rose near the laundry room window has at least a 1 1/2" diameter. Each year I cut this bad boy down, but it bounces back to around 8 feet tall. I cut them all pretty hard this year, and transplanted a few. I thought that surely they would die, but they've returned stronger than ever. Nature's little symbol of Christ. The old and the dead are cut away to allow for new growth and new fruit. Well, this week I'm loving my flowers. Every morning when I head to my car they have greeted me glistening in the first day's sunlight. Today I took my camera and captured their morning greeting.

I have not had time to do much of anything in the last month or so. Life is running by so quickly, and I am trying so hard to keep up that I am realizing that I am missing out on alot of life. Time to stop. Time to focus. I was very blessed to lead worship twice this Sunday in the company of good friends. It was difficult stopping the noise in my head, but it is Tuesday now, and the Lord has not finished the renewal that began Sunday morning in Weott. Rejoice in the Lord always, and if you didn't listen the first time, again I say REJOICE! The Lord is my peace and my quiet.

As of now I will no longer acknowledge the stress and calamity as it enters my world and tries to pull my focus. Eyes forward, no more fiery darts to think about.

My friends, who are awesome, will from time to time try to extend my cultural experience past this county that I cherish so much and introduce me to new music from outside my emerald veil. This month I have not been able to listen to any of the new bands that have been impacting the mind frame of the people that I rely on for musical inspiration. Here is a sampling of the beauty of song that I am missing out on:

Myrrh (from the great state of MN)
The Weepies
Boys Like Girls
Ingrid Michaelson
Mieko

And of course Skylines and Archives. Wish that I could take the credit for discovering this guy. I was just given two recordings from live shows that he did recently. Check out Skylines and Archives.

I am writing this post with the thought in mind that people actually read and acknowledge what I say. If this is true, and somebody out there is listening, listen to these bands and tell me what you think. If this is just narcissistic ramblings, and nobody is listening, then I will gear my blog more towards delusions of grandeur and self exaltation.