Big Boy Haircut

Apparently, at Claire's soccer game Saturday morning, Monte got equal compliments on our "cute little boy" and "darling little girl." I thought that was really nice ... until he told me everyone was talking about Cooper. Wearing blue. All over.

OK - as much as I love the curls, it was time to cut the hair. I didn't even bother to take the camera. I predicted he would be a fart in a skillet... and he was. I knew what his reaction would be. I just wasn't prepared for mine. Tears. Quite a few. It' s a really good thing I went to our family hair place. All the girls know me (and all the kids) and they treated us like family. Of course, they've known Cooper as long as I have. Kleenex, Diet Coke, knowing glances, and a few tears later, it was all done. He looks like a boy. And about three years old.

I still can't get him to slow down long enough to get a good shot of the curl-less wonder. This is the best I can do. Wish I could slow time down just a little bit.

Authenticity....

I read a few blogs. Not as many as I'd like to... but a few just really give me perspective and make me chuckle. I've noticed a theme in them lately. They are authentic. Not too dreary... not too syrupy. Just right. There is real life in them. Not just the parts they want everyone to see.

I've also realized that's how I want my kids to remember their lives when they read this years down the road. So, in the spirit of full disclosure, this is what my Tuesday morning sounded like.

(I'm putting Claire's hair in a bun for ballet lessons... already at my friend's house... already late for work...)

I'm noticing Claire now has some sort of "bang" thing going on with her hair. Certainly not something there the day before. Certainly NOT anything I had paid for...

Me: "Claire... who cut your hair?"

Claire: (avoiding eye contact) "I don't know."

Me: (recalling my years of psychology) "OK... where is the hair that someone mysteriously cut?"

Claire: (looking relieved) "Oh... it's under the bed... in the basement."

Me: (torn between cracking up and choking her) "Do you know where the scissors are that cut the hair that someone put under the bed?"

Claire: (proud of herself for knowing yet another answer) "Yep... it's under the pillow."

Sigh. It took five years to grow out that curly hair to make it long enough to wear in a bun. As my friends have pointed out, it could have been alot worse. It's not too bad really. And... because she's going to be wearing a headband until she's 10, you probably won't even notice it.

Prayers for Kate

There is a young family with a daughter facing a malignant brain tumor. Kate's parents are devout Christians (he's a pastor) and they blog from the heart about the journey they are facing. Her blog is authentic, heart-wrenching and inspiring. Today they have an MRI to determine if their daughter's tumor is growing, shrinking, or something in between. What they must be going through. Please take a moment to include this family in your prayers.... caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

Beach Babes (and babies).... Part Two

It's been a week since we got back home from our trip to the beach ... and I just found SAND (again) when doing laundry. Does sand reproduce?

I don't think I can explain how cathartic the water is for all of us. I have always loved the water... river, lake, pool, or ocean ... it's calming effects, rhythmic sounds, smells. It was just incredible to see how the kids reacted to it. We could have stayed several more hours and they wouldn't have tired of it. It was hypnotic.

Did I mention the sand? Cooper tasted one bite and decided that it was better between the toes than in the mouth. "The bigs" chased, dug, ran, buried, rolled, climbed and tumbled down sand hills until I wondered how they'd ever have the strength to stand up again.

It was a totally impromptu trip... but one DEFINITELY orchestrated by God. More of that later. I just love that they are still talking about that day. No TV, friends, playdates, or video games. Just water, wind.... and SAND.

Beach Babes (and babies).... Part One

As luck would have it, Weko Beach was only about 10 miles from Lemon Creek Winery/Orchard. We visited once before, on an impromptu get-away right before the start of school. We love the Lake Michigan beaches this time of year... still warm enough for sand and water exploration... but not throngs of people. That's important when you are trying to supervise four very independent little people.

Keep in mind, we had NO plans to visit a beach when we took off in the morning .. so we had no suits, no toys, no towels. I don't think they minded. The waves were big, the sand was plenty, and the soft pretzels came with cheese (and a fantastic view).

Lemon Creek Winery/Orchard

Anyone who knows us is well aware of our affection for all things wine-related in Michigan. Lemon Creek Winery has expanded in recent years to include u-pick fruits of all varieties. They also have a tasting room, some chilled bottles and an asundry of cheeses and crackers. Alas, we were not able to convince the children to "sit quietly while we went to the tasting room." Another day perhaps. In about 10 years.

We were able to ride the hayride to the fields and pick peaches, nectarines, plums, apples, and raspberries to our heart's content. Or, in our case, when the kids became convinced they were too "smokin' hot" to continue.

Everyone had a great time but Cooper was truly in his element... all the sticks, farm dogs, and fruit he could eat. I'm quite sure we would have never let Emma just walk around eating fruit off the ground, but somehow... we just let him be. And he couldn't have been happier.

Spontaneous? Who Us?

I don't know if spontaneous would be the first adjective to roll off my lips when describing our family. I'ts not that we don't love the IDEA of spontaneity, it just isn't always practical.

So imagine our surprise when we woke up Sunday morning with no plans. We were loving it... made a big breakfast, finished a pot of coffee, laying around in our jammies.... when it hit us. A memory... followed by an idea.

Remember last year when we drove to Michigan to that orchard to pick peaches? How far was that? Where was it? Hmmm...

I'll post more about how much fun we had, but for now, here are some orchard pictures that I think are just "delicious."

Prayers for Papa Update....

Thank you to everyone (near and far) who have called, emailed, and prayed. Proof positive that I know some of the best prayer warriors out there!

Our prayers were answered and he has come through surgery and recovery better than expected. As of last night, he is off the ventilator, moved to a regular room, and has been up and walking with PT. Those of us who have worked in ICU know what a miracle that is.

We'll be able to visit with him soon at home. I'm sure he'll appreciate a (short) visit by the grandkids to help pass the time. Thanks again friends. God Bless!

Prayers for Papa

Calling all prayer warriors!

Tomorrow my father will go in for surgery to address an aneursym and also bilateral leg bypass. While we do not expect anything outside of routine, we'd all appreciate some prayers on his behalf for a successful surgery and a speedy and complete recovery.

Get well soon Papa ... the fish are waiting (and so are the grandkids!)

Thanks guys... we'll keep you "posted."

Snippets From Summer ... Pfeifer-fest!!!

We were so happy to be able to spend time this summer with our favorite "honorary cousins" - the Pfeifer family. I consider their mother to be as near a sister as I can imagine ... and our children (all seven now) are pretty similiarly tempered. Hmmm.... that sounded diplomatic didn't it?

Anyway, while at their house ... we were so busy attending Vacation Bible School that I didn't get many pictures. They stopped by our house for a few days on the way back from a visit out east and we were able to show them a few Fort Wayne sites ... including a Tin-Caps game and our children's zoo. We also squeezed in time for fishing, smore-making, and a movie night.

Our visits always go too quickly ... but it's so nice to have a relationship that so easily picks up where it left off the last time.