Happenings

I'm way behind -- what's new, you say?!
Since I posted last, we've:

• had a trip of a lifetime as a family to Ecuador... see Becky's blog for a link to her pictures until I get something else posted... http://beckysbrio.blogspot.com/2009/08/ecuador.html
• hosted a get-together for Andy and Becky's friends, which included (not planned) a frog dissection and roasted frog legs, compliments of Zephan. The evening also included great hamburgers, volleyball until it was too dark to see the ball, buck-buck, and star-tripping (those last two are definitely hillbilly games).
  

The cute froggy just before his demise

• bought a vehicle to "replace" the totaled van--a Chevy Blazer for Dan to drive on his appointments, which take him all over rural Missouri, often on gravel/dirt roads. We've decided we will have to do without a 12-passenger van, at least for now.

• sent Zeke off to his 4th year of Camp Grandpa with Dan's parents in St. Paul, MN, and got him back a week and 2 very quiet days later....with a sunburn and lots of memories....
  

• gotten Andy off to his second year at Three Rivers Community College (actually, he got himself off - I hardly helped him at all). He's having a ball with his friends, old and new, already, and is looking forward to playing baseball again.
  

• harvested our first ear of corn -- it was pitiful. Hopefully, the cantaloupe and watermelons will be better -- they are plentiful.
  

• made a weekend trip to Illinois to help my mom celebrate her 70th birthday -- all of my siblings were there on her day -- I think we all surprised her. I took advantage of the trip to buy myself an early Christmas gift -- an alto saxophone I found on craigslist -- in Peoria, Illinois. The picture below shows mom (Jeanette) with her mom, my 101-year-old grandmother, my aunt, brothers and cousins who were able to help celebrate her selection as resident of the month at the home where she lives.
  

• celebrated Isaac's 7th birthday, complete with a dinosaur cake made by Becky at his request. He was disappointed that we didn't have a "real" party, so the next day, we had a bunch of boys over to play!
  

Enjoying his new watercolors- thanks, Rothlisbergers!

• took Becky to Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, to start her first year of college (that was just yesterday)

In the courtyard of her dorm, Dobson Hall - her room is in a wing to the left, on the 4th floor

Inside her room, with her messy, as yet unorganized desk (I took this against her will)

Tomorrow, we are supposed to start school here with the other 4 kids.... I still have a lot of prep work to do, so that's why this is short...but at least you're caught up!

College News

I was chagrined to realize that we haven't kept everyone up-do-date on the college plans of our kids... So, here it is, for those of you who haven't heard.

Andy will be going back to Three Rivers Community College for his second year. Move in day is August 11th, and school starts for him August 13th! Yikes.... One of high school baseball teammates will also be going there this year, as well as the catcher from his summer team. They are all hoping for a better season than last year, which was rather disappointing...


Becky has decided to go to Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, which is up near the Iowa border on US 63. It is a lot like Valparaiso University, which was a close second. Both have strong liberal arts programs with good nursing programs. They are roughly the same size, about 5000 students, but the two biggest trump factors were cost and distance from home -- both significantly less for Truman State. Besides, they have way better school colors (purple and gold vs. brown and gold :)) She will still be 3 hours from home, but we know of at least 4 girls from Rolla who are also going there, so I think she'll be able to get rides home pretty easily...no, Becky, you aren't going to have your own car :) She has until August 22nd to move in, and then has 3 days of freshman orientation before classes start the following Thursday, I think...

A Blessing From God

I am starting to enjoy the "other" end of parenting -- being blessed by wonderful kids! Becky is "just" 16, but she is sure a blessing to me. Today, I was gone for two hours and returned to a picked up house, dinner in the oven, and the table set. I'm sure she got the other kids to help as well, but a sure sign that she was involved is the sink piled with dishes -- definitely a "Becky" sign. I, on the other hand, pile them on the counter by the sink or just wash them as I go.

Becky's friends tease her about being "second mom," but what they don't know is that sometimes she is actually the first mom, because she ends up mothering me (in a good way, of course). It is scary how much she is like me--she understands my frustrations, and a bit of what drives me to overdo. On the other hand, she is a lot different than me. I think she is more balanced in her lifestyle, taking time to do things that are important, not just doing what is urgent. She gives of her time freely, and while she enjoys earning money babysitting, she doesn't expect to get paid every time she helps someone. She enjoys cooking and she has a good sense of style, decor, and color, so she has become the #1 clothing choice consultant in the house! Most of all, she loves the Lord and really tries to let that shine through her life.

In short, I am very blessed, and today am very thankful for my daughter, Becky.

Becky

Here's Becky with her friend Ashley. She is having quite a transition year, really becoming a college student, though at home. She's taking 12 credits at 2 different local colleges, which she is enjoying so far. She's also been quite a helper for me, taking Elizabeth to school, driving Abby to VB practices, preparing meals, and doing projects as needed. She has her own blog (which inspired me to start this one), so check it out for even more info on what's going on with her -- she always amazes me with her insights.