Since last Saturday....

So, I have to admit, I haven't even thought about blogging since the last post...not even once...why, you might ask? Because I feel like I haven't even sat down since last Saturday....we have been going and going and going non-stop, and it has been a blast:) So, let's see...I will give the run-down and how we have seen God's goodness and provision over these last 8 days. We watched Persepolis (which, I did sit down for by-the-way:) I have wanted to see this for a long time-a fantastic movie based on the graphic novel about the Iranian revolution---something I didn't understand hardly at all, but this movie really turned the lights on for me-- having it from a personal perspective was incredibly insightful. Jason worked another WI trip on Sunday with tons of participants, and it was beastly hot that day...so he was very glad to be on the water. I had nursery duty and kiosk duty----checking in children to the nurseries...and the stupid tape kept getting stuck, and I felt stupid, but it all turned out okay:) Jason started his first Bethel summer class on Monday that goes from 8-12 everyday--he really likes it--- I had Hailey all afternoon. Bethlehem Baptist playgroup on Tuesday morning--I went to the wrong park, but then eventually found the right one! Some dear friends came to visit us Tuesday to Thursday all the way from Massachusetts, and we enjoyed playing games, talking--lots of catching up to do---they hadn't even met Jonas yet, and we hadn't met their new 3-month-old baby girl either! Wow-hanging out is now a totally new experience with children...we are too pooped to stay up late (which we did anyway), and we have so much more gear when we go out:) Jason started his new Tuesday night class from 5-9 which he LOVES---We had a missions trip meeting, and in regards to that... Praise the Lord! I am able to report 1/2 support already for Jason and I! Thank you again to those of you who gave, and are giving; God is providing in wonderful ways for our team! We went disc golfing at Bethel on Wednesday, and Jonas rode in the backpack with a disc in each hand:) We saw some old friends from Northwestern-Evan and Justin, and then they came over for some Super Spike volleyball--after getting all hot and sweaty outside:) Jason made homemade fried rice for dinner, which was a huge success, and we stayed up late playing Ruckus and Speed Scrabble, talking about parenting, and sharing life's goals and dreams. Thursday, Moms hung out with the kiddos, and we added Hailey to the mix---three kids under 14 months...oh my! We then went to Como Zoo and conservatory where Jonas proceeded to exhibit his irrational fears of fish and giraffes and his love of giant tigers and roaring lions...what a funny little man! Jason, Jonas and I then said goodbye to our friends and then we headed to small groups in St Paul for a cookout and some good conversation. That night my parents came up graciously to watch Jonas so that Jason and I could attend a wedding in Des Moines on Friday night---and they ended up taking him to Como Zoo the next day, and apparently he got over his fear of giraffes, but developed a new one of gorillas:) They had a ball playing at the park (where Jonas's favorite thing was the drinking fountain), getting a visit from the ice-cream truck, and enjoying the many joys of Jonas time:)---It was so good for Jason and I to see old friends! We had a car-date---4 hours all alone on the road is good for reconnecting:) We stayed with our dear friend of many years, Derek, and even got to hang out with Michael and Bailey the next day in Ames---we met for delicious pizza at Great Plains---a place with amazing wheat crust that you dip in honey after you have eaten the pizza-part, we went disc-golfing too on a really great course---and we were sweating buckets the whole time:) Tropical Sno was next on the agenda, so we got all sticky enjoying the sugary goodness in the sweltering humidity of central Iowa. Today, Father's Day we spent with my family going to church, grilling and opening presents and sharing favorite fathering memories---then, we took my parents disc-golfing... my mom had always wanted to try it---she is such a good sport about trying new things...I love that about her (and my Dad)....always wanting to get involved with things that her their kids enjoy:)a trait that I hope to emulate with Jonas throughout my life as a parent:)---we had a great time, and everyone only had to trample into the woods for a lost disc once or twice:) Now, Jason and I are home and ready for another week...feels good to write this as it helps me process all the fun, the friends, the family, and the memories:) O Summertime, why do you fly-by??