A few more pics

While Gigi (Mom) was here, she taught Benjamin how to stand on his head. Check this out!



He thought this was pretty cool. Whenever Ben gets a new trick he can't wait to share it with me, Shube, Grandpa, just about anyone. Its fun to celebrate him. Here are some more pictures of Molly. You can find the originals in our Picasa album. I love her in the little dress. It was her first dress.

Sweet, sweet Molly

I wanted to try and get some more pictures of little Molly out for those of your who are not close. Molly is doing really well. She is beginning to have a little bit of trouble with her poop. No blood in her stool yet. We are hoping that it clears up. Amanda is doing well too. She is feeling great as long as she doesn't push herself too much. Today is her first day totally on her own. Mom left last Wednesday and I was off on Thursday and Friday.

Tricia and Alex are coming into town tonight. Alex is looking at Bethel as a possibility for a Master's in counseling degree. It would be great to have them in Minnesota, but we'll see. I also do a post of some more pics from the last few days.

The end of an era

I called Tricia on Saturday and she said that they had put Polson to sleep that morning. This was also some what sad for Amanda and me. We like Polson a lot. He was a great dog and he definitely pointed to a time of our lives that we really loved. We have lots of memories of hanging out with Tricia and Polson: Amanda living with them for a summer at the Madison St. apartment, stopping at Tricia's apartment in Vicksburg on my way back home from TU, eating Hungry Howie's and Polson recognizing the yellow box.

I thought I would post her recent e-mail about his "going to be with the Lord."
____________________________________________________________________


I have enclosed our final picture with Polson. He went to be with the Lord this morning. After a day of processing, I've landed on that terminology rather than "putting him to sleep" because that is what I wish for him. I know dogs don't have souls, but I think maybe this one did. Thank you Polson for being the best dog I will ever have. Alex and I spent the ride home remembering fond memories with him.

Polson riding in the front seat of my Tacoma and sharing my burger king french fries with me on a weekly basis.
Our cross country trip from Montana to Michigan.
The first year of his life following me around without a collar or leash.
Getting hit by a van after jumping out of my moving vehicle to chase a poodle.
The ocassional moment when he appeared to enjoy Annie.
And many more...

For those who don't know the details, Polson's knees had arthritis and it was difficult for him to do anything besides lay on his bed. He had growled at Davy three different times this week (only because he was in pain and didn't want her touching him) so we felt the time had come. Alex went in with Polson when they gave him the drug. He said it was very peaceful and the whole thing was over in 30 seconds.

Thanks for reading and being sad with us. Polson will be 11 years old next month.
T

Who does Molly look like?

I made some of my feelings on who I hoped Molly looked like in an earlier post. I think that I might have gotten my wish. See what you think. The photo below is the earliest picture of Caleb that I have electronically. If anyone has an earlier one. I'd love to have it.

Wendell Berry reading audio

On June 29, I went to a reading by Wendell Berry. You can read my earlier post about it here. It was a great night, sponsored by the Land Stewardship Project, an amazing organization here in the Twin Cities. I received a letter yesterday that said that the audio from that evening is now available. So, take a few minutes and listen to Mr. Berry read a great poem and a new story about Burly Coulter. Go here and listen to episode 35. If you're interested in issues of land stewardship and the family farm, you can also listen to episodes 38 and 39. They are the panel discussion from that night. I hope you enjoy!

Pearl

One thing that I wanted to write about when Molly was born but didn't get a chance to was her middle name. With all of our kids, we looked for names that we liked that also honored people that we love: Benjamin Donald (my dad), Caleb Joseph (my brother), Matthew Bradley (Amanda's brother), and now Molly Pearl (Amanda's grandma.) I've gotten to know Amanda's grandma through many stop-overs at her house. We've enjoyed her snacks and tea before bed and crashing on her floor. Pearl Wendt is a very kind woman who loves Jesus. That is how I hope that Molly is described one day.

X-games Ben

A few weeks ago iTunes was giving away bmx and skate videos. As the boys and I watched these together, I saw the wheels turning in Ben's head. Yesterday I went out to the garage, Ben was strapping on his knee pads, elbow pads and his helmet. He wanted to know if I knew any tricks. I taught him how to jump the curb. He's pretty hardcore. Enjoy!