Almost ready

Tomorrow evening Amanda, the kids and I will board a southbound plane for Naples, Florida. We are very excited to see everyone. We are also very excited to not work, play on the beach, sit in the hot tub, lay in the sun, read a good book and RELAX! Just to help you know where we're headed, I thought I would include the upcoming weather report. It looks like Mom got our weather request right!

Added a little music

Taking some cues from Traci McKee, I added a little music to my blog. I did it through playlist.com, if you're interested. The playlist is at the bottom of my page if you want to see it or turn it off. If it gives any of you problems, send me an e-mail or leave a comment.

Kids and church

I have mentioned previously how much we appreciate our church. One of the reasons is how our church focuses on the training of children. Currently, Ben and Caleb accompany us to "our class" each Sunday. Sometimes that is great and sometimes it is very difficult. If you're a parent or just interested, check out this article about our church's philosophy of having kids in the service and some GREAT tips on how to do this well.

Postscript:
If you don't have your kids in the service, don't read this post or the article as an indictment. There are different ways to skin a cat. This makes a lot of sense to us though.

----------------
Now playing: wilco - company in my back
via FoxyTunes

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

Last night I finished reading The Chosen by Chaim Potok. This is an amazing story of friendship, father and son relationships, orthodox Jewish life in and after World War II and the importance of parenting for a child's soul. If you are a father of boy(s), a son or love either of these, it is a must read. Potok goes through the development of a deep friendship between Rueven, a modern orthodox Jew, and Danny, the son of a Hasidic rabbi. Danny, a genius student, is raised by a father who only speaks with him when they study Talmud. This silence is difficult for Danny to live with and difficult for Rueven to understand.

I really enjoyed the whole book, but in the last chapter, Reb Saunders, Danny's rabbi father, gives an explanation of why he has kept his son in silence. The climax of the book, this section made my heart hurt for my children, made me afraid for their souls, and made me understand and empathize with the decision of Reb Saunders.

If you have read The Chosen, I would love to read your reaction to my comments. If you have not, stop whatever you are doing now and run to the library and pick up this classic. You will not regret it.

The Usual Suspects revisited

I posted a picture of the boys and Justin the other day. Gregg saw it, did some retouches and sent me the picture below. Hilarious! I'd say they're all guilty.

More pics

Here are a few more highlights from our weekend with Amanda's extended family. You see all of the pictures here.

Carla (Amanda's cousin) and her new baby Ian, Sarah (Brad's wife) and James, and Amanda and Molly

Cousins

Brad and James

----------------
Now playing: Brandi Carlile - Happy
via FoxyTunes

The Usual Suspects

The Wendt crew (Amanda's Grandma Pearl, aunts and cousins) came to Minnesota last weekend. We had a very nice time hanging out. Benjamin and Caleb were especially glad that Justin, Heidi's son, came. He is just a little older than Benjamin. They played a lot of Lego and had a great time on the rides at Mall of America. The picture below cracks me up. What is going on in the minds of these four little boys? They look like they're lined up for a police line-up.

----------------
Now playing: Brandi Carlile - What Can I Say
via FoxyTunes