My Scandinavian friends (if I had any) would call this a smorgasbord of a post. It's comprised of updates from April through May with a healthy sprinkling of selfies for that slightly egotistical aftertaste.
Enjoy!
April 8, 2016
Spent the evening dancing and waltzing (clip below) with friends.
Whew...glad to say that my waltzing has improved in the last month.
Credit: Larissa B.
April 9, 2016
Out on the town with the family for my birthday and dinner at Maggiano's Little Italy.
April 18, 2016
For my birthday, Kate got us seats to the first Cards vs Cubs game of the season. We ended up being shutout and beaten by our northern rivals, but we still managed some smiles for the photo.
April 22, 2016
It's rare for a film trailer to create any expectation within me for a movie's release, but I have to admit that I was really curious to watch the new Jungle Book.
The visual design - and particularly the animation of the animals - were great to see in theatre. To its credit Jungle Book profited from the updated portrayal of the characters from the earlier Disney version (which was a childhood favorite.)
Sidenote: Loved the continual depiction of Mowgli, the "man cub" as being so separate and somehow superior to the rest of the animals in the jungle hierarchy. The "king of the swingers" and the elephants were both reverenced because of their size, but the respect paid to Mowgli at the end of the film didn't originate from his own power. #imagodei
That was a very welcome departure from the '67 version that featured an orangutan being referred to as "cousin."
How about that - you got a free mini-film worldview critique thrown in with a selfie (right.)
Except...where was the girl? You know, the one getting her water from the river while singing "My Own Home?"
In her place were these mice at the end of the movie.
April 23, 2016
Pics while we were doing some yardwork.
The ashen remains of our burn pile.
April 30 - May 1, 2016
All tucked in and ready for bed.
I sent proof that Lydia was well taken care of while Kate was out of town.
We got the opportunity to promote our instructor's (Diana Roberts) ballroom dancing lessons by doing a demonstration. I'm not sure if we were showcasing the need for lessons or what we'd learned.
May 6, 2016
Benjamin and Noah working into the night under the wheel well of Benjamin's truck.
Noah testing the temperature on that glowing red-hot piece he was working on.
May 17, 2016
Had a great evening dancing with friends and helping to celebrate some birthdays.
I was going to caption this photo with
"ENTPs can do everything - levitation included."
But, I had an "aha moment" and this nugget of wisdom that I'll end this post with:
November 20, 2014 - Today's #tbt photo is one of my favorites because it really encapsulates the approach that my Mom took to training my brothers and I. Mom, I am so thankful for how you emphasized that even our play was a training ground for real life. Thank you for all that you've done to prepare my brothers and I for life, and for your continued support as we prepare to someday raise our own sons.
1998 - At ages 2 and 4, Benjamin and I pulled our battery powered jeep into the garage, set up a work light, jacked up the car, and got our hands on a socket set.
2008 - Disassembling an engine with Ken and Nathaniel Bauwens. I'm so thankful for the men in my life who took the time to mentor my brothers and I.
2008 - Benjamin and I are back in the garage together 10 years later.
2011 - All three of us are doing a tune up on the family van.
My Mom has the opportunity to drive a box truck from Indiana to Los Angeles for a dealership. She would "convoy" with my grandparents (who were also driving a truck )to LA, deliver the truck and fly back home - about 2000 miles to drive in 3 days.
Below are some photos from the trip that my Mom took from the truck. Listen to the classic song, “Route 66” because it’s a very accurate description of all the towns they passed on the way to CA.
“Well, it goes through Saint Louis, Jopin, Missouri…”
“..you’ll see Amarillo…”
“…and Gallup, New Mexico.”
Hotel in, “…Flagstaff, Arizona…”
“…Kingman, Barstow…”
“San Bernadino!”
Little Cody
On the third day one of the trucks had to stay behind and some logistical problems ensued, but thankfully the Lord worked out away where Mom was still able to catch her flight from California and was able to return home safely!