Stahlke Adoption
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Monday, August 24, 2015
More on Transitions
Paul left for the army; Rachel moved out-of-state for college.Vacation ended; we came home.
Summer is ending, school is starting.
All of the above cause regressive behavior in our younger children. Yikes!
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Transition Needed
Yesterday, I played organ for a funeral at our church. The soloist sang some lovely pieces, and the whole event was dignified and beautiful. It was also primarily an adult event.For an hour after the funeral, I ate lunch and "transitioned." Then Jonathan and four of our kids picked me up to celebrate our 10th adoption anniversary. After some Dairy Queen treats, we saw the movie "Mission Impossible" in IMAX. Between our kids and the movie, it was a rambuctious and youth-centered event.
I'm glad there was at least an hour in-between.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
First Day of School
Today I received an electronic newsletter from the principal at Walther, where Sarah and David attend high school. The principal posted three photos of students on the first day of school (August 19), titled "Smiles, Smiles, Smiles."David is the blonde sitting in the left foreground in the middle photo. Sarah is standing on the far right in the right photo.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Dorm Life
About two hours ago, Rachel moved into her dorm room at Concordia University Texas. She's been preparing for this moment for a long time, and is extremely excited. We dropped Rachel and her luggage off in Austin during our vacation. Since we have since returned to Chicago, our extended family members in Texas have been helping her get ready for college.I'll keep you posted as Rachel journeys through this important transition in her life.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Friends
Paul is posted at an army base near Seattle, about 20 minutes from the naval base where his good friend Neal is serving. They saw each other last weekend for the first time in a long time.Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Friday, August 14, 2015
Acronyms
We returned recently from Paul's graduation from boot camp at Fort Benning, Georgia. I hope to write in the next days with more details about the ceremony and our activities in Columbus. But for now, here's a tidbit about army life that you might enjoy:During the orientation session for guests, the commander explained that the infantry recruits do a lot of marching. One reason is that the military is trying to save funds, and buses cost money for fuel, equipment, and salaries. He told us that the best means of transportation in the army is the "LPC."
The commander grinned as he explained the acronym: "Leather Personnel Carriers" (BOOTS!)
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Mantra for Border Crossings (Peter and Me)
Goodbye
Illinois
Hello
Missouri
Goodbye
Missouri
Hello Arkansas
Goodbye
Arkansas
Hello Texas
Goodbye
Texas
Hello
Louisiana
Goodbye Louisiana
Hello
Mississippi
Goodbye
Mississippi
Hello
Alabama
Goodbye
Alabama
Hello
Florida
Goodbye
Florida
Hello
Alabama
Goodbye
Alabama (several times)
Hello
Georgia (several times)
Goodbye
Georgia
Hello
Tennessee
Goodbye
Tennessee
Hello
Kentucky
Goodbye
Kentucky
Hello
Indiana
Goodbye
Indiana
Hello
Illinois