Busy Start to School

Luke  & Mrs. Florek

Joshua & Mrs. Warner

Dearest Joshua and Luke, 

We are off to a great start of the school year!  Joshua is a big fifth grader (yes, his last year in elementary school) and Luke is in third grade. 

Luke & friends at the Grizzly Game

Both boys are busy with activities.  Both of you are very involved in Cub Scouts.  Joshua is a Wuebelos II, (yes, another last for him - next year he is onto Boy Scouts. ) and Luke is a Bear.  We started this year with camping at Grizzly Stadium.  After watching a doubleheader and a movie on the big screen of the Stadium, Joshua and Luke fell fast asleep at about 3 am! It was very awesome having friends, and other pack 57 friends there.   They had an especially fun evening.  Big kudos to Dad for sleeping under the stars with them!  Mom slept happily in her regular bed at home.  :)

Camping under the stars at Grizzly Stadium

Joshua practicing his oboe. 

This year Joshua wrote a short essay about why he wanted to join the Environmental Club.  It was successful and Joshua is now an official member of this fifth grade club. Joshua also joined the fifth grade band.  Dad suggested that he play the oboe. Joshua liked the idea of playing the oboe because it is a unique instrument and not too many people play the oboe.  Dad also brought up the idea that more college scholarships might be available for oboe players. I am NOT ready to think that far yet. But I hope that he finds an instrument to play but he likes.  Both of you are moving along in piano, too.  I wonder if playing the oboe is easier if you know how to play the piano?


You are both members of the Blue Knights and The Edge, a faith based group for boys.  This group meets once per month to deepen their faith in God.  This group is sort of like a kid's Knights of Columbus. You like being a part of the group with good friends.  You will continue to attend the Catechises of the Good Shepherd this year.  Joshua has at least two more years in it.  I hope they will continue to offer this educational opportunity through their confirmation.  I appreciate how much you both really learn about the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and their relevance in your lives.

Mr. Personality a.k.a Luke

You are both beginning a journey in 4-H as well this year.  Dad has great memories of 4-H from when he grew up.  He has wanted you to be a part of this organization for a long time. You are both blessed to have good friends to spend time with in this group. 

Obviously, you are both very busy with your activities.  Sometimes I worry that you are both involved in too many activities, but I do not know which one I could ever make you give up.  You both seem to like - or should I say love - all of your activities.  You have time to play with neighborhood kids and plenty of time for your electronics. 

I love to watch you both grow into your personalities.  I love to watch the choices you make and to see the things you are doing.  I love you both and I am very proud of you. 

Love,
Mom
  

Annual Branson Vacation

All 3 boys swimming

Dear Joshua and Luke, 

We were very blessed to already have vacation #2 this summer. We made our annual trek to Branson, MO.  We enjoy this annual trip to our familiar vacation spot.  We spent a lot of time swimming at the pool.  

Luke & Joshua at the Pea Ridge Battlefield

Our highlight was our first ever trip to Garfield, Arkansas ~ the site of the Battle of Pea Ridge.  This was a pivotal battle in the Civil War in which Missouri finally became a union state in this war.  It was an interesting battle to learn about.  We watched a film, visited the museum, and drove around the battlefield and the adjoining land of many smaller battles. Luke found a pocket watch just like Tom Sawyer had  as his treasure from the trip.  Joshua found a pin from The Battle of Pea Ridge.  

Luke on the go-carts!

Joshua on the go carts

Another day we spent the day at the waterpark.  Five hours in the sun and lots of fun!  There were two large slides, fountains, tumbling buckets, diving boards, and the largest pool ever.  It was fun for all of us. Joshua entered the cannonball contest, and wanted to win so badly.  It was a hoot watching the kids try to make the biggest splash, the tightest roll, and some awesome cannonballs!

Joshua playing "Minute to Win It!"

Oh yes, another highlight of the trip was seeing Jonah at the Sight and Sound Theater.  What a great story that came to life right in front of us.  Excellent actors, scenery, costumes….   The whole story came to life right in front of our eyes.  After the show we had a good discussion about how hard it was to be Jonah.  It was hard to be patient and it was difficult for him to do what God asked him to do. What God asked him to do sounded so outrageous to him, that he could not imagine doing it. Jonah tried to hide from God and do what he wanted instead.  It was also very difficult for Jonah to forgive the Nivanites.  Both of you said that Jonah was the best!  You even mentioned it as being most awesome the following day.

Eric helping Joshua make his
tie dye shirt.

We swam so much at our resort at many of he different pools, and of course the hot tubs.  Both of you like to participate in the games and crafts.  Luke’s favorite activity was the ice cream social every day at one ~ ice cream cones, ice cream sundaes, root beer floats…yummy.  Both of you really liked making sand art, patriotic tie dye shirts, gel candle holders, and more.  Joshua enjoyed the Minute To Win It games, too!  He played on the winning team.  His two activities were stacking golf balls on top of each other and balancing pens on the top of his hands.  He started with two pens.  He threw them up in the air to catch them.  Then, you added a pen each time.  It was fun, and I love that Joshua is always up for something new and different!  

One last highlight was Joshua winning the coloring contest for the second time. Luckily for us, Luke was last year's winner! Both of you do like to color!

We had hot weather for this vacation, but it was just what we needed for pool side weather!  

I love you more today than I did yesterday!

Love,

Mom

Voting Responsibly in Elections is Your Civic Duty – Lesson #226

Celebrating July 4th in Minnesota (2009)

  
Dear Joshua and Luke,

It is that time of the year when people across our country are talking about who will be the next president.  A couple of times each week someone is announcing a run for president in the 2016 election.  Announcements are everywhere.  On the news, discussions at water coolers, social media, etc.  Some people choose to cover their ears and not pay much attention to the upcoming election.  Others listen to news sources which are not always reliable, especially if you only listen to one.  Other people get their information from listening to others, which again may not always be the most reliable if you are listening to like minded people of the same people over and over again.  

Patriot's Day Ceremony at school (2014)

It is not easy to make decisions about who or what to vote for, but I will say that you each have a responsibility to educate yourselves on the candidates, their beliefs, national and world news.  You each need to find a way to stay current with events and what is happening in your city, state, nation, and world.  Then, you need to do your best to vote for your beliefs.  This is not an easy charge, but I thank God every day for my freedoms.

Grandpa Al's final resting place (2010)

For as long as I remember, Grandpa Al would discuss the directive that I needed to register to vote and actually vote when I turned 18.  I did, and I encourage – strongly encourage – you to do the same.  He also told me that whom you vote for and your beliefs are personal and should not be shared with anyone (except my mom).  Even as a child, Grandpa Al did not tell me who to vote for.  As I got closer to 18 years old, he discussed his candidate choices more with me.  He was upfront with me and told me his choice for president.  

Pea Ridge National Military Park  ~ The Park Ranger asked
Joshua & Luke to help her fold the flag for the evening. (2015)

With you guys it is so much different.  Joshua – you knew who Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck were before you entered kindergarten.  Luke, too.  If I had to guess, you saw and heard many conversations between Dad and Grandpa Mort about  Glenn,  Beck.  Also, you probably heard a lot of Fox News when you were younger. Both of you have been so inquisitive about politics and candidates and what you are hearing about people and the elections, Dad and I have always been straightforward with you. Joshua, I can even remember you arguing with another kindergarten friend because they did not vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin.  It was almost a friendship breaker for you, but the next day you went to school and told the friend that, “even though the best candidate did not win, I am glad your candidate won!” You even shook on it!  

Cub Scout skit with Joshua's den (2014)

I will be honest with you that I did not find World  History very interesting while I was in high school, but later on, I wished I had paid better attention.  I remember thinking that the “world” was so far away and it did not matter very much what was going on there. That is definitely a lesson I learned later on.  What is happening around the world definitely plays an important part in our everyday life.  Be aware and spend time learning about our country first, then the world and it’s impact on our country.  One last thing….it is also very important to learn the names of all the countries, big and small, in the world.  This includes what type of leadership there is in the country, how it interacts with the United States,historical information, and other pertinent facts.

You can look forward to more lessons about honoring the United States flag, the national anthem, and other symbols of our country. There are more lessons about our soldiers and freedom, but enough for today.  I love you both more today than I did yesterday.

Love,

Mom

Rocky Mountain High...... Colorado

Dearest Joshua and Luke,

We were very blessed to enjoy a visit to the Rocky Mountains to visit Uncle Luke’s family.  They moved to the Denver area in September, and we made the trek for a fun visit.

The most important reason for our visit was to celebrate Elsa’s confirmation. Elsa called me shortly after they moved and asked me to sponsor her for confirmation. I was so excited and honored for the privilege of being Elsa’s sponsor. Daddy and I are Elsa’s Godparents, chosen by her parents. But for her to get a choice and ask me to sponsor her was one of the biggest honors in my life. I immediately accepted,  but explained to her that I have never sponsored anyone, so I was not sure what to do as a sponsor, but I told her I would find out and do my best.  With my school schedule, I did not dream of making it to her confirmation, but it worked out. Another example of God working His ways.  I believe that God totally orchestrated this visit.

Yes, it's sneeting!

Moving to Colorado has not been the easiest adjustment for the family, and I think this visit was just what we all needed. It was a blast. The best part of visiting them is always having time to play.  You are both so lucky to have the best cousins ever.  Elsa and Ethan  look out for both of you.  Ethan plays so well with you two.  You are sooooo lucky.  Minecraft, Nerf guns, movies, Mario and much, much more.








On the first day, we hung around the house and ate dinner out.  It was a nice, relaxing day.

Cousins ready for the next adventure!

On Sunday, we attended mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Colorado Springs. From there we went to Pike’s Peak.  We were not able to get to the top due to the weather conditions, but we made it up to about four miles from the top. It was beautiful.  There was so much snow, and it started “sneeting” there.








We got some great pictures in the snow and as the snow came down.  We were very blessed with the day.  You both found some great rocks at a rock store at the bottom of Pike’s Peak.  A few friends from school highly recommended the rocks from Colorado Springs.On the next day we made the trip to Estes Park to the Rocky Mountain National Forest.  The drive through the park was gorgeous!  We saw elk with ginormous antlers.  We saw lots more snow today and many snow-covered mountains.  There was an Art fair going on in the Estes Park community center. The boys walked around  Bear Lake and found some awesome adventures.  Lots of snow to climb through and slide around on.  The day ended with rain and dinner at Aunt Lisa and Elsa’s favorite pizza place near their home.

The next day was quiet.  We all did a few things we wanted to get to.  Of course, the boys were playing Minecraft, Nerf guns, and much more.  The night before Elsa produced a short movie trailer using IMOVIE on her IPOD.  They  had a blast!




Elsa was swimming.  Elsa is so dedicated to swimming.  She swims hours each day and schedules many things in her life in order to do her best at swimming. She wakes up early in the days, practices blocks of time each day, and so much  more.   We were fortunate that she stayed home the rest of the afternoon to play with the boys one last day.  Also, we went and saw Ethan’s piano recital.  As much as we talk about Elsa’s talent with swimming, our cousin, Ethan, has just as much talent on the piano.  I do. I do not think Ethan realizes how much he inspires both of you to play piano.



Ethan appears to play so effortlessly.  He can play without a music book.  Often times he can play after hearing a song one time.  He walks over to the piano and figures it out.  We had a wonderful time!  The time went by so fast. There was so much to do and it was so wonderful to see our family.  We do not get to see them near what we used to.  With the kids getting older, the schedules are crazy.  Work schedules can be difficult to work around. I know that you will always remember the fun that you had.  But there’s one more thing.

Sleepy after a long, happy vacation!

Awesome cousins!

You are both so lucky to have awesome cousins.  Even though you are miles away from each other, I hope you realize that you are as close to them as you would be if they lived next door.  You have always played well together.  You play a lot together when you are visiting each other. You will always be friends.  Even when you go to college, move away, start new lives, get married (after you are 30, of course), please always stay in touch with each other.  Visit each other often.  Your cousins will be your life long friends.  Continue to nurture your cousin relationships for your whole life.  Your cousins are good people from good families.  You will always want them around you.  You will want your kids to know their kids.  You will probably want to take vacations together just like we did with you and your cousins.  You boys are true the luckiest! I love you both more and more each day!

I love you both more today than I did yesterday.

Love,
Mom

Spring Fun Fest

Joshua's Baseball Team

 Dearest Joshua and Luke,

We are definitely in the thick of Spring fun ~ baseball, Cub Scouts, Civil War, and lots of exciting activities!

Batter up, Luke!

 Baseball practice has been in full swing (literally) since March.  You are both so lucky to be on two of the best teams this year! Joshua is in his fifth year (I think) on the same team.  He has the most patient coaches who truly care about all of the boys on the team. We love all the families on his team.  Most of us have been together for a long time.  Luke is on a new team this year.  Luke has not found a team that he has loved until this year.

 

Luke's Baseball Team

Luke is on a team with friends from our school and new friends from the parochial school in town.  The coaches on the team are awesome, too.  They all work together to practice so many skills with the boys.  They break the children into small groups so they can get some individual practice, too.  One of the things that has made baseball so much fun this year is how much you both want to practice.  You both have been outside nearly every day playing catch with Dad and hitting balls with your bats.  You have both learned to play catch together, too.  The best part is watching you two share your love of baseball together.

"Stacy" & "Johnny" ~ southern Plantation owners

Joshua has been busy in the classroom, too.  His class has been studying about the Civil War for a while now.  You have found another subject that you love to learn about!  You have been reading so much.  You have started to watch the Civil War Diaries on TV.  Your class spent one day a few weeks ago entertaining families at the Museum in town.  You dressed in character as a southern plantation owner getting ready to go to war.  Your very good friend in class posed as your wife on the plantation.  You both did a marvelous job with your presentation!  And Joshua continues to watch the Civil War diaries.  We are seriously thinking about a Civil War learning excursion to Franklin, TN to experience more of the Civil War this summer!

Cub Scouts has been busy and fun, too.  We had a regatta race at the last pack meeting which was not so much a test of who can build the best regatta, but who knows how to blow a lot of hot air in just the right place on your boat!  There was skill in building the boat, too, but having a lot of hot air in the right place really helped, too!  It was fun!!!!



















 
We are blessed with so many talented Cub Scout parents.  Mr. Dean, A's Dad, organized a project in which the boys got to build a tool box.  The boys made a field trip to Mr. Dean's garage, and used a hand saw, hammer, nails, a screwdriver and other tools to make their very own toolbox.  Mr. Dean was patient and so generous with the boys.  The boys loved it.  It was extra special that Mr. Dean let Luke make a toolbox, too.

Joshua has been using his many talents of building and using tools, he even helped with installing the gate for Bella!

Stay tuned for more fun to come!

Love,
Mom

Happy 8th Birthday, Luke!!!

The Birthday Gang

Dearest Joshua and Luke,

Eight Years Ago…….

  Happy birthday Luke!  Eight years ago was one of the best days of my life.  Sorry that it is so cliche’, but it is so true.  Luke was born the afternoon of March 30, 2007.  It was the most special day.



I had hoped to wait a few more days before you arrived, but my doctor felt that you should come out sooner vs later.  My blood pressure had gone up a little too high, and the doctors did not want to wait all weekend with the concerns of my blood pressure so Friday was the day.  Even though it was not planned, Daddy and I were both more than ready to meet you.

Grandma and Grandpa came over to stay with Joshua for the day and night.  It was a great feeling to know that Joshua was in good hands while we were about to meet you.  I had not spent a night away from Joshua before so I was a little nervous about leaving him for the first time.  But I could not think of anyone better to leave Joshua with.

Happy 8th birthday, Luke!

When we got to the hospital, Nana was already there waiting for us to check in.  They got me situated in my room and took me in for the surgery about an hour later.  Since you were my second darling, I knew right away that I wanted to get my hands on you and begin nursing.  I was so happy and ready to nurse you as soon as you were born.  I felt really good about having nursed Joshua for almost 14 months.  I knew this was one gift I could give you, too.

We did not do much the first day you were born.  You slept a lot.  I nursed you every two hours or so, and Daddy and I stared at you – the wonderful miracle that you were.  We were wondered how we had gotten so blessed to have you born as our son.  God must have heard our pleas for another baby, and knew that you would be so welcomed and loved in this family.

Grandma and Grandpa came to meet you the next day.  Miss Sarah Beara came along, too.  We knew that she would be spending a lot of time with you when you were little so we wanted her to meet you as soon as possible.  Everyone fell in love with you from the moment they laid their eyes on you.  Joshua came along to meet you, too.  You walked into the room, and ran right to me for a hug and a kiss.  I knew that Joshua really had no idea what it meant to have a little brother, but I also knew that you two would grow up to be best friends.

The first several days went by so fast, but on the fifth day we were ready to take you home.  It was a damp, cold rainy day.  By the time we got you home, I realized that I had chills and a fever.  I was crying because I was afraid that the doctor would make me come back to the hospital and stay there with out you.  Luckily, they let me stay home and rest and monitor my temperature.  The next day it was all better and things were looking great!

We celebrated Your first Easter a few days later.  Nana, Papa Ed, and Aunt Lisa came over for a visit.  It was so nice to see them on your special Easter Day.  Grammy and Papa Mort came over, too.  Everyone wanted a chance to see you and hold you again.  You were so beautiful, and a true miracle!

Bella sleeping on Luke

Not much has changed eight years later.  Except that you are very handsome and you have a beautiful heart!  You are still a miracle and you still amaze me each day of your life.  You are very interested in video games such as Minecraft and Monkey Balloons.  You are quite a baseball player although you make a lot of baskets in basketball, too!  You are a great reader and a wizard at math!  You love Bella, our sweet little shih tzu puppy.  She loves laying in your lap while you talk so sweetly to her.  You love watching TV, too.  Especially Speed Racer and Full House.  You love Uncle Jesse on Full House, mostly because of his love for Elvis Presley.  And yes, you are a big Elvis fan, too!  Your love for God is deep in your heart and very real to you. I am so proud of you and your kindness to others.

You celebrated your 8th birthday at Fun Spot with friends. It was a fun day all about you.  The skating rink dug deep into their archives and found Jailhouse Rock so you could date to it.  It was a great day of fun and friends!

Luke, I love you so much more today than I did yesterday. (Joshua, you too!!!!!! )

Love,

Mom

First Communion....Not A Laughing Matter Yet!

Father Bill & Luke

Dearest Joshua and Luke,

There could not have been a more perfect day to celebrate Luke’s First Communion at church.  He has been preparing for months, and today was his special day!  The weather was beautiful.  Luke was specially handsome.  Father Bill delivered the perfect message to the children.

Luke began preparing months ago as he went through his First Reconciliation at church.  Father Hitpas talked to the students about their sins or times in their life when they have pulled away from Jesus.  Father Bill told the children that Jesus will always have his hand extended wanting to be friends with them.  Jesus will never pull his hand away from them, no matter what they do wrong or what choices they make.  Jesus will always be waiting to welcome them back and rejoice when you reach your hand out to him.  I always want Luke (and Joshua) to remember this.  Jesus will always welcome you back to him.

Luke with his banner at the
same baptismal font he was baptized.

Luke has been attending Catechises of the Good Shepherd since he was three years old.  The Atrium has been such a special place for the boys to learn about Jesus in a very real way.  From taking care of the plants, sharpening pencils with a blade, drawing pictures, writing prayers, re-enacting stories with special figures, etc. the Atrium has been a very special place to spend time learning about Jesus. The boys have learned so much about their relationship with Jesus while learning at the Atrium.  It is a deep, enriching experience for all of the children that participate in the program.  The teachers and volunteers are absolutely amazing with how they approach and facilitate the learning.







The First Communion ceremony was beautiful.  The teachers and leaders spent a lot of time tending  to all the details of the ceremony to make it the most special day.  The choir sounded beautiful.  All of the children were dressed so beautifully.  The boys were handsome, of course!  Father Bill delivered a special message about the children’s special relationship with Jesus.  His message was clear and relevant to all of the children and parents.

St. Nicholas & Luke

We were very blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa there to celebrate with us as well as Miss Sarah Beara. We knew that Sarah was planning to join Luke, but we kept it a secret with both boys. Luke was so surprised when he realized that Sarah was actually there to see him!  The young girl who was seated with her family in front of us  was baptized at the same ceremony with Luke eight years ago! We also found out that Sarah knew her Dad.  What a small world!

St. Nicholas & the boys

This is the short prayer that the parents said for the children receiving their First Communion ion.  Short and sweet…….

We pray that you always keep the light of Christ shining brightly before you.  May this light lead you on your life’s journey.  May God give us the wisdom and courage to help you along the way.  Amen.

My thoughts during this time brings a tear to my eyes.  Not necessarily sad tears, but tears of the realization that you are growing up.  You are really ready for this next step with Jesus.  You know that Jesus has always been your friend and wants to be part of your life.  But now that you have received Communion for the first time, you have begun to realize that Jesus wants to be part of you and  you with him.  This brings your relationship with Jesus to the next level.


I want you to know that I want Jesus to always be a part of your life.  You can always bring your worries, fears and joy to Jesus.  Pray often and know that Jesus always listens.  He will answer your prayers and he will always be there with you.  He will not leave you alone.

These special days cause us to focus on the family that we miss having with us or the family that can no longer be with us.  We miss Grandpa Al, Grandma Nichols, and Papa Ed.  All of them are with you watching over and guarding you from danger.  They are also in your heart sharing these special days.

Your Dad and I try  hard to keep Jesus and our faith alive and to be your best teachers about Jesus and your faith.  We have taken you to church with us almost every Sunday since you were both about six weeks old. We pray together most nights before bed.  We have a prayer table very similar to the one you have in the Atrium.  I think about how many more things I wish we did.  I do believe that you both have an understanding of how important our faith and our relationship with Jesus is to us.  I hope that you both continue to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus each day of your life.

Luke showing his "cathedral hands" &
praying for a ride to First Communion

 Luke did a great job of following the program and remembering what he was supposed to do throughout the ceremony.  As the children organized themselves for the presentation of the gifts, Ms. Barb called Luke to the back to help take up the gifts.  This was a surprise As he hadn’t practiced with them, but he knew exactly what to do.  Luke also reported that the wine tasted “baaaad,” but wondered if he should try the wine at another church to see if it tasted better.   He asked if we could go to Cathedral next week to taste the wine there.  After our joyous celebration at Church, Luke chose to have lunch at Golden Corral.  After the feast, we headed home to relax and play. Dad took Grandma and Grandpa home.


Now for our funny story of the day…..we will laugh about this some day, but I am not ready yet.
Eric left early to pick up his parents.  I convinced Eric to take my van to make it more comfortable for his parents.  Eric and I were going to meet up at the Church at 11:30am. We were getting ready to leave the house about 11:10 am, and I quickly realized that I could not find my car keys.  I had keys to the van, but not Eric’s car.  I speedily checked all the obvious places and could not find a key.  I called Eric who had no idea where the extra keys were either.  By this time, it was about 11:35 am and we were supposed to be at the church at 11:30 am for pictures.  I called our neighbor, Stacey, to see if she could give us a ride to church.  Thank goodness she was home and able to give us a ride.  Five minutes later she picked us up and drove us to Church.  It is amazing how God puts the right people in our lives at the right time.  Thank you, Stacey, for saving the day and Luke’s First Communion.  We arrived at church
noon,but just in time to get the individual pictures done no to get ready for the ceremony!

I love you both more today than I did yesterday.

Love,
Mom