Instagram Update

We've been thoroughly enjoying the last of these beautiful summer days!

Watermelon is a favorite:

So is "diggin'" in the dirt pile.  I took the ugly landscaping out this spring and never did anything to it; it has become Aidan and Leo's favorite spot to dig.  Unfortunately, it is a true eye-sore!

 Helping Mama water her garden is also a favorite.  Unlike his mama, Aidan hasn't given up on our garden.  This spring I didn't get manure in it before a sweet man from church came to till it.  Therefore, it didn't do anything.  Nothing grew or produced so I gave up.  I weeded it once and then decided it wasn't worth it.  A lot of people blamed it on the drought (they say water from a hose isn't the same as rain water?!); although, my lack of a green-thumb didn't help matters any.

Trying again next year?  Not sure.  I'm kinda over it, but maybe I'll get the gardening bug next spring again.

 Proof that my garden is terrible:

I think the package said "green" peppers.

Further proof: I planted marigolds in the middle where none of the seeds came up.  They're like memorials over a grave of unregenerate seeds.

Aidan loves to hang out at the slide behind our church.

 Riding his trike in the early morning hours (yes with his jammies still on) is another summer favorite.

And, of course, biking in the evenings with Daddy is a special treat.

Last weekend, Brian attended a conference in MI so the boys and I headed to Brainerd for a few days.

On the way to Brainerd, I was able to stop and see some college friends (thanks, Mom and Dad, for coming to get Leo and Aidan so I could have a night of freedom!).

I was so blessed to be able to celebrate a dear college friend's upcoming marriage with her and our old roomies.  It was wonderful to reconnect, and I so look forward to Andene's November 2 wedding.  Funny story: I was the only person at the shower who hasn't yet met her fiance.  However, I won the "How well do you know Sean?" game.  I think Andene has done an excellent job describing her man to me!  I can't wait to meet him at the wedding, if not before.

Another dear friend from college just moved back to MN after seven years of ministry in Korea.  We talked for three hours at a coffee shop in Staples.  Love her and I'm so glad Jac's back.

 

 

I spent a lot of time on the Mississippi during Aidan's naps.  It was very peaceful.  Except for three large dogs who were constantly wet and muddy!  Leo loved playing the water with Jack and Savvy - fetching was a fave.

 This was my view - so gorgeous.  I sat here and read Modern Reformation.  There were so many good articles in it this month.  I can't wait to blog about a few of my favorites later this week.

 We visited Great Grandpa Richie and Great Grandma Char.  Aidan said, "Cookie" immediately upon his arrival - yes, Great Grandma has wonderful goodies to share!

Aidan loved to help Great Grandpa haul his wheelbarrow up from the lake.  If you asked him what he was doing, "I workin.'"

 Aidan also helped Great Grandpa feed the ducks.  He wanted them to ride home with us.  "I hold.  I hold duck."

 Aidan loved to be like Grandma Jane.  He'd wear her reading glasses and hold on to the TV remote.  I called him my lil' professor.

 

We had so much fun with Grandma and Bop, I came home with one exhausted toddler.

 

Brian had a wonderful conference.  He loaded up on sermons and White Horse Inn talks to make the 10 hour drive pass quickly.  I was thankful his high school car (yes, he still drives it!) transported him there & back so safely.  God is good.  He was blessed by the wonderful hospitality and fellowship of the Borgs.  Thanks, Rach and Kyle, for taking such great care of my husband!  I was excited when Brian brought back his "spoils" from the conference:

 

 I immediately grabbed Parenting By God's Promises by Joel Beeke from his pile; I've been reading it after my quiet time in the mornings.  It's very good and I'll have to post what I've been learning.

This last week was crazy - we got back from vacation on Tuesday night and I then cleaned the house from top to bottom Wednesday & Thursday in between playdates and meetings.  Friday, then, I was greatly relieved to sit down in my hairsylist's chair and get a new 'do.  I courageously [foolishly?] said, "SURE!" when she asked about bangs!  Covering up what Brian calls my "noble" forehead can't be a bad thing.

One more week and then we leave for CO - my cousin is getting married and we are very excited to celebrate with him.  This week, though, is our first Mommy's Group of 2012-2013 here at my house on Thursday and Thursday night is the kick-off bible study.  Please be in prayer for these ministries.   I am super excited about the book we're going through for Bible study: The Wisdom of God, Seeing Jesus in Psalms & Proverbs by Nancy Guthrie.  I highly recommend it!

Lastly, a blog I have been really enjoying lately is Grace Covers Me - it's a blog for ministry wives.  If you're a ministry wife or soon-to-be one, check it out.  I promise you'll be encouraged.

InstaFriday

We've had such a wonderful week!

My mom and Savvy came for a visit (mostly to let me sleep and get emotionally recharged!) last weekend.  It was super fun - we shopped the little shops at Clear Lake, watched Aidan play in the yard, observed Savvy and Leo (bffs) wrestle constantly, and enjoyed rootbeer floats.  Thanks, Mama!  I love you!

Wednesday night was our last bible study for the summer.  It began with a potluck and ended with a study & discussion on the saying, "God loves everybody."  Each Wednesday since June, Brian has dissected common Christian sayings - it was sooo good!  The fellowship and dessert were always a highlight too.

My California Supermom, Aimee, always had her hallway lined with posters for her children. (Must be the teachers in us, Aim?)  Everything I ordered was delivered today, and I went to work making the hallway into "Aidan's school."  I am super excited.  He is too - he loves to walk through there and point to everything he already recognizes.  Today, on his colors & shapes poster, he learned that an octagon has 8 sides.  So fun.

Fridays are Brian's day off, and it's always such a special day to be together the three of us!  This morning we walked along Clear Lake, stopping at a garage sale, the park, and the DNR Fishery.  I love looking at the beautiful homes.

Leo got in the way of the swing.  Aidan would giggle so hard as he tried to touch Leo with his boots.

Oh, by the way, Papa Jake bought him new cowboy boots!

He loves them.

We enjoyed a meal with the Laus this week too!  Thankful for good friends.

Lastly, we spent Monday in Des Moines with the Brittons!  What a special treat it was to spend the day with seminary besties.  It refreshed my soul - great conversations.  Aidan and Isaiah were buddies; they wrestled and ran through the mall.  Brittons are on their way to LA in October because Austin received a call to an OPC church.  Congrats on your new venture, Brittons!  We're praying for you!

(I'm just sorry we didn't take any pictures with them - how did that happen?!)

You can learn more about the Brittons here: The Publican Chest

Updates via Instagram

Life has been so fun, full, and busy lately!  Today I'm trying to catch up on housecleaning, blogging, laundry, phone calls, bills, etc.

Here's what we've been up to via Instagram:

Brainerd Trip

 Sat on the Blue Ox in Nisswa

 Hauled the boat to Whitefish

 Brian had a work day at Caribou.

 Date night!  Thanks, Mom & Dad.

We had drinks at Poncho & Leftys after Brian whooped me at mini-golf.

 Game & puzzle night with the family.

Poor Dad, he ended up having to finish this all by himself, but it didn't take him long.

 The road to my parent's house on the Mississippi River.

Boating!  So fun.

The "Everyday"

 Aidan loves to see himself in the camera.

 My garden is horrible this year.  I've gotten some lettuce and six cherry tomatoes.

Next year, I'm going to need manure.

 Aidan and I head to the Clear Lake Library every other Thursday to return our books, find more, play in the boat, and put puzzles together.

 My music man loves to dance, sing, and play piano!

Brain and I have been sitting outside late - chatting, reading, or talking on the phone.  I LOVE summer weather!  I haven't been to my 5:30 am exercise class for three weeks because I stay up too late with my night-owl husband.  But I'm OK with that; it's summer, right?  Besides, I have a Leo Lund who needs to be run everyday!

Part of Brian's everyday - sharing the gospel and performing marriage ceremonies.

Birthday & Anniversary Celebration

 Yesterday, we went to Fairmont after church to celebrate my 30th and our 8th anniversary (August 1).

 Aidan was the best helper; he blew out my candle on the first try!

He even helped sing, "Happy happy you you," to his mama.

 The lake was super gross and green so Grammie got out the pool!

 John Deere - his favorite.

Thanks for all the fun, John & Sue!

Hancock County Fair

We had fun at the fair!  Our church people were so immensely generous and gave us tickets to everything - from the rides and beef supper to the pork supper and the bus races!

 All the babysitters wanted to be at the fair so we kept our little man out later than ever - 10 pm!  He ate almost the whole time so that kept him happy.  ;)  Actually, it was the buses and watching crazy "Mr. Roger" from church drive in a 13 school bus race.  Aidan would shout, "Go go go!" or "Broken. Stop," if they crashed.

 Friends from Swea City came to join us.  Thanks, Larsons!

 I'm so thankful to Mary for accompanying Aidan and me to the fair while Brian was performing a wedding.  We loved walking through all the buildings.  We even convinced Aidan to ride the Berry-Go-Round.  "I out, out, out, OUT!" was heard about halfway through the ride.

 Iowa's finest.

 Stockcar races!

I hadn't been since junior high; my dad would always take me.

Such fond memories!

 Shutter speed was too slow - he had just been sitting there.

 Tractors or cows?  I'm not sure which was a bigger hit.

Train races.

These were hilarious.  The bus races were fun too.

I've also been baking!  I loved all the recipes from 100daysofrealfood.com.  However, I've decided that I'm not going to be a real-food-Nazi.  I'm going to eat it whenever possible, but I'm not going to think twice about eating out or eating food that is offered to us.  Thanks, Sarah, for the suggestions!  We don't have Trader Joe's close, but we do have Aldi!  I call it the granola store - but I guess that's what I'm becoming!?  Oh please no.

Lastly, today is "Gotcha Day" for my darling, super-stinky Leo.  On the right side of my blog header is a picture from one year ago today.  We picked Leo up from the breeder at the St. Cloud Rest Stop on July 30, 2011.  Love you, Leo Lund!