Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns
If you think Jesus would have come into your home that day and not issued a strong rebuke to the head of household, you are mistaken. These words of condemnation have been haunting me for days now. They aren’t all that different than the soundtrack I play in my head on an almost-daily basis. It’s…
I am nesting. On Saturday I emptied the refrigerator. Last summer’s homemade pickles in their jars. The bread ends that seem to multiply on every shelf. The eggs. The milk. The fruit and veggies. All of it sat on the floor or the counter as I carefully removed the shelves and wiped them down with…
I’ve heard that life is like a highway. And it definitely seems like that sometimes. The pace of life swirls around me at dizzying speeds. We’re all so busy. In such a hurry. Always somewhere to be, something else to do. I’m a get-to-the-point, get-there-quick kind of girl. I don’t like to waste time on…
This little piggy was a day old when Isabelle got to hold him. I don’t remember exactly how this idea developed, but since we were home last, we’ve been trying to arrange a time for Isabelle to hold a piglet. Her great-uncle has some hogs on his farm; it was just a matter of us finding a time to go there. The timing was perfect on Saturday, as the piglets had just been born and weren’t as wiggly as the week-old ones she might have held if we’d gone earlier in the week. She wasn’t really sure what to think, but I think she was thrilled, even if she doesn’t look it in these photos. She had to be encouraged to pet it and keep it close to her. But we had a hard time getting her to leave.
Before the piggies, we swam in the same great-uncle’s pool. Corban had a blast, though he wasn’t crazy about the hat. He was kicking up a storm and liked 
to splash. I call him the next Michael Phelps. No pressure. Isabelle was content to lounge in the floaties, too. We’re terribly unprepared for pool swimming. Guess we’ll have to check the end of season sales. And sign up for swimming lessons.
It was a day for goodbyes. After swimming, piggies and lunch, we bid farewell to Aunt Cassie as she headed back to Kuwait. The kids napped, then we went to dinner with my parents in Rock Falls before heading out to the rockin’ birthday/farewell party for my cousin who begins an exciting journey at Grand Canyon University in Arizona.
To add to the fun, we brought a pinata and filled it with 7 pounds of candy. With a couple of swings, the first person over the age of 5 to hit it broke it and the candy clean-up began. Isabelle took a couple of swings with a sword. At least she didn’t hit daddy.
Could it have gotten any better than a full day at Great America? Oh, yeah. Friday night we were treated to a dinner cruise on the Rock River. Great food, awesome atmosphere and a totally relaxing evening. When we had finished our scrumptious meal of filet mignon, baked potato and sautéed vegetables, we were invited to go topside whenever we were ready. I’d eaten on this boat before, but never had the pleasure of riding on the top deck as the paddlewheel boat cruised the river. It was amazing.
During dinner, we saw a bald eagle perched on a tree limb on the river’s edge. As we cruised, we took in the views of Stronghold Castle and the area’s famous Indian sculpture that towers over the river. Somehow these familiar sights are more spectacular from the river rather than the road.
We enjoyed the quiet of the evening, the chance to be a couple, without children, amongst other couples. A banjo player added to the atmosphere, prompting a few couples to dance.
Best of all, we got to share it with family.
Earlier in the day, we had yet another meal out, sharing lunch with my brother, the kids’ uncle Chris. Cool Uncle Chris from the city, as he likes to call himself, sometimes. We ate at Sterling’s new Buffalo Wild Wings. And Isabelle got a new “friend.” A teddy bear named Herbert.
Another great vacation day in our summer full of memories.