Where's Kara?

Can you spot me? An old high school friend sent me this photo--it was from our 6th grade choir concert. Oddly, I'm now in contact with many of these people again, through Facebook.

And here's another, just for kicks. I think this was from 7th grade. I think the shirt's back in style now, too.

Grandma Sallie

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You." (Psalm 9:10)

My Grandma Sallie would have been 95 today. She passed away 8 months ago, on December 12th. The above verse is one she had chosen for her funeral. This picture was taken on Thanksgiving, the last time I saw her before she died.

This is the Grandma that prayed for me every day of my life. Her full name was Selma Marie Knutson. Selma means "divinely protected by God." Abby's middle name is Selmalynn, named after Grandma.

Some special memories with Grandma Sallie...When I was really little, we spent Christmases up at her house at the lake in Bemidji, MN. I loved her red shag carpet, her Swedish meatballs, and her fancy blue and white dishes (which are now mine). As I got older, she taught me how to make lefse & took me to the movie Annie when it came out in the theaters. I remember playing Uno together while we snacked on Pringles and Rye Krisp. When Grandma & Grandpa moved to an apartment in Waconia, she planted a garden at my parents' house, down by the lake. When we were kids, we swam nearly every day and when we got hungry we'd snack on yummy strawberries and pea pods fresh from the garden. Grandma also loved teacups, having a beautiful collection--part of which is also now mine. In her later years, I remember times when we'd do devotions together at her nursing home. I'd read the Scriptures she requested, or read aloud from her large print devotional. Then we would pray together. When it was time for me to leave, I'd tell her I loved her and she'd reply "I love you more."

When I went off to college, (before she moved to the nursing home) I remember being keenly aware that Grandma would not live forever. (She was approaching 80 by this point.) I began diligently writing her letters, and she and I kept up a wonderful correspondence throughout my college years.

As she reached 90, Grandma really wanted to make sure her affairs were in order. She asked me to help her plan her funeral. I wrote down all of her wishes, from the hymns and Scriptures she wanted, to flowers and what she wanted to be buried in. She also requested that I sing, eulogize, and play my flute at her funeral. I told her I'd do my best, and somehow I did manage to honor those requests.

You'd think, given her age, I'd have been prepared for Grandma's passing, but it hit me harder than I expected. For months I'd cry every time I thought of her. I miss her dearly. But I know I will see her again in heaven. As I said when I spoke at her funeral, Grandma is in heaven not because she was a good person--though she was, she is in heaven because she trusted Christ alone for the forgiveness of her sins. She knew she wasn't perfect and couldn't earn her way to heaven by doing enough good things. She gave her heart, mind, and soul to God, serving Him in quiet humility all the days of her life.

I leave you with one more Scripture--another she had chosen for her funeral:

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us and we are his;
we are his people, she sheep of is pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love
endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."
(Psalm 100)

10th Year in Bemidji

(White Pines Resort on Turtle Lake, connected to Movil Lake)

Yes, I'm alive. No, not puking either. Not quite, anyway. (Thanks for checking, Lauralynn.) I didn't want to post on my blog that we'd be gone for a week in case some weirdo could track us down and rob all my valuable fake jewelry and huge money stash in the floor boards.

We just got back from our annual week up north in Bemidji, MN. For 10 years in a row now my parents have rented a cabin for all of us to spend a week together up at Movil Lake. My dad spent entire summers as a boy on this lake at his grandparents' cabin.


We had beautiful weather. There was lots of swimming and fishing, lots of eating, a little shopping, a Gilmore Girls marathon, and 3 dates for Wade. Wade took each of his girls on a special outing during the week. He and I went to our favorite Italian restaurant in Bemidji & then saw Batman (which rocked!) Abby & Daddy went out for coffee & a game of checkers, and Emily & Daddy bought tic tacs (Em's fave), gas station treats, and played at the park.



For our last night, we had a campfire with s'mores, my Dad & I played a little B-ball, and Wade and I played that game where you throw the ropes with the weighted thingies around goalpost looking things with 3 bars. (Anybody know what I'm talking about?)

It was a great week, but it's also great to be home. Let the laundry begin!

Put Me in the Zoo

(The photo is one I took in the butterfly garden. I believe it's called a Cynthia. You can correct me if I'm wrong.)

I am a little ashamed to admit that my children had not been to the Minnesota Zoo since Abby was 1 and Emily was a newborn. (Yes, do the math; that means Nathan's never been there at all.) In my defense, they haven't been completely zoo deprived, though. They have been to the Como Zoo (for those not from around here--that's the free one) a couple of times, and once to the Potowotami Zoo in South Bend, IN.

So today we changed that. My sister Bria is leaving in August to teach in China for a year. (Sniff Sniff.) She wanted to spend a family day at the zoo before she leaves, and insisted on treating everyone--including our folks and my family of 5. (Thanks so much, Bria!) Well, then we did the math, and it wasn't much more to purchase a membership good for a year. Then we even decided to upgrade to the "Household Plus" for just $6 more; then we can bring an additional guest along too each time we go.

Alright. So I'm bound and determined to get good use out of this membership! Those of you who frequent the zoo...what are your favorite things to see? What about your kids?

Anybody else who wants to go with us--either with your own membership, or as our guest (you'd just have to then pay for any kids over age 3)--let us know. We'd love to go again soon!

Twelve Years and Counting...

(This post is from yesterday.)

"I feel the wind in my face...see the blue in the sky...it's days like this I realize...It's good to be alive." Geoff Moore.

We try to get away for at least a night or so every year to celebrate our Anniversary. This year we got adventurous and decided to go 4-wheeling! Drove to Prairie Farm where Wade's folks live, parked our car, borrowed their ATV and leisurely made our way to Turtle Lake & the surrounding area. In total for both days, we covered 100 miles of rolling hills, quiet roads, farmland, wooded trails, and old railroad beds now converted to ATV paths. Saw a family of raccoons, a fox, a turtle, some black ravens, and some chipmunks. Wade saw some wood ticks, too. They seem to like him better than me.

We've got another tradition--Bed & Breakfasts. I think we've stayed in 10 or so total. Wade usually does the choosing and surprises me. This year he picked the Canyon Road Inn, in Turtle Lake, WI. We could 4-wheel right to it. A beautiful B&B on Skinaway Lake. We even had our own balcony with a gorgeous view of it. Kept our patio door open at night and went to sleep to the sound of the loons. Glorious.

Twelve years ago today (23rd) Wade and I were married at Faith Community Church in Hudson, where we've attended church now for the better part of 14 years! On our wedding night, we stayed at the Jefferson Day House--a B&B on 3rd Street right in Hudson. And so began the tradition.


Happy Anniversary Honey! I look forward to many more with you.

Evening at the Beach

At 5:00 pm last night the kids and I decided to scrap supper preparation, throw out the schedule, and head for the beach! They've been begging to go since school let out. Wade met us there after work & brought sub sandwiches. A picnic on the beach and an evening swim to boot! Have I mentioned that I love summer?

Last Day of School!

Today was Abby's last day of 1st Grade. I'm thrilled that she'll be home for 3 months! She, however, came home in tears--missing her teacher already. She is excited for summer vacation, too, though. Especially trips to Brown's Beach. She's been begging to go swimming, even on the days we're all wearing coats. :)

I'm a simple girl at heart. Though I am detailed and fairly scheduled myself, I don't like life to be as packed full and scheduled as the school year seems to get. I'm looking forward to not having to set an alarm clock (though Nathan will still provide that service anyway) and I'm excited to spend lots of lazy days at the park and the beach with the kids. Truth is, I really love having them around. I love it when they come and snuggle in the morning--especially when they're all in the mood to squish in and be read to. I love hearing the girls play together. I love hearing that Nathan's being included. Don't get me wrong-- there are plenty of times when they fight, bug each other, and exasperate me...but mostly it feels good when they're all here. Or at least that's what I choose to remember. :)

Yesterday we had a little preview of togetherness...a chocolate milk tea party on the front stoop!




I find myself often being nostalgic over how fast the kids are growing up. But I really am enjoying the stages they're at right now. And I'm looking forward to lots more times like these.



P.S. Happy Birthday Jen! And thanks for sharing your cake with us. I know your actual birthday-day this year may not have been as adventure packed as last year's flamingo yard raid...but I'm still just as grateful to be in Hudson to celebrate birthdays and other milestones with you again. Love you friend!