Fun Moments

Micah's favorite-- a tractor ride!

Through the keyhole

Grammy with Levi at the beach

Found a frog!

What's goin on?

2 in the tub!

in the pool with cousins, Jessica and Johanna

My sister Marti at an EXPO--say!

Micah steps up to bat

And the school year starts off with a...splash?

September is here, along with school, hurricane Katrina, playgroup, and swimming. Swim skills might seem an odd addition for this time of year, but in South Florida the water's perfect.

Micah's biggest and most amazing accomplishment this week is his new found ability to get air after swimming under water. He watched another little girl do it and has somehow managed to teach himself. I think it's pretty common for kids to teach themselves once they get to a certain level of skill. I have to admit I'm proud of him, but he does all the work now! We hope that he'll be able to float at length and decently master survival skills by the end of the swim season.

Some friends and I recently started a playgroup that meets weekly. We are working out of a book called "Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready," and doing other activities. It's nice because we rotate houses. Every week a different mom hosts, plans activities, and provides lunch. There are four of us so far. And that's where Micah took swimming notes!

All the talk here is about New Orleans, and I'm learning a lot. It's interesting to learn about the separations of federal and state government, and how that comes into play at a time like this. I have a great Aunt who lived in the city, and is now displaced. It's a difficult time for everyone.

I'm finally teaching outside of my graduate degree. I got a job teaching 2 composition classes at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). It's turned out surprisingly well. I go to work 2 mornings a week, and Noah watches the boys. They do great with him, and it's good for me to get away for a little while. I also learn quite a bit myself as I plan my lessons and teach. I feel like a student again!

Levi is the smiliest, happiest little boy. He is so easygoing and loves his family. Micah is learning how to be a big brother. Tonight we had another 5 month old little boy over, and Micah was very affectionate. He went up behind little Elijah and put his arms around him. Later he gave him a hug, and then transferred that to Levi, hugging him too. I really hope the boys will play as they get older! Micah asks every person who comes over to come and play with the legos or train set!

Noah just reminded me that blogs are supposed to be short. Well, next time :)

Goin' Back to Cali

It seems like a trend is emerging. Every two years it seems like we have this block of time where we end up taking a long trip across the country. The first time it was Brin and me in the VW. Then Micah on the plane to CA, camping in the Sierras. Now Micah and Levi are coming to CA with us to tour the coast and look for El Dorado.

Things just seem to be happening this way, and as time progresses, unexpectedly. I have always been a risk taker, but it seems like the temptation of living up to adult responsibility is being overpowered by the great adventure, of which I am a part. Kinda like the hulk over powering Bruce. The two were so different and at extremes of power, but they still had influence over each other.

Where will this adventure take us? I am not sure and it does not have to meet my designs.

Just get in the boat and paddle.

Levi..an art form 

Micah and Levi.....playing nice. 

In front of our home in Naples 

The Top of the Hill Is Potential Energy

So we had been working on the house and becoming what I thought was the typical suburban lifestyle. Well, God must have had something different in mind.

A surprise phone call on Nov. sent us to Jacksonville. I had been offered a position as an aquatic preserve manager for the state. It was a singular opportunity to operate a field office and work with other federal, state, and local governments to cooperate in the planning o coastal resources. I thought great! I will be near the coast with good surf (not CA consistency), and get to do something challenging.

The position was very interdisciplinary and would take roughly-6 months to get a handle on it. Unfortunately, I only had about 2 months of actual hands on experience, when my supervisor made a surprise visit and asked me to resign.

So after living in the mother-in-laws home cramped in a small room with Micah, Brinly w/ baby, in two single beds we said, lets get out of here! Brinly was due with Levi (at the time we thought it was Lily) in Apr and we had to make the choice of staying or risking the trip to Naples and back to our home.

To sum it up, we packed up and moved in the Honda and a '88 Cadillac Tom gave us. What a sight we were!

Levi was born on Apr 11th and we have been home unpacking and enjoying time as a family. We will wax on more but for now will wane until a brief bit of breakfast.