All-church Initiative // Father to the Fatherless

Casa Viva is launching a new center this year in Grecia, Costa Rica! We have already begun laying the foundations to this new center. There is a coordinator working in Grecia to recruit churches who have a heart for the fatherless in their community.

In order to launch this new center we are looking for sister churches in America.

A sister church in the United States would launch an all-church initiative to teach church members about God's heart for the fatherless. Over 5 years they would:
-send mission trips
-build relationships
-educate their congregation through week long missions conference
-provide seed monies
-teach about the father less on Sunday mornings, in small groups, children's ministry etc.

At the end of 5 years the Casa Viva center will be self-sustaining relying primarily on in-country funds to maintain it's operation.

Check out more information on Casa Viva's website:
http://casaviva.org/all_church_initiative.asp

Sledding?

Joshua LOVES being outside. Especially when the weather is warm.

He also remembers that the sled is pretty fun, so after walking around, up and down the driveway a few times he likes to get out the sled and play with it.

He loves going for rides. He loves pulling it. Even though there is no snow.

Here are pictures of him playing with the sled with my cousin Ali... you can see the snow is long gone.

Chicago on the Cheap

Hey if you are looking for fun, free things to do in Chicago... here are some ideas.
I took Olman downtown today and we wanted to do it on the cheap, but experience some great things.

1 // Adler Planetarium View
We did not go in the planetarium, as it was 7 am. But from the Adler planetarium you can get a GREAT view of the city. It was a bit of a snowy day and you can see that part of Lake Michigan was frozen, but great view... we have seen many wedding parties having photos taken out here before.

2 // Millenium Park
This park is always a hit. the great big bean gives a good view of the city. You can also ice skate in the winter and see other interesting pieces of architecture.

3 // Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
There is a great little FREE museum at the Fed Reserve... as a matter of fact they pay you to come... I walked out with $364 in cash!!! (Okay so the money was shredded...)

This is a picture of me in front of $1,000,000 in ones.
This is Olman infront of $1,000,000 in twenties
4 // John Hancock Signature Lounge
Hands down the best way to see Chicago on the cheap is to visit the John Hancock Signature Lounge. Rather than paying to go to the visitor's deck... Go to the lounge on the 96th floor (2 floors above the observation deck) and order a drink. Drinks are a bit expensive, but cheaper than paying to go to the observation deck. They also have good appetizers, snacks and desserts.
The view from the lounge.

Things Joshua is Totally into

1. Trucks // This picture was accidentally taken by Joshua on my cell phone.
2. Elephants // he loves making an elephant noise
3. Stars // Stars anywhere on a flag, in a book, on his clothes. We'll be driving along and he'll say "dar, dar, dar". We'll look around and sure enough there is a star in the most random place.
4. Trucks
5. Water // He loves his bath and he loves washing his hands in the sink. And playing with the water.
6. Helping in the Kitchen // Joshua has a step stool and he likes to pretend like he is cooking with us.
7. Shaun the Sheep
8. His Grammy and Grampa // They came to visit this weekend and went with us to the Field Museum which had... elephants and stars (oh yeah and a lot of other cool stuff).
9. Handy Manny
10. Blocks // This was made by Joshua



11. Trucks // Did I mention that?

Growing Family

We are excited to announce that God has been gracious to us yet again and has brought another child into our family. We recently found that we are pregnant!

After much anxiety and anticipation in light of our loss this past Fall we are glad that God has provided another life.

We are expecting Kristin or Matthew Jr. to join us on Sept 6. (Dad is rooting for the 9th 9/9/9.) So far the pregnancy has been a bit rougher than Joshua's but Kristin is quite the supermom. Herding a 20-month old Joshua, keeping a beautiful home, and feeding a hungry husband.

Thank you Lord for the gift of life!

Did You Grill?

For all three of you who read this blog (mom, dad, and Mike!)

I want you all to know that yes, indeed, I did grill out Sunday for lunch. Pork chops. I also made some mashed potatoes. Mmm!

It was 43 degrees and you’d have thought it was 65. Neighborhood children were rollerblading, I saw a mom and dad with their 2 children in a wagon wearing only sweatshirts, I talked to my neighbors on the driveway... It was like the bears coming out of hibernation.

Tomorrow it’s supposed to get to 60!

The pile of snow in our front yard is still 2.5 feet tall.

Today and tomorrow Kristin is working at some of the elementary schools in West Chicago doing some testing of students. Joshua is hanging out with his friend Cameron these couple of days.

Heat Wave!

I am thinking about breaking out my shorts.

Seriously.

It is supposed to get to 50 degrees this weekend!!! I am a bit skeptical it will get that warm, but I did volunteer to grill out this weekend.

You have to understand we have had a pile of snow in our front yard since Thanksgiving. And we haven't broken freezing but once since Dec 30.

Bring on the heat!