Movin' Up to the Big Boy Bed!

Joshua *officially* sleeps in a big boy bed now! After coming back from the fourth of July in Nebraska we decided to make the move. Joshua now loves his big boy bed. If you were to come over and ask him about it, he'd excitedly run down the hall and show you the baseballs all over the sheets.

First Trip to the Ballpark for J.T.

On Saturday if you asked Joshua what he did last night he'd say "bu-ball" (baseball). 

"And what did you see at the baseball game?"

"Cu-ga" (Cougar)

On Friday night we were invited to go to a minor league baseball game with some friends from church and since Joshua was free we took them up on the offer. Joshua enjoyed his first baseball game, all though most of the time he was watching for the Cougar (home team was the Kane County Cougars), he was able to point out the batter.

He also clapped when he heard people clapping, enjoyed a hot dog and ran around quite a bit with the other kids.

It was a fun first trip to the ballpark.

Things Joshua Wants for His Birthday

Joshua turns 2 in a week or so, and I KNOW all of you are dying to know what he wants for his birthday.

Punch Out for Wii
Mario Power Tennis for Wii
A Remote Controlled Airplane
Tickets to a White Sox Game
Universal Remote Control 1 2 3

I promise, he told me each one of these in plain English without hesitation, he just rattled them off after dinner right after saying "truck... juice... Dad I want Punch Out, Mario Power Tennis, and a Remote Controlled Airplane for my Birthday."

;)

Tito - Thanks for 4 Great Years

Gerardo "Tito" Flores

A great friend and co-worker for four years is leaving Casa Viva on Friday. It is a sad day for me as he has been so integral to the growth and development of Casa Viva in Costa Rica. He has served as a LeaderTreks team coordinator and most recently as a church and family recruiter for Casa Viva Costa Rica.

I am excited for him as this next step for him will be a great adventure. He and his wife Joanna are going to open a high-end sports store in Heredia, where they live. We have great hopes for their store.

Kristin and I wish them well in their new phase of life, but we want them to know they will be dearly missed.

Joshua's First Amusement Park

Hi family and friends,

Joshua had a fun afternoon today with mommy and daddy at KiddieLand (it's been open since 1929!). . . .his first amusement park experience (thank you again, Jason and Andrea for the tickets and coupons!). The highlight of the afternoon for Joshua was the little steam-engine train that choo-chooed around the perimeter of the park. Joshua kept exclaiming, "Twain Twain!!! Wow!!!" We went at least 5 times.

He also enjoyed sitting with daddy on the carousel and in an elephant, and driving an old-fashioned car.

Thought you'd enjoy the pics!
K

Broken Hearted

I have been feeling broken hearted these past two days. On Friday I found out that a man I looked up to and felt like he was such a strong believer took a big fall. This man was a missionary I served alongside when I used to work at LeaderTreks and he had such a God-sized vision. He also had God-sized faith to accomplish the mission.

A month ago he announced that he was moving on to something else, but recently I discovered that he is leaving the ministry he serves because of a divorce.

It just broke my heart, it made me realize how much you have to fight for a strong marriage. It doesn't simply happen. That has been my prayer for our marriage and for many of your marriages these past few days...

That God would strengthen your marriages and give you the desire to pursue your spouses for the rest of your lives.

Great Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great weekend in Minneapolis with Kristin's Mother and Brother. To say that Joshua was spoiled by 24/7 entertainment would be an understatement.

Joshua loved playing with Paul and Nana... and they loved playing with him. He'd barely finish eating, want down from the table and start pulling on Paul and Nana's shirts saying "train, train" or "bus, bus" until one of them would gladly play with him.

On Saturday we went to the zoo in St. Paul and on Monday we made trip to the Mall of America. Inside the MOA there were four places that were like heaven to an almost two-year old boy:

1. Lego store - out front of the store you could build cars and play with legos
2. FarmToy Store - plenty of trucks tractors and barnyard animal toys abound
3. Rainforest Cafe - All the animals were so fun to look at, but the fake thunderstorm was a bit scary.
4. Nickelodeon Theme Park - Inside the MOA there is a little theme park. Joshua was convinced that all the roller coasters were "train! Train! WOW! TRAIN WOW!!!" He didn't want to go on any rides but he sure liked watching the trains!