Garden Elves

While we were in Uganda, some garden elves came and planted for us. This post is to show them the finished product. Now, to Cory Thede this may appear a garden in need of weeding and mulch, but to the Bronkema clan, it is beauty =)

The pumpkin plant was a surprise. It came up in the middle of the bean row so I'm guessing it is the result of a pumpkin we threw in the garden last fall? Oh well, bring on October! As you can see, we are ready!

Somewhere....a tomato worm is mocking me. I look for it daily, thinking eventually it will show itself. So far, it is winning.

The row of carrots has been doing great. Penelope and Snowflake want to say a special Thank You, as they have been benefiting from this row!

Thank you Cory, Kris, Eli and Anna for planting our garden and to Grandma and Grandpa for expanding it!

19 Month Moses

     So, 18 months would have been more of a mile-marker, but I wasn't on top of it.  I'm usually late these days, so this is fitting.

     Today Moses is 19 months.  In the two months that we have been home he has learned to walk, has a growing vocabulary of important words like "No!", and has become the best sleeper in the house.  I know a lot of people were praying for him while we were in Uganda.  He really didn't like to sleep for us while we were there.  I think all the prayer caught up with him!

Moses has mastered unrolling all the toilet paper at remarkable speed...

has decided toilet water is almost as much fun as the pool...

thinks cat food is yummy...

and that sand isn't half bad either...

believes guinea pigs should be fed magnets and any other toy that can fit between the bars of the cage...

He's doing a good job keeping us busy!

2 months!

Yeah baby! We're off that plane!!!

Feeling reflective today as I think about how two months ago today we were flying home with Mical and Moses. Cory and Kris recently sent us photos taken at the airport, so I had to include a couple in this post.

My parents were so awesome to rent us a 12 passenger van so we could all be together on our drive home from O'Hare. Mom Thede, Cory, Kris, Eli and Anna all made the long drive and welcomed us home.

I wish I could bottle the feeling from that night. There is nothing like it.

Whitecaps

Last night we went to our first Whitecaps baseball game as a family of seven. As you can see, we got drenched with rain! The kids were total troopers...that could not have had anything to do with the "dippin' dots" or other crazy snacks we consumed..thanks to Johnson Controls!

We were inspired to stay becasue they had fireworks after the game... that Moses slept through. It was "Star Wars" night so there were lots of characters around the stadium to have photos taken with. Our kids were more into the snacks...

Yesterday was also the day we got Lyric and Gavin home from Pine Ride Bible Camp. They both loved their week. Last night Gavin said it felt good in his own bed, but that he missed his bunk at camp. I remember that feeling. All week Mical kept asking "Lyric? Gavin?" I told her they would be, "home soon!"...but how do you explain camp??? She was not with me when I dropped them off so it was pretty impossible. She's glad to have them home! Moses is glad to have Gavin here too. He loves on his little sister and brother like crazy and it going to be the best dad ever someday.

Cole is into our garden like his Uncle Cory would be. Tomorrow I need to post a photo of it so they can see how their work has "blossomed"...they planted our garden for us while we were in Uganda. Thank you!!! We've been surprised by 2 turnips noone knew were planted. Cory??? And a huge pumpkin plant. Maybe from one we threw in the garden last fall?