IT WAS A BEATLE-FUL AFTERNOON

 One of Jonah’s dreams is to own a Beatles museum.  So our best answer was this:  our public library was doing a kids show and tell hour this summer so we signed him up for a table. The event was yesterday, and Jonah did great!  He greeted people, answered their questions, and said thank you as they left.  We were so proud of him!  

BEN BIRTHDAY WITH BAPTISM AND BATMAN

 

Ben wanted a Batman belt for his birthday.  He looks more like the villain than the good guy...

Ben’s 15th birthday fell on the weekend we went to Minneapolis for our grandson’s baptism.  So we celebrated with going out to eat for pizza and then DQ ice cream.  That evening he got to swim in the hotel pool and then enjoy the baptism celebration the next day. 

We also had his two friends from school and their parents over for a birthday meal a week after his birthday because of our camping schedule.

This means Ben had a birthday that actually lasted over a couple of weeks.  

So much to celebrate with our Ben!  He’s a smart, hard-working, and resilient fellow.  At times, he presents as tough, but underneath there is a very sweet side to him.  We are especially seeing this sweetness as he interacts with his nephew.  Ben loves being an uncle!  

We love you Ben!!!!

OH MY!

So navigating having growing boys with Down syndrome is interesting to say the least.

Here is an example of the uniqueness of that situation.

At the campground, there is free library.  Jonah very excitedly came to Andrew with a book about paintings he found in that library.  In the book there was a painting of a windmill which reminded him of our town Cedar Grove- lots of Dutch history.  Jonah loves talking about Cedar Grove history.  

What Jonah never noticed was the painting on the other page...

That's a 14 years old boy with Down syndrome I guess.

WE HAVE A BABY!

Baby Boy J arrived on 5-24-25!  Trust me when I say he's adorable :)

The boys are now official uncles.  

However, their teacher at school give them Tshirts that say: 

FUNCLE: like a regular uncle only cooler!  

 

SPRING 2025 UPDATE

 Here are some highlights from our spring:

This is actually from February, but great photo of the boys with Grandpa on his 93rd birthday!

Boys get the Respect/Responsibility/Kindness Award for April for their participation in the play!

At a Special Olympics event, boys get to try on gold medals from a local guy who was on the  

US Para-Olympics basketball team

Jonah continues to love gardening and yardwork.  Here he helped me pick rhubarb.

MY DASH

Recently the Milwaukee Brewers mourned the loss of their beloved Bob Uecker.  One thing that was said about Uecker really caught my attention:

"Bob Uecker famously lived a life that 'filled up the dash', referring to the period between his birth and death.  He was a beloved figure in baseball, known for his playing career, broadcasting work, and unique comedic style."

The phrase "filled up the dash" really caught my attention.  

Maybe because I am nearing age 55, maybe because I am going to be a grandma in a few weeks, or maybe because my "career" for the past 26 years has been a stay-at-home- I started to think about how I am filling my dash.  

Then I listened to this song from my praise song playlist, and I really felt like these lyrics captured what I I am trying to do with my dash: simple moments that change the world...

Lyrics of Dream Small by Josh Wilson

verse

It′s a mama singin' songs about the Lord

It′s a daddy spendin' family time, the world says he cannot afford

These simple moments change the world

It's a pastor at a tiny little church

40 years of lovin′ on the broken and the hurt

These simple moments change the world

chorus

Dream small

Don′t buy the lie, you've got to do it all

Just let Jesus use you where you are

One day at a time

Live well

Lovin′ God and others as yourself

Find little ways where only you can help

With His great love

A tiny rock can make a giant fall

Dream small

verse

It's visiting the widow down the street

Or dancin′ on a Friday with your friend with special needs

These simple moments change the world

Of course, there's nothin′ wrong with bigger dreams

Just don't miss the minutes on your way to bigger things, no

'Cause these simple moments change the world

chorus

So dream small

Don′t buy the lie, you′ve got to do it all

Just let Jesus use you where you are

One day at a time

Live well

Lovin' God and others as yourself

Find little ways where only you can help

With His great love

A tiny rock can make a giant fall

So dream small

bridge

Keep lovin′, keep servin', keep listenin′, keep learnin'

Keep prayin′, keep hopin', keep seekin', keep searchin′

Add up the small things and watch them grow bigger

The God who does all things makes oceans from rivers

chorus

So dream small

Don′t buy the lie, you've got to do it all

Just let Jesus use you where you are

One day at a time

Live well

Lovin′ God and others as yourself (others as yourself)

Find little ways where only you can help (only you can help)

With His great love (his great love)

A tiny rock can make a giant fall

Yeah, five loaves and two fish can feed them all

So dream small.