Sweet fellowship

It was a great weekend. We went with our friends to Chicago for a day of fun and shopping (for the ladies, those terms are synonymous...for me they are distinctly different).
For all of the times that I've been to the city, this was the first time that I ever stood directly under Sears Tower and looked up. It is pretty amazing. Perhaps one day I'll venture inside and ride to the top (I assume they have an observation deck). After lunch, Lacey, Peyton, Sue, Katie and Karly went shopping while Reagan and I went to do something fun. We had cookies for Kit's birthday at The American Girl Place, then walked to the lakeshore and strolled along the beach. Ultimately, we made it to Navy Pier and rode the ferris wheel and carousel. There are a number of attractions that I have yet to see and plan to do soon. For example, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum (which has a Tutankhamun Exhibit starting this Friday), the Nature Museum, the Chicago Historical Society (when the exhibits re-open), the Lincoln Park Zoo, and, of course, Moody Church. I've been to Shedd Aquarium, and will probably go back with Peyton and Reagan when they are ready to see it. After that, there are a number of city tours that look interesting (at least they look interesting to me) and I want to see Wicked before its run ends.

On a completely unrelated note, at church we have a special guest speaker for our springtime Bible Conference. The speaker is Dr. Layton Talbert, a professor at Bob Jones University and author of the book Not by Chance: Learning to Trust a Sovereign God. I'm only going to be able to attend a couple of the sessions, but so far what I've heard has been excellent.

Seems like old times

The Goodsons (at least the female contingent) made the six hour trip from Oxford, Michigan to Rockford, Illinois to visit with us. We're looking forward to a fun time. We hadn't seen them in such a long time that the girls were a bit frightened. Fortunately Katie and Karly brought their American Girl dolls, causing Peyton and Reagan to warm up to them immediately. Tomorrow we are running into Chicago for a visit to the city, and Sunday they will be worshiping with us at Morning Star Baptist Church. Unfortunately Dennis and Andy were not able to meet with us, but we are looking forward to spending time with them soon. In the mean time, I set up Dennis' laptop with iTunes and subscribed him to some great podcasts (specifically, Grace to You, Desiring God, Truth for Life, Albert Mohler, and a couple of others) to listen to while he is on the road.

We closed out the night by the fire roasting marshmallows and playing games with the girls. I sense that it will be a blessed weekend.

Our family is growing

It's Mother's Day, so I thought it would be appropriate to announce that our family has added a new mouth to feed. A couple of weeks ago I told of how I had taken Peyton and Reagan to Petland. Well, Lacey did the same thing, only less steeled in her resolve that they were there "just to look". Consequently, they came home with a new kitten named Buttercup.

KC, our current cat, is demonstrating the maternal instincts of Stacy Dow, greeting Buttercup with a menacing hiss every time she comes within purring distance. I'm not sure if they'll ever get along, but the house is big enough for them to peacefully coexist.

It's been a busy week. Last Sunday we were treated to a wonderful dinner and time of fellowship with Chris and Robin Hayes and their three boys. It is great to be getting to know some of these families. I'm amazed at how similar our backgrounds are and how God has providentially led us to the same place.

Friday night we cleaned the church with Chris and Margaret Metras and went back to their house where Chris grilled some steaks Pittsburgh style that were raised by Margaret's dad. We had a great time with them and our children get along very well.

Saturday we drove in to Elgin for a Global Grace board meeting and had dinner at Rick and Suzanne Altizer's house. Patience (I challenge you to read this letter written to Patience before she was even born by her father without getting a lump in your throat) came over to play with the girls while Nancy and Clara Foster babysat. According to Peyton and Reagan they were wonderful babysitters...that's good to know.

Today for Mother's Day the men at church prepared breakfast for the mothers. It was a nice gesture and there was no shortage of participation among the men. After that our family met with Pastor Bixby's family at Outback for dinner.

Sorry that there aren't more pictures. We have company coming this weekend, so we'll be sure to load up on photos then.

Birthday fun

The day started out a little disappointing because Patience, Reagan's friend, was not feeling well and was unable to come to have lunch at the American Girl Place with us. After assuring Reagan that we would travel there again with her friend, we loaded up the car and headed into the Windy City.

I suppose part of what makes the American Girl experience so fun is that it is such a rare opportunity. There are only three such stores that I know of, and one of them happens to be within driving distance of our house. Here's proof that I actually attended. The girls seem to be in good spirits when we are walking around the town, at least until Reagan decides that she is too tired to walk. I don't get it...she can jump around on the steps outside the John Hancock Center while Lacey was inside The Cheesecake Factory, but when it comes time to walk to the parking structure, she suddenly becomes fatigued.

For an amusing view on the American Girl experience, read this.

Happy Birthday Reagan

Today is Reagan's fifth birthday. We have a celebration planned, but it will be tomorrow, so I'll have more pictures. All I have right now is the picture of her with her birthday cake from when Lacey's family paid a visit.

If you want to leave her a message, feel free to do so in the comments and I'll pass it on.