RUSH CITY POOL

I spent the afternoon with 5 Filipino boys at the Rush City Pool. It was my first outing (by myself) with a bunch of boys. I'll have to say...it's...DIFFERENT than taking a group of girls, but it was a blast! The car ride was almost as fun as the time at the pool. The things they say are...well...amazing! They had me in stitches much of the time!

I didn't get wet today, but I sure had a great time with these guys! We'll do it again!

SONSHINE

Last weekend, while the boys were playing baseball, the girls were hanging out in Willmar, MN for a music festival featuring several Christian bands. I have always wanted to go to SONSHINE, but it just never worked out before! I heard from one person that there were 30,000 people there! It was indeed unbelievable! People were camped out EVERYWHERE! It reminded me of what a refuge camp might look like (only with bright colored, fancy tents!).

It was really lots of fun to hear these bands LIVE! I had never seen "crowd surfing". I think it is kind of dangerous, but it also looks sort of fun. Kristin surfed the crowd a bit. She's the wild one in our family!! I'm sorry I didn't see it. Maybe next year, I'll try it! NO. JUST KIDDING! :) The other thing that I found to be very interesting was a "mosh pit". I don't even know if I'm spelling it correctly. Basically, people get in a big circle and shove each other around. Sounds fun, doesn't it? From what I could see, it looked ridiculous... and dangerous...and something my boys would LOVE to do! Oh dear.

Other than a chilly weekend, it was great fun! LOUD!...but fun! I'm sure we'll be back!

A NEW KIND OF NORMAL

A while back I blogged about my failed attempt to read anything significant. When we were away in June, I made another attempt. I thought that this would be a better setting and that I would have more time. Well, I started a book (a novel), but I just couldn't get into it. I really tried, but it was such a struggle. I think it was the book, not me - or so I'd like to think. Maybe I'll try something else... Right now, I seem to be doing better with other books. I have read several parenting books, books about raising boys...and teenagers, and adoption. I guess it's my life and I have a vested interest. One of the books is entitled A New Kind of Normal. It is about a woman's journey as she has adjusted to an unplanned, monumental change in her life. In a nutshell, in a fit of rage, her (only) son murdered a man. This was completely out of character for this capable young man and he will most likely spend the rest of his life in prison. It has upset their sense of "normal" dramatically! I can only imagine the pain and heartache of this family. Here is a quote from the book that I found very helpful.

"Embracing your new kind of normal is the most empowering choice you will ever make. It transcends common sense. It is resistant to old patterns. It is sticky, uncomfortable, agitating, and difficult. But it is liberating and life giving and spirit enriching. It changes your life and the lives of everyone who joins you on your journey. And then, quite unexpectedly, you realize you are splashing hope into the lives of others because you have an intimate love relationship with the Source of hope."

I often think about the "new normal" in my life...in the life of my family. It is not because of tragic circumstances that we have experienced change. It was a choice. As wonderful as adoption is, it is hard. Very hard. Family dynamics change. Relationships change. The focus of your attention changes. It has been a lot to absorb...for all of us. But we keep moving forward day by day and try to do our best to blend into our new family. This quote was a good reminder that this journey is not just about ME and how challenging it is for ME. It's about giving and about others and about the future. I'm glad I read this book! I'm kind of proud of the fact that I made it all the way through!! :)

BASEBALL

This summer both the boys played baseball. We chose an in-house league to keep things close to home. I'm sure that the days of traveling ball are in our future. It was our first experience with boys baseball, and I will have to say...it was a lot of fun! Both boys loved it and were sad to see the season come to an end. Last weekend were the final tournaments. Rodrigo's team won in their age group! He came home with a trophy, a smile and a big medal around his neck. Unfortunately, Romeo's team lost. I am already looking forward to next summer and...BASEBALL!!

EPHESIANS 5:1-2

"Observe how Christ loved us.  His love was NOT cautious but extravagant.  He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us.  Love like that."

This scripture was read at Lindsay and Bjorks' wedding.  It is worth repeating.  Good choice, guys.

TROUT LAKE CAMP

Romeo left yesterday for camp.  He was very excited, but maybe a bit nervous as this is his first time at a US church camp.  It was fun to help him pack for his adventure.  I have only sent girls to camp in my life and it is a bit different sending a boy.  I have heard that the duffel bag full of clean clothes that I sent will come home...full of clean clothes.  We'll see.  I can only imagine what his cabin might smell like at the end of the week.  No matter.  I know that he will have a blast.  He looks a little excited in this picture, don't you think??

PUPPIES!!

Allen's brother operates a kennel in Osakis.  We stopped by to visit them on Saturday afternoon.  It is always lots of fun because they usually have lots of puppies.  These pups were just 6 weeks old.  I couldn't resist taking a few pics of Rigo and the dogs.  Cute, cute, cute!!!

FBC BIKE TRIP

Rigo is flyin' high!!!!
Roselyn is ready to jump!

Our church hosts an annual bike trip somewhere in Minnesota every summer.  We have always wanted to go, but have always had a scheduling conflict.  This year, we took our three Filipino kids on this fun outing.  It took place near Alexandria and we all had a great time!  There were about 130 camper/bikers, the weather was beautiful and the trails were great!  On Friday afternoon, everyone headed down to the beach for waterfront activities.  Lots of swimmers...lots of spectators!  The kids loved something called the BLOB.  One person jumped on one end of the BLOB while another was catapulted into the air on the other end of the BLOB.  You can imagine how far Rigo flew when it was his turn to be BLOBBED!  :)  He did have fun...but chose to do it only once!  I decided to be the picture taker and Allen chose to climb another water toy (called the ICEBERG).    

I left my camera behind during the actual bike trip, but am proud to report that Allen, Roselyn and I biked the entire 30 mile trip on Friday.  Romeo was the first to arrive at the 15 mile mark.  (It's all about being FIRST with him !)  Rodrigo rode 8 miles on his own bike, and the last 15 miles on the back of our friend's bike, Chad (who happens to be a REAL bike racer).   This worked out well too since Rigo is ALL about being really FAST!!!!!!!!!!

I am so thankful for events like this in the life of our church.  Our church family is very important to us and I love that we have opportunities to  help us to bond and deepen relationships.  It was such a good experience for Roselyn, Romeo and Rodrigo.  I hope we get to go again next year!

FOURTH OF JULY

Yesterday was the 4th of July!!!  Kind of a fun day to remember for our NEW kids...their first Independence Day in the United States.  I wonder what they were thinking.  We spent part of the day with grandparents and part of the day at a picnic with friends.   There was tubing, swimming, eating and fireworks!  It makes me excited for the day when the three of them become citizens!

The last month has blown by SO quickly.  Summer is definitely a new order around here.   It is a trick to keep track of everyone's schedule and have everyone where they all need to go at the right time.  The days are fun, but very, very full.  I realized the other day that I have never had this many people living under my roof at one time!  That number is SEVEN!  I know for some that might seem like nothing, but it is a stretch for me.  I am not complaining and it will probably never happen again...but for now, the days are full and there is lots of activity at the Mork house.

Happy Belated Independence Day!!