The last couple of weeks have been eventful, so here is a photo update!















Noah simply adores hats. Doesn't matter to him if it's a "real" hat or not...he'll wear it. And then he does his hat dance. It should be illegal to be so cute!



We took a trip to the MN Zoo a couple of weeks ago. Noah, who is not easy to snap a photo of, would not stand next to his brother. Ethan is always happy to strike a pose...even if it is as a tasty morsal for a whale!















Rob's boss gave us tickets to see a community theater production of "Seussical". This was the boys first play. I think they were more impressed with the big hat and slide in the lobby. Ah, well. I guess they have time to become theater connoisseurs.
















Thrill of a lifetime! Bob the Builder was at the Mall of America. Ethan got wacked in the head with Bob's ears which was really funny for mom! As much as he loves Bob, if he had brought any of his machines (Scoop, Muck, etc.) Bob would have gotten NO attention whatsoever.

We were kinda bummed that United Syndicate pulled copywrite rank and took away "Camp Snoopy" (now it is known simply as "The Park at MOA"), but it has allowed it to branch out a bit. Bob would have never gotten to come to Camp Snoopy. So I guess it's all good. I hope United Syndicate looses lots of money over it though...bunch of greedy corporate yahoos.

Update on the church home front

A big "thank you" to all of you who have been praying for us during our search for a new church home. It is a bittersweet transformation...we still very much love Pastor Linus and the people of Ascending Praise, but, alas, it has become too far of a drive and we miss being involved with more than just Sunday mornings. Our search began in earnest back in January and admittedly we have been slow to decide. Part of it has been our lack of experience in this regard. We also felt like we had to do "due diligence" by going to several meetings, meeting several families and sitting down with the pastors at several locations. All of this takes time and a great deal of patience. However, we have finally felt some peace about our decision to join Real Life Church, an Assemblies of God church in Roseville. Our new pastor, Pete Drake, has a really strong desire to take the church out beyond the walls of the building and reach people where they are. We are excited and nervous because he has set forth a vision that is really not at all "church as usual"...at least not what is usual to us. I believe Christ is challenging us to think differently about our practical Christianity. To stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zone. To realize we DO NOT have this all figured out and MAYBE we've been wrong about some assumptions. I don't know...but that's part of the adventure, isn't it? After all, I have been praying for the Lord to always keep me teachable and we can't be teachable if we get "set in our ways" and sure of ourselves, now can we?

Please continue to pray for us as we make the transition to a new home and reach out to establish new relationships in the body of Christ. Pray for an "opening up" from both ends so that not only do we reach out eagerly, but are embraced just as eagerly. Pray that God will open doors for us to minister within and without the body. I would personally ask you all to pray that God would help me to find ways to use the creative talents he's given me. My heart is for worship through music and drama, both of which seem a bit out of reach at this new church...we will see. I don't want to jump to any conclusions. It could be the Lord trying to move me in a different direction, or it could just be my own insecurities trying to rear their ugly head and keep me from fulfilling my niche. I only want to obey and please Him. Rob and I also feel a very strong pull to minister to marriages, especially those who may be hurting. We have for a while, but feel like the Lord is just now bringing us around to a place where we can be a sieve instead of a sponge! :) If the journey of the last 8 years has been to bring us to a place to help others, then it has all been worth it (but don't get me wrong...I DO NOT want to go there again!) Praise be to God for His faithfulness!

Love to all!
Lori

Minne-SNOW?ta????

OK. I must confess I'm completely confused. We are at 97 degrees here today with some areas crossing the 100 line. Ummm...am I not living in the "cold midwest"? This stinks. We spend at least 4 months mostly indoors during the winters and now we are being driven indoors during the summer, too? Is there no where on this planet where I can live in perpetual 70 degrees year round?

Ok. That was my whine. Feel better now. Hope the kids didn't hear me.

Some Pictures

So here is my first attempt at uploading some pictures.

Here are all 3 handsome Funderburk boys at Kirz and David's wedding in Rapid City. Ethan was the ring bearer.

Ethan is sporting his first-ever potentially scarring injury. Mommy was more freaked out than he was...head injuries produce a lot of blood! Luckily, no stitches were needed...just a butterfly bandage. Whew!

Here is Noah enjoying some lovely spit bubbles.

We have discovered Noah not only has the appetite of a monkey, but apparently the table manners of one as well. Let's hope he doesn't start flinging his poop.

Backyard Camping

Ah, summer. Wouldn't be complete without tent camping, now would it? We have a trip planned with friends in a couple of weeks, so we had to get the tent out (hasn't been used for 4+ years) to check the seams, silicon it, and see if we remember how to put it up. Once it was up, we thought "why not just sleep in it tonight?" Voila - instant 'vacation'! So we grilled some hotdogs, made a small fire in our grill, sang some songs, lit a few sparklers, ate some smores and slept under the stars (so to speak). Ethan was a bit nervous at first...it's dark outside and there are no night lights, and he could hear fireworks and other weird noises from all around. But, once he settled in and saw how close we all were, it became a fun adventure. He even mustered up enough courage to hold a sparkler! Noah, on the other hand, knows no fear. He wanted to hold the sparklers from the "shiny" end! (I just know if I ever have cause to go to the ER, Noah will be involved somehow) Then, he would not lie down, despite being up almost 3 hours past his bedtime, so we had to drag out the play pen and confine him. Moments later he was off and dreaming! It really was a lot of fun...but my favorite part was having a clean bathroom within feet of the tent!

This is one of those things younger parents do better than us older ones. I'm too spoiled to my Sleep Number bed and the drone of my fan to expect to get any rest on a Colemen air mattress and the dead quietness of night (with the occasional bug, frog, and traffic). Everytime someone coughed or rolled over, I was awake. But I still had fun and am looking forward to our 2 day trip in a couple of weeks. Just don't ask me to do 3! :)

For the 4th, I have a few library books on Independence Day we are going to read, then we are barbecuing with friends and watching local fireworks. All in all, it's turning out to be a very nice extended week-end! Happy 4th to everyone! Be sure to display your flag and thank a soldier and/or veteran!