4th Weekend of the American Family

This week's wrap-up is a confusing hustle of activity to a novice parent. It includes haircuts, doctor visits, blood draws, cartoon band-aids, and lots of stickers.

Our second trip to the family pool in near by Maryland. My family had a tradition of "Swim Night" on Fridays, started as a special schedule to get the kids to the University of Michigan's pool for a family swim time. In my recollection, years later in southern California, it was a first-come first-serve meal time. Our own swim night ritual of going to this wonderful facility with the three kids.

Our church has been incredible! Since we have been home, we have been assisted by so many wonderful people who have brought wonderful dinners by for us. In the bleak hours of the first weekend, Pastor Heather asked us how she could help us, Heidi and I are not too good at asking for help you see. She suggested meals as a service that people could help us with.

What a wonderful blessing, as we struggled those first days to stabilize the chaos. And as things calmed down, not having the time or mental energy to plan and prepare our dinner meals. Time and again, friendly faces at the door would bring in not only the food to nourish us but their concern and compassion. Just being able to share our story and in many cases give weekly updates as they returned with new labors of love for us.

The most picturesque effort was a carefully-crafted rendition of the United States and the Ukraine in Pizza! There where so many wonderful and nutritious meals all crafted and delivered with love and kindness. This has been such a blessing, since these meals have given us more time to focus on getting the children through all the hoops of school entry. Most nights we have just been able to collapse at the end of a full day.

Some of the weeks highlights in pictures:

The Ukraine Pizza!

Getting Go-to-school haircuts.

Our new school uniforms. 1&2

The new look.

Dance Concert in the Kitchen - and the dog gets in it too!

With a new-found respect for love,

Erik & Heidi

Note: These photos, along with all others posted in this blog, are also available for viewing HERE, and for print orders at Costco. Please comment with your photo request and we'll send you the Costco link.