Back by popular demand

Round three of spot the Cossack! Double elimination round!

It's hard not to be proud, but what a show

What a weekend, I had Drill so Heidi had a full court press on her hands.

As we have mentioned in the past, we belong to a very "Young Church", by that I mean the average age is in the high 20's, with a lot of very enthusiastic and energetic people (theaterchurch.com). They host a summer Baptism by the Bay. A couple hundred church folks, 20 boxes of Popeye's Chicken and pot luck fixens and ooooh so yummy desert tables. Over twenty members of our Church took the big step to commit or recommit themselves to their faith in the waters of the Chesapeake bay . It was a grate event and full of fellowship and good times to remember.

So when I saw her e-mail about the big finish I had to share it:

"This sort of got a little longer than I expected.... Just a recap (not necessarily for the blog, so just enjoy!)... So our church had a baptism at the bay at a state park in MD yesterday and at first the kids were just dipping there toes in the water... then we told them go ahead and after realizing that they were not gonna "not get soaked" we took their shirts (we only had a change of bottoms) so within a few minutes they were all having fun in the water. There were approx four little ones in diapers, and about ten or so including ours in the water. Sasha is on the beach just walking. Christina later swam over closer to the baptism action. This one was one where she was getting closer in on the action. She first showed up close and looked on with a hmmmm, as Tanya would say "what's dis?" look, and then swam a lot closer for a "give me look" as Christina has said for let me see! And yes, that is one of my favorites so far of the kids' phrases! In any event when Christina started getting in the photos and video coverage of the baptisms they were on the last two or three people. Thank goodness! (Pastors Heather and Mark get a little help from Christina) And yes, we had a lot of folks, ask, "is that one of yours? " The day was wonderful and the weather even better! The best part was Christina was a sport in the end when I realized I had to break it to her we had used her (spare in the car for accidents undies) for her bloody nose a couple of weeks ago, she said, it's ok, as she put on a pair of jeans. Then I asked if she wanted to wear my jacket I had in the car cause by now her dry shirt was soaked, so she agreed and went home just fine. The other kids were pleased to have dry stuff to put on too ! Got home at 8:30pm with three very tired kids, did very short showers - with me holding the shower head (hand held shower head) for each of the girls, and then Erik helping Sasha, and they were in bed and quiet by ten to nine pm. Wow! Erik and I even made it to a going away gathering at a nearby friend's home - just to prove we can have kids and still get out! Yeah! And of course we had to promise to the going away friend that we will continue to update the blog! We are getting better at all this on a daily basis and do so very much appreciate all your kindness and prayers! Much Love! -Heidi

It was such a special treat to take the Kids to the beaches I knew as a kid, and share with them the wonders of the Pacific Ocean. This was my playground as a kid.

Wow, that was a quick month, so sorry for the lapse in updates. Just recovering enough to fill in the story:

Four kids on the beach, and I'm proud to say to my knowledge, only one crab gave its all for the sake of scientific exploration. Well, I have just recovered enough from the trip myself to put my thoughts together enough for an addition to this blog.

The task that was ahead of us was: get our three kids to CA to meet up with Papa's Papa and Mama. We took it over the top by having Heidi's mother, her brother Jerry and wife Karen bring Maxim out too.

This is the first time all four have been together since February, time flies doesn't it. We all were very interested in how the kids acted together and how they acted with us. As you may have heard, Jerry and Karen would like to make Maxim a permanent part of their family, and we all agree this is the best fit all around for all the children's needs and temperaments.

We had many great moments to try to get caught up with all the friends and relatives, it was really a whirlwind of activity.

So many wonderful moments and adventures. Masha, our right hand came along for the trip, but we wanted her to get out from the old fogies for a wile. Loren and Amy Vogelsang came back into town to meet the kids and give Masha the twenty somethings tour of San luis Obispo (they got the cake but they chickened out on the waterfall at Madonna Inn ;).

The Wands and Rockwells put together a welcome bash at the Rockwells Casa, great food, wine and BBQ! Many of the supporters of our journey and central coast life.

I am getting ready to take Sasha out to California again this coming Weekend for my 30 year High school Reunion, and Heidi is taking Christina to her grandmothers 90th Birthday in Minnesota in August.

Things age changing at a Tidal Rate, at a glace you dont see it but come back in a bit and wow, the boats stuck on the beach, or out to sea!