This last weekend was special for our family on multiple levels. We had the opportunity to spend a few days in Peoria with Melissa's family, culminating with the marriage of Shelly and Scott! We were able to spend time relaxing with family, meeting our new nephew "baby Pete," and eating some great food! We indeed had a great time, but the time went too quickly.
This trip was different than all other trips to Peoria because of our two world's colliding. Having time in their schedules, Paul's three sisters were able to head down to Peoria for 24 hours to hang out and get a 'taste of Peoria.' They came to the wedding reception and met much of Melissa's family, whom they had not seen since our wedding nearly five years ago! On Saturday, we all met at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries for a delicious lunch! Although we didn't get to spend a lot of time together, the opportunity to spend time with both our families is something we will hold dear to us for a long time.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Living in Community
We have lived on campus here for nearly two years, and the community here still amazes me. We have been blessed by wonderful neighbors; people who are caring, patient, kind, and helpful with our family. We couldn't list every instance here, but one thing that we appreciate are the impromptu events that happen in our neighborhood. A couple weeks ago we decided to fill up a pool in our yard and invite the neighbor kids over for a swim. Three out of four kids approve of and enjoyed the pool, one was not quite sure. Here are a couple pictures from the event.
Here are the kids in the pool, waiting patiently for their picture to get taken:
Monday, June 23, 2014
Family Vacation!
For 40 years, my family has been going on the same vacation with long-time friends Bill and Shirley and their family! That started well before I was born, and the things that happen on vacation only make sense in this context (the group of people, the location, the shenanigans that happen, etc.). This year was no different, and there are plenty of things to talk about.
Here, in no particular order, is the top ten list of vacation memories:
1) Introducing my children to the family vacation. While the youngest 66.7% won't remember this vacation, they were treated well (spoiled really) by family and reaped the benefits of loving and caring family members (this includes Bill and Shirley and their family). I hope this is the first of many vacations my children will get to attend!
2) The blending of families. Not only was the majority of my family there, but Melissa's parents joined us for a few days. One thing our families have in common is a family vacation 'up north' for fishing, playing cards, and relaxing. It is not often that our kids get to spend time with their four grandparents, so the pontoon ride on Wednesday evening was extra special. We shared stories of family vacations and boated by the place where Melissa's family spent some significant time in her childhood summers.
3) The stories. Fishing tends to lead to stories, which is all fine and dandy. But there are no better stories than those told on vacation. We were treated to a few stories by one of the world's finest story tellers- Bill! This years headline story revolved around squirrels that invade Bill's bird feeders down in Missouri. Often, the stories on vacation revolve around stories from prior vacations, which held true this year.
4) Pictures from years past. Bill and Shirley have done a great job of maintaining pictures and receipts from past vacations. While not all 40 years were visually represented, there were three albums full of pictures, along with the receipt from the [disputed] first year of vacation, where a cabin was $80 for a whole week! I enjoy seeing pictures of when I was a child, hearing the stories that accompany the pictures.
5) The pranks were creative and based upon a rich history of tradition. Every year there are pranks, and every year they continue to humor us. When Sophia walked into our house after someone (no names) went through our cabin, she was startled and upset. I guess pranks don't quite have the same effect on a two year old as they do on a thirty-two year old! Anyway, we were TPed and our underwear/socks were frozen. Sophia thought it was great when she, along with her cousins, TPed/froze underwear in Grandpa and Grandma/Bill and Shirley's cabin. Stepping it up a notch this year, someone put live minnows in Grandpa and Grandma/Bill and Shirley's cabin!
6) Cards. Our family really enjoys playing cards, but vacation is peak card-playing time. There were plenty games of Euchre, a few games of Pinochle, and learning a new game, Nines. Cards consist of teamwork, stories, enjoying a frosty beverage, and snacking. The game of Pinochle was played by my grandparents when they came on vacation, and it was neat to play this year with my parents, sister, and my nieces and nephews. It was great to continue on that tradition, while supporting the next generation f the family to continue playing.
7) The food. For the second time in my married life, I have averaged gaining more than a pound a day while on vacation. This year, I gained 7.2 pounds, due to equal parts food and drink. While the meals are wonderful, vacation activities are fueled by snacks and sugary drinks! Here is a sampling of the smorgasbord of snacks; beef jerky, ranch mix, Chex Mix, Peanut M&Ms, Skittles, Cheese balls, cookies, licorice, chips, taffy, and gummy worms. This is not exclusive, this is just a smattering! Meals included brats (may I recommend the Reuben brats), burgers, walking tacos, BBQ pork burgers, pizza, omelets, doughnuts, pancakes, and treats from the Chetek bakery. Drinks from the week include Spotted Cow, Canoe Paddler, Busch Light, Strawberry Strippers, and Cherry Bombs (not all in one night, of course).
8) Fishing. Unfortunately, this vacation is my yearly fix of fishing. Fishing doesn't have the same lure here as it does in Wisconsin. Maybe it is the distractions of home, or perhaps the lack of boat, but fishing at home does not seem as accessible here. I was able to enjoy some time on the pontoon with my folks, my wife, my in-laws, my sisters, brother-in-law, and my kids. The fishing wasn't outstanding, but we brought back at least three meals of fish for sometime this winter. The Crappies were a bit small, but we managed to find some keepers.
9) The other people. For the past few years, our 'camp' has been fortunate to have some friendly people from Illinois (less than 15 miles from where Melissa's parents live)! Two families have taken the trip to Chetek for a week at the same time we take our trip. They are fine, friendly people and many evenings were spent hanging out with one another. Anna really got connected to Choppy, one of the boys from Camp Illinois!
10) Bucket Lists. While I couldn't list off my bucket list to you right now, there are many things I want to accomplish/experience in my life. One of the members on our trip took the bull by the horns and checked off one of the things on his/her bucket list. The details and names shall remain anonymous, but I am proud of this person for completing the task, and I look forward to hearing what is next on his/her bucket list!
Thanks to our family for the great week, and especially for all the help with our kids! We couldn't have enjoyed vacation without their help!! -P
Here, in no particular order, is the top ten list of vacation memories:
1) Introducing my children to the family vacation. While the youngest 66.7% won't remember this vacation, they were treated well (spoiled really) by family and reaped the benefits of loving and caring family members (this includes Bill and Shirley and their family). I hope this is the first of many vacations my children will get to attend!
2) The blending of families. Not only was the majority of my family there, but Melissa's parents joined us for a few days. One thing our families have in common is a family vacation 'up north' for fishing, playing cards, and relaxing. It is not often that our kids get to spend time with their four grandparents, so the pontoon ride on Wednesday evening was extra special. We shared stories of family vacations and boated by the place where Melissa's family spent some significant time in her childhood summers.
3) The stories. Fishing tends to lead to stories, which is all fine and dandy. But there are no better stories than those told on vacation. We were treated to a few stories by one of the world's finest story tellers- Bill! This years headline story revolved around squirrels that invade Bill's bird feeders down in Missouri. Often, the stories on vacation revolve around stories from prior vacations, which held true this year.
4) Pictures from years past. Bill and Shirley have done a great job of maintaining pictures and receipts from past vacations. While not all 40 years were visually represented, there were three albums full of pictures, along with the receipt from the [disputed] first year of vacation, where a cabin was $80 for a whole week! I enjoy seeing pictures of when I was a child, hearing the stories that accompany the pictures.
5) The pranks were creative and based upon a rich history of tradition. Every year there are pranks, and every year they continue to humor us. When Sophia walked into our house after someone (no names) went through our cabin, she was startled and upset. I guess pranks don't quite have the same effect on a two year old as they do on a thirty-two year old! Anyway, we were TPed and our underwear/socks were frozen. Sophia thought it was great when she, along with her cousins, TPed/froze underwear in Grandpa and Grandma/Bill and Shirley's cabin. Stepping it up a notch this year, someone put live minnows in Grandpa and Grandma/Bill and Shirley's cabin!
6) Cards. Our family really enjoys playing cards, but vacation is peak card-playing time. There were plenty games of Euchre, a few games of Pinochle, and learning a new game, Nines. Cards consist of teamwork, stories, enjoying a frosty beverage, and snacking. The game of Pinochle was played by my grandparents when they came on vacation, and it was neat to play this year with my parents, sister, and my nieces and nephews. It was great to continue on that tradition, while supporting the next generation f the family to continue playing.
7) The food. For the second time in my married life, I have averaged gaining more than a pound a day while on vacation. This year, I gained 7.2 pounds, due to equal parts food and drink. While the meals are wonderful, vacation activities are fueled by snacks and sugary drinks! Here is a sampling of the smorgasbord of snacks; beef jerky, ranch mix, Chex Mix, Peanut M&Ms, Skittles, Cheese balls, cookies, licorice, chips, taffy, and gummy worms. This is not exclusive, this is just a smattering! Meals included brats (may I recommend the Reuben brats), burgers, walking tacos, BBQ pork burgers, pizza, omelets, doughnuts, pancakes, and treats from the Chetek bakery. Drinks from the week include Spotted Cow, Canoe Paddler, Busch Light, Strawberry Strippers, and Cherry Bombs (not all in one night, of course).
8) Fishing. Unfortunately, this vacation is my yearly fix of fishing. Fishing doesn't have the same lure here as it does in Wisconsin. Maybe it is the distractions of home, or perhaps the lack of boat, but fishing at home does not seem as accessible here. I was able to enjoy some time on the pontoon with my folks, my wife, my in-laws, my sisters, brother-in-law, and my kids. The fishing wasn't outstanding, but we brought back at least three meals of fish for sometime this winter. The Crappies were a bit small, but we managed to find some keepers.
9) The other people. For the past few years, our 'camp' has been fortunate to have some friendly people from Illinois (less than 15 miles from where Melissa's parents live)! Two families have taken the trip to Chetek for a week at the same time we take our trip. They are fine, friendly people and many evenings were spent hanging out with one another. Anna really got connected to Choppy, one of the boys from Camp Illinois!
10) Bucket Lists. While I couldn't list off my bucket list to you right now, there are many things I want to accomplish/experience in my life. One of the members on our trip took the bull by the horns and checked off one of the things on his/her bucket list. The details and names shall remain anonymous, but I am proud of this person for completing the task, and I look forward to hearing what is next on his/her bucket list!
Thanks to our family for the great week, and especially for all the help with our kids! We couldn't have enjoyed vacation without their help!! -P
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Preparation for Transition
Here it is, already halfway through the Spring 2014 semester and it is already time to begin preparing for another transition. One week ago, with much anticipation, excitement, nervousness, and wonder, large envelopes were stuffed in student mailboxes for those who would be going on internship for the 2014-2015 year.
It is with much excitement that the Waterman's announce Paul will be serving as the intern at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bliedorn/Grand Mound, Iowa. This is a rural church, located south of Maquoketa. From the 'scouting report' (i.e. others who have served as interns in this congregation), this is a fantastic site to grow, develop, learn, and minister with God's creation!
Internship begins sometime in July and will go for an entire year. With that in mind, the anticipatory grief has begun, as others who go on internship will be dispersed to other synods, states, and even countries! The collegiality and cohesion among Paul's class has been helpful, even necessary at times. The good news is that God's creation will be well served by these interns, and there is another year post-internship for most of the group to gather, study, reflect, digest, and continue to be formed at the castle.
Thanks for your support, your words of encouragement, and the gifts you bring to this world!
It is with much excitement that the Waterman's announce Paul will be serving as the intern at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bliedorn/Grand Mound, Iowa. This is a rural church, located south of Maquoketa. From the 'scouting report' (i.e. others who have served as interns in this congregation), this is a fantastic site to grow, develop, learn, and minister with God's creation!
Internship begins sometime in July and will go for an entire year. With that in mind, the anticipatory grief has begun, as others who go on internship will be dispersed to other synods, states, and even countries! The collegiality and cohesion among Paul's class has been helpful, even necessary at times. The good news is that God's creation will be well served by these interns, and there is another year post-internship for most of the group to gather, study, reflect, digest, and continue to be formed at the castle.
Thanks for your support, your words of encouragement, and the gifts you bring to this world!
Friday, March 7, 2014
1 Year Ago...
I don't have a great memory. I name that, I own that. I often can't tell you minor details or what happened last month, last week, or yesterday. Today, I have a vivid recollection of this night, one year ago.
Melissa, Sophia, and I went out to supper. I can't remember where we went (shocker, I know), but I know we went out to eat and spent time as a family. We knew our definition of 'family' would change before the sunrise the next morning, but we didn't exactly know how.
After eating, Melissa called a woman on the phone (for the protection of everyone, details will be vague when it comes to identifying information), and coordinated the directions to get to her house. We were on our way to pick up a little girl who would be joining our family for an indeterminate amount of time. Earlier that day Melissa and I had decided that we would take this child into our home and love her and welcome her as a part of our family.
After a few wrong turns, dead ends, and even turning around, we found the location. We walked up to the door with a car seat and diaper bag in our hand. With anticipation, excitement, and even nerves, we knocked on the door and were welcomed in.
We walked in and saw her; this beautiful, bright-eyed, brunette. She was on the floor. She was tiny. We picked her up, we fell in love. We walked out of that house with a baby in a car seat, some clothes, and bottle. We walked out with this new member of our family. Through all the excitement, some frustration, the unknown, and plenty of paperwork, this little girl is now a permanent part of our family! She is forever our daughter- a blessed and beloved child in our home.
This night, we celebrate one year of this blessing in our life. We celebrate the good news we have received, and we celebrate the family, friends, and supporters we have had along the way. It has not been easy, but being a parent is rarely easy. It has not always been fun, but being a parent is not always fun. But it has been worth it. And being a parent is always worth it!
Happy one year Anna! You are a blessing to our family, and we are so glad to have you in our family forever!
Melissa, Sophia, and I went out to supper. I can't remember where we went (shocker, I know), but I know we went out to eat and spent time as a family. We knew our definition of 'family' would change before the sunrise the next morning, but we didn't exactly know how.
After eating, Melissa called a woman on the phone (for the protection of everyone, details will be vague when it comes to identifying information), and coordinated the directions to get to her house. We were on our way to pick up a little girl who would be joining our family for an indeterminate amount of time. Earlier that day Melissa and I had decided that we would take this child into our home and love her and welcome her as a part of our family.
After a few wrong turns, dead ends, and even turning around, we found the location. We walked up to the door with a car seat and diaper bag in our hand. With anticipation, excitement, and even nerves, we knocked on the door and were welcomed in.
We walked in and saw her; this beautiful, bright-eyed, brunette. She was on the floor. She was tiny. We picked her up, we fell in love. We walked out of that house with a baby in a car seat, some clothes, and bottle. We walked out with this new member of our family. Through all the excitement, some frustration, the unknown, and plenty of paperwork, this little girl is now a permanent part of our family! She is forever our daughter- a blessed and beloved child in our home.
This night, we celebrate one year of this blessing in our life. We celebrate the good news we have received, and we celebrate the family, friends, and supporters we have had along the way. It has not been easy, but being a parent is rarely easy. It has not always been fun, but being a parent is not always fun. But it has been worth it. And being a parent is always worth it!
Happy one year Anna! You are a blessing to our family, and we are so glad to have you in our family forever!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Things are a changing!
Here we are- wondering what happened to 2013! High hopes and aspirations of blogging 'regularly' (whatever that means), and keeping up with friends and family. Another year for us to say, "we tried," and "we will do better next year."
2013 has wrapped up with a flurry of activity. Melissa completed her job as Acting Dean of the Chapel at Wartburg, along with being an administrative assistant for various offices around campus and serving as the part-time pastor at Faith Lutheran Church. Sophia can now legally say she is a big sister, as Friday, December 27 we received the best Christmas present we could ever ask for, with the adoption of our daughter Anna. Functionally, she has lived with us since March, but we became her permanent parents when the papers were signed in court. We had at least 46 people there to support us, and for that we are forever grateful! Anna was welcomed into God's family later that weekend with her baptism on the following Sunday at Zion. Paul has completed his third term of seminary and was recently endorsed, which means he has done more than the minimum to head on to internship. Placements for internship will be released in March, so three more months of waiting to know where we will spend the next year.
All in all, our blessings continue to be as numerous as the flakes of snow that fall outside. We have had quite a ride in 2013, and we can only dream up what is around the corner in 2014. So, as we have said in years past, this next year we will be better about updating our blog! Cheers to a happy new year!
2013 has wrapped up with a flurry of activity. Melissa completed her job as Acting Dean of the Chapel at Wartburg, along with being an administrative assistant for various offices around campus and serving as the part-time pastor at Faith Lutheran Church. Sophia can now legally say she is a big sister, as Friday, December 27 we received the best Christmas present we could ever ask for, with the adoption of our daughter Anna. Functionally, she has lived with us since March, but we became her permanent parents when the papers were signed in court. We had at least 46 people there to support us, and for that we are forever grateful! Anna was welcomed into God's family later that weekend with her baptism on the following Sunday at Zion. Paul has completed his third term of seminary and was recently endorsed, which means he has done more than the minimum to head on to internship. Placements for internship will be released in March, so three more months of waiting to know where we will spend the next year.
All in all, our blessings continue to be as numerous as the flakes of snow that fall outside. We have had quite a ride in 2013, and we can only dream up what is around the corner in 2014. So, as we have said in years past, this next year we will be better about updating our blog! Cheers to a happy new year!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Back To School
Fall 2013 is now in session! Hard to believe, but the summer of CPE is completed, and the Waterman family- Dubuque edition survived. Paul spent 11 weeks at Unity Point Health-Des Moines, serving as a hospital chaplain. Melissa continued her work at Cuba City and took care of family matters here in Dubuque. It was a trying summer, but we managed to enjoy the end, as we went to the GREATEST State Fair (that would be the Iowa State Fair for all you out-of-staters), the Blank Park Zoo, and Zombie Burger.
Transitions are often difficult, of that I am sure. We get pretty comfortable and content in our routine, safe in the predictability and stability it provides. For Sophia, today was a new day. She started pre-school at the Lindley Preschool of Excellence. While you won't see that title on any publications (it is an invitation-only preschool), we are forever grateful to our friends Korey and Steve, who have agreed to allow Sophia to stay with their family during the day while Paul is at school and Melissa is at work (we are also grateful that Wendy and Joe were able to take care of her last year). With their four kids, Sophia rounds it out to make a handful. Evident by this video, she had no problem leaving Mom and Dad to spend time with her friends.
With that in mind, it is the beginning of another semester, and that means Paul needs to go and study. We are trying to make blogging a more faithful part of our family life, so keep looking for more updates!
Transitions are often difficult, of that I am sure. We get pretty comfortable and content in our routine, safe in the predictability and stability it provides. For Sophia, today was a new day. She started pre-school at the Lindley Preschool of Excellence. While you won't see that title on any publications (it is an invitation-only preschool), we are forever grateful to our friends Korey and Steve, who have agreed to allow Sophia to stay with their family during the day while Paul is at school and Melissa is at work (we are also grateful that Wendy and Joe were able to take care of her last year). With their four kids, Sophia rounds it out to make a handful. Evident by this video, she had no problem leaving Mom and Dad to spend time with her friends.
With that in mind, it is the beginning of another semester, and that means Paul needs to go and study. We are trying to make blogging a more faithful part of our family life, so keep looking for more updates!
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