the north poles

Long - Awaited Malawi Recap

2009-08-18T12:53:00.003-05:00

Hello ALL! As most of you know our July and August were very busy with planning and going on a trip to Malawi. We saw a facebook status posting requesting a team to lead the "kids program" at the July SIM Malawi Spiritual Life Conference in late April. We quickly decided we should persue this opportunity. It took several weeks for us to put together a team, but by the beginning of May we had a group of 5 people willing to go. That left us a very short amount of time to raise the funds needed to get us there! God is good, and many of you have helped us raise the monies needed. THANK YOU! We left July 21 for Malawi. After over 20 hours in a plane and one overnight in Johannessberg, we arrived in Lilongwe, Malawi on July 23rd. We were hosted by missionaries for 2 nights, and shown many ministries in the capital city that the missionaries are involved in. We were able to meet and get to know some amazing people while we were there! Brenda Jansen was our "guide" and was a fantastic at making sure we all had places to sleep, eat, and see. We toured two different clinics, a Children of the Nations feeding place (for orphans), and the Crisis Care Nursery (for abandoned babies). We also spent a full week at the Kamuzu Academy a few hours north of the city. This was the location of the Spiritual Life Conference. Each year all the SIM missionaries for Malawi meet to recharge and connect. During the mornings sessions, the missionary kids were in our kids program, which is pretty much a VBS. We had a great time with the 24 kids we had. In addition to our team of 5, we also had 3 others helping us. So, in all there were 8 leaders and 24 kids (ranging in age from 22 months - 13 yrs). On the way back from the conference we stopped by Lake Malawi for the afternoon. It's gorgeous, and was a great relaxing way to end the week! On our last Sunday in Malawi we attend an African Evangelical Church (AEC), where Bryan preached. There was an English Service and a Chichewa service. He also taught the Sunday School. We had a great lunch at the home of the Young's (who live on the AEC grounds). After, we went back to the church to check out the fund raiser they were having. It was lots of fun. Basically you give money to hear a certain choir sing, or to join them, or to have them sing something else, or to have them stop singing. Diane Young made sure we all got the chance to join in. The day was wrapped up with a short visit to the zoo in town and dinner with the Fielder family (more missionaries).

We returned home on Tuesday, August 4th. Kathleen, who had taken care of the children while we were gone, was waiting for us with an awesome dinner! We were happy to be back in our own beds! The rest of the week was busy with a bible study, mid-week church service, wedding rehersal & wedding service. Then Bryan left on Sunday for a full week in Michigan. He went with a group of teens and leaders to run a VBS in Cedar River, and then on to Watersmeet to lead a 2 day VBS and a 2 Night Youth Rally. He just got home this Sunday. We are ALL glad to have him back. It seems this summer has zoomed past, but, what an exciting summer it's been. Soon the kids will be back in school. We are going to a new school this year, and the kids are so excited. Winter will be starting 3rd grade and Creedon is going into kindergarten. :) It will be a bit quiet around the house this September, but I'm sure the quiet won't last - it never does in the Faltynski house!

June!!!! AHHH

2009-06-23T07:26:00.006-05:00

Well, June is nearly over, and it seem like it just began! Winter turned 8, we had a week of Vacation Bible Camp, Bryan&Laura are planning a trip to Malawi, and we are taking a quick trip back to Green Bay. Does life ever really slow down? :)

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll spare the words, and fill 'ya up with pictures :)

This last Saturday (the 20th) we had a family day. We did a few errands, then hiked Chester Creek. It was VERY hot and muggy, and the kids had a case of the "I'm too hot & tired" whiny-pants, but it was actually a really great day. We came home and the kids (all 3 ran in the sprinkler), Bryan made dinner, and we all went to bed happy and tired!

Last week was our Vacation Bible Camp. Laura was the director and of course Bryan did most the hands on work. He was in charge of music and general happiness. The theme was "The Tower of Truth". The kids had a great time in adventures with princess', dragons, and knights. They played "draw-bridge tug-o-war", rescused Princess Shannon from the dragons, watched a skit about a bumbling forgetful prince, and learned priceless truths about who God is. This year we wrote/created our own VBS. The teenagers who helped did AWESOME! And the adults in-charge of each area were amazing at catching a vision and creating something super. We also had tons of small group leaders who were able to spend time with the

And just one final picture that I love. It sums up summer in Duluth. Eating a brat in late June with gloves and sweatshirts and rain at a graduation party.

April - Blizzards, 70 degrees, singing and towers - what a month!

2009-04-19T16:43:00.003-05:00

Spring has finally sprung in Duluth (well, it's ALMOST sprung). If you look really really close at the trees you might see buds. MOST of the snow has melted, but there is still muddy, slushy, icy patches under trees. We've been able to get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather we had the last week and a half. (but alas, today it is sleety, raining and snowing intermittently-sigh).

The Saturday before Easter we took the family out Enger Tower and Leif Erickson Park to get some video of "towers" for our Vacation Bible Camp promo video (The Tower of Truth). And just this Friday we took Creedon and Jonas out to Chester Creek to test out our new frame pack baby carrier we got for Jonas. I must say - Bryan says it's mighty comfy! And hopefully Jonas will not be able to climb out of this one!!! We found it on Craigslist - of course we just saw another one for sale for far cheaper than we paid (but, that's Murphy's Law - and it was a good deal either way). On Easter, we went to our friends, the Mains' for lunch. They had an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids - OUTSIDE!!!! (last year it was cold and wet out). Jonas LOVED it. Winter re-hid eggs for him several times, before we finally had to come in. He threw a major fit when he had to come in. - of course!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This Sunday Winter was able to sing "special music" for church with Bryan. She sang "I Don't Know" from Enter the Worship Circle 3. She LOVES that song, and sings it all the time. She did a great job - despite nerves. I did record it, even though I didn't want it to be a "talent show" type of thing. I think I was discreet enough :)

Dress up, Dragons & Dancing

2009-02-10T14:29:00.012-06:00

January can only be described as crazy! So, to typify our month I thought I'd open the blog with this hilarious video of Jonas. He loves to make people laugh. He thinks giving "sleepy eyes" is super funny, and apparently hitting himself in the head is a great joke too! Good thing it was with a very dull baby fork :)

Kathleen came to visit in the middle of the month for a whole week. It was a very good time for me to hang out with my sister. We, of course, did lots of shopping (but only for super great post Christmas deals), and stayed up late being totally goofy. It was a great time! The kids had fun playing dress up with her too! We played games, shopped, ate, and gabbed!

On February 7th, the kids had a special "Dad Day". Bryan wanted to do something special with Creedon and Winter before he went to Mexico for a 11 day mission's trip. In the morning he and Creedon went to a movie (which turned out to be not so great so they left early) and then went to the Duluth Children's Museum. Creedon got a dragon painted on his face. They ate at McDonald's and Creedon even got a Happy Meal (that's a special thing in our family, usually, we don't get happy meals-just dollar menu stuff). They ended the afternoon with chocolate shakes.

Then Winter and Bryan went to the Father Daughter Ball at the DECC. They had a great dinner, dancing, and an all around special time.

Christmas 08

2009-01-07T20:29:00.006-06:00

Well, I've not only finally settled in from Christmas, but I'm actually updating the blog too!!!! We finished December on a calm note after much craziness. The kids Christmas Program went great. After having to postpone it a week because of a major blizzard, everyone was ready to go! Even though it was nearly postponed that week too because of ANOTHER snow storm. Oh, well, I guess - it is Duluth. Snow has been the major topic lately. It seems if it's not below zero, it's snowing. The kids love it. The plowed hill at the back of the church is getting higher and higher! Perfect for sledding and king of the mountain!

We went home for a quick visit on Christmas. We were only there 3 days, but it was nice to see everyone. My brother Ben let me play with his camera at christmas, and so I got some great pics of the kids.

Ben & Susan

Bryan - suave

Kathleen - very excited

Jacob & with the girls

Emily

Winter & Nora

Creedon is FIVE!

2008-10-22T22:35:00.002-05:00

Creedon turned five today! I can't believe it, he's still my baby. It must be becuase of those big brown eyes, and the sweet looks he can give with them...or maybe it's the appropriately placed winks ;) that he likes to give you. He's so into playing so many things. He loves to pretend, and play transformers, and with swords, and outside. He can be very particular about his hair, sometimes it has to be VERY flat (see picture below) or othertimes spikey. He can remember and describe things like no other, wether they are real, or just made up. He builds fantastic lego creations, and forts whenever he can. He learned to ride a two-wheeler this summer, and zooms all over the neighborhood. We love him, and he's ours! Happy Birthday!

Fall Stuff

2008-10-22T21:04:00.006-05:00

I'm terrible at posting blogs! Oh, well, since August we've all been busy, and that's just the way life goes! Bryan's been assistant coaching football, and for all you who have ever been in a sport, or had a kid in a sport, you know what kind of time commitment that is! I tackled a huge project at church, and it took several weeks of VERY late night sessions to finish! But alas, the new missionary board is complete, and it is serving it's purpose (to remind people of the missionaries we support) well.

And now that moves me onto Christmas program planning. It's crazy, but Christmas really is just around the bend. This year we wrote our own play. It's a take on the Wizard of Oz. In our play, "Dorothy and the Most Wonderful WiseGuy of All" Dorothy lives in modern times. She is obsessed with finding her presents, and while searching one night, a sudden blizzard comes and blows her (no house) away to a magical land, called Christmas Wrap Land. She meets lots of little people that are dressed like presents and a kind lady that sends her on a journey to find the WiseMan who will help her get back home (so she can get back to her presents). She is given a pair of ruby mittens, and she must follow the SilverStar Road to the East to Carol City. Along the way she meets a sheep who only want a brain, so he can know why he was made, a cow, who needs a heart so he could learn how to love in a great big way, and a frightened donkey, who wishes he could not be afraid of all the things that might happen to him. They are met by caroling children at Carol City, and find the WiseMan (whom Dorothy always calls the wise guy). He tells them he can't give them what they are looking for, but reveals the Nativity, and shows the animals how Jesus can give them what they long for. Dorothy finally realizes her selfishness, and now only wants to be home, so she can be with her family. She drifts off to sleep, only to wake up at home on Christmas morning. She tells her family of her fantastic journey, to which they reply it must have been a dream, but alas it it is not, for she still has her ruby mittens. Though we have used many of the songs from the orginal movie, we have changed all the words, and it ranges from being hysterically funny, to poignant. Bryan IS a master with "the words". If you can't tell, I'm a little excited about it. I think it will be great! Course I always do. Talk to me about a week before and see how I feel about it!

So, onto the fun stuff...pictures. There are two sets. First, Bryan and I went to AppleFest in Bayfield, WI the first weekend of October. It was a fantastic 12 hours away from the kids - just the two of us. It was a fun festival, on a great fall day. We even took the ferry to Madeline Island (part of the Apostle Islands) for a few hours. We got to stuff ourselves on terrible fair food, and even got a few apple treats in too.

And we also went for a great hike last weekend in the woods behind our house. We went up the Superior Hiking Trail, which is steep, but really well mantained and groomed. We took some cute pictures at the outlook we made it to. Of course, Winter biffed it before we even started on the trail in a mud puddle. And fell once on the trail too, while trying to run down a steep hill, while not looking at her feet. The kids and I made T-Shirts the other week. It was a fun project with orange dye, rubber bands, and a fabric marker. Then we tried to get a family picture. I'm so glad for timers on cameras, but it seemed to take forever to get a good one. By the end we were all a little testy and it was one of those - everyone's crying, and the light is flashing and your saying through gritted teeth, just smile!!! But, all turned out well, and the kids have probably already forgotten about it. They did good on the way down, and I only had to carry Creedon for a little ways! (he's not a light boy either!) But, we did have fun, and we saw a grass snake on the way up and the way down. It was in the same place the last time Bryan and I hiked too. Trust me it's VERY much alive, just not too much for the moving part. It must be cold.

2008-08-20T22:27:00.003-05:00

Jonas turned one today! It's been a long strange year. He walks and runs, but still no words. He throws fits, food, and balls. He loves to "read" story, but loves to bend books backwards even more! He loves his brother and sister, and loves to be outside. He doesn't like his vegetables, but will eat bread, fruit and ANY meat like a champ! He gives hugs, makes kissy noises, and bites. He wants the phone, computer and remotes, but of course he can't have them. He cries when he can't go outside or chew on shoes. He thinks he can go up stairs, which he can, but he has no concept of down! He likes screams, the higher pitch, the better, and he gives dead pan looks while you are trying to get his attention, then he just laughs at you when you give up. We love Jonas, and can't wait to get to know him more. Happy birthday J!

Finally!!

2008-07-04T21:31:00.003-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I know it's been FOREVER since I've posted, so check out the slide shows of pics from our Fourth and just some older pics that you all haven't been updated on.

For the fourth, we spent all day at Pattison State Park in Superior, WI. It's awesome! We got there at 11 ish, had lunch, swam for a few hours, moved our picnic area due to some unruly neighbors, hung out, took a hike, and then grilled out for dinner. We got home at 7:30! Everyone was tired! Jonas went down and Bryan took the kids to the fireworks. What a great day!

Christmas!

2008-01-05T22:22:00.000-06:00

ONE HAPPY BUNCH OF KIDS!

Well, the Faltynski clan made the trip down to Green Bay for Christmas this year. We arrived early Christmas morning (12:30 am). We left right after Christmas Eve service. All three kids woke up when we got to Nana and Papa's house and were up for about an hour. Of course they DID NOT sleep longer the next morning and were all up at the typical 7 am.

HANGING OUT WITH COUSINS!

Jonas got to meet lots of people for the first time. Aunt Susan, Uncle Ben, and cousin Emily were very excited to see him. Emily has gotten so big. We haven't seen her since she was just about Jonas' size. She's walking now. It was great to hang out with their family. We also got to spend lots of time with all of Laura's family and played one CRAZY game called SNORTA...it involves making lots of animal noises...that's should tell you enough, right there. (it was fun though, Winter even got to play). We met Kath's boyfriend Alex. Winter and Creedon had a blast playing in the snow with Kath and Alex. Winter and Creedon also got to bake with Grandmamma one night, and Mom and Dad definately benefited from eating yardstick! YUM! (it's a great jam filled pastry...apricot is definately my favorite) Mark babysat Jonas while they cooked and Bryan and Laura got a chance to SHOP sans kids...it was awesome. Although, it's tough to shop with Bryan. He's so cheap (I mean frugal, and anti-consumerism) that he won't pay more than $15 for jeans and I had to FORCE him to get a dress shirt that was marked WAY down. Anyway, we also got to hang out with Jacob one day, and Kath another day.

Winter and Creedon had tons of fun with Reilly and Levi. They played for a few hours on Christmas and got to go sledding one afternoon. Those 4 together and pure craziness! Our family got to eat dinner with the Zierson's one night. It was good for us to hang out with Great Aunt Debbie and Uncle Scott. Winter pretty much stayed in the living room with Jenny and the 'teenagers'. She commendered Jenny's new camera and snapped pictures all night.

All in all it was a VERY busy trip that lasted until New Years Eve. We had a great time with our family and came home exhausted. Oh, and just in case you all were wondering...according to the Shawno County Police, it is illegal to operate "left of center". (This would be operating in the left or passing lane of a divided 4 lane highway.) Personally, I would think that center would be the ditch and left of that would be going the wrong way down the road...anyway, this proves a little tricky to figure out where to operate when you are in say a 6 lane divided highway, and the right lane is for an exit and the center lane is center, and the left lane is "left of center"...where do you drive? Well, Bryan was warned to not operate left of center...so no ticket this time...

So, we just want to help you all out...don't operate left of center....

I Give UP!

2007-11-07T21:57:00.000-06:00

Well, I've been meaning to post for quite awhile, but have been waiting on pictures. See, first they had to get downloaded off the camera. Then, they did get downloaded, but onto a different computer - so I had to wait to get Bryan to burn the CD of the pictures. Of course throughout all that was lots of busy-ness (how DO you spell that word?!?) and tiredness. Anyway, I have this really cute NEW picture of Jonas that I want to post, but I was waiting to post the older pics first...so they would be in order.... do any of you really care about all this?... so tonight, I finally got around to updating the blog, and I pulled out the CD of older-ish burned pics, and guess what...the CD was EMPTY! So, hopefully this pics are still on the other computer, and didn't get erased after the supposed "burning" happened.

So, I GIVE UP..here's the cute picture of Jonas, and you'll just have to deal with out-of-order pictures, when I get the older one up. This was last Sunday...he was 11 weeks old.

One month and the Cobra

2007-09-27T19:31:00.000-05:00

You may be wondering at the title of this blog. It's there cuz I'm just crazy...but...

This is a pic of Creedon. He insisted he watch TV with his blanket this way. There are a few things you have to understand about this blanket first though. It's not even his, or at least it wasn't. It was a blanket I made for Bryan the first year we were dating. Creedon has confinscated it as his own. He had a small blanket that was similar - it had flannel back and was tied instead of quilted - when he was little, but it had seen better days and is now packed away. His comfort is "strings". He likes to rub the pieces of yarn inbetween his fingers or in his ear. He can't walk past this blanket (or his one from a baby) without stopping to touch it or lay his head on it for a quick "ear rub". Anyway, this is a twin quilt that is usually on his bed, but almost every day he hauls the thing downstairs with him in the morning. Most of the times he tells me it's his tent, not his blanket. This day I thought he definately looked like a cobra. He had to have the corner over his head that way. I can't remember why, but he was pretending he was doing something or another. That kid has some imagination!
Also, Jonas turned one month last week. (now he's 5 1/2 weeks). This pic is from when he was one month. He still sleeps soundly in the day, and is up anywhere from 3-5 hours during the night. His really good nap is getting closer to night though. It was at 11 am, and is now after supper time. He's really alert, and likes to look around lots. He's eating like a champ and is definately "solid".

I like this pic...it makes me think of a karate, or something...fill in your own caption - but I think it's too cute.

the new and improved Faltynski Family

2007-09-07T17:00:00.000-05:00

Jonas has been home for almost 3 weeks now. How time flies! He still sleeps well, but not nearly as much as he did in the hospital, and he is definately MUCH easier to wake up! At his 2 week check up, he had gained over a pound, grew more than 1 1/2" and his head got a whole inch rounder...whatta guy. Bryan and I are still tired. Jonas has upped his food intake to 6 oz. at a crack. (I think he'll fit in with his siblings-they were mega eaters too) He's started to listen intently to voices and is awake and alert for almost 2 hours at a time several times a day. He found his "scream" and uses it when he getting changed (not a fan of nak-y time yet) and when he thinks he's dying from starvation (which happens instantly upon awaking). He's still a super easy baby though.

Here's Jonas hanging out with Dad...actually, they are both kinda sleeping...in and out.

Winter started school Thursday. She's in the 1st grade, and loves it. It was her day for show and tell today (called "sharing" time these days) and she brought in 5 grasshoppers she caught in a water bottle. They all lived through the day, so I guess that was a bonus. I made her release them when she got home. Creedon is going through Winter with-drawals, which he usually voices by saying how sad he is that Iron Giant is gone and won't come play with him. We have to interpret, because he uses made up stories to tell his true feelings (that should be interesting in the years to come!)

Here's Creedon, Winter and Jonas. Creedon has an "I'm the BIG brother" shirt and Winter has an "I'm the BIGGEST sister" shirt on (from their grandmamma and grandpa mark). They are soooo proud. They wear those shirts as often as they are clean.

Jonas videos

2007-08-23T08:53:00.000-05:00

Jonas trying to sleep...and not wake up to eat!

Just chillin' and ACUALLY awake

JONAS MYER

2007-08-23T07:55:00.000-05:00

Our new little man is finally here. Jonas Myer was born Monday, August 20, 2007 at 10:53 pm. He weighed 8# 14 oz. and was 18.9" long. He had no problems and is a pretty chill little man. He is hard to wake up when he's sleeping good (which is the afternoons). Of course he's more active at night, and now that we are home we are trying to figure out his scheadule (as is he). Last night he would sleep 2 1/2 hours at a crack (not too bad really), then be up for about 45 minutes to eat, burp, get back to sleep, ect. The 5-6:30 time was a little longer though. Bryan was up with him and said he was just alert. He's not really fussy, and he seems like he will be a really great baby to have and hopefully easy to figure out.

Of course Winter and Creedon love him. Creedon is pretty enthralled...but it is in short bursts - he has other things to do than just look at his brother. Winter wants to be part of everything. She's gonna be a great help. I'm sure in a few days they will realize how boring babies really are.

HENNA PARTY!!!!

2007-08-12T20:10:00.000-05:00

Today I had a henna party at my house. It was the super duperist bestest time ever!!!! So, for all you wondering, "what is henna?" I'll tell ya. Simply it's those crazy designs you see on Indian women's hands and feet particularly for weddings. More complicated - it's a paste made from ground henna plant that is then applied to the body in designs - the art left on the body is called Mehndi. You can also dye your hair and fingernails with henna. Women have used it forever for weddings and decoraction. It then leaves a stain on your skin that ranges from orangish red to dark brown for anywhere from 1-2 weeks.

I wanted to do my belly really bad. I got in touch with an awesome tatoo artist named Maura. She agreed to help us out by getting us started with then henna, then we could all go from there and work on eachother. Most importantly everyone got to decorate a section of my belly. There were 11 people at the party, but one left early, so 10 people decorated my belly. I'll tell you who did each section. This picture is with the paste still on (you take the paste on after a few hours).

Starting with the flower at top and going clockwise...Wendy Blazivik (did the flower), Molly Sahlberg (paisely looking thing) Susie Bachinski (vine) Mardy Rodman (3-piece swirls) Anna MacInnes (solid looking flower) Maura Codey(swirl strait down) Molly Sahlberg -she did the left over sectin from the person who left (sun and swirls) Kayla (swirls/flower) Kristen Holmes (small greek agape and symbols) Angie Sjodin (large elvish life & initial of my fam.) Tammy Pelosi (fine diamond & swirls).
Then Maura filled in with swirls in between to make it all look together...I'm so glad, it looks great! THANKS ALL YOU GUYS!!!!
This is a picture of Maura...she let us (actually, she wanted us) to tatoo her. So brave...a professional letting the amatuers work ;) We all had a few designs and did designs on everyone else too. I got pictures of almost everyone's but I didn't have space to post them all. This is Anna's back...it looked GREAT.

It was one of the most fun afternoon's I've had in a long time. Thanks to all who came. And on a future note...I have left overs and will probably become addicted to mehndi. So, watch out!

Just logging on to endorse these messages!

2007-08-07T23:09:00.001-05:00

Hey Everyone!!!

This is Bryan this time.

I just gotta tell you all out there, that my wife is the greateset. It's great that she keeps up on this blog thing. I am way too unorganized to keep up on this stuff.

Nyway, here's what my side of the last week was. So, you heard that the kiddos where gone last week, and I certainly missed them. But the time I got to spend with Laura was great. Although you heard that dates turn into wierd times of shopping for your children. The extra time was awesome. If there is anything that is a complaint about ministry is that the time you have is not your own. People need help on their time, and so you end up cutting up your planned family times alot. And when you don't have regular chuncks of family time, the rest seems so paltry. But this week I got to have larger segments of time with my wife, and with my kids. And that was quitea blessing. They are so unbelievably important to me.

Thanks Laura for being an awesome person. Thanks for putting up with all the times that I fail to be there because of someone else's stuff. And of course, I need to thank God for putting us together, cuz without her, I dunno where I would be.

origami & babies

2007-08-04T16:20:00.000-05:00

So, the monkeys are back (Creedon & Winter, that is... I just call them monkeys cuz I love 'em so much) Bryan and I had some alone time, and basically did lots of baby prep stuff. Man, when you are married for awhile and have a few kids, "date night" becomes a whole new thing. We shopped almost all day monday and picked up all the putzy last minute stuff we needed for when our new little man comes...you know, shampoo, diapers, junk like that. Then we went to Outback for Slupper (lunch/supper). Other than that, we did some other shopping on the rest of the days, watched some movies at night, and spent all day Wednesday being busy. Thursday we went to get the kids.

NOW for the origami part... I had a brillant idea for a mobile over the crib. The crib is partially under a sloped ceiling, and mobiles don't really fit on the crib we have because it has REALLY fat rails. SO...I was gonna hang a mirror we had laying around on the sloped ceiling over the crib and suspend origami dinosaurs from it. Then I ran into several problems. #1 Mirrors can break and or fall and seriously injure babies. (So either I ditch the mirror or I go buy a safe one...like plasticy or something) #2 Origami dinosaurs are really difficult to make. I tried several and kept failing, so I asked my neighbor, Susie to come over and help me...She's pretty crafty and creative, and is a preschool teacher. Needless to say, it still didn't go so well. We found 1 we could make well, so we made like 4 or 5 of that model. I didn't give up though, and found a few others I could handle. So, now there are brontosaurus, stegasorous, and tyranasaraus. I think that will have to do for now! I'm thinking of ditching the whole mirror thing because then I have to go buy it, and I take unusual pride in making something for nothing. (It's a sickness) Oh, and one other thing. Origami dinosaurs look rather confusing and possibly disturbing from the underneath side. Oh, well, it will look cool for everyone else. Besides, it's not like the baby will know any difference.

A look Back

2007-07-26T12:45:00.000-05:00

Just a look back at earlier this summer...

Cheese!

Oh, they can be angels...when they sleep!

The monster mask Creedon made...notice he has his "claws" out.

Winter's birthday - June 5 ...so excited

the crazy month of july

2007-07-25T23:09:00.000-05:00

So, July was a crazy month for our family. This was mainly because of all the visitors we had this month. It was somewhat because of the Sahlberg family (Sr. pastor) being gone most of the month too. It was actually a really great time - both in spending time with friends and in growing me. I'm not the best at doing the whole "domestic" thing, and having company kinda forced me to do that. And you know what? It wasn't that bad! Wierd...

Anyway, the first week of July (2-9) we had interns at the church. Tara and Steve are college age students that were visiting from Green Bay. They stayed with host families, but were with Bryan every day Monday - Monday. They ate lunch with us almost everyday. It was a good chance to get to know them both. Bryan took the kids with him to watch fireworks with the college kids on the 4th. They had a great view from up at EngerTower. They got home late and the kids had a great time. Creedon told a story about a blue dragon that lasted a half hour. He's so creative...

Then our friends Gretchen, Houghton (whom we tend to call Grouchton - when they aren't around...I think we are lazy and don't want to say Gretchen and Houghton...don't ask why...Bryan and I have problems) Anway, the Richards...Gretchen, Houghton, and their kids Jesiah (2) and Gwenyth (9 mo), and Laura T. came to visit. Gretchen and Laura are sisters. We knew their family from when we worked in Montana. Houghton and Bryan worked together lots. Anyway, they are going to Vanautu to be missionaries, and were on their way to do training with their mission organization. They stayed with us for the weekend and shared with the adult sunday school. It was awesome to visit with them, and Gretchen and Laura are people that are soooo easy to "just be" with. It was hard on them though, because all 5 of them were in 1 room. AND it was hot out and our upstairs is pretty stuffy. The kids didn't sleep very well (unfortunately). Creedon and Jesiah played together lots and plays apart lots too. It took us a few days for me to remember to give Creedon some "chill out" time and some "alone space". So, we let them watch some movies on and off and they got along pretty okay then. They left on Monday the 9th.
here are links to their websites:
Laura's blog http://www.psalm96three.blogspot.com/
Richard's blog http://www.richardsroad.blogspot.com/
Team Vanuatu's website www.richardsroad.com/1.html

Creedon, Winter & Jesiah eatin' some ice cream!

After that we had a week of busy-ness and catch up. Then the 16th-23rd we had interns at the church again. Tara came back and this time brought Jeff. They also brought Bryan's 16 yr old cousin Zach. Zach stayed with us, but the interns stayed in host homes again. Once again, the interns ate lunch with us most days and spent all day with Bryan working. Zach was able to participate in all the activities the interns did. We also had our friend Fuzzy (otherwise known as Armond, but everyone calls him Fuzzy) visiting. He got here on the Sunday, the15th and stayed until the 19th. His son Richard came with too. Richard is 6, so he and Winter got along great....a little too great at times. Apparently they are going to get married sometime, but they arranged to have Richard come get Winter, cuz she doesn't know where he lives. Fuzzy is always full of random jokes and laughs. We stayed up WAY too late every night, and got very little sleep, but had fun playing cards, making jokes, and even having an occasional serious discussion.

Richard, Winter & Creedon...lovin' nature.

So, this week, is more catching up, and the Sahlberg's are back, so Bryan is catching up with Nathan. Winter broke her arm. Turns out Creedon pushed off the trampoline when she was trying to get down because he wanted to get down first. She's had a splint on for 2 days and will get a cast tomorrow. It wasn't a major break, just a buckle fracture, and it didn't even swell much and she's not in pain from it.

Winter and Creedon will be visiting my Mom in Green Bay for 4 days this next week. Sunday, the 29th, after church we will be driving to meet her half way for her to pick them up, then we will drive half way again on Thursday to pick them up. Hopefully they will have a great time. And that will wrap up the month of July.

Just a bit of Faltynski craziness that I wanted to share with you all.

our family

2007-06-24T22:33:00.000-05:00

This is the newest man in the family.

Age: 10 weeks to go
Fav. way to bug mom: heartburn & insomnia
DOB: TBA est. arrival Aug. 30

Winter loves to be a ham. She'll tell you any number of jokes (most of which are made up and should probably not be EVER told). She loves to be with people and talk and talk and talk. Her and her brother get the biggest kick out of making eachother laugh.

Age: 6
Fav. color : not black
DOB: June 5

Creedon prefers to be any superhero. He especially likes to shoot you with his powers (webs, ice or fire). He is commonly spiderman, superman, red power ranger, batman, or wolverine. Usually he is accompanied throughout the day by one of these invisible superheros (assuming he's not currently BEING that superhero) or by iron giant or santa clause and sometimes beast.

Age:3
Fav. Food: Popcorn, popsicles, cheesy chips
DOB: Oct 22

Bryan is pretty much the most random person I know. He loves music, wrestling with kids, and being "different". Don't ask him what that means or he just might try and prove it to you. The fact that he's a youth pastor and hangs out with teenagers should tell you lots about him.
Age: 29 (most teens just say "old guy" though)
Fav Food: peanut butter
DOB: Feb 24

Laura - that's me. I'm pretty much, what you see is what you get. I love to read, I hate to cook, I'm not that great at cleaning either. I love my husband and my kids. Life would be so boring without them!

Age: 29
Fav. Book: Eli
DOB: March 10