Climb to the top

Over the summer/fall we had a system going where the kids earned marbles for helping out around the house & when their marble jar was full they earned a reward.  They've earned tickets to the movie, an afternoon at the shooting range, a new toy.... you get the idea.  One time both Nate & Sarah had full jars at the same time so we offered them a day at Vertical Endeavors.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58150987@N05/

They both had enjoyed rock climbing in South Dakota over the summer and wanted a chance to do it again.  This was a little different than climbing outside, but they had just as much fun!

Happy 2011!

I've been MIA for several months - hard to find the time to keep the photos updated on the blog with a busy household of 5!   I don't really make resolutions, but I am going to make an effort to blog more this year.  There may not be full photo albums on here, but I can journal and post a few pictures here and there which won't seem so overwhelming.   If I get really motivated I will go back and fill in the months that I've missed :-).   For right now, time to get the morning routine started........

The Cracked Pot

This story just really speaks to me & I wanted a place to document it for later.  I hope it touches you as well....


The Story of the Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfections, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work and you don't get full value for your efforts," the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it hadleaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house." Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. So as we seek ways to minister together and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.

Summer Honors Orchestra

Nate was again selected to participate in the Summer Honors Orchestra for our school district.   He made 1st chair for 2nd violin and is the 3rd from the left in the first row in this picture.  The orchestra practices daily for a couple of weeks and then puts on a concert to showcase what they've accomplished.  It's amazing what they can pull together in that short amount of time!  Good job Nate!

Camping at Interstate Park

This summer we went on our first family camping trip since we lived in Michigan.  We sold our pop-up camper before we came to MN so a few years ago Steve bought a family sized tent.  He's been using it when he goes hunting up north, but this was the first time our whole family camped in it together.  I was surprised by how big it was!  We had plenty of room for all our sleeping gear.  Of course, no Dufon camping trip would be complete without a rain shower or two, but I'm happy to say that the tent kept us and our stuff nice and dry!
We set up camp on Friday night and then on Saturday we spent the day in Taylor's Falls at Wild Mountain adventure park.   We had gotten a gift certificate at Christmas that we could use there and the kids were very excited because it's not just a waterpark, but has go carts and alpine slides too.   The water was nice, but we spent the most time on the alpine slide and go carts.  The kids wanted to go over & over & over again!
On Sunday we spent the morning hiking through Interstate State Park and checking out all the glacial potholes.   Nate and Sarah especially like climbing all the rock formations.   Natalie of course couldn't be left out so she followed along as much as we would let her!
We had so much fun that we've already decided to go back next summer.

Happy 4th of July!

Natalie's first experience with sparklers......

Minneman Triathlon

Steve completed his first triathlon on July 3rd!  He placed 1st in his division.  Hopefully I can convince him to sit down and write a little about it......the kids and I had a great time cheering him on.  It was exciting to see him do so well after training all year.