dave & janet horsman ::: keepin’ it real since 1998

Yes, it is Trip to Canada Eve, and the excitement is overflowing here at the Horsman house! I’m finding it hard to actually settle down and pack…it’s comforting to know that all we really need is my Green Card, our Passports, and a few changes of clothes.

It’s been a while since I’ve taken a trip through the air to the eastcoast of Canada. Almost ten years I think! (Dave flew out a couple years ago to drive back here with our belongings) For finacial reasons we usually drive, but with the ever increasing gass prices the monetary gap between flying and driving has diminished (at least for this year). Now that is something to be thankful for!

Today was the last day of VBS for Elijah and Zeke, and they were so excited that - finally! - they could bring home their Bible Buddies. Elijah took them right out and told me what they meant…

“Ray reminds me that Jesus is my friend… Rosa reminds me that Jesus is my life… Rodie reminds me that He is our leader… Spike tells us that Jesus is our savior, and Culdee reminds me that Jesus is my helper. And see how Spike has his arms spread wide? It looks like a cross; it reminds us that Jesus died on a cross to save us!”

After many years of talking about it, Dave finally has some contact lenses. He really looks so different! And with his glasses off, it’s easy to see where our boys get their beautiful, big, blue eyes! He’s especially excited that he’ll be able to where some “sick” (Did you know “sick” is the new word for cool?) sunglasses.

I don’t know about all you parents out there, but I’ll do just about anything to avoid having my children scream in a restaurant…

We had a little mini-vacation this past weekend. The “Biggest Indoor Water Park in America” was just built here in Bloomington (just a short distance from the “Mall of America” - I guess it’s the biggest mall in America) so we checked into the hotel that houses the said water park (got a great deal on Orbitz) and enjoyed ourselves immensly.

Anyway, for supper on Saturday night we thought it would be fun to go to the Rainforest Cafe - a restaurant in the Mall of America that is remarkably like the rainforest (ok, so I’ve never been there, but that’s what I imagine it would be like). Well, it was fun… until we started approaching Noah’s bedtime - he can’t make it much past 7:00 pm. So, instead of being embarrassed by my howling toddler, I chose to embarrass myself by wearing a dutch hat made out of my napkin. Of course, we all just had to try it on. Noah thought it was very entertaining…

Noah received two (sort of) compliments this weekend…

1.  I gave him a haircut on Saturday while Elijah and Zeke were across the hall visiting with Josh and Ashley (students at Bethany…just got married…love our kids). When they returned and saw Noah’s new haircut, they burst out laughing and declared that he looked like an insurance salesman! (?)

2.  Unless it’s a very special occasion, Noah just doesn’t wear shoes, because his feet and ankles are so chubby (They are so adorable…and really very unique around here. Every other baby around has grown-up looking, long, skinny feet!) I get many comments on them, but this Sunday at church a lady exclaimed “He has Flinstone feet!” and you know - he really does!

We spent the afternoon at the “beach” today…yes, there are places called beaches here in Minnesota - man-made, filtered ponds with gritty sand surrounding them. (Nothing like the ocean fronts that David and I have been spoiled with for most of our lives) I’ve been heard saying more than once that I would never swim in such things. The idea of swimming in a lukewarm pond was never very appealing to me…I much prefer the crisp, refreashing coldness of the ocean. But…well, maybe I’m just becoming a Minnesotan… I don’t know. Anyway, we had a fantastic time. Although, even though I dilligently reapplied sunscreen on the kids every couple of hours, I forgot about my back. Ouch!

When it comes to bedhead, Zeke is the indisputable champion.