a good life

... with wonderful friends.

Yesterday morning was lovely... we (our immediate family) rolled out of bed around 7:00am and began the morning routine - yes, we watch cartoons first thing in our house.  It allows me a moment to gather all the pieces of myself, grab a cup of coffee and get the waffle batter prepped -- all hopefully before the 'sweet' sound of Ben's voice says 'mooooooommeeeee, me hung-gweeee...'  If successful, I've already got his waffle made and his milk poured - with no time to waste he's seated at the counter, fork in hand awaiting his breakfast with just enough patience to not whine again.

And on the weekends, Dad's presence makes the house burst with excitement -- its just... brighter when he's here.  Thanks to the Lord's grace and mercy we've been transitioning rather well between his travels to Los Angeles and his times here at home - and to miss him makes his time at home all the sweeter.

We spent the morning cleaning out the garage and creating for the kids a place to play since we were going to be hosting upwards of 20 people at our house that evening... it was time to get the band back together.

The first Bellingham Reunion of 2011 was upon us.


Geoff, Amy and the kids strolled in around two in the afternoon.  Amy and I prepped food in the kitchen for the party while the guys went on a run for whiskey... the kids played here and there and everywhere doing whatever it is they do when they get together - Ben (2), Eva (3), Will (4), Ethan (5), Katie (6) and Emily (7)... they began pairing off, understandably.  With a mix of sewing and beading, Star Wars and computer games and some whining and hunger - Amy and I were feeling right at home with each others' kids.

The day was only going to get better...

Scott, Holly and baby Anders arrived mid-afternoon and I could not get enough of the kid -- either could my children...

Ben, Katie, Anders and William - Norwegian kids all look the same, no?

Soon Beth Knutsen arrived after having dropped off Dave at the airport on his way to Norway... he was dearly missed.  Then the Eickhoffs strolled in - all THREE of them!  Jessica was beautiful and Ben (her husband) smiled with pride as we all hugged each other and took turns rubbing the belly without even asking.  Mr. Stephen Shurtleff strolled in, potato soup in hand and hot dogs for the kids... unfortunately, Cindy and the kids were at home with 'the crud' and needed to pass on the party.

Soon we were all sipping good beer, wonderful wine, burnt whiskey and grubbing on great food -- some of us stepped out back to enjoy a social smoke and dive into deep conversation about what the Lord is up to in our lives.  Oddly enough, though the good beer and occasional smoke are a staple with this group of friends, the conversation and accountability to picking up your cross daily and partnering with Jesus every moment of the day is stronger with them than with any other community we have around us... I've said it before and I'll say it again, the day we dedicate our children (we never have) we'll find a lake, a bath tub, a watering hole, a jug of beer and commit our children to the Lord with the support of this group of people... oh the years are only getting richer.

We give a nod to...

Dusty and Jenny Haferbecker -- and the boys!
Darryl Graham!
Dave Knutsen!
Tim and Leah Dillman - and the girls!
Chad and Lindsay!
Shawn and Holly Ryan - and the kids!
Cindy Shurtleff - and the kids!

We had seventeen people at our house last night... and we were missing twenty!  Can you imagine what the next get together will look like?!  Thirty-seven people... thirty-eight with baby Eickhoff!

Wallace Falls is going to be a BLAST.  All cabins are reserved... and plans are getting made.

Ahhh... a good life.