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2022

2 In 2022/ Peek into our Week/ Raising boys

Peek into Our Last Few Weeks

It’s been awhile since I’ve given you a peek into our week. I’ve been busy living life and have not taken the time to write about. So, I’ll try to quickly catch you up on our Minnesota life.

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January

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My Mom was in Minnesota!

I was so excited to welcome my mom back to Minnesota. It had been 2.5 years since her last visit. January in Minnesota is not the best time to visit, but we made the most of it.

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Volcan Snow Park

Neither of us love the cold, but we got bundled up to check out the Vulcan Snow Park in St. Paul. The sculptures were works of art and the maze was super cool!

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https://youtube.com/shorts/SJOK8hBmfSk?feature=share

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Como Zoo and Conservatory

We took mom to one of my favorite places in the Twin Cities – the Como Zoo. She discovered why I love it here so much. I always enjoy the beauty and warmth of the Conservatory, especially in January in Minnesota.

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The flowers smelled heavenly.

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We explored the quaint town of Northfield, MN

The picture of Clark and Mom was taken in front the bank where locals put a stop to the Jesse James Gang.

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Sisterhood Ladies Night

Another highlight of Mom’s visit was the ‘Sisterhood’ ladies night at my church, with guest speaker Susie Larson.

My mom has loved Susie for YEARS. She listens to her podcasts, reads her books, and sends us her books. When I found out that Susie was speaking at our church on the week my mom was coming to town, I was THRILLED and felt like it wasn’t just a ‘coincidence,’ but a way for God to show us His love. Susie Larson is an amazing communicator, and mom LOVED getting to finally meet her.

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When I moved to Minnesota, I attended this ladies night called “Sisterhood” all by myself. I came alone, sat alone, and went home alone. It was a good night, but not my favorite way to attend a ‘ladies night.’ Fast forward three years, and I can’t tell you how happy my heart was to come with a bunch of sweet neighbors and friends (plus mom). We came together (in three cars), sat together, and went back to our neighborhood together and it meant SO much to me.

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Before mom left, I snapped this picture. This will be the last picture where George is smaller than Grandma.

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Thanks for coming to visit us Mom!

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February

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My mother-in-law in Minnesota

In February, my mother-in-law came for a visit.

Mill City Museum

We took Nana to the Mill City Museum. This was once the home of the General Mills flour plant.

Did you know flour can be as explosive as gun powder?

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A flour explosion destroyed most of the building. What remains is now the “Mill City Museum.” The General Mills factory has relocated to another town.

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George ‘reenacting’ a pose from our visit almost 3 years ago.

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George with my mom 2.5 years ago, and with Nana in February:

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Click here to read more about the Mill City Museum.

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We found a beautiful old window at the museum and stopped to take some pictures.

The boys and Nana were being goofy. I loved how this elderly woman on the side was watching them.

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It did warm up enough one day for us to take a winter walk.

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Thanks for coming to visit us Nana!

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March

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Bye-bye-Basketball

We finished the basketball season with a weekend in Iowa. Clark’s team got invited to a regional tournament, and it was a great way to end the basketball season.

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Wrigley’s World

I can’t give an update without a peek at Wrigley. He is such a good dog. We are crazy about him!

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Wrigley likes to cuddle with his toys

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Just the right size

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My neighbor sent this picture. Wrigley walked over to see if her dogs could play. He was peeking in the window as if to say, “Come out and play with me!”

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The boys had Wrigley try on their hats:

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Paul and Wrigley

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Luke and Wrigley

Thanks for reading! Hope you are having a great week. Leave me a comment and let me know what you’ve been up to!

0 In 2022/ Recipe

Caprese Kebabs Recipe

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I love this snack so much.  Caprese is the absolute perfect combination of flavors. The juicy tomatoes, the savory basil, the soft mozzarella cheese, and the sweet balsamic glaze. Yum!

For guests, I’ll make the cute little kebabs. When it’s just for me, I’ll eat it ‘deconstructed’ in a bowl.

It’s a quick, easy, healthy and delicious snack. What more could you ask for?

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What you need:

All the supplies can be found at Target.

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What to do:

Caprese Salad: Put the mozzarella, tomato and basil in a bowl. Drizzle the balsamic glaze on top. Add salt and pepper and olive oil if you’d like.

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Caprese Kebabs:

If you want them a little fancier for guests, make bite-sized kebabs. Take a toothpick, add one tomato, a strip of basil, and a piece of mozzarella.

Line these up on a pretty dish. Drizzle balsamic glaze on top. Salt, pepper, and olive oil are optional.

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Enjoy! 


Want more recipes?

Here’s one for my favorite protein bites.

Here’s my favorite jalapeño popper recipe.

And finally:

The world’s best Kale Salad.

0 In 2022/ Book Review

Four Books I finished in February

The Self-Driven Child

Rating: 10/10

Review:  This book is extremely informative. The authors address many things parents want advice on, including:

  • technology use,
  • anxiety,
  • learning disabilities,
  • standardized tests,
  • college decisions, and more.

I took lots of notes, but here are 4 points from the book I loved:

  1. Make enjoying your kids a top parenting priority. Your kid needs to feel the joy of seeing your face light up when you see them because you are genuinely happy to spend time with them. This has a powerful effect on his/her self-esteem. It helps your children become JOY-producing people. If you don’t enjoy your children, reflect on why. Are you angry? Under pressure from work? In a difficult marriage? Reflect and do you best to work on the barriers that are keeping you from enjoying them.        
  2. Look for opportunities during the day to let your mind wander. This could mean just sitting quietly for a few minutes looking out the window or at the clouds. It could mean engaging in activities you do mindlessly. 
  3. Talk as a family about the importance of going off-line and giving yourself truly free time. Tell your kids that it’s only when they aren’t focused on anything in particular that they can really think about others and themselves.
  4. Always know your kids passwords to their device(s). If you are paying for the phone, make it contingent on them being respectful online and putting it away at night. 

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When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I couldn’t stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.

Mark Twain.

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Bear Town by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 7/10

Review: A novel about hockey. The setting is a hockey town; the characters live and breathe hockey. I recommend this book to those of you who…(shocker) love hockey.

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The Wise Woman Knows by the Help Club for Moms

Rating: 10/10

Review: A wonderful devotional written by moms, for moms.

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The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Rating: 10/10

Review: This is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s the biography of Corrie Ten Boom. Her family helped countless Jews during WW2 and ended up in a concentration camp. It’s a beautiful story of survival, forgiveness, and redemption.

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What have you been reading this month? Leave me a comment!