Full House

The week started out icy cold.

We had decided to take off after church to watch son Stephan and the other carvers in the process of making ice art. 

His was a more delicate, risky piece with many parts and so tall it barely fit under the tent.

The Best Pancakes 

Obviously at the start of "Sugaring Season", he had maple syrup in mind. 

Michael was so inspired that he carved a decent snow squirrel when we got home.

 

Our bread supply was running low, so Michael started a new batch and the girls finished it.

They were able to share the end product and show off their bread-making skills with a group of students on the MuKappa (missionary kids & internationals club) planning committee.

Rebecca was here Tuesday ready to play in the snow. This time it was pack-able. 

In our first attempt we ended up with such monstrous mounds, too heavy to stack.

Next we made a snow-girl outside Moriah's glass door.

Thanks to Michael's promptings and example, I am getting more exercise than ever before.

A local group, UCC Hikers, often announces outings for whoever can make it.

We joined Bob Medows, the organizer, for strenuous hike at Seven Pillars, trudging through 6" deep snow.

As the weather warmed up, Michael dared to go out for a bike ride Thursday.

Did anyone know this was National Engineers Week?

Don't know if that was the reason, but the Engineering students decided to have Fancy Friday.

The girls were busy getting Moriah dolled up for the day before her 8 AM class..

Ever so grateful for a deadline to clean up my loft writing area! I spent  most of Thursday preparing to welcome Kendra's boyfriend visiting from Massachusetts. I sorted, rearranged, dusted, swept, and finally on Friday made up a bed for Zack who arrived later that afternoon.

A photo was in order. Sorry, no before pics!

The love birds gazing . . . 

Rebecca was here for awhile. Moriah loves to play with young uns!

Zack got together with several old college friends while he was here. Saturday one of them drove in from Ohio! We had taught Zack our favorite game of 2020 and he loved it. So while Kendra was out doing her long run for Marathon training class, he taught Lukas how to play Splendor.

I posted the following Announcement on a new blog. I am so excited about this project. More to come!

In the process of sorting through piles and files, I came across photos I had not seen or didn't remember (that happens too often lately). This is my father's family when he was the next to youngest, the little boy in the front. Another brother was born later. Grandma had dark hair, and grandpa was still with the family. 

This week brought back memories of Daddy's passing, February 21, eight years ago, shortly before his 92nd birthday. I was so privileged to be with him during that momentous transition.

Moments of Fame

In the process of unpacking I found the perfect place to display the wedding veil--at the bottom of the stairs next to Mother's wedding dress and on one of Michael's sculptures.

Post Christmas events and clean-up:

--the Schlenker gift--Sunday after church Moriah took us out to eat at a favorite restaurant.

--Karen used one of Mother's art cards for her beautiful after-Christmas thank you note.

--all the Christmas decorations come down on or around Epiphany, January 6

Moriah's and Mother's art

January 6 was also departure date for several of the J-term Lighthouse teams, including Moriah's.

Sending Moriah off to Central Asia

Monday Night Dinner was livelier than usual with three additional guests and a repeat performance by Stephan and Karen of the "Mike and Rita song" they wrote for us. (I so wish you could hear it, but can't seem to transfer the video.)

Tuesday was the big day when the robotics team reconvened and each presented the ideas they had come up with and worked on over the weekend. The 25 students present filled the whiteboard with their many good ideas.

With Michael gone most of the time, I find things to do. I had wanted to see the Mr. Rogers film, so I invited Diane and Leah to come along. 

What a powerful story, described by one reviewer as:

. . . a dramatic profile of a quiet, gentle, self-effacing, and genuinely kind man--a legendary children’s entertainer who, in his own words, devoted his life “to the broadcasting of grace through the land.”

As a writer I just had to read the feature article by Tom Junod, basis for the film--Can You Say...Hero? 

Our family experienced a touch of fame this week. 

Thursday morning early I began hearing from friends that they had seen Stephan on the news. He organized the Ice Festival in Carmel and was interviewed multiple times.

One of Stephan's interviews

Meanwhile, downtown Indianapolis, at the State House, the opening act of the session was to pass a Resolution recognizing the positive impact and achievements of Indiana FIRST, and later named specifically the PhyXTGears and Mike Koch! WOW! 

Cute little Space Walrus made a final appearance and even had a fun interaction with the Speaker of the House. The latter enjoyed it the most, given that robots have no emotions. (Find the robot in the photo.)

Where was I all this time? Certainly not being interviewed for TV, nor being recognized by 28 or more state representatives for any contribution. I was spending time with two 98-year-old women who dedicated their lives to serve and glorify God in Argentina. Their reward is yet to come. Earthly limitations increase as heaven draws near.

Mother and "Aunt Margaret"

Thursday's expedition to the State House did not interfere with the team work session that evening. Multiple prototypes are popping up. And everyone is learning and having fun, young and old!

Another Stephan interview at the end of the Ice Festival.

 The weather did not cooperate with the planned schedule. Due to torrential rains and mild temperatures, the main carving competitions were postponed a day. The carvers worked through the night, starting when the temperatures were low enough. The event proved exhilarating, but mostly exhausting!