Raft the Rio Part 2

Well, we made it and contrary to the skeptics we did not sink. More on that in a moment.

The following article excerpts appeared in our local paper after the event:

RIO RAFTERS TRANSFORM JUNK INTO FLEET FOR ANNUAL EVENT

By Ashley Meeks ameeks@lcsun-news.com

LAS CRUCES -- Usually, an old Volkswagen bus with a pair of bloody-jawed sharks roped 

precariously to its roof would draw a few stares puttering down Picacho Avenue. But on Saturday, that was hardly the weirdest craft headed to the Rio Grande.

Rafters piled onto about 190 registered crafts, while hundreds more watched from the banks and 

bridges Saturday for the Southwest Environmental Center's 13th annual Raft the Rio -- the biggest ever, said executive director Kevin Bixby.

Sabien Tise, 18, of Las Cruces, stuck to the event's message, netting 700 plastic bottles to an old pallet to make the petite garbage barge "Archimedes," named after the buoyancy principle. "It only took a month and a half," said the 2009 Mayfield High School graduate, who leaves next month to join the Navy. "We thought, since we're in a competition about recycling, we'd put the message out there -- recycle, recycle, recycle." Drawing attention to the river was important too, he said. "That's what makes New Mexico -- the Rio Grande," Tise said.

And on that river, sailors fought a strong headwind and light currents in the up-to-7-foot-deep waters from La Llorona Park, beneath the Picacho Street Bridge, to a food- and music-filled festival at the Calle del Norte (Mesilla) Bridge. Crafts were cobbled together from gym mats, air-mattresses, livestock tanks, vegetable oil barrels -- and even a few refrigerators.

The Saturday of the “Raft the Rio” event was beautiful with sunny blue skies and some wind starting late morning.  In part 1 you read how our intrepid team got together and built the thing. Well on Saturday we had to assemble it and float it for the first time.

Already at 8:30am there was a lot of activity at the “launch site”. Trucks & trailers unloaded their cargo of crew members and rafts. The registrars’ busily had people fill out their paper work all the while rafters completed their work on their creations.

There certainly were some “interesting” looking craft. I’ll try and describe a few for you:

• ·         A step ladder with noodles (long foam tubes you use in your swimming pool) taped               to the bottom
• ·         Styrofoam panels glued together
• ·         Inner tubes tied together with coolers of “refreshments” placed close at hand
• ·         Over 140 plastic booze bottles duct taped together. It took the 2 crew members 7 months to drink their raft. I imagine they had a great deal of help.

The Trinity Lutheran Ark crew consisted of Andrew Lerdal and myself. Why us I don’t really remember. But Jeremy & Nicky brought the Ark & tools and other stuff in their truck. Nicky got us registered and took pictures. She also made the flag for our Ark. Jeremy & Andrew worked at completing the Ark. Eric & Teresa with daughter Megan brought the paddles. And a number of others such as Krissy, Matthew, Sarah, Ken & Jan, Verline, Don & Karen, Chickie & Ron and Eldon & Bonnie came down to see us off. At 10:15am the launch signal was given and our adventure began.

Andrew got on first then I followed. Would our creation sail us majestically down the Rio or would it be a disaster waiting to happen? It was somewhere in between. First of all I have to proclaim to those naysayers , those of little faith - WE FLOATED! HaHaHaaaaa! We were on our way.

For the next 2 1/2 hours we floated, walked, pushed and everything else necessary to get our raft down the Rio. I can't believe how uneven the bottom is. We floated for a time only to bottom out on a sandbar. When that happened we put our legs through the "Flintstones holes" and carried the raft. I have to confess that in theory this approach appeared sound but not in practice. The bottom is sandy but not hard packed so it was hard walking. Andrew did the lion's share of work on this voyage. Walking with the raft was exhausting. And so the journey went.

Now for some stupid reason I took my cellphone with me in a plastic bag. Tuck that piece of info away for a moment. We would float, walk, and watch the others around us. All the while we were dealing with the wind that wanted to push us into the shore. It was the cause of our "accident". 

The wind blew us into some trees/shrubs hanging over the river. That tree sucked us right in. It was while trying to get out of the grip of that tree that we flipped the raft entirely over. That was scary. I found myself momentarily under the raft. My glasses had fallen off my face (thankfully I had them on a cord around my neck). I swallowed a bit of water. All this took seconds of course. I don't know what Andrew did during this episode since we didn't talk about it later. I could not touch the bottom so I was swimming the best I could. Thank you Jeremy for providing old but very serviceable life vests. Remember how I told you Jeremy that you saved my life? I believe you did. At the beginning of the race we had fashioned life vests out of milk jugs. They looked the part but were impractical so we took them off. I had then strapped on a real life vest. I swim very poorly so I never go on the water without a life vest. Once I surfaced and got my bearings I noticed a little plastic encased package floating away. My cellphone was off and running. Now what? I decided I had to get it if I could. So I swam after it and got it. Then it was back to the raft. Once back I was exhausted. My heart was racing and I had a bit of trouble catching my breath. I was safe but tired.

Andrew and I floated into shallow water again so we were able to flip the raft over. Andrew was just terrific during this whole adventure. He was the perfect crew mate. Our raft didn't look so good now but it still floated. Later we discovered that the plastic bags holding milk jugs and other containers had gotten holes in them and were filled with water. The flag had come loose too so we took it off. At then

At the end of the race there were people to help rafters get their creations out of the water. Also at the end there was live music, free watermelon and places to load up rafts to cart them away.

It was "fun" and accomplished what I wanted. The congregation donated milk jugs and other containers and showed interest. Those who got together to plan & built the Ark enjoyed being together and had fun together and the raft finished the race. What more could you ask! We are already talking about next year.


Watch a video about the race. The Ark is visible right before the end. Just look for the Viking helmet and the pudgy guy in the hat.

Will It Float?

This coming Saturday the 13^th Annual “Raft the Rio” event takes place here in Las Cruces. The following article appeared in the local news.

“Fun for participants and spectators alike, Raft the Rio is an annual "race" and festival hosted by the Southwest Environmental Center designed to celebrate the Rio Grande.

The thirteenth annual Raft the Rio will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010 on the Rio Grande, near Las Cruces. The family-friendly event is open to individuals and teams of all ages willing to get wet and have fun. Creativity and the use of discarded materials in building rafts are highly encouraged.

The three-mile rafting adventure will begin at La Llorona Park beneath the Picacho Street bridge, and end just upstream from the Calle del Norte Bridge (“Mesilla Bridge”). There will be refreshments, food vendors and live music at the finish line.

Prizes will be awarded to homemade boats in the following categories:

• First to finish
• Least likely to finish (must be floating at start of race)
• Best use of recycled materials
• Most spirited (most enthusiastic crew)
• Best theme (most thorough application of a theme to vessel and crew)
• Champion of the River (best promotes appreciation for the Rio Grande)

This year there are two divisions: Kids and Open. Prizes will be awarded in both divisions. The Kids Division race begins at 10 a.m. sharp, followed by the Open Division at 10:15. To be eligible for the Kids’ Division, at least half the sailors on a boat must be under 13 years of age.

The river is expected to be full, due to releases of irrigation water from Caballo Reservoir. Teams may register at the starting line beginning at 8:00 a.m., or in advance by contacting the Southwest Environmental Center.”

Well, this is the event. I invited a few of the more free-spirited from our congregation to join me in making a raft and entering this event. We met a few weeks ago for food and planning. Then I invited the congregation to save milk jugs, juice containers, and any plastic container with a screw top and they responded.

Last night (Sunday) we met to actually build the basic raft. So once again we gathered to eat and then we got busy. We took two pallets and bolted them together. After scratching our heads a time or two we came up with a plan that will hopefully float. Now mind you none of us are engineers but we put something together. I’ll show you.

We talked about how the pallets being wood will float themselves and that the jugs & containers will support so much weight. Two of us will man the ark / raft / boat / water thingy. Since we each weigh a bit over 200 lbs. we are talking about a fair amount of weight that needs to float.

Will it? I’ve had more than one person come up to me and say “you are going to sink”. Oh well. Even if that happens we have enjoyed ourselves thus far.

Next Saturday is the event. We figure we will get there early to try it out. If it sinks, we will quickly fish it out throw it in the truck and take off thus diminishing our public shame. Tune in next week.

My Cats

I don't usually feel like writing about my cats but feel like it today.

Today was "trip to the vet" day for our two furballs - Pandora & Finnegan. They tend to get a bit upset about this trip so I figured I had a the perfect solution.

While they were out and about doing whatever cats do when out of sight I quietly got the cat carriers down from the shelf and went to get ready myself. My plan called for my totally unsuspecting cats to be easily gathered up one by one and put in their respective carriers thus avoiding the usual drama.

Well, once ready myself I started to look for the cats to carry out my perfect plan. Panda was acting a bit strangely and Finnegan was no where to be seen. My plan was falling apart but why? Where was my mistake?

Panda ran into our bedroom and was caught - one down and none to go. I began the room by room search for Finigin. Finally she was discovered cowering up on a high shelf with only her ears visible. I now had to go to the garage and get my ladder. Then it was grab the cat, give her to Cindy, put the ladder away and go to the vet.

I wonder how those two knew what was going on!

When we got back they both shot out of their carriers and went about their business - Finigin to hide and Panda to curl up on the coach.

The whole experience reminds me of an old joke titled:

"How to Pill a Cat"

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Again, cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10,

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse in from yard.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, holding front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into cat's mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rod, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair shredded curtains. Carefully sweep figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing together later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force open mouth with pencil and blpw down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans. Drink one beer to take away taste. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water an soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard,Close door on its neck. Leave head showing. Force mouth open with teaspoon and shoot pill down throat with rubber band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour stiff shot and drink. Apply cold compress to sratched cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek for disinfect. Toss down another shot. Throw shredded, whiskey-soaked t-shirt away and fetch another one from bedroom.

12. Call firedepartment to retrieve cat from across road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie the little bastrd's front paws to rear paws with fishing line and bind tightly to leg of dining room table. Find heavy pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by piece of filet mignon steak. Hold head vertically and pour two pints of water down throat to wah pill down.

14. Consume remainder of scotch . Get spouse to drive you to local emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stiches fingers, forearm and removes pill remnants and cat hair from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Call ASPCA to come collect mutant cat feom hell and call local pet shop to see if they have hamsters.

How to Give a Dog a Pill

1. Wrap it in cheese or bacon.

Survival in the Dona Ana Mountains

Do you remember seeing the program on the Discovery Channel about how this guy helicopters into a wilderness area and is dropped off and then survives finding food and shelter using only a knife? Well this isn’t that kind of story. I seem to remember he was a former Israeli commando or something. He was good. You really have to marvel at his skill. I simply went off-roading for the first time and survived.

Four of us (Elden, his son Mark, Al & I) met yesterday afternoon to go off-roading. The topography around Las Cruces is flat desert of scrub brush and cactus interrupted by outcroppings of small hills to ever bigger mountains. And unlike Colorado where mountains are tree covered our mountains are bare rock. It is these bare mountains and hills that attract off-roaders.

There is an event called the Chili Challenge each year that attracts off-roaders from all over the country. The last event in February had 250 vehicles climbing over some very unforgiving territory . This is where we were headed so I wondered what it was I was getting myself into.

There were two vehicles and four of us so we flipped a coin as to who would ride with whom and off we went. Actually before going anywhere I had to learn how to use the harness. A regular seat belt would not do here. We were harnessed in with straps going over each shoulder, around the waist and between the legs. I’ll have to say that once in I sure felt secure.

Now we were ready so we gunned the engines and took off. I believe we drove about 5 miles or so out past the small town of Dona Ana and off into the hills. When driving on the interstate you can easily see trails heading up and over the mountains. I had often wondered what they were all about. Well now I was going to find out.

My driver was Mark. During our conversation I found out that he has completely flipped his vehicle and had to rebuild it. He has also been in some pretty hairy (think scary, frightening, I’m going to die, help me God) kind of situations a time or two. He took his wife once & got into a hairy situation. After they got out of that situation she looked at him and said with some heat in her voice, “DON’T EVER DO THAT AGAIN”. He doesn’t take his wife anymore. So what was I doing here? He assured me that he doesn’t do totally stupid things anymore.

The experience actually was pretty tame. We did go up some gravely paths that were fairly steep and we did go down some pretty steep paths but I simply smiled all the while praying to God that I would be good if He would keep us safe. There were a few gulleys we traversed that bumped us about a bit but we did not try climbing any house-size rocks so it was actually fun.

After winding around some trails, turning around after encountering dead ends and riding up and down we headed home.

I’ll include a photo of a Chili Challenger and then some of our experience. I’m glad I had the opportunity to share this experience. Keep in mind that it was too difficult to take pictures in the hairy situations so what you see of us is pretty tame stuff.

Shalom.

Project: New Orleans Rebuild 2010

It began as it has for months now. Cars and vans pulled up to the door on Monday afternoon and men and women jumped out looking a bit tired but excited. Then came the unpacking and getting the lay of the land at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. The volunteers were arriving. This time they were from Wisconsin, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma. Other times it has been Washington, Oregon, Utah, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia and on through the rest of the country. Men and women from all walks of life came to give of their time, skills and even their lack of skills to help people they have never met get back into their homes. These volunteers were answering the call of God to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” The organization that was sponsoring this effort is “Samaritan’s Purse”, the non-denominational Christian relief organization headed up by Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham. That organization did an excellent job of taking care of the volunteers and finding homeowners.

Over the course of the week these strangers would become friends united by their shared work and their sore bodies. Each day was very much like the others. Lights in the dorm rooms were switched on at 6:00am to remarkably little groaning. The night had been filled with noises very much like those from a bear’s den. Breakfast followed at 6:30 with devotions after that. Now that we were refreshed in body as well as in spirit we scrambled to make the final preparations to get prepared for our worksites.

Each worksite was within a three block area of the church so once ready clusters of volunteers in their orange shirts made their way to their destinations. Then the work began in earnest. We worked until 12 noon when we took a break for lunch. The afternoon was more of the same and finished up by 4:00pm. Then it was back to the church where we waited in line for showers and then rested until dinner at 5:30pm.

The evening consisted of dinner, followed by share time (a time to debrief with the whole group about the day). After the structured part of the evening was over you were free to do what you needed to. Lights out in the dorms was at 9:30pm and honestly we were ready.

I need to mention some things about the work. What was needed really varied depending on what part of the project you were involved with. If you were a skilled volunteer (a licensed electrician, plumber, etc.) you were needed and used at the beginning of the project. The houses we have worked on were further along in the process. As a matter of fact the last home I worked on is now occupied. That felt good to see. Most volunteers have some experience they can draw on. For those who came with willing hearts and few skills the team coordinator made sure work and training was provided that made it possible for all who came to be part of the project team.

During the week I dismantled the forms used to pour concrete steps, painted the inside of a different home and used a nail gun which was a first time experience to attach quarter-round molding to the molding around the whole inside of another house. I also helped unload a container truck of supplies, cleaned up a worksite and set up in preparation for a home dedication. Rick D worked at another site installing cabinets throughout a kitchen. There were many setbacks in that project. Mike S worked with me dismantling the forms for the steps then prepared the steps for the next step. He also put on a hazmat looking outfit to work under the house installing insulation and helped install soffits. Both Rick & Mike were involved in other projects as well. We each worked alongside people doing other projects along the way. While I worked with the nail gun a couple other guys were tiling and grouting in the kitchen. Two others were working on constructing steps for the back of the house, while two others installed soffits. We each did our part to move each house toward completion.

We finished the week with some share time Friday night and Holy Communion.

This next portion was written by team leaders Pam & Robin Knoll my close friends from Waukesha, Wisconsin.

The general feeling from all team mates was that it was great not having to think about work or the worries about the outside world (including politics!) this week. Rather, we were able to focus on our relationship with God and our own life's direction. Also, there was a sense of peace that developed throughout the week and a real sense of community ... unlike anything else that has ever been experienced before. There was also a real sense of how sin manifests itself in the world as we heard how fraudulent contractors (it was amazing how many people suddenly became “contractors” after the storm did its damage)took helpless people for ten's of thousands of dollars, delivering terrible work (worst case was a blind women taken for $130,000). There was also awe as folks began to realize that all of the volunteers that have come to the Gulf Coast had given freely of their time, talents ... and finances to serve the Lord.

The most touching part of the week for everyone was a house dedication (when a house is completed, there is a celebration with the homeowner). Most dramatic was when Samaritan's Purse allowed the excited homeowner to see the total invoice for the house (which she could never pay for by herself), then stamped it "Paid in Full". This portion of the dedication was a reminder as to what Christ did for us in His death ... paying a debt we could never pay on our own. A celebration lunch took place in the new backyard that included the staff of Samaritan's Purse, volunteers and other home recipients.

We were also blessed with missing the tornadoes that went through Mississippi right about the time we were driving through on our way home (one team mate caught one of the twisters on her camera). Although it was the worst rain any of us had ever driven through (from the time we left New Orleans until we reach Litchfield, Illinois some 11 hours later), we never stopped and made it safe and sound!

The New Mexico part of the team drove right out of the rain we started in and had sunny blue skies on the two day drive home.

Why do we do it? Each person has to answer that for themselves but I would venture to say that we do it to feel good about ourselves and to answer the call of our Lord to help others. I went to New Orleans the last few times so that I could work alongside my close friends from Wisconsin.

Should New Orleans be rebuilt? The short answer is yes, of course, who are we to decide. The longer answer is this section of New Orleans was a community of people whose lives were forever changed by a storm and circumstances they had no control over. For many of them the land and the damaged house was all they had left. This is their home, their roots, part of their identity really and they really couldn’t walk away. We simply were there helping them get back into their homes. We are leaving it up to God to decide how long they will live there.

Who gets these homes? The Samaritan’s Purse organization has developed rather strict guidelines to help determine who the new homeowners will be. It is my understanding it is very much like what Habitat for Humanity does. The new home owner: has to have lived in that community (no one can decide to relocate to New Orleans for the climate and view and get a home this way; has to be employed (there are expenses involved in home ownership); and a number of other things.

Samaritan’s Purse is leaving New Orleans in September having made a two year commitment. I believe they will have completed about 30 homes by that time. God has richly blessed this organization and it was a privilege working with them.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support for your team. I truly feel that we went not simply as just three guys but as representatives of this congregation. Your support made it possible.

LILY’s BAPTISM WEEKEND

Dear Lily,

I have so much to tell you about the weekend you were baptized. Where should I begin?

Your whole family was excited and looking forward to getting together to see you and being a part of your baptism. That means that your Great Grandma/Grandpa Thompson who are both in their 80’s flew in from Wisconsin. Your uncle Matt & his fiancé AJ flew in from Washington, DC and Grandma J & I drove up from Las Cruces, NM which is about 11 hours away. Your Grandma/Grandpa Thompson live close to where you and your mom & dad live.

Your mom called us on Thursday afternoon to tell us that a big snowstorm was heading for Denver so we might want to change our travel plans. After getting things prepared we left Las Cruces about 3pm in the afternoon. The drive to your house went fine. We got to your house about 1:30am in the morning tired but thankful to be there.

The next morning we awoke to 4 inches of snow already on the ground and still snowing. By the end of the day there was about 10 inches of snow on the ground. Boy, were we happy to be at your house and not out driving in the snow. The rest of our first day with you was spent holding, feeding, laughing at and just being excited about being with you and your mom & dad. Your other grandparents & great-grandparents came over in the afternoon so we could all be together. After eating together we played Farkel. It was fun being together like that.

On Saturday Grandma J & I drove out to the airport to pick up Matt & AJ. It was so good to see them. I bet you didn’t know that they are getting married in September. I know that you and your parents are going to be there. Now there were some more people to hold, feed, laugh at and be excited about being with you. The house was filling up.

During our time at your house everyone took a turn holding & feeding you and loving you up. At almost 3 months you are kicking, trying to talk & waving your arms when you are excited. You also have the most beautiful smile you are starting to show us. Wow! So when we weren’t fussing with you we were talking, joking around, laughing at each other, eating, hottubing, playing games and generally enjoying being together. It was so good being there.

Sunday was your big day.

You were to be baptized at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church where your Grandpa Rick is the lead pastor. It is a very pretty church. Well everyone got to the church okay even though there was a problem with one car. The gown you wore was made by my mom, Great-Grandma Jorgenson and was worn both by your mom and your uncle Matt when they were baptized. When the big moment came both your Grandpa Rick & I helped baptize you. I don’t know if I ever told you Lily but I am a pastor in the Lutheran Church too. Grandma J & I and Grandpa/ Grandma Thompson were your sponsors. Matt & AJ sat up close so they could take some pictures. The service was very nice.

After worship we all went over to Grandma/Grandpa Thompson’s home for a reception. All the family & some friends from church were there. More food & talking happened along with gift opening. It was a long but great day.

We only had one day left with you, your mom & dad, Matt & AJ so we decided to have some fun in the snow. We went tubing together. Grandma J watched over you while the rest of us tubed down the hill over and over again. It was fun. One more night of eating, hottubbing & games topped off our weekend. It was time to go home.

Well, Cindy & I drove home, Matt & AJ flew home and life returned to normal.

THE DAY LILY CAME TO VISIT

February 21, 2010

Dear Lily,

Your first adventure to Las Cruces has begun. Right now it is Monday afternoon and you are sleeping in your mom’s arms in our living room while your mom talks to your dad and Grandma is working on her laptop.

That is not how it started though.

For the last week your grandma & I have been saying to each other “Lily is coming” then we would get this silly grin on our faces. It was last Saturday that we also said to each other “Lily is coming. Boy we have got to clean this house.” So…. the great cleaning began. I found dust bunnies (you will have to ask your mom what they are) that had multiplied into colonies. I managed to gain the upper hand. Cat hair had to be removed from their favorite chairs; the floors were swept and mopped and the dust was moved around. And that was just in the living room / dining room / kitchen area. The rest of the cleanup went well and now Lily because of your visit we have a clean house. Our friend Krissy from church got us a car seat for you and showed us how to use it so I guess we were now ready.

The cleanup happened Saturday because you were arriving on Sunday. On Sunday after church grandma & I got into the car and headed to Albuquerque to meet you and your mom at the airport. It felt good to get on the road again. Well your mom called us and first told us your airplane was delayed. Then the word from your mom was that your flight was cancelled. She told us later that when she heard this news she was feeding you. She knew she had to get another seat on a different plane but that she would have to go to a different ticketing desk to do so. So… she grabbed you in one hand, all her junk (your bottles, etc.) in the other hand and took off running. It must have been something exciting to see. I wonder what the other travelers thought. While you & your mom were running through the airport your grandma & I were getting closer to the airport. Well Lily we all finally got together. Instead of 4:30pm we finally got to see you at 7:30pm. We were so happy to see you & your mom again. We were finally together.

I wish I could say that was it but not yet. It isn’t easy traveling with a baby and now we had a 3.5 hour drive ahead of us to get home and get to bed. Since it was late we needed to get dinner so we found a place. We ate & talked all the while people walking by stopped to ask how old you were and to say you were just so cute.

On the way to our home you sat in your seat and watched as the world rolled by. Of course it was dark and you were in the back seat pretty much covered up and couldn’t see much but your eyes were open anyway. Once in a while you wanted your pacy (pacifier) and once plugged in you settled right down. Nothing much happened on the way. We stopped a time or two to switch drivers but otherwise kept right on going. By the time we got home it was after midnight and everyone was pooped.

Well your mom & grandmother got you changed, fed, burped and finally into your room. You were in our home at last. Wow!

On Monday, your first full day, I got a chance to babysit you. I was excited but a little nervous. It has been over 25 years since I have taken care of a baby. Your mom gave me instructions so I was ready. Changing a diaper, feeding and burping was pretty easy. It was when you got fussy that I got fussy. Now what? Did you need another diaper change? It couldn’t be that soon after your last change could it? I was pretty much out of words of comfort and beside you are only 8 weeks old so words of comfort were not going to do it. So I buzzed, bounced, stuffed your pacy, just anything I could think of. Finally after about 3 hours of moving you around from room to room and trying just everything I could think of when you fussed I woke up your mom and put you in her arms and of course you settled right down. It turned out that you were hungry again.

So goes your visit. It is so good having you and your mom here at our house. I have taken a number of pictures and videos of your every movement. You are so loved.

I’ll write later Lily.

We love you.

Grandpa J (aka – Grandpa TBone)

First Outing

Hi Lily,

Grandpa & Grandma J have been at your house for a few days now. Today is Saturday and you were born on Tuesday so do the math.

Life has pretty much revolved around you ever since you came. Like every other newborn baby you sleep a lot, squirm a bit, scream when your diaper is being changed and are slowly getting the hang of nursing.

This morning your mom wanted to sleep some more (right now you eat every 2 1/2 hours) so I got to hold you and attempt to bottle feed you. It was a special time Lily. At one point your eyes opened and you just stared at me. I sang to you and talked about your future all the while you stared. Wow! I'm in love.

Tonight you went for your first official non-medical outing. You were bundled into your car carrier, then we drove to look at The Trail of Lights. It was cold but you did great. If you had been awake you would have seen lights all over the place. We had these special glasses that made the thousands of lights look like snowflakes. It was awesome. The lights were very pretty and it felt good to get out of the house but it really felt good to go home to your warm house.

Now it is hot chocolate, peppermint ice-cream and a movie. You are all fed and changed and probably sleeping again.

Have a good night.

We love you.

Grandpa J

The Day Lily Arrived

December 29, 2009

Dear Lily,

Let me tell you about the DAY YOU WERE BORN.

Your grandma & I were in Minnesota visiting our parents. Your great-grandpa & great-grandma Jorgenson live in Montevideo, MN and are my mom and dad and your great-grandpa & great-grandma Graves live in Rochester, MN and are Cindy’s mom & dad. I am with my mom & dad while and Grandma J is with her mom & dad. My dad’s name is Harlan and he is 93 years old. My mom’s name is Dorothy and she is 89 years old. Cindy’s mom’s name is Mari and today is her 80^th birthday. Cindy’s dad’s name is Roland and he will be 80 years old in 2 months.

It is a cold 19 degree Minnesota day. The snow is piled high and the roads are a bit icy. My brother Don is here visiting also. We just finished watching an end-of-the-world movie titled “2012”. It is now 9:00pm at night and we are still anxiously waiting for you to arrive. Your uncle Matt and AJ called a short time ago to tell me that they had just arrived back home in Washington, DC. They had been in Wisconsin having Christmas with AJ’s parents and family.

What is taking you so long? Are you okay? If you knew just how much everyone is so excited about seeing you I know you would hurry along. You are all that your mom & dad and the rest of the family have been talking about. What will Lily be like? Will she grow up to have blond hair and blue eyes just like her parents? I have a favorite story I want to read to her.

Your mom and dad have been so ready for you to come Lily. They love each other so much and so they wanted you to be part of their family. Your mom has been getting things ready forever. She has clothes, diapers, blankets, strollers, cribs; just everything. Your room is all painted and decorated and ready too. Right now they are at Adventist Hospital in Littleton, CO working on your arrival.

I don’t know what Grandma J is doing with her parents but I know that great-grandma wanted brownies, vanilla ice cream and a candle to play with on her birthday so I bet they did that and then opened presents.

My brother Don is here visiting our folks too. Today we went shopping at Walmart and out to lunch at Trailways. After lunch my brother Jon and his 4 kids came from Hudson, WI to visit. It was now a full house. It was great seeing them. The kids have been growing. Eliza is learning to play the violin so she played for everyone having coffee this afternoon. There is so much excitement. After their visit with my mom in Luther Haven we went out to Trailways for dinner. That place gets a lot of our business.

Well Lily I just talked to your mom and dad. YOU HAVE ARRIVED. You came in at 6’4oz and 20 inches long at about 7pm Mountain Time. Everyone is so happy to meet you. Grandma J and I will see you in a few days. I can’t wait.

Have a good night. I know things are a bit strange and maybe a little scarry but your mom and dad will keep you safe.

Love,

Grandpa Scott