First Friday...Experiencing the Arts in Canton

Each First Friday begins with an art workshop for children, followed by a 'Critter Parade'. Jaelyn and Addison LOVE it! This month we stopped by the new sculpture completed by Timken students and a local artist. It's a fascinating piece that captures quite a bit about Timken Company and the school.

Scott & Christina's wedding

"Lovers must not, like usurers, live for themselves alone. They must finally turn from their gaze at one another back toward the community. If they had only themselves to consider, lovers would not need to marry, but they must think of others and of other things. They say their vows to the community as much as to one another, and the community gathers around them to hear and to wish them well, on their behalf and its own. It gathers around them because it understands how necessary, how joyful, and how fearful this joining is. These lovers, pledging themselves to one another "until death", are giving themselves away, and they are joined by this as no law or contract could join them. Lovers, then, "die" into their union with one another as a soul "dies" into its union with God. And so here, at the very heart of community life, we find not something to sell as in the public market but this momentous giving. If the community cannot protect this giving, it can protect nothing. " -Wendell Berry.

Creating Garden Memories

In an attempt to create a meaningful learning experience and memory for our family, we decided to begin a small garden with my parents. Despite his chemotherapy treatments, dad is able to drive around on his 'Big Country' and provide hours of entertainment for Jaelyn and Addison. He does tire easily and has trouble breathing when it's too windy, but he still loves to be outside and is as active as possible. He was officially the CEO of the garden planting endeavor.

The site was Grandma and Grandpa Erman's garden, which unlike other childhood memories, has grown in size rather than diminish. I don't know how they took care of that vast garden throughout my entire childhood. We only planted a few rows before exhaustion set in.

Planting the onions, carrots, snap peas, and tomatoes was very romantic for us all; however, we'll see how we do with the more mundane tasks of weeding in the upcoming weeks.

British Humour

Katie turned us on to this youtube that's been keeping us laughing all day.

Recent life in Canton

A visual update as we face the much-anticipated season of summer!
















Our friends Scott & Christina are getting married...
















A recent family outing to KC Glass to watch glassblowers and their craft.















Andrew guest taught in classes at Timken High School during the all-school-read that Lynn heads up.



















The whole family frequents ROS often.


The seasons off Pentecost and Ascension in full swing at our church...















Jaelyn having a sideline drink mid-soccer game...















Addison breaksaway.















Jaelyn's new braids...















This is what happens when you tell Noah & Addison to "Smile!"

Addison Responds to the Movie We Watched Friday Night

Caleb Moves On

Caleb was my student course assistant for two years, and has gradually become a grafted-in member of the family. For the last year, he's lived in our basement, eaten with us, built amazing air-forts for the kids, improved the ball skills and math skills of both of our kids, played some amazing games of Settlers of Catan, and talked and listened and shared life. Today he moves out; he'll be moving to North Carolina where he has an apartment and a job waiting for him as a tax accountant.


Kara came from South Carolina for Caleb's graduation

a typical Caleb moment -- enthusiastic, talking