Visit with the Loeschers

Our friendship with the Tim and Christa Loescher dates back to 2001 when we packed up our 4-week old Jakin en route to staff our first Navigator summer training program in Colorado Springs. That summer, as Jack and Tim worked grounds crew and Christa and I mommied together, a friendship was forged. We moved to New England in large part to be near Tim and Christa. Our two families lived under the same roof (Loescher's) when we staffed our next training program in Burlington, Vermont in 2004. By then there were four kids. And now, although we have moved on from Navigator staff, the Loeschers are still among our very dearest friends.

They came to visit this weekend. It was a wonderful, amazingly restful weekend. Even though it rained much of the day on Saturday, Jakin and Peter played soccer outside for about five hours. Corban, Elise, Teddy and Annie all paired off in different combinations throughout the day and Lauren was remarkably pleasant. Because the kids were happy to be together all day and because Christa brought dinner, the adults had time to just sit and read and talk and rest and laugh. I can't remember when I've had such a relaxing day. It was such a good time.

Summer 04 on the gondola at Mount Mansfield in Stowe, VT


Fall 09 - Now there are 7 kids!


Peter was Jakin's first friend and although he rarely sees Peter, Jakin considers him one of his best friends. I wish I had a digital picture of the two of them together in 2001.


In all the years of our friendship, I think this is the first picture of both of our families together.

Basement floor

Our basement floor was poured today. The first picture shows the tubing for radiant heat. The second picture shows the poured floor. Go to the next post to see how we celebrated this step.

Scratching our names

The kids and I had an unusually busy day, but we squeezed in a quick trip to the house as a family to scratch our names into the concrete of the newly poured basement floor. The original plan involved hand prints as well, but we were too late for that. The concrete was already too hard. But, our names are in! It must really be our house.











The picture doesn't show our work very well, but I took this picture to show that in addition to our names and the date, Jack carved "Deus Caritas Est".

Just a peek...

Lauren was very interested in our Halloween pumpkins and all that was inside them.

Lauren at 9 months

Does Lauren still fuss a lot? Why, yes she does. Does she sleep well at night? Nope. Last night she woke up and ate at 1 AND 5 and then thought it was time to stay awake at 5. If you're keeping track, that's two more wake ups than I think a 9-month old should be experiencing. But, she's still really cute and sweet. She loves her siblings and she has the sweetest new trick. She waves at us!

I found Lauren like this one night when I went to check on her before I went to bed.


She stands all the time now.


Lauren got up the steps all by herself for the first time last week.


Lauren's days are never dull with all these siblings around


She's messy, but she's cute!

Uncle Ed is here!

My brother Ed is visiting from St. Louis this week. He has helped with the house. He's helped with the kids. He's a good guy to have around.

Lauren has been a little bit sick, and consequently, a bit fussy this week. Look. She loves Uncle Ed! I keep saying he's probably going to be happy to get back to his happy Thomas boy tomorrow.

Happy Halloween 09

During her early October visit, my mom undertook the task of outfitting the kids for Halloween. A Batman, a Wolverine and a Pretty Pink Princess were the result. Grammy Miller was delighted to send the sweet little bee costume for Lauren. Thank you both! Halloween costumes have never been my thing, so I'm helpful for all the help I can get.





Sweet little bee. She didn't want to leave her hat on.


Our Halloween crew


The three pink princesses - Lainey, Annie and Isabella

Dirt Fest

"Going to the property" means many things: the excitement of seeing the house change and progress daily, the fun of seeing Jack at work, the joy of being outside in beautiful place. It also means "Time To Get Dirty". Big piles of rock and dirt are a wonderland for my kids and their friends, an irresistible playground. Dirty kids with dirty clothes are inevitable. So when my washer broke it was less than ideal timing! The kids were instructed to wear the same clothes to the property every time they went. We made it - nine days without a washer - but since being delivered three days ago, the washer has seen almost constant use.

Dirty butts


Annie and her friend Talia on top of a dirt and rock pile


end of week 1: pouring the footings as the kids look on


Grammy says she wants pictures of the kids. Grampa says he wants pictures of the house. Pictures of the kids AND the house will make them both happy!

First party

Although it was little more than a hole in the ground at the time, we hosted our first party at our new home two weeks ago. The logistics of planning a party at a house with no kitchen, no facilities, etc was a bit tricky, but in the end everything was great. With some of our dear friends, we asked God's blessing on the process of building and more importantly, on our home. Then we had a bonfire. The night was beautiful, clear and just cold enough to enjoy being near a fire. Jack and I eagerly anticipate many more parties and gatherings in this home.



No kitchen? No problem. Here's the spread I came up with: hot chocolate and coffee, popcorn, baby carrots, apple cider donuts, cheese, bread and apple butter and then hot dogs and s'mores for the fire.