Happy New Year!

Forget the toy mouse Salem and Tacy received for Christmas a few years ago. They are content to bat a few Christmas bows they found under the tree. But watch your step as you might trip over the stupid thing!

Henry's last day at Camp

Today is Henry's last day at Camp Lutherhaven. He'll come home tomorrow. After church we'll take off for a few days in Chicago before he packs up to go back to Terre Haute.

Hank will be a senior this year. The time has gone by quickly. He's done a great job and picked a school that is perfect for him. From our experience ISU has been "More. From day one." My two sisters who live out of state are coming into town next weekend. Should be an interesting week!

Cat pic Friday. Salem aka "the fat man" loves to sleep on his back...and dream of food! We don't have too many pics of Tacy. Salem however loves to be in the spotlight.

Hank will be home tonight!

Son Henry will be home for part of the weekend. He's been working all summer at Camp Lutherhaven. His last day is August 8. We'll vacation as a family for a few days in Chicago then the kids take off for college.

Cat pic Friday...if Salem had a day planner it would read: "wake up...kill something and eat it...take a nap..." What a life!

Big Weekend on tap

Saturday our Friedheim family will gather for the annual parish picnic. We've held this the last three years so now it's become somewhat of a tradition. We try to schedule it so it does not conflict with the 4-H fair, the local fireman's tractor pull, local festivals, etc.

It's a time of great fellowship for folks of all ages and we usually get a good representation of the congregation - around 200-300. The last two year's we've had square dancing from 6-9 pm with everyone having a pretty good time...except for Sunday morning when I get at least a request or two "Pastor can we just sit through service this morning..."

Of course, the guest of honor is the pig which will be consumed! We have a local farmer donate him, a butcher process him, and one of our neighbors prepare him. Our college kids usually volunteer to watch him cook throughout the night. They love hanging out at one of our neighbor's barns playing cards and video games and will occasionally check on the pig.

On Sunday we will gather thanking the Lord for 170 years of mission and ministry here and my 25 years in ministry. Pr. Tim Sims the man who confirmed me, ordained me, installed me, served as my district president, and square danced at Tammy and my wedding will be the guest preacher. This is a picture of the nave on Easter Sunday.

Cat Pic Friday, oh my...Tacy our tabby has learned some bad behaviors since her brother returned from hospital three weeks ago. She has issues I guess and has been acting out lately. {dogs apparently are not the only ones who can do this...} She's learned to splash and drink from the water closet. Gross!

Cat Pic Friday

I don't know why but Lydia says you're suppose to link a pic of your cat on Fridays if you have a blog and a cat...

Tacy and Salem are back to tolerating each other. No more hissing from Tacy unless Salem tries to chase her. Tacy still seems put out that Salem gets moist cat food while hers is the bland dry diet. Here they are both sitting on the stool in the kitchen.

For the second time this year a mourning dove has built a nest on our font porch. The second nest was built on top of the first one. Momma bird just left the nest this morning which means the two chicks will be leaving on their own soon. Momma will sit on the phone wire watching over her brood for about a week - then they are on their own.

Humm… there are a few parenting tips you can learn just by observing the animals in your house…

If you own a dog he will think you are God. If you have a cat she will think of you as staff.