A Trip Back to Libertyville

Today we took an impromptu trip up to Libertyville (just under an hour from Wheaton), Dane's hometown of 9 years. His family moved there from Eugene, Oregon when he was entering the 5th grade. We had a blast as Dane took me around town sharing his favorite memories with me.

Their old home

The Dairy Queen just steps away from their front door

(no, we didn't stop regardless of my past history with DQ)

The E-Free church they used to walk to on Sunday mornings

Highland Middle School

Libertyville High School

Dairy Dream - Dane's 1st job

Scooter's - Dane's 2nd job

(Dane says that Bears and Bulls players would sometimes eat here!)

We stopped by Lake Bluff where Dane could often be found fishing back in the day

(In fact, he caught his largest bass here which he has mounted somewhere.)

Mommy and Zachary on the bridge overlooking Butler Lake

I Am Not a Reader!

But...

This one I recommend!

You all know how much I love my mother-in-law, Jani. This is her latest book and I can't wait to read it!

His Loving Law, Our Lasting Legacy: Living the Ten Commandments and Giving Them to Our Children
- by Jani Ortlund

Book Description

"Many Christians view the Ten Commandments as laws they are forced to obey in order to stay on God’s good side. In her book His Loving Law, Our Lasting Legacy, Jani Ortlund invites readers to look at the Ten Commandments from a different perspective. Ortlund urges believers to recognize the Ten Commandments as a mirror, reflecting our need for God’s cleansing and forgiveness.

"Throughout the book, each commandment is presented not as another rule to follow, but as an invitation to experience more of God’s love. As readers grasp this knowledge, they are able to experience true freedom in Christ. They will begin to understand how embracing God’s laws and passing them along to future generations offers a needy world a glimpse of the truth of God’s love." (from Amazon)

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P.S. If you haven't read her other book Fearlessly Feminine, I have read this one and it's excellent!

Have you ever wondered if there is a disconnect between what the author of a book says and how they live? Well, let me tell you! After living with Jani for the summer I can say with confidence: She's the real deal!!

Book Description

"Women today seek encouragement and affirmation as they confront their own questions, doubts, and fears about womanhood. In Fearlessly Feminine, author Jani Ortlund supplies much-needed answers, calling Christian women to be joyfully confident in who they are before God, to welcome the privilege of womanhood, and to show the world the beauty of Christian femininity for God's glory. Tackling such sensitive subjects as submission and materialism, feminism and beauty, motherhood and marriage, Ortlund leads women to a deeper understanding of scriptural teaching and helps them fearlessly embrace all that God would have them become." (from Amazon)

A Monumental Day

This morning while I was at Bible Study, Dane watched Zachary for me. This was an exception to the norm and wouldn't you know it, while I was gone for those few hours...

Zachary started WALKING!!!

Here's a few steps for you!

Also, my friend Christy had her baby today!!

Caitlyn Hope

Isn't she precious! I can't wait to go visit her soon!!

Free fun at the Shedd

Today Zachary and I braved the Chicago traffic and headed downtown. Krista, Dane's sister (who lives downtown), joined us as we took advantage of a discount day at the Shedd Aquarium where general admission was free! To avoid the $15 museum parking fee we were so proud of ourselves for paying only $1 at some meter parking right in front of the museum!

Zachary LOVED the aquarium!!

Aunt Krista pointing out one of Zachary's favorites!

It was so cute to hear the parade of kids who were so excited to see Nemo!

Silly frog

Amazing Sea Horse

Here are a few highlights from the day:

What a fun day we had at the aquarium with Aunt Krista!!

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By the way if you're in the area and would like to take advantage of a discount day as well, here's the info:

Discount Days

On discount days, general admission is free, and admission to both the Oceanarium and Wild Reef is available for an additional fee. The discount day schedule for the rest of 2007 is:

September, last three Mondays (Sept. 10, 17, 24)

October discount week (Oct. 8-12)

October, Mondays and Tuesdays (Oct. 1, 2, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30)

November, Mondays and Tuesdays (Nov. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27)

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Have fun!!

13 Months Today

Zachary has finally begun eating table food with us, he babbles incoherently (but with wonderful expressions and gestures) and he is almost walking! He can take a step on his way to reaching for the couch. He is as adorable and fun to be around as ever! I'm not sure how this month got away from us where we only have 9 pictures to show for it! We'll try to do better next month.

Please visit this link to see more pictures of Zachary from this month.

What a fun day!

Today was our first family venture to Chicago. We headed downtown with our mapquest directions tossed aside and only our memories (and a map we later had to pull out) to guide us. We took Zachary to the Lincoln Park Zoo for a family play day they were sponsoring. The zoo is free like St. Louis, but next time we'll have to find some free parking!

Did Santa drop his reindeer off at the zoo for the summer?

The Noisy Lion

The Surprising Rhino

The Swimming Polar Bear

I'm sad to say that I didn't get to see a Koala Bear (my favorites), but we did get some Giordano's on the way home so that more than makes up for it!

Zachary was happy to get home a try out his new toy we picked up this morning at a garage sale for just $2!!