A College Graduate

Danielle graduated from college last Saturday!

The three siblings -- Danielle, David, Anna -- enjoying an Italian dinner afterwards.

Forgetfulness - Billy Collins Animated Poetry

I've been more forgetful than usual lately. Uhh, I'd tell you more, but I've forgotten what I wanted to say...

Grand Rapids, Michigan--A Week From Now!

Things I’m planning to do while in Michigan:

*Watch our oldest child, Danielle, graduate from college (I keep kicking myself—is this the bald little ET-looking baby, all grown up?). Congrats, Dani!
*Walk through the nature preserve where our son David’s working over the summer.
*Take our kids out for Lebanese food, Tapas, and Mexican (in Grand Rapids, of all places).
*Buy items that are hard to find in Germany (ie,Cheese Fantastico, by special request) and bring them back in my suitcase.
*Visit Eerdmans discount bookstore at the publishing house.
*Take Jeff & Anna up and show them the lakefront—a bit different than our Oregon beaches.
*Go see Spiderman 3 and any other new movies on a big screen.
*Hug my parents multiple times (and don’t forget Kleenex when it’s time to say goodbye).

To The Nile

My brother and his family are in Seth's recent video of a trip from Burundi to Uganda. Dan, Tam, Aaron, and Austin went with friends who rafted the Nile. I'm posting the video because my parents wanted to see it. Also, it gives you an idea of what road travel is like in that part of Africa.

Another Good Author

This week, there's an interview up on Children's Bookshelf with Gary Schmidt, author of a Newbery honor book, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, and the soon-to-be-released The Wednesday Wars.

Gary is an English prof at Calvin College, where our two oldest children attend school. He does a great job teaching as well as writing (or so I hear).