The Great Cornerstone Getaway - Part 1

Remember family camp last summer?  Esme and I had such a fabulous time that it convinced Jimmy to make it a whole family affair this year.  Rebranded as the Great Cornerstone Getaway, we made plans to be there earlier this year.  We both took Friday off and headed toward Hackensack mid-morning.  We stopped for snacks at Nelson Brother's Bakery, then lunch at Dairy Queen in Pequot Lakes for lunch.

We arrived to camp about 1:00, got settled in our cabin, then headed to the main hall to relax for a bit.

The kids were eager to get in the water, so we suited up and hit the beach.

Esme was able to snag a spot on the boat for a ride while Parker and I swan and Jimmy worked on his tan.

The slide was a big hit overall.  Esme needed a little encouragement for her first time down, but that was it.

Parker was very apprehensive at first.  He climbed up once before requesting his goggles.  It was just the confidence boost he needed.  His first trip down wasn't pretty, but it was the first of probably 30-40 times.  There will be a video on the part 2 post showing him sliding down.

He was loving the lake, swimming with his face in the water, eventually going down the slide hands free, and doing handstands.

We took a pre-dinner break back in our cabin.  We had 8 bunks, closest space, and plenty of fans to keep Parker busy.

They checked out the playground.

Esme went fishing with some friends at the dock and even caught her very first fish!

We prayed, then headed in for BBQ dinner.

A good portion of the campers had arrived in time for dinner.  It was great seeing friends and getting to know some we didn't.

After dinner, I played volleyball while Jimmy took the kids swimming again before hitting the hay.

Saturday was looking like a gorgeous day.  We met up at the beach for a morning devotional with pastor Jeremy before starting the day.

Part 2 coming soon.

20 Year High School Reunion

A week ago I would have told you there was no way I felt old enough to be going to a 20 year high school reunion.  Two nights in a hospital for kidney stones makes you feel old real quick.  I was hoping that hospital stint wouldn't put a damper on the day, and I made sure it didn't. I was part of the planning team and was so excited.  I made a sign for our two gatherings and got in the purple spirit with my new glasses and a new manicure.

We had a family park meet-up at noon at Promise Park, which is an all-abilities, accessible playground at Buffalo Covenant Church.

We had a small, but fun group of families that came out.

After that, we went to my parents house to rest for a bit and so that I didn't have to drive all the way back home.  Our evening gathering was at Hayes Public House, a small batch brewery and tap house.  We were looking for a casual venue and they offered to host us for free and people could purchase food and beverages as they please.

We had a pretty decent turnout, about 45 people in this picture and another 10-15 that showed up later.  It was great to see friends I've seen often since 2003 and also catch up with those I haven't talked to in 20 years.

Early in the night one of the guys, Steve Voerding, suggested we go paint "the rock".  About 9:30 we loaded up in two of our minivans.  One group headed to Menards to pick up paint and we met at the high school.  I think I had plans and/or attempted to paint it once or twice, but never actually did.  Some kid somewhere is sad we covered their Minecraft design.

Myself, Nick Lenczewski, Jess (Rich) Worden, Trina (Ellis) Mastley, Dan Van Lith, Steve Voerding, and Lindsay Quady were the tagging crew.  I would not have put this group together 20 years ago, but that's the awesome thing about reunions.  Even though painting the rock is allowed, it felt a little illegal!

Kaylan (Thompson) McCombs sported her original Seniors t-shirt, while I had to make a replica.  Jess headed back out to the school the next morning to see our rock work in the light and I think it looked great!

This was such a fun day, hopefully we don't wait 10 years for the next one.

4mm and 5mm

The last few days have been quite the adventure.  I was driving home from work Wednesday afternoon when I got a sudden intense abdominal and back pain.  I decided to have Jimmy take me to urgent care before we needed to get the kids thinking it was either a kidney stone or my appendix.  I got labs and a physical exam and then was sent for a CT scan.  Things escalated quickly after that with two kidney stones, 4mm and 5mm, and an infection.  They wanted me to head to the hospital to be monitored.

I went home for a bit to gather some things and wait for the call to come in.  Esme was the sweetest.  She asked me if I needed anything, then sat next to me on the couch to help if needed.  Jimmy dropped me off at Methodist Hospital about 8:15pm and it took a couple hours to get admitted, hooked up, and on some pain meds.

I thought for sure this would be the end of the pool streak, but Jimmy came through by hopping in at 9:30!  I finally got a little bite to eat about 11pm.  This was much needed since I couldn't eat after midnight.  I only got down about half the sandwich, but it was something.

I was actually able to sleep pretty well all things considered.  It was a private room with a shared bathroom, can't complain about that.  I had a consultation in the morning and was told I would get a uretural stent placed in the afternoon. This would allow urine to pass through so they can flush out the infection.  Then I was come back to have the stones removed.

Jimmy was off on Thursday and paid me a morning visit.  He brought a few things I forgot as well.

I sent my cookie and apple sauce home with him and got this cute picture of Esme eating it in the afternoon.  I finally had my procedure about 6pm, which means I got another delicious turkey sandwich.

I did get to watch the Twins win, which was the least they could do for me.

Another decent nights sleep.  Morning was so much better since I actually got toe eat breakfast.  Jimmy was working (he's a cook at Methodist if I haven't mentioned it), but said he wasn't in the habit of looking at names on the orders that come through.  When I opened the lid and saw the "fancy" plating I figured someone noticed it.  he visited me on his breakfast break and took the leftovers with him.

I finally got discharged about 12:30 and decided just to hang around until Jimmy was off at 2.  I headed down to the cafeteria and got a shrimp taco and onion rings.

This must be a new Heinz campaign. The Nebraska ketchup was delicious.

I'm free!  Feeling ok all things considered, but I will be excited when this whole saga is truly over.