What I Do Know

I never met the man, but I know him well. I feel his presence even though he's not here. It permeates the space that my most beloveds occupy. At times it is almost palpable. I have met him through stories and pictures. Stories told by those whose lives have been shaped and molded or inspired and driven by this man that lived his life impeccably. He treated others with respect, truth, and kindness and expected the same in return.

His light burned so bright that people couldn't help but be drawn to it. He wasn't a man that wanted attention or the spotlight - it just came to him - because he was good and funny and generous with his love and spirit and patience. He was a phenomenal storyteller. The kind where people hung on his every word. The kind where you were sad when the story ended because you couldn't get enough of HIM.

I have this precious understanding of him because of the people that were fortunate enough to know him and be in his presence and be loved by him.

I have no doubt that I am blessed to know his legacy - his children and his wife. They are mirrors of the stories I have heard. Their humor and their wit; their work ethic and strong drive to provide for their families; their love and bright shining lights - are all evidence of what a truly great man he was. They, in turn, are modeling all of this to his beautiful grandchildren with whom he would have adored so deeply.

Although, I know I can't do him justice with the words I compile - I wanted to honor him today and remind my children of what they should strive for. That even though he isn't with us and they won't get the opportunity to hang on his words or be in his light, with certainty, they too are his legacy.  They are who they are because he was who he was.  And we can all live a life inspired by him.

No one could possibly fill his shoes - but just by trying to emulate any part of who he was - then truly - we are better people for it.

Climbing Together

It is Aug 28th, end of summer vacation, and I just now have a couple minutes to glance at my calendar. This summer has been a blur - a fun and exciting blur - but still a blur.  While searching the calendar, I realize that it is 5 days past my parents anniversary and I have completely missed it.  Agh!

Let me tell you a little about my parents...

Mark and Jess Anne started their journey together quite young.  He was 21 and she was 19.  Wow - still kids themselves. If you do the math you can surmise that their commitment to this journey and each other certainly was encouraged by the news of a baby. From the beginning, their mountain was high. And, if you know anything about their journey, their mountain continued to grow. At times they climbed the mountain hand in hand, at times one was leading the other, and at times one drug the other up the mountain.

I have learned so much by these two and their journey.  These two showed me what unconditional love is. They showed me that marriage is beautiful. That marriage is handing your heart to someone with complete trust.  That it is heart breaking.  That it is forgiving.  That it is thrilling.  That it is hard work.  That it is selfless.  That it is a partnership.  That it is respect.  That it can disappoint.  That it can be awe inspiring. That it is a commitment.  That this is what love looks like.

They have not reached the top their mountain.  I don't believe they will until they say their earthly goodbyes.  But, they are still climbing. Beautifully. Together.

Thank you and good job Mom and Dad.  I love you to pieces.

My Beloveds

In my last post I talked about our journey and how it was taking us to Denver.  It has been almost a year now...

I always try to instill in my children the value of each and every moment.  My voice saying "Be right here .... right now" probably echoes in their heads.  At least I hope it does.  To be completely honest, the reason I feel it is so important to teach them this is because I, at times, have a difficult time walking that walk.  This move to Denver has forced me to get down and dirty with myself.  Making new friends and creating a new life does that.  It forces you to look into yourself.  To look at who you are as a person and what you have to offer others and what it is exactly you need from them.

In Fargo, I felt connected.  That is what the mothers of "Clara Barton Hawthorne" did for each other.  

We gathered together for coffee, to go antiquing, to go for drinks and just get silly, for retail therapy, after school on the playground, for advice on paint color .... Really, any reason to be in the presence of other women.  There is something that happens when women gather together.  They become better women.  They feed off of the strengths of each other, learn from each others weaknesses .... they nurture each others souls.  

Leaving the safety of my beloved nest of CBH friends has been hard.  At CBH we were all big fish in a little sea.  In my new home, Willow Creek, I feel like a little fish in a very big sea.  Don't get me wrong; these women are amazing.  It is having to put myself out there again that is difficult.  Hoping that they get my jokes, like my style, admire my creativity, accept my downfalls, and want to be my friend regardless of all of this.  The vulnerability of it all is the most difficult.

What I have learned is that we all feel this way and embracing our own vulnerability and helping others with theirs is what connects us.  Some women are kindred spirits and will probably never leave your side no matter what part of the world life takes you.  I am blessed with a friend like that...

Some friends come into our lives as family...

Sometimes you happen into their lives and desperately hope they like you for you....

..... and are so thankful when they do.

So here's to my cherished girlfriends, however you came into my life, it is better because of you: Missy, Heather, Shadai, Kellee, JessAnne, Katie, Amy, Gayle, Connie, Laurie, Kris, Liz, Becca, Colleen, Kathleen, Ricca, Heidi, Denise, Judy, Heather, Laura, Jen, Ginger, Amber, Frances, Michelle, Michelle, Lydia, Janelle, Leah, Patty, Erin, Allison, Abby, ....

Life is about the journey not the destination.

In a few weeks our journey will take us to a new destination...Denver.  We have been so blessed that our life paused for a moment in Fargo.  The friends we have made, obstacles we have overcome, and joyful memories we can add to our book of life are all so precious to us.  Each one of you has a special, irreplaceable, forever home in my heart. Thank you, thank you for sharing a piece of your life with me. No goodbyes ..... just "until next time". 

Country Christmas with the Knutsons

It has been about a month and a half since Christmas and I am just now getting around to the second half of my Christmas post. Sheesh.

In the middle of all of the Christmas festivities we celebrate with my side of the family. Country Christmas with the Knutsons is what I like to call it.  It is so fun to get back to my roots.  We spend a lot of time just being together.  We play games, cards, eat, go sledding, watch movies, eat more, ride 4 wheeler, go downtown to Larson's Service Drug for chocolate cokes, eat, ..... Doesn't get much better than this.

Here of some photos from our trip out to "the Farm".

The kids grabbed sticks because they were scared of mountain lions.

Honestly, I was too but I tried to put on a brave front.

Matty Matt in his natural element. That's his "I am an outdoorsey, worker, tough guy" face.

And, that is his new faux fur hat I got for him from H&M.   It goes well with carharts.

 

 That is Shadai driving the tractor!! 

Look at that sky....beautiful.

In January we finished our Christmas festivities with a trip to Alexandria, MN where the whole gang was able to get together.  We did some skiing, tubing, and bowling.  So fun.

And there you have it - Country Christmas with the Knutsons.

Life Cycle of a "Connect Alien"

by Shia (for Jeffrey)

2010 Christmas with the Natwicks/Bintliffs

I wanted to do two posts about our Christmas so that I could talk about our traditions in a little more detail. We begin our holidays with a little family Christmas at our house and then pack up the car and head to Williston and it goes a little something like this:

 Frances patiently watching over her bbq ribs that she begins making 2 days ahead to be served on Christmas day.  We, unfortunately, do not get to partake in the eating of ribs......we have to "suffer" through fillet mignon made by my Dad. When I say "suffer" I mean mouth watering, cut it with a butter knife, died and gone to heaven - suffering.

 The kumla making begins around 9 a.m. with these girls.  For the last few years they have been in charge of the potato peeling.  I think it is around 30 pounds of potatoes that they peel and it takes them about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to complete.

 Of course they have a good cheerleader.

 Whilst our girls are slaving away the rest of us like to stay informed current events and the weather of course.

 At around 11 a.m. these 2 guys come in.  I don't know what exactly happens but I do know that there is a lot of potato mashing, a lot flour, and at one point I remember a hack saw being involved. 

 

The end result is this: gray, softball size, pieces of deliciousness that are then slathered through butter.  Then next day we slice it, fry it and slather it in more butter.  Ooo it's so good! 

 

 

Christmas day, after fried kumla, we head to Watford City.  After W.C. we get in the car and drive to Fargo for a day to regroup and then head to Minneapolis to be with Matt's Mom, his siblings and their families.

This works great because we get to celebrate this lady.  Matt's mom: Gayle.  She is amazing to say the least.  Her birthday is December 29th.  It is so good to have everyone together on this day.

This year we went to a wonderful restaurant called Bucca.  It is an Italian restaurant where the food is served family style.  So fun!

 

The icing on the cake was just that - the icing on this cake.  

This beauty is a Tres Leche cake and it is sinful!