Not of my flesh...

He was not born of my flesh.
I did not hold him in his first days.
I am often spared his stumbles and heart-break
and I savor the experience when I witness his triumphs.

I have been Austin's step-mom for 5/6 of his life.  He is not an autistic child; he is a child with autism.  I remember the challenges of his first years, searching for the right diagnosis.  We were introduced to more acronyms than any family should.  And I remember crying in Daniel's arms when the diagnosis was confirmed by many.  You see, I'm a health care practitioner.  I rely on the blood test, the physical exam and the objective findings.  Autism is not like that.  Once you've met one autistic child you've met just one autistic child.

My favorite memory of Austin was when he was seven years old.  Dylan had just been born and Austin was with us for the weekend.  He had previously been fairly unconcerned about this new baby brother.  But on this night, Austin took a keen interest.  He carried him up the stairs and wanted to do all the bathing for baby Dylan.  He diapered him, clothed him and brought him back down the stairs to feed him the bottle.  I was a nervous wreck  And then, as quickly as the interest appeared, the next day it was gone.  It was a fleeting moment of the sibling attachment that parents so long for.  

There are many great memories and today I am so proud of the adult that he has become.  He is the captain of Stillwater High School's adapted soccer team.  Last year he was voted by his team as the most valuable player. The self-confidence I saw in him this weekend warmed my soul.  The crowds would cheer when he scored a goal and I could see his expression change.  He wouldn't jump up and down and celebrate.  In fact, I don't think he even smiled.  But I saw his posture change as he walked to the other side of the field.  I saw something different in his walk. I saw a different look on his face.  And as he looked up again, inside this child with autism, I saw his pride.

Accomplished

The High Falls

                                                                                                                    No one will ever say that I am a great housekeeper. No one will ever say that I am a great chef. We left the house in a complete state of disaster. But it was a beautiful weekend and the thought of forfeiting it to housework was dreadful. Instead, we packed our bags in 10 minutes flat, booked a hotel room while driving and headed north to Duluth. By 8 pm Saturday night we were pulling up to the last hotel room available in the city.  A short twelve hours later we were on the trail to the High Falls of Tettagouche State Park. These falls are 80 ft. tall and sit about 3/4 of a mile off a pretty challenging hike.

We took the dogs this time.  Not something I'd suggest doing again. 

Rosie (the Bulldog) runs so close to the ground that her underbelly is raw from sticks and rocks and grasses.

Lily (the Lab) is an old lady.  She will be stiff for several days after the rough terrain.

All summer long I had been trying to figure out how we were going to get to the High Falls.  It was too long of a drive to do it all in one day. None of the campgrounds in the area had the camper cabins that seemed like a perfect mix of camping and hotel room.  No weekends seemed to line up for a mini vacation.  I had resigned myself to the idea that we probably weren't going to make it.  So as we sat on the rocks, the deafening sound of the water rushing in the background, I actually sighed, "THIS is the one I really wanted to see."

 Another mile of hiking brought us to Twin Falls.  As the name suggests, this is actually one waterfall that drops into a small but deep pool.  The water then falls over the second drop into a large lagoon.  We spent a long time here.  Dylan is fearless when climbing the rocks along the bluffs.  In a second he is gone and the roaring water makes it impossible to call out for him; he won't hear you.  This is my boy who hates amusement parks and thrill rides.  If we go to a county fair, he will use all of his money on the food and games.  He will literally fight for his life if you try to manipulate him into going on a roller-coaster.  Yet when it comes to rock-climbing, he will tip-toe on the bluff, jump from rock to rock and pause only briefly as he crawls just millimeters away from falling to his death.  I must get that boy a helmet.  

As we drive back into town, its just about to get dark.  We're tired.  The car is now a disaster and I'm a little crabby just thinking about all the work we've left behind. Yet I feel a little bit of accomplishment as well.  I'm not always as spontaneous as I wish.  I love the idea of surprise trips to an unknown destination or a fantasy of just jumping on a plane to anywhere.  But the fact is that every day life just becomes a priority.  I hate that. Today is different though. On this day I feel accomplished in our twenty four hours of impromptu togetherness.  On this day I feel accomplished in making memories that our children will remember.  On this day I feel accomplished in truly understanding what it means when people say "do it today because tomorrow is never guaranteed".  On this day I feel accomplished ... even if I do have to rewash all the laundry in the washer.

On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 
~ Psalms 145:5

Wolf Creek Falls, Banning State Park, 09/08/2013

The beautiful Kettle River.

Banning State Park is stunning.  It is lesser known and smaller than the other parks we've visited this year.  That means that the crowds are non-existent.  Yes!  Finally. We only saw two other families the whole day.

We hiked three miles into the park, through the woodlands and over rock formations.  The water was really low.  No rain this summer means that the waterfall is barely running and the falls were
only about a quarter of what they normally are.

My camera is out of service.  Poor quality photos but quality family time!

Dear Dylan,

Dear Dylan,
The purpose of this blog was to never forget the little memories, the one's that happen quickly and then leave just as quickly.  And so I wanted to take a minute to talk to you about this past week.

I am very proud of you.  Starting sixth grade is very different than the start of any other grade.  I've told you this many times, but sometimes I just look at you with amazement at how quickly you're growing and developing into a young man.  Not a baby, not a toddler - not quite yet a teen - but certainly a maturing young man.

You confidently ventured out the door to a new school, many new faces and a completely different routine.  I only saw one moment of apprehension as we stood in the kitchen on that very day of middle school when you said, "Mom, I'm really nervous".  Thank you for holding my hand as we prayed for God to protect you and bring you comfort and peace during those nervous moments. That tells me a lot about your character. And then, with a big sigh,  you pushed forward and ran out the door.  I remember days in the past that you would have cried and asked not to go.  Doing something new and unknown is scary, but you're maturing and growing and learning.  I'm very proud of you.

In case you forget all the new hurdles you've met, this week you:

• mastered an alarm clock
• started your day an hour earlier than in the past years
• rode a new school bus, with new kids and a new driver
• figured out how to use a combination lock 
• met eight new teachers for eight new classes
• figured out how to get back to your locker, grab your stuff and get to the next class in 5 minutes flat
• found someone to sit with at lunch
• submitted your first on-line assignment
• remembered to bring home the homework from 1st period, even after 8th period
• set your own after school routine that included both outside time AND homework

This week is just one of the many changes you'll encounter in life.  How you master change will say a lot about you as a person.  There are many things I don't know.  I don't know where you'll go to college (or IF you'll go to college), I don't know who you'll choose for a life partner (or IF you'll choose a life partner), I don't know what you'll do for a profession (yes, you WILL get a job), but there's one thing I do know.  I know that your Dad and I will always love you, encourage you and support you.  We are blessed.

Love, 

Mom

Going home.

There is something special about going home that takes me back at least two decades. Hey, who am I kidding?  Probably three decades. 

Today I layed in the front yard with my back to the green grass and my face to the sun. I watched an old farmer drive down the city street on a red tractor. I watched a high-school kid leave football practice and drive home on his ATV. My Mom took the dog to the vet without a prescheduled appointment and still got service (in about 3 minutes!). These things don't happen at my adult home. 

Today we also worked at the garden. Holy tomatoes!  On Sunday my Mom and I will probably can whole tomatoes, tomato juice and probably salsa too. I hope Anne and Dylan will join us. Maybe the tradition of canning will survive one more generation. 

I always wonder if we should have stayed in small town Minneosta to raise our family. It's a nagging, reoccurring question without much validity really. It just seems to linger in the back of my mind. The truth is that I believe we are exactly where we're supposed to be. Might it be that if I had never moved away from small town roots that I would never appreciate them now?  Going home is rest. Going home is fellowship. Going home is grace.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. -James 1:17

It's TIME...

There are some things I can't do in the middle of a figurative storm.  I can't listen to music; no music.  Not upbeat hip-hop.  Not that crappy rap that the kids somehow love.  And certainly not heartbroken country music.  I also can't write.  Writing is like bearing my soul and I never really know if I should share that.  So I don't.

I haven't written in over two months.  Which should give you a bit of insight into my recent state of mind.

But with that, I know that my storm should never be my children's storm and we have a waterfall quest to continue.  So here we are:  Cascade Falls in Osceola, Wisconsin.  We visited these falls a few weeks ago.  Dan was with us and it was fun to see him understand the joy that this little quest gives the kids.  Up until now he has never really understood the calling of the waterfalls and couldn't appreciate the benefit our little adventures.  We took in the falls and then went hiking the distance of the river down to the St. Croix.  Wading into the northern part of the St. Croix was a bonus for the trip.

In the month or so that has passed since our visit, I've done much reflection.  It strikes me that perhaps my life (maybe everyone's life) is not much unlike that of a drop of water in this very creek.  It sounds corny, but hear me out.  This drop of water is just floating along the Osceola Creek.  Ya, the water sometimes gets a little turbulent; sometimes flowing faster; sometimes flowing slower.  But life as a little drop of water is okay.  Until suddenly the current becomes faster and almost suffocating.  You try really hard to keep at the top of the water - to keep it all together - why is the current rushing so fast?  Everyone seems to be aware of the impending disaster and the anxiety is paramount, but the reason is still so unclear.  Until...

Until the falls.  Suddenly it becomes apparent.  Smashing.  Crushing.  Disastrous.  Smothering.  The life previously known, of floating carelessly in the creek, seems like it never existed.  In this moment, the only consciousness surrounds survival.  Clinging to a rock seems safe, put its only a temporary safe.  You see, in order to reach the calm waters below.  In order to proceed - In order to keep living - one must weather the falls.  The choice is not "if"; the choice is "how".

My friends, each of us has either recently gone through the fall, is currently in the fall, or will be there sometime in the future.  It might be a sudden serious illness or death, it might be the end of a relationship, it might be a financial ruin.  My question is this:  What are you doing today to prepare for the fall?  Because it will happen. How will you weather the storm?

And so here we are.  I think we're near the bottom of the falls.  The calm waters ahead are in sight.  I reflect upon the past two months with a bittersweet taste in my mouth.  I have much to be thankful for.  I hate the fall but I love the promise of the waters ahead.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will direct your path" ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Prepared For Disappointment

I didn't plan well today.  We left the house at noon for a 26 mile trip to Willow River State Park; our second official waterfalling trip. An hour later we were somewhere in the heartland of Wisconsin.  Technology failed me and the little voice on my iPhone that said  "You have arrived at your destination"... well, ... she was wrong.  

When we reached the actual park, I have to admit that I was ready to be disappointed.  It was a beautiful Sunday.  The sun was out for the first weekend in a long time without gray clouds threatening.  And worse yet, it was Explore The Park Day.  Free admission to the park.  Yea!  Free admission to the park.  Yuck!  I don't want to share my waterfalling adventure with a thousand other people!
The web site said it was an easy 1/2 mile hike back on a paved path.  More disappointment set in.  I didn't want to see waterfalls that had asphault leading up to them.  I wanted to see a private oasis that was somehow hidden from the rest of the world. It's unrealistic, I know.  In my pessemistric mind's eye I was prepared for street vendors selling key chains and offering hair braiding at the entrance to the falls.  But we carried on and I was absolutely astounded.

As usual, the trek was completely worth it.  The 1/2 mile hike was closer to a mile and a half; straight down (read straight UP on the way back).  It was absolutely gorgeous.  I know I will say this a hundred times, but how could I have lived here for the past 20 years and never known about this?

Anne loved climbing the 177 steps to the overlook.  We could see the King stack from the St. Croix River.   She saw some teenagers crawling in the rock shelter (under the outcropping) and we just had to do it.  Now, there is no way I would have let her crawl through the entire drop.  The top falls are at least 100 ft wide.  Climbing within four feet of death is one thing.  Staying there and crawling through the slippery surface to the other side just wasn't going to happen.  Thankfully she realized how dangerous it was was happy just to take a picture near the entrance. 

The falls are in a massive canyon and it is an 11 year old boy's playground.  He climbed the rocks like a natural with no fear and would have spent all day just throwing rocks into the current.  He did a little (not so scientific) experiment to see how fast the water was flowing.  At the end of the day he said "leaving was the worst". 

No disappointment today. 

Blessed

Everyday I am blessed.  On this Mother's Day I find a minute to reflect.

Of course I was showered with gifts.  I mean, if we're honest here, what mother doesn't love a great gift?  Annie made a heart-felt card with homemade coupons.  One for a foot massage, one for a back rub and one for her to make the supper.  Does this girl KNOW me, or what???  Dylan gave me a potted pansy plant from school.  Kaytee surprised me with a bouquet of cupcakes.  Very creative.  And Dan brought home a hanging outdoor plant, which he confessed he bought at the last minute at Walmart.  And I'm good with that. 

Dan took the day off of work.  Off on a Sunday is something that doesn't happen often for him, especially in this season.  The kids have been asking for it though; wondering when we'll all spend the day together. I know that the summer months will mean long weekends for him on the river so his day with us is a gift.

A great day in Stillwater.  Lunch.  Walking the main street.  Window shopping.  Ice Cream. Hanging out by the water.

Church was, as usual, spectacular.  It's amazing how a "mega-church" (14 largest in the nation) can feel like a home.  The take-away for me was to always "speak the truth but speak it with love".  Many churches today preach the Biblical truth with out love for the souls affected.  As many others overflow with love and forget about the truth of the written Word.  My challenge as a parent (and friend, Christian, peer) is to always speak the truth with love in my heart. 

A Game-Changer

Today started out as "one of those days".  It was rainy and cold.  I felt lazy.  In fact, I layed on the couch in the morning and fell asleep a bit.  We set out to do errands and all I heard was bickering.  We were going to stop for lunch and they absolutely could not agree.  Anne actually cried at Dylan's decision to go to LeeAnn Chin's.  Cried.  Seriously?  We finally went to MY choice.  Caribou Coffee.  :)

We went shopping.  It didn't stop.  Dylan complained because he couldn't buy a toy.  Anne bickered because she couldn't buy a purse.  Ugh.  I was about ready to give up and go sit in front of the TV.  Finally I suggested we look for a waterfall and even that was met with resistance.  "It's too cold".  (I told you to wear pants).  "My allergies make my face hurt.  Let's go home". (Your allergies will still be miserable at home).  So we just went.  I didn't tell them where we were going.  I just drove. 

And THIS is what we found.  A few minutes east of Woodbury.  And it was a game-changer.

Still learning how to use my camera.

Anybody recognize this hidden gem? 

Finally got the settings figured out (I think).

Before the birth of his son Sampson, Manoah, prayed:  “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy” (Judges 13:8)

What I Do Best

I've decided that this blog will change the path of its original intention.  Those of you who know me understand.  Changing my mind is what I do best!  Here's the thing...

Yes.  We're still going to trek for waterfalls, but so much else happens in between the chance to go out waterfalling.  Dylan's paintball birthday was last week.  No waterfalls there so it didn't make it into the blog.  We have a very fun new trampoline in the backyard.  No waterfalls.  Not in the blog. 

So I'm going to take the lead from another Mom at http://www.mythreemuses.com/.  She uses her blog as a digital scrapbook for her babies (and life).  I do have scrapbooks and creating them is really fun.  It's time I spend with my sister and in fond rememberence of days gone by.  But the fact is, my kids are nearly teenagers and I spend a fair amount of scrapbooking time just trying to remember what happened when they were four, or five, or nine.  And that makes me sad. 

So although I really love holding the final product (a beautiful, frilly, completed scrapbook page) in my hand, I need more immediate satisfaction.  I need a way to record what's happening now instead of what happened years ago.  So, this blog, originally intended for the search for waterfalls over Summer Break 2013, has now become the official, forever and ever, not-just-for-waterfalls blog.  The cool thing is that there are companies who will make your blog into actual hardcover books.  Maybe someday (graduation, wedding, grandbaby birth, ???? ) I will have it published and actually present it as a gift to my babies. 

BUT I NEED A NEW NAME.  Eventually Anne and Dylan's Great Waterfall Quest should be retitled.  Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Help please. 

Paintball to the head.  Thank God for helmets or this party would have been over fast! 05/04/2013

Anne's first blog post.

Hi i'm Anne Harjes. so let me tell you a little bit about me. I'm a daughter,sister,and i'm also a third grade student.On my free time I like to hang out with my friends.And most importantly I  like to spend time with my family.And this is how we came up with the idea for a mom,brother and sister waterfall quest.So we were thinking about what to do when summer were to start. We thoght we should go on a hike and see what we can find.But we also wanted to see something you can't just find anywhere.So my mom said WE SHOULD GO SEE A WATERFALL.I said we shouldn't just see one we should see as many as we can in the whole summer.And that is how we got the idea of what to do during the long summer.

If you are wondering how many waterfalls do I want to see. well I want to see all the waterfalls in Minnesota.But it will take alot of effort to do all that we want to do.
so thanks for hearing the bizz so i'll get back to you soon.

SEE YOU SOON!

A Start: Goals vs Stories

I'm an employee.  I'm someone's supervisor.  I'm a daughter, sister and wife.  I'm a college student.  And I'm a mom.  It was during one of my classes as a college student that I was introduced to the musings of Donald Miller, a Christian author.  I was drawn to his writings on "living a good story".  Essentially, Miller writes that many of us set the same goals over and over again and fail again and again (think back to Jan. 1 of any year) because we fail to recognize that goals get met in the narrative of the story.  In his words, "a story gives a goal a narrative context and forces you to engage and follow through" (Miller, 2010). 

Fast forward to today.  I'm sitting in front of my TV, still in my PJs, make-up smudged from yesterday, thinking about how quickly my kids are growing up.  This is something that every parent does (although I understand that really put-together moms who never have smudged make-up do exist ... but I don't know any of them).  Instead of wasting away our years together, I want these next 5-8 years to mean something.  Anne and Dylan are 9 and 10.  Will I still get another 8 years with them?  8 years where I still get to decide what they do, who they hang out with and what's for supper?  Probably not, but I'm going to take what I can get and hold it tight and live a great story. 

Which brings us to Anne and Dylan's Great Waterfall Adventure.  Previously the goal would have been something like this:
1.  Spend more quality time with the kids this summer.
2.  Get outside more.
3.  Get more outside exercise in our very few nice MN months (read "lose a couple pounds).
4.  Explore the often overlooked beauty in the nature that is right outside my back door. 

Instead, the story has began to unfold.  This summer we will discover as many waterfalls as possible.  Will it be time well spent?  Absolutely.  Will it meet the four goals above?  Probably.  Will I ever get this summer to do over again?  Never.