Happy Frickin Spring

April 11, 2007 Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Luckily, the forecasted 10-12 inches only turned into 2-3 in the Northshore area. The popular sentiment around campus today was, "you've got to be kidding me."

Happy Easter

We went over to the Gable's for Easter. Kris filled plastic eggs with fruit snacks and animal crackers. She gave Ben a paper bag and he actually looked for eggs and put them in his bag. It was hilarious and suprising. The last picture tells the real story of Easter. Ben got sick and that turned into pink eye. He's much better now, but he looked like a little raccoon most of the weekend.

new haircut

There have been times after a new haircut when I have just stripped down and started marching. It's a good feeling. Ben's got a helluva talent with the swiffer, too.

The park

We finally got a little reprieve from the nasty winter weather. Ben loves the park. It sits right next to Cedar Creek, so it's filled with ducks and geese. It's a big treat to go see the "cows."


No, he would not go down the slide. He just likes to sit up there and watch the older kids play.

our little Ruthie

I showed these pictures to my students on Wednesday. They gave an appropriate, "ahhh, isn't she cute." Then they laughed when I said,"that's my brother." God love him.

Here are a couple pictures of the happy family. This is for those of you who don't check Nate's blog.

Uncle Jake

Although I have no picture, my niece Ruth Cannon Stratman (Ruth = Bible; Cannon = my maternal grandmother's maiden name; Stratman = stuck with that one) was born last night around 10:30 in Wilmington, NC. She is 7 lbs. 5 oz and 19 inches. Nate said she has brown eyes. Take a look at Nate's blog for a picture. Ben is very excited to have a cousin only a year younger than he. Keep the prayers coming for them.

Happy St. Patty's Day

There's not a lick of Irish in us, but Jules is always up for "themes." Happy St. Pat's.

This is Ben working on his NCAA tourney bracket. He made a rookie mistake and picked too many upsets, but he'll bounce back in the second round. Sorry to Great-grandpa Gable, but Ben picked VCU over Duke. He doesn't know better. He did pick Marquette over Michigan St. and just gave me a death-glare at the end of that one.

Defense day

The Department Admin. Assistants (Deb and Sandy) bought me a little cake to celebrate my defense. They also bought one for Ben (see third picture). The second picture is self-explanatory. One of those pics that will come back to haunt Ben when he's a teenager.

We're trying new foods

This is the only way Jules will agree to change Ben's diapers.

Cool Jeans

Instead of spending 50 bucks at Abercrombie, just let Ben crawl around in them for a few months.

more snow

Nascar: Uncle Nate would be proud. This car was another gift from a Dunwood parent. He likes to go backwards, get out, and then push it around.

It's been snowing and sleeting all day. The forcast says that the Milwaukee area will get about 24 total inches this weekend. We'll see.

papa gotta job

It's true. We are moving from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. I will be teaching English at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR (www.jbu.edu). Unfortunately, the school is not named for the fiery abolitionist that was responsible for the raid on Harper's Ferry and countless killings of pro-slavery lobbyists in Kansas. Oh well, I hear the founder of the University was a pretty nice guy in his own right. Although we will miss everyone in Milwaukee, it's nice to know I'll finally have a job and that graduate school will soon be over. The dissertation is officially finished and my defense date is set for March 8 at 9:30 a.m. Praise Jesus!!!!!

University logo

the abolitionist

The Walker

Here are a few random pics of Ben walking. He loves to run around the living room and into the kitchen. He's got a few bumps and bruises, too.

new toys

One of the parents at Dunwwod (where Jules works) gave Ben some great toys. This is supposed to be a parking garage, but Ben uses is as a jungle gym.

Snow day

Jules got Ben a bucket of snow to enjoy. Here are a few pics.




We got over six inches of snow this morning. And, the forcast says that we will get another possible 10-12 inches before tomorrow evening.

Random Christmas pics

I never put too many pics of Jules, so here's one of her and her sister, Andie.


Ben is one of seven great-grandsons on Julia's dad's side. Here are six of them--plus Mema and Andie: Ben, Nicholas, Lucas holding Dylan, Jake, and Geoffery.

Ben with Julia's Uncle Don. He took a real liking to Ben--Don is Julia's family's version of our Natie poo-poo.

Ben checking out the tree at the Wimberley's. He's having a lot of fun with all of the family.

Ben's first haircut

I'll post Christmas pictures later, but Ben got his haircut today. Gramps was a barber before he became an educator, so he did the job. It's amazing how different he looks--I'll post a close-up later, too. He sat still for the most part. Enjoy.

all boy

He plays with all his toys, but if he had his druthers, he would simply be content to climb on bubba bear and the stairs all day and search for more electrical outlets and such. The second picture was taken at school. He fell asleep eating snacks. That's funny.

Birthday presents

I'll post more present pictures later, but here are a few. We had a great lunch party today. My mom, Uncle John, Aunt Kris, Timm, our friend Jessica, and the Coster's (Jules' former boss) came over for chili, cupcakes, and presents. Ben got great gifts. Unfortunately, the bag full of new pacifiers took center stage (see last picture). He also enjoyed the many phone calls from faraway family. He's sound asleep now--we flat wore him out.

Ben's Birthday

Here are few pictures of Ben's first Birthday cupcake. As you can see, he wasn't that excited about it, but the crowd sure had a blast watching him eat it. He entertained everyone all afternoon, but he crashed soon after these pictures were taken.