This past Thursday, Calvin and his fellow scholars were honored at the South Kitsap Honor Society Laurel's Night. Calvin received a Rotary and Scottish Rite Scholarship as well as being recognized as part of the top ten GPA of the class. His hard work and strong study habits are producing pay back. Congratulations, Calvin. We are proud parents.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day
Today was Esther's first GRANDmother's Day. Though this was our first weekend away from Ada, the little granddaughter was often in Esther's mind. Markus came home to help celebrate the day; and though the weather wasn't as nice as predicted, we went on a family outing to Hanesville.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Calvin's College Choice
The above title is a little ironic as Calvin's best friend Josh has made a 'Calvin College choice.' Calvin Bulthuis has made his decision for college next year. He 'threw a curve ball' at us in the last couple of weeks. Though he had not applied earlier to TWU, as he had to Westmont, Biola and Gordon, it was a school that he was considering. With sights still set on International Christian University - Japan in 2010, Calvin feels that a year at Trinity would be a good introduction to the college experience. The school has an emphasis in linguistics and a strong international feel compared to the other colleges he has considered. We of course are thrilled as he will be close to home and able to touch base with Bjorn on campus and the Lynden clan whenever he wants. Trinity is a great school and if Calvin's Japan plans change, he is in a great place to make other choices.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Greenwood County Fair
The rain held off (sort of) for Ada Lynn Bulthuis' baby shower. Actually, we were very fortunate as the heavy clouds held their peace until just after the last guests made their way home. Great Aunties, Marti and Kay put on a wonderful gathering with a county fair theme. "Greenwood' is the historic name of the neighborhood where the Eide compound near Lynden is located. The 'County Fair' included fresh squeezed lemonade, kettle corn, corn dogs, homemade pie and ice cream. Younger guests got to enjoy a petting zoo and hay stacks. The more limber guests competed in a diaper diving competition. Family and friends from as far away as Oregon, South Dakota and Alberta helped celebrate the event. Ada was oblivious of the whole scene as she was willingly handed off from guest to guest. A big thank you to all for your presence and presents. - homophone :)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
post WASL doldrums
'Doldrums' - 'a period of inactivity or a state of stagnation' The last two weeks have been filled with WASL testing. Our fourth and fifth graders have been buffeted with waves of reading, math, writing and science tests. It is always an emotional let down after testing. Both teachers and students subconsciously work to prepare for this high stakes testing. When it is over, there seems to be an energy burnout on the part of all involved. The problem is there are still six weeks of school left! It takes a little time for the breezes of motivation to pick up and get us sailing through the last sea of learning for the year.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Ada Lynn
We have been enjoying our new granddaughter today. She came home from the hospital to the busy Eide compound. She is making the adjustment to all the family noise (though I guess she's been hearing it muffled for the past few months) By the way, I'll give you a little background on the name. Bjorn originally liked the name because one of the first mathematicians to be credited with writing computer language was Ada Lovelace. Also, the Norwegian pronunciation of 'Eide' is the 'Ada'. Lynn was Jenny's mother's name and Jenny's middle name; and 'Lynn-den' is her first home.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
She Arrived!
Ada Lynn Bulthuis was born at 6:15 pm tonight! Jenny and Ada are healthy and happy. Bjorn is a proud daddy. Esther is crying her way up to St. Joseph's hospital in Bellingham where 24 years ago she gave birth to Bjorn. Calvin and I will join the party tomorrow night. Pictures are sure to follow, so keep posted.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
a granddaughter is imminent
'Imminent' - 'threatening to occur immediately; near at hand; impending'. Though our granddaughter has been around for awhile, she is about to introduce herself to the world. The due date is April 20, and all systems appear to be go on the launch pad. The bedroom is painted, the diapers are ready, Jenny is on leave and Esther's bags are packed. It is so fitting that as the winter weather is finally breaking into spring, a new life will break into the Bulthuis family. We are so thankful for Jenny's good health and prenatal mothering. She is already a great mom! I don't think Bjorn will know what hit him. Esther is already enjoying her 'granny' status, and I am starting to get use to the idea. Anyway, we are all very excited and we would appreciate a prayer or two for the safe and healthy arrival.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Goodbye Boston
This morning we left Provincetown for a leisurely drive back up/down? the Cape back to Boston. We took the scenic route through small communities established four hundred years ago. Today is a bright sunny day and Spring is trying to spring but there is a cold wet week ahead for New England. We are awaiting our six hour flight back to Seattle. So I guess that it is goodbye to Boston, at least for the time being.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
the Cape
We headed south for our final excursion of the trip. One of the places that we wanted to see while here was Cape Cod. The Cape is often the setting for articles in Esther's 'Coastal Living' browsing, and Falmouth, Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay are regulars in small boat sailing lore. On our way to the Cape, we stopped in Plymouth and got the Pilgrim scoop. We also explored Falmouth and Hyannis among other spots as we made our way to the 'lower cape' Much of the Cape is shut down for the off season which makes it nice for getting around. But there are enough things open to keep it from feeling like a ghost town. Tonight we are staying at the end of the Cape near the first landing of the Pilgrims in Provincetown. To catch some local flavor we ate at a Portuguese restaurant as there is an historical presence of the fishermen here.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Reconnecting with old friends
While attending Denver Seminary in the 80's our best friends were Terry and Kathie Sharbaugh. Terry and I would debate theology over tennis and Kathie and Esther would stroll their little boys, Bjorn and Ben around Sloan Lake. After seminary Terry accepted a position at a church in New Hampshire (I applied too, but he beat me out in the interview phase) They have four children, the youngest who like Calvin will be leaving for college next year. They as well as we are still living in the place moved to from seminary. Terry pastors the Durham Evangelical Church. It was great catching up on each other's lives. Their oldest son Ben attended Gordon College, so we got a little of the inside scoop.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Exploring Cape Ann
Cape Ann is the neglected sister to the arrogant Cape Cod. Guarding the northern post of Massachusetts Bay with her historic Port of Gloucester and picturesque seaport of Rockport, she easily occupied a day of Bulthuis exploration and enjoyment. The weather was mild with some sun. The vegetation is still in winter hibernation with ground water still unable to penetrate the yet frozen undersoil. The landscape still has its beauty with rocky outcrops amid conifer forests. Tourist season is still months away, so there were no crowds to fight. Esther's favorite spot of the day was Rockport and Bearskin Neck Peninsula packed with quaint gift shops and fishing sheds. Peter's spot was the Essex shipyard. Calvin's was Halibut Point with the granite rocks and pounding surf.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Gordon College
Today was the visit day at Gordon College. We spent the entire day at the school: taking tours, visiting chapel and a class, and meeting with a linguistic professor and other personnel. The campus is beautiful with many new and impressive buildings. The remote wooded setting beside a lake is quite a contrast from the suburban sprawl of nearby communities. The chapel is a huge traditional structure complete with pews, but the student led worship very contemporary. We had a great conversation with the linguistic professor who was very encouraging and engaging. One disadvantage of visiting these colleges is that I wish I were 18 again and do it all over again! Tonight we picked up Brian Bulthuis from the airport and brought him to his downtown hotel and spent a little time catching up. He will be finishing Columbia University in New York next month and came to Boston this week for a job interview. Today was a cold gray day. Maybe tomorrow will be nice.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Boston in the Brightness
What a difference a day can make in New England weather. Though still chilly, the day was filled with sunshine. Perfect conditions for a trip downtown and a walk on the Freedom Trail. This self-guided tour takes you through most of the historical sites in the city - meeting halls, churches and cemeteries-all surrounded by sky-scrapers. It has been particularly interesting to me as my students have been learning this month about the Revolutionary War, and I am able to visit the sites which we are currently studying. We climbed the 294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument and enjoyed a beautiful 360 of the area. We were not able to board the USS Constitution, but viewed the museum. After some pastries at Mikes on Hanover St. we checked out the 'Garden' and North Station. The place was packed with Bruins fans as there was a hockey game tonight. We ended the day with brick-oven pizza and seafood pasta at Antico Formo on Salem St.
A Wet Welcome to New England
We were all raring to go at 7:30 am as we stepped off our red-eye special at Logan Airport. Our welcome by the shuttle driver included a warning that there are Dunkin Donuts on every corner--Indeed there are! though we passed about 20 of them up to find the familiar McDs for a start to our soggy day. Maybe Boston wanted to welcome some Northwesterners with a cold wet day. We meandered up the back roads in our rental car (all roads in New England meander) to the Salem area and took a drive-by gander at Gordon College. We were allowed a morning check-in at our motel, then headed to Lexington and Concord for some history lessons. We dashed out of the car at each site to catch a glimpse before we got soaked. Calvin was particularly interested as the Concord area is rich in literary history. On our way home we stopped at Harvard and strolled the grounds and checked out the bookstore. The day was topped off with a trip to Legal Seafoods, a New England classic.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Yet another Bulthuis Bike
In an effort to outfit my biking partner for an exciting season of bike path cycling, I found a women's hybrid on Craigslist that fits her to a T. Esther is tickled with the brown leather seat and handgrips, the low step frame and the foam green color. It's a Trek 7000 wsd which retails for $360, but we got last year's model for $175. She will be all ready to hit the bike paths with me this spring and summer. It sure would be nice if we could have some consistent spring weather. Markus came home today as he will have his spring break this coming week.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Happy Birthday Jenny
Saturday was Jenny's birthday, so Esther and I went up to Lynden to help celebrate. Esther hosted a birthday dinner of scallop linguini for the Eide clan, complete with a leaning layered cake. During the afternoon, we went baby accessory browsing in Bellingham and then checked out an Eide Homes job site that has an amazing view of the the Nooksack and Frasier Valleys. Even though it was Jenny's birthday, you would have thought it was Bjorn's as he relished the arrival of his new bike which we had brought up with us. Jenny is looking 'great with child' and as healthy as a horse (no similarities intended - it's an idiom!) We are all looking forward with anticipation to next month's arrival of a baby girl.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Parenting Penny
For the past couple of days, we have been babysitting John and Sugar's dog, Penny. She is a well-behaved Schnauzer who although not stealing our hearts, did leave us tonight with some regret in our affections. The only time she seemed to bark was each time the ferry unloaded. The second night we got smart and put her kennel in Markus' bedroom where she couldn't hear the ferry. Our cat Oscar is glad to be rid of the neurotic canine and have the house back to himself.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
a cold test ride on Bjorn's new bike
This past week I played broker for Bjorn as he bought a bike off of craigslist. Since the owner was in Tacoma, I got to play middleman. Prior to deliver to Lynden next weekend, I decided to take a test ride to Manchester, albeit 37 degrees. The bike is a very light single speed/fixed gear reversible hub, which means uphill pedaling is a bear and downhill becomes a coast ride (at least in single speed. I'm not sure what happens in fixed gear. Maybe you spread your legs and let the pedals spin!) It's great on the flats since the bike is so light. It would appear that the bike will work well for Bjorn in the flat Nooksack Valley, but it would be a killer for my hilly work commute.
Monday, March 02, 2009
The letter he's been working for
Over the last year, Calvin has been diligently pursuing the possibility of going to college in Japan. He has researched, tested and made the necessary applications; all without prompting from his nervous parents. Today, he was rewarded with a package from Tokyo informing him of his acceptance into International Christian University. While the decision to go or not is still a ways from finality, today was a milestone in the process. He is still strongly considering Gordon College in Massachusetts, as well as Westmont and Biola in California. All of which have already accepted him. Please pray for Calvin as he makes this very important decision in the months ahead. Pray for his parents also, that they will give him wise counsel and not allow their protectionary instincts to interfere.
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