what i'm listening to

In no particular order...











Collective Soul - Afterwords








Robbie Seay Band - Give Yourself Away












Project 86 - Rival Factions









The Bravery - The Sun & The Moon








now run... don't walk to your nearest iTunes and get these discs. i can't promise you won't be disappointed. you may or may not be... that is really out of my hands.

Fiedler/ Ullmer Camping Trip 2007

Every summer, Jason and I go on a camping trip with my family for a few days. Hartman Creek State Park in Waupaca, WI is our campground of choice. Here are a few highlights from our trip this year . . .
Finally ready to leave from our home base (my parents' home). Leaving late, as usual . . .

Three of my younger brothers helping out with dishes (a definite FIRST!)






Sophi and her two cousins Liam and Jack, my oldest brother's kids, were the youngest of the campers. As you can see, childcare took many forms, from stroller hikes to PSP Baby Einstein viewings.








We rented a pontoon one day and took it out on the Chain of Lakes. Sophi loved the water - hated the life jacket.













Sophi vs. the Baked Beans












A group shot on the last day.

our need to confess

fantastic. tragic. honest. sincere. performance.

somewhere along the way, we've forgotten how important confession really is. not only because it forces us to come to terms with those parts we would rather weren't there, but because it reminds us that we're not the only one. as a matter of fact, when it's all said and done the one who "has it all together" is a great/horrible myth. one that often divides us from authentic relationship.

you and i are bent. maybe in different places or to different degrees, but we are each not yet whole.

faith. reconciliation. hope. healing. forgiveness. i wonder what God would post to PostSecret?

thanks frank warren, for reminding us.

Random Pix: Part 2

For all of our faithful blog-checking fans, here are more highlights from July, as promised.


Every summer, we spend a week or so in Port Huron, Michigan, visiting Jason's family. As always, the time flew by, but we had a great time reconnecting with family.



Jason's parents, Kathy and Bob, couldn't get enough of Sophi. She loved being with Grandma and Grandpa Fiedler.










Port Huron is right on Lake Huron and so there are beautiful beaches all around Jason's parents' home. Sophi took her first dip in Lake Huron (against her will, as you can see).








Jason's brother Mark is an avid competitive biker and his love for the sport has rubbed off on his brothers and his dad. Jason was able to do some riding with his dad and brothers while we were there. (Yes, Jason is wearing spandex in this picture. Look away if you must.)









Jason's Wii made the trip over with us. Everyone joined in the chaotic fun (even his parents). Jason had a certain "Miagi-ness" about him all week.

Random Pix - Part I

Yes, the Fiedlers are still here. We've had a busy July and are actually heading out for a camping trip with my family tomorrow (I should be packing). Just wanted to post a few pictures of highlights from July. More to follow . . .





My roommate from college (Olivia), her husband Nick, and their son, Oliver came to visit us for a couple days. They are missionaries with the Assemblies of God in Armenia and are in the States for one year raising support. While they were here, I took a few family pictures for them.












We hosted a 4th of July picnic at our house. Our new friends Kenny and LaWight and their six children were among our guests.


As you can see from the photo, we kept Sophi up a bit too long waiting for the fireworks. Sorry, Soph . . .








Sophi had her first dip in the kiddie pool. She hated it with a passion.











I got in a bit of a fender bender with our new van "Charlie". Sophi and I weren't hurt, but Charlie was. He goes in for massive reconstructive surgery tomorrow. Oops.