Written Blogs

1)Rise of the Guardians – Film by Dreamworks and William Joyce This movie is where the entire “Up, Not Out” journey began for Andrew. Join the Guardians of Childhood in their quest to protect and nurture hope, wonder, dreams, and … Read More

I think for all adults there are moments where playing with kids just doesn’t sound fun. Whether it’s because of the activity the kids are doing, the energy level of the adult, or the adult’s desire to be doing something … Read More

December is nearly upon us, and Christmas will come in the jingle of a bell. It is a time of memory-making and memory-recalling. In my household, it is a time to watch home videos. We will replay the wonderful glimpses … Read More

The decision has been made. It is time for the Wiens family to return to church. The reasons for the decision are myriad, but near the top of the list is the desire to connect with peers for the kids, … Read More

Levi, fifteen months, is a sippy-cup guy. Every meal, a sippy cup. Waiting on the counter where he can reach it when thirsty, a sippy cup. At least that is the way things were. This changed when I filled his … Read More

Our family just got back from an almost month-long sojourn to the Coast of Oregon and back through Montana. Along the way there was much wild country, and many opportunities for adventure. From the ocean, to river rapids, to rock … Read More

Most of us have heard it said, “Idleness is the devil’s workshop.” I believe idleness creates a workshop. It can just as easily be God’s as the devil’s.   Today I took my kids to the MN Children’s Museum. It … Read More

I am convinced no one wants to go unnoticed. We don’t want to be anonymous, unknown, unappreciated. We desire desperately to be recognized; to be seen. I don’t trust or believe anyone who says something different. I am not saying … Read More

The inflatable tail of my squirrel costume extends above my head and forces me to sit up straight as I drive the school bus onto the playground.  Behind me sits my good friend Brandon, dressed as Luigi from the Mario … Read More

I have spent over a thousand consecutive days thinking about, writing about, teaching about, and wrestling in my own heart with the concept I call “Up, Not Out.” I have seen the difficulty of transferring many of my ideas to … Read More