Don't Blink

...and the day's go by

2011-04-19T11:20:00.004-04:00

Wow...I am fairly certain that no one ever checks in on this thing anymore. I will have to admit to rarely checking on it myself. Which is quite obvious since my last entry was 7 months ago. A lot can happen in 7 months...and a lot has happened. 7 months ago the girls were just getting settled into a new school year, Cam was getting increasingly unsettled in his job, and I was loving my job and the people I was working with.

Now...jump ahead 7 months...the girls are wrapping up the school year, all looking forward to summer. Cam is LOVING his NEW job, and I...well I am loving my NEW job too!

Ok...lets back up and reminisce about things some of the finer points of the last 7 months, shall we?

In October we were very please to welcome my older brother and his family back to the lower peninsula. They moved from Hessel in the Upper Peninsula where my brother had been working at an Intervarsity Camp...to Hart where he is now working at Grace Adventures youth camp. We are so very excited to have so close to us *Haidyn being the most excited to have Taylor so close*

We were blessed to be able to spend the holidays with our families.

The week between Christmas and New Years found us up north at the cottage. Cam was enjoying his one week of "retirement" before he started his new job. The rest of us were just enjoying a little peace. The weather left much to be desired...not enough snow for outdoor fun...then it rained and the snow was all gone...then the new layer of water on the lake froze making one very large skating rink...if you could stay on your feet. But...the fishing was fabulous and the boys...and some of the kids had a great time catching perch! Then I got the call that I had been waiting and hoping for. An interview to transfer to the hospital!! I.was.so.excited! I had been applying for about 6 months and finally it looked like it would happen.

I had my interview the first week of January and by the 13th I was offered a position in the ER.
It was/is a full time position. 3 twelve hour shifts per week. 11am to 11pm. I LOVE it. It is the best thing that has happened for my family in a while. Me being home for whole days during the week, able to go on field trips, just stop in and bring the girls lunch, help in the classroom if needed! It has been a blessing indeed.

Cam started working in the greenhouses the first week of January. He has been enjoying it greatly. He is home every night. He is able to go to the girls school events. He is able to get things done around the house. He is happy...and we are all LOVING that! I think that God knew this would be good for him. Just last night we were talking about how Cam has had to slow down when walking with my dad because he does not move as fast as Cam does. *Cam takes VERY long strides...my father...does NOT* I said...maybe God is trying to get you to adopt a slower pace in life! *do you ever have those moments where the light bulb goes on...and you are sure if you look up it will be there right over your head* It was one of those moments. Sometimes he is so busy, and moves so fast to "get it done" that he misses being able to enjoy things. And then, he makes statements like "they grow up so fast" or "where has the time gone". Well...when you are moving so fast...life becomes a blur. *Again the Wisdom of my father Amazes me*

In February we FINALLY got to witness the wedding of my younger brother to the most amazing women!! We are so blessed to have her in our family *truth be told I think we all knew she would be around forever shortly after we met her for the first time*. It was a beautiful winter day, and the ceremony was equally as beautiful, and the reception was one heck of a celebration. There was so much love and laughter and catching up with people that we don't see often enough! Many comments were made about how we need to do that more often!

February 10, Quincey Hope turned 13...a teenager now...with the attitude to go with it.
March 1, Tatelynn Elise turned 15...holy crap am I really old enough to have a 15 year old...INSANE!! She is starting to find her place in this world...and we are starting to like the place she has found =]
April 21, Haidyn Johanna turned 10. She is still quite something...defiantly a youngest child, she always keeps us entertained.

So...there you have it...and the day's continue to go by...but hopefully we have learned to not let them go by unnoticed.

Choices...

2010-09-30T21:11:00.002-04:00

OK...so I was standing in Target today...in the deodorant isle to be precise...and I got to thinking.
Why is it that there has to be so many choices for something that you slather in your armpit? Would it not be so much easier if there were 2 choices...men's and woman's? I had to have a 2 minute argument with my 14 year old because she wanted the $3.29 cherry almond scent single bottle, while I leaned toward the $4 double pack of the shower fresh scent. IT IS FOR YOUR ARMPIT. Does anyone really stick there face right in there? Do you invite people in the take a sniff??? "hey, you should really smell this wonderful cherry almond deodorant I just bought...it is amazing *raise arm above head*...take a sniff". Um...I don't think anyone would take you up on that.
So...this of course got me to thinking that there are just WAY to many choices in the world. Shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper...the list is endless. Just think about it...in Target there is a whole isle...both sides dedicated to hair products! A whole isle for deodorant, toothpaste, laundry soap!
My children have become to accustom to choices that they feel as though there life is not complete unless their armpits smell edible!!
Sometimes I wish I could transport us all back to before all the choices arrived, back to when you got what you got, and you were thankful for it. When the store was small, the choices were limited, and life was just so much simpler.
But...for now...I will wake up in the morning, shower and put on my $2 shower fresh deodorant and I will face the day. And...my children will have to go off to school without edible smelling pits...but I am OK with that!

my beautiful girls...

2010-07-24T16:10:00.003-04:00

I didn't become a mom because it is easy
*cause sometimes it's not*
I didn't become a mom because it is fun
*cause sometimes it's not*
I didn't become a mom because I love to cook and clean
*cause sometimes I don't*
I didn't become a mom because I thought I'd be really good at it
*cause sometimes I'm not*
I didn't become a mom because it pays well
*cause I've never seen any monetary gain*

BUT...

I love being a mom because it was part of God's plan for my life...
I love that being a mom means I got to hold my precious baby girls in my arms
and dream about what they would become...
I love that being a mom means dandelion bouquets, and lightning bugs in jars...
I love that being a mom means snuggles and hugs and wet kisses just because...
I love being a mom when there is lots of laughter and dancing and silliness...
and I even love being a mom when it means that I am the shoulder to cry on...
But what I love most about being a mom is watching my beautiful girls grow up
and step out into the world and let there lights shine!

I AM BLESSED!!!

tank tops...flip flops...gardening...and all sort of other fun =]

2010-07-09T08:08:00.003-04:00

Well…it has been awhile since I updated the going’s on around our house. I have been blessed to have this week off of work...so we have done a lot.

For the first time in a long time we did not head up north for the holiday, Cam was working in Detroit for the week, and had to work on Saturday…so we stuck around home for the weekend, and after Cam was installed into his new role as a deacon at church on Sunday… we spent some time with the Roelofs family Sunday night and hung out with my parents and the newly engaged Joe and Amy on Monday =].

Yes...you read that right...I am gaining another sister...and I couldn't be more excited. The date has been set for February 5...so you know what that means??? must.lose.some.serious.pounds =]

Cam had Monday off, and due to the outrageous temperatures, we spent the first part of our day getting the window air conditioners in…thank heaven we did, because it has been a very hot week. We weeded the garden, which has started to produce some yummy veggies…we have picked some banana peppers, jalapeno peppers, and beans so far…and there are some little baby squash, and watermelons on the vines…I can’t wait. There are also a ton of flowers that are ready to be picked…I LOVE GARDENING =] !!

I have enjoyed spending my days off wearing tank tops and flip flops, instead of my scrubs, working on my tan...and sleeping until 7 *which is still early…but not as early as usual, unfortunately my internal clock just doesn’t sleep in?*

The girls worked in the greenhouses on Tuesday, and I worked on the bookwork…I’m all caught up again…we’ll see how long that lasts?

Wednesday we were slated to head down to Shipshewana…but, due to the forecasted 90 degree temperatures…we thought better of that, and decided to go to the beach instead…and my mom decided to come with us…and Amy offered us the use of her family’s cottage on Lake Michigan…and despite the 80 steps to the beach…we took her up on that offer…and it was beautiful…and quite…and beautiful…and lovely…and relaxing *other than the 80 steps part* and…did I mention beautiful? I don’t know if I recall Lake Michigan ever being so warm…we spent a fare amount of time in the water *Haidyn couldn't get enough*…we ate lunch on the beach…we went for a walk along the water…IT WAS FABULOUS!!! *thanks Amy for hooking us up =] *

Thursday was a rainy day...so we headed to the mall for a little shopping...and we saw the Twilight Eclipse movie *which was very good*...we hit the library and then spent the evening in downtown Holland. Every Thursday night in the summer in downtown Holland the have street performers up and down 8th Street...and it is all free *well...the performers/artist ask for tips...but they don't "charge" anything* So...Haidyn, Quinn and I headed down there and we got Henna tattoos, balloon hats, thumbprint buttons, and caricatures...we saw some magic, heard some great music, saw some break dancing, and our favorite *or at least mine* was the kid with the yo-yo's...AMAZING!! So if you are looking for fun on a Thursday night...head to Holland!

Today...*Friday*...it is time to get back to the mom duties...the house has suffered a bit while I have been out having BIG fun. We are going to head to the greenhouses later...which is fun...and Cam comes home today which is the highlight of my day...and we will head to our friends this evening for the Friday night gathering...it's been a great week.

I think the very best part of my whole vacation came on Saturday, when by some miracle from above through a conversation with my mother...there was mention of a possible J.O.B. for Cam...I was moved to tears, and could not wait to talk to him about it...and nothing is final yet...but it looks like come January Cam will have a new job...a job he will L.O.V.E...a job that will have him home and in his own bed every night...a job that will allow him to make it to sports events, field trips, choir/orchestra concert, graduations and he'll be available for the girls if there are any emergencies. We are praying that this will all pan out...we can live 6 more months like we have been living for years now...Cam is just excited to have a light at the end of the tunnel...it is amazing to see the change in his mood/attitude since this all came about. I will fill you all in on the details when we know for sure that this is all going to happen...and we would appreciate your prayers in the meantime.

How does your garden grow?

2010-06-16T22:13:00.004-04:00

we have lived here for 10 years...and have had a wonderful spot for a garden since the day we moved in. we did try once to have a garden...but all that grew were pumpkins...and mostly because that is the only thing that was able to live with the weeds.

So...this year we decided to give the whole garden thing another try.
Cam hit the garden *aka weed infested waste land* with round up.
Then he rototilled it
and before we knew it we became the proud care takers of

corn
melons
squash
broccoli
tomatoes
cucumbers
beans
peppers
mini sunflowers
snap dragons
Zenia's
and a bunch of wild flowers too

We have found it quite funny how the 3 girls who sat in the
"do we want to have a garden" family meeting
and proclaimed there joy and excitement about helping take care of said garden
well...they have yet to lift a finger to help out in the garden *aside from Haidyn who did help pull maybe...10 weeds the other day*
*remember the weed infested waste land*
yeah...we live in the muck...while our little plants are very happy in this soil
the weeds are equally as happy

Tonight I garden weasel'd the whole garden
I have 4 lovely blisters to show for my hard work...
but...
I also have one happy little garden...

Take a look =]

hill climbing with God and Mr Melancholy

2010-06-15T20:48:00.004-04:00

the past few weeks since Cam's employment change have been a bit scary
I am very used to Cam being the one who handles things like this in stride.
There is not much that can "ruffle his feathers"
He tends to be the one who says things like
"it will all work out"
"it is all part of God's plan"
"don't worry momma"
all sorts of things I know are true, but don't really want to hear
Well...that is not the case this time.
Cam is really struggling with this situation
and has become a bit down in the dumps...or melancholy as he put it
I'll admit that I don't like this one bit
if he is melancholy...that means I have to be the one giving the pep talks
I am not very good at pep talks
truth be told...when I encounter a hill in life
I *end up* being glad that I had Cam, and his words of wisdom to pull me out of my frump
I find it hard to be the de-frumper
I find it very hard to see him be in such a frump
it is difficult because he is out of town all week
it is very hard to gage his mood over the phone
and...truth be told...aside from the "go-to" phrases,
I have not found anything that has been able to
make much of a dent in his melancholy mood,
He is so down that not even talk of fishing seems
to improve his frump.

So...I will keep reminding him of what we know is true,
God is in this, even when it is hard to see Him, He
knows the plans that He has for our future.
He is walking up this hill with me and Mr. Melancholy,
and He hasn't abandoned us on any hills we've encountered
in the past.

I'm sure glad that all hills have a top...and the view from the
top is almost always grand!!

well it's news...but good news???

2010-05-24T22:19:00.005-04:00

Tonight my husband dropped a big bomb on me...
He is out of town, I called to talk to him and
He said "do you want the good news...or the really good news"
Since this was a win-win situation...I went for the good news first.
The "good" news was that he no longer works for Kerkstra Precast.
*to me this did not sound like very good news at all*
then the "really good" new was that he now works for a company called G2.
*I was still thinking...where is the good news.*

my blood pressure went straight through the roof...I think my heart was racing
I know that I felt a little nauseated...

But...I was thankful that he.still.has.a.job!!

rewind...I remember last Friday Cam came home, and was in a very not good mood.
He said "I need a new job".
I prayed for him that night, and every night since.
I prayed that God would lead him where he should go,
that the right door would be open,
and...now he has a new job.
Well...technically he will be doing the same thing, with the same co-workers...just with new bosses...and under a different name.
So...this may be one of those..."be careful what you pray for" sort of things?
or...it may be one of those..."aren't you glad you prayed" sort of things?

it remains to be seen!!

Cam really seems to have a good feeling about this situation.
I seem to have a "I.just.got.socked.in.the.gut" sort of feeling about this situation.
I was not aware that a company could sell its employees.
I guess...he had a choice to go or to quit.
He decided to see what they*G2* have to offer.
He says that they seem to be very level headed and fair people.
I am praying that they are.

I have really struggled lately with God throwing me curve balls.
Seriously...just when I think I have things figured out
*or rather when I come to terms with how things are*
He comes right up behind me,
knocks my feet out from under me,
and I swear...He laughs...just a little.

He likes to do this to me
I should not be at all surprised
He knows that I like to have things "figured out"
and that sometimes...foolishly
I leave Him out of the figuring.

So...that is where I am at.
I am trying very hard to trust that
He knows the plans He has for my family...

Please pray for us or rather with us =]
This is a bit scary...
and I feel a bit throw-upie!

*I don't think I will sleep tonight because my blood pressure
has been elevated for about 3 hours*

L.O.V.E

2010-05-06T21:45:00.003-04:00

I LOVE that my mom and dad own greenhouses
and
I LOVE that for many years I was able to work there in the springtime
and
I LOVE that my girls get to work there now
and
I LOVE that you can't really go to the greenhouses without smelling "earthy" when you leave =]
and
I LOVE that when I go there, and smell the "earthiness" it brings back MANY wonderful memories
and
I LOVE that I am not able to walk through the greenhouses without "cleaning" the plants
and
I LOVE that it is, for the most part, a family business, so no matter when I stop there, it is filled with people I love
and
I LOVE that during the busy shipping season I get to bring dinner over to my parents *it's kind of payback for all the wonderful things they do for me*
and
I LOVE that having parents with a greenhouse means pretty flower for the yard/garden

Did I mention that I LOVE it?

what do you get when you add...

2010-04-26T22:07:00.002-04:00

a day off of work + a 3rd grade field trip + a museum in downtown Grand Rapids???

You get a whole lot of fun...that's what!!!

I had the privilage of being able to get off of work to spend the day with Haidyn and her class in and around the Grand Rapids Public Museum today.

It was a beautiful day for it...the sun was shining the whole time *which was a blessing after the weekend we had*

Her class has been learning about Michigan history, specifically about the Native American's that lived in this area many years ago...and about the importance of the Grand River to their life here!

We started out learning about the Native American people, we listen to a Native American version of Cinderella, and we ended with a "Riverwalk" through parts of Grand Rapids.

It was a wonderful day...I am so glad I was able to go =]

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

kitchen floor...

2010-04-26T21:15:00.003-04:00

this was my Christmas present last year...

no more gastly blue carpet in my kitchen...

although the gastly blue, was a HUGE improvement,

over the 70's gold and green carpet we found

hiding out under there...
But...

after a lot of removal, repair and prep time...

and with the help of my super talented
*and hot* husband...
I now have this wonderful floor to come home to every day!!

*this project has been done for a long time...I just

hadn't yet gotten around to getting pictures of it to post*

patience...

2010-04-23T19:08:00.001-04:00

something I need a whole lot more of!!!

I am going mad waiting for some news!!!

leaping and waiting

2010-04-19T19:46:00.003-04:00

I sit here looking in the face of something that I have wanted so bad, for so long.
It is the thing that I set out to accomplish years ago.
I said this very "thing" out loud...and I meant it,
and I believed that someday it would be so.
But...now that I find it litterally with in my reach...
I am second guessing myself,
rethinking that belief in my dream,
maybe there is a different plan,
maybe I should just leave well enough alone,
not mess with a good thing...
but...I know this thing will be a better situation for me,
for my family,
I know that it makes all the sense in the world...
but...I know that it is not up to me,
I am who I am,
I have the skills He has given me,
and..,it is not up to them,
they might think it is...
but...in the end...
it is up to the One who has known the plan for 33 years,
it is hard to resign my hopes and fears,
to just leap,
to just have faith,
to just know that what is meant to be will be,
to just give it to God,
and just wait...patiently
but...that is where I am...
waiting...
waiting for Him to show me my path!

Amazing...

2010-04-13T18:05:00.003-04:00

I'd like to think that in my short time here on earth I have been witness to some pretty amazing things...the birth of my children being a one of those amazing things, and believe me...the list goes on and on.

While at work today I was thinking about all the babies/children that are due to arrive between today *like literally any day now* and the end of this year.

In Cam's immediate family alone there are 4!!! 3 by way of adoption, and 1 by way of the womb! And there are 3 more in the extended Hassavoort family *this is Cam's mothers family*.

Now, if you know anything about the Hassevoort family...you know that it is a numerous bunch...we have taken Genesis 9:7 quite literally "Now be fruitful and multiply, and repopulate the earth."

Family gatherings are loud, rambunctious affairs...but these affairs are filled with GREAT love and happiness. And...at any given family gathering you will find our patriarchs sitting and watching...I would imagine in great amazement as to what their family has become. THEIR family...a family that started with just Bud and Gert almost 63 years ago. I wonder if they ever imagined how their family would grow?

While I sat at work today thinking, I did some figuring...and what I found out makes me smile...

...by the end of 2010...the Hassevoort family that started as a family of 2 in 1947, will have grown to an AMAZING 100 people!!!

Seriously...100 people in one limb of my family tree!!

And what is even crazier...this family is far...very, very far from being done growing!!

AMAZING!!!

* Hassevoort family STATS.

2 parents
6 kids
6 spouses
25 grand children
17 spouses
37 great grand children
7 great grand children on the way

GRAND TOTAL...100!!!!

Because it is beautiful...

2010-04-10T19:17:00.002-04:00

and I just could not resist :]

Under Construction...

2010-04-10T09:26:00.002-04:00

Since it is spring time in Michigan...and everywhere you go everything is under construction...I figured this would be the perfect time to have a little "renovation" of my own. I have been guilty of blog neglect for far to LONG. And I am hoping to get my act together and start keeping things updated from now on.

So...there will be some changes happening over the next few days to get this blog back "up to snuff". And then I hope you will regain faith in me and see fit to stop by and visit every now and again. I can promise that you will be brought through a whole range of emotions...you will certainly find yourself wide eyed and shaking your head in amazement, and you will most definatly come to a better understanding of what life is like in this crazy house!!

2010...Seriously??

2010-01-01T08:26:00.006-05:00

I find it terribly hard to believe that it is a new year already. I feel like I have missplaced months worth of 2009...I think the years go faster the older I get!!

But...alas...here we are in 2010. We spent New Years Eve with some great friends...we played the washer game **the girls struggled a bit** and played some hand and foot...and as predicted...I totally dominated =] We also ate some great food...and today we start our new "fitness plans". Well, as I do every year...I am going to bullet point the goings on from our family in 2009...

we got older

some grew taller

some successfully attempted to grow somewhat slimmer

Cam was layed off for one week (but worked the rest of the year!!!)

Cam got Bell's Palsy again =[

Celebrated Mom and Dad Van's 40th Anniversary

the girls finished 7th, 5th and 2nd grade

we spent the 4th of July at the cottage, and the cabin

we spent the day at Michigan's Adventure with the Nienhuis family

Shannon was able to take a clinical position at Metro, and is now doing what she loves!!

Labor Day the cabin

the girls started 8th, 6th and 3rd grade

teeth were lost

teeth grew in

Cam and Shann celebrated 14 years

Celebrated Mom and Dad Nienhuis' 40th Anniversary

there was much hunting...and much fishing

we spent much time with family and friends

we were loved

we loved

we stressed (some more than others)

we laughed (a lot)

we cried

we took steps forward

we took steps backward

and...through it all we did our best to trust Gods plan for our lives

And now...we look forward with great excitement
to what the Lord has in store for us in 2010!!

Happy New Year to you and yours!!!

40 years...

2009-12-22T06:52:00.004-05:00

My parents celebrated their 40th Anniversary in October. We *their children and grandchildren* had a party for them in November when my brother and his family were down from the U.P.
Our other gift to them was a family photo shoot...because it has been a LONG time since we had gotten a really nice family photo.
Here are some of our favorites!!

It's been a L...O...N...G time !!

2009-12-03T17:45:00.006-05:00

I have really been a bit of a blog neglector for the last few months. Not reall by choice...more by necessity...or rather more by...the computer was struck by lightning, rendering it absolutely un-usable.

A lot has happened in the 4+ months that we were without daily internet access. I will try to catch you up with a lovely bullet point run down...

June 19, Storms hit, lightning takes out VanKoevering family computer...many basements are flooded around West Michigan, and complete roads are washed away.
July 3rd, the VanKoevering family heads up North to the VanKoevering cottage for the holiday weekend...lots of swimming, fishing, kayaking and smore making!
July 6-10, Shannon has a whole week off of work...and spent time at the Nienhuis cabin, and with Tami and the kids out a Sandy Pines...and just relaxing =]
August 6, we spent a wonderfully fun day at Michigans Adventure with the whole Nienhuis family * minus Cam who couldn't get off of work =[ *
August 7-9, we spent the weekend up at the cottage with our friends the Woodards and Katsmas...deep fried turkey...card games...swimming...boating...fishing...and LOTS of laughter.
August 19th...Shannon's birthday...she turned 30 something...and her husband brought her the most beautiful bouquet of flowers...so loved she is =]
Labor Day weekend was spent up north at the cabin...very quiet, very relaxing
September 8th...the girls go back to school...Tate into 8th grade, Quinn into 6th grade and Haidyn into 3rd grade.
September 16th...Cam and Shannon have been married for 14 years =]
October 1-4...Shannon and her mom travel to Washington to visit family and sight see...great time!
November 7...annual VanKoevering girls photo shoot.

So...there I think that about sums up the goings on since my absence began. I have NO idea if any of my hand full of "loyal" readers still check in here, or if they have given up on me completely.

Next up...Christmas greatings from our house to yours...stay tuned...we may just get a little crazy and creative this year??

Washington ~ October 2008

2009-10-03T21:24:00.002-04:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

the U in JesUs...

2009-04-12T17:49:00.003-04:00

Before U were thought of or time had begun, God stuck U in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you'll see it's true, you can't spell out JesUs and not include U. You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U He was born; that's why He came. And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified. Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan? The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U. When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention. "Go into the world and tell them it's true that I love them all - Just like I love U."

a night out + a New Kids on the Block concert =

2009-04-06T22:35:00.003-04:00

AN ABSOLUTE RIOT... that's what :)

When I won tickets to the NKOTB concert...I could never have imagined how much fun it would be...or how much I was needing a good girls night out.

The people watching was a blast...fishnets and high heels...more cleavage than I care to have to see...butts that become billboards...(Tami I know you are laughing)...all in all it was a bunch of 30 something women...acting like we were teenagers again...and LOVIN it!

*and when you add Donnie Wahlberg...and his very super delicious rear view...well...how can you not have fun...SERIOUSLY!!

My children think I am a major loser for thinking these guys were/are "cool"...they can't believe that I was SO very in love with them...(especially Donnie) 20 years ago.

just because...

2009-03-29T08:05:00.002-04:00

just because it may just be one of the most beautiful places God ever created...

and then when I see a picture like this I think...wow...He made it even more beautiful today!

I just had to share!

the economy in the eyes of a 7 year old...

2009-03-27T19:46:00.002-04:00

Our family...I'm sure like most families in the country...is trying very hard to watch our nickles and dimes.

We are firm believers that our children should not be shielded from the fact that times are tough. We are very upfront with them when they want to do or get something...most of the time they end up paying for the majority of whatever the thing or activity is. We are firm believers that even at 7, 11 and 13...you are more than capable of working to earn money for the things you want to do. We were not handed everything on a silver platter...and our children are never going to be "those" children. (don't act like you don't know a few).

So...the other night Haidyn was hungry...and I was going through all of the options of what I could make for dinner. She of course said no to everyone...and said "can't we just go out for dinner?" I told her that we really don't have money for going out, especially when I have plenty of food in the house. I told her that she would need to pick one of the choices I had given her.

So, Cam and I are sitting on the couch waiting to hear her response...and she says "are we in a scarcity of money?"

why yes...that is a very good way to put it.

another in a long line of "where does she come up with this stuff"

Brittany's random picture challange...

2009-03-09T20:21:00.005-04:00

I have a teenager

I have so many random pictures

I always wondered what I would ever be able to do with them

and then...

a Random picture challenge...

ask and you shall receive

So...here is one of the more random of my random pictures...

my daughter(Tatelynn aka T bug) and her friend(Chloe) wrote each others name on the other ones foot...

and really what is left to do after such a activity but to

take a picture...

to see other random pictures visit Brittany's blog at 4 little men and girly twins!

(well true to form I did not read or follow the directions...SORRY! This is not from February 2009...it is not the first picture from the first folder of anything...and it is of one of my kids, and another kid who is as close to my own as they come...I should probably have read all the way through before posting...but I didn't...so enjoy my randomness anyway :)

March 1, 1996...

2009-03-05T14:42:00.003-05:00

So...this post is a few days late...but on March 1 the child who made me a mommy for the first time turned 13!! Holy Crap!! Do I really have a teenager??? When did that happen??? I don't feel old enough to have a teenager!
I was thinking that if the first 13 years of her life went by in the blink of an eye...the next 13 probably will too! YIKES!!!

Just think of all the things that will and may happen in the next 13 years...

she will get her drivers licence (scary)

she will graduate from high school

she may go to college

she may graduate from collage

she may move out of the house

she may get married

she may have children

Unbelievable...

But for now...she is 13 going on 30...trying so hard to grow up faster than she should.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TATER!!

I look forward to having a front row seat to the rest of your life!!!

Cupid visits Michigan...

2009-02-14T14:47:00.001-05:00

Apparently he did not learn his lesson last year???

11 years ago...

2009-02-10T20:26:00.003-05:00

on a day equally as beautiful and warm as today...

Quincey Hope entered the world at 5:20pm.

I remember walking into the hospital and thinking how awful it was to have to spend such a beautiful February day...stuck inside having contractions! But...in the end we had our sweet Quinnie Hope!!

Happy Birthday Quinn

you've really grown into a personality all your own.

You're almost the strongest willed child I have ever met...
but...you always manage to impress me with how caring and kind you can be...
(when you want to).

Where have the years gone???

are you ready?

2009-02-09T20:27:00.003-05:00

Ready for what you may wonder...

...ready to laugh of course.

Get ready for it...you may need a tissue or two.

Take a few deep breaths...

this good laugh will be courtesy of Haidyn...(were most laughs in this house come from)

So...

she came home from school, and proclaimed...as serious as could be...

"Mom the warthog saw his shadow, so we are going to have more winter!!"

OK...so if you can stop laughing for a second...really think about that...

aren't you glad you got the tissues??

Enjoy the 6 more weeks of winter!

Dang warthog anyway!!!

February...

2009-02-04T12:54:00.004-05:00

Ok...so that totally crept right up on me. Does it not seem like just...yesterday we were ringing in the new year??? Why must time fly by?

Well...I have several times over the last few weeks thought of several great things to blog about...and then life happened...and I didn't sit down and blog about them. And...do you think that I can remember those great things now...of course not.

So...I will just post something funny...and maybe I will remember the great things
soon!

You might be from Michigan...

If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling
through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food
will swim by, you might live in Michigan.

If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96
nights each year because Pellston is the coldest spot in the nation, you
might live in Michigan.

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March,
you might live in Michigan.

If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of
the year, you might live in Michigan.

If someone in a store offers you assistance and they don't work
there, you might live in Michigan.

If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle
of his forehead, you might live in Michigan.

If you have worn shorts and a coat at the same time, you might
live in Michigan.

If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might
live in Michigan.

If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone
who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Michigan.

You know you're a true MICHIGANIAN/MICHIGANDER when:

1. "Vacation" means going up north on I-75.

2.. You measure distance in hours.

3. You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.

4. You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

5. You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging
blizzard without flinching.

6. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including
weddings).

7. You install security lights on your house and garage and
leave both unlocked.

8. You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows
how to use them.

9. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a
snowsuit.

10.Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are
filled with snow.

11.You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter
and road construction.

12.You can identify a southern or eastern accent.

13.Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next
to your blue spruce.

14.You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age.

15.Down South to you means Ohio.

16.A brat is something you eat.

17.Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole barn.

18.You go out to fish fry every Friday.

19.Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.

20.You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.

21.You find 0 degrees "a little chilly".

22.You drink pop and bake with soda.

23.Your doctor tells you to drink Vernors and you know it's not
medicine.

24.You can actually drink Vernors without coughing.

25.You know what a Yooper is.

26.You think owning a Honda is Un-American.

27.You know that UP is a place, not a direction.

28.You know it's possible to live in a thumb.

29.You understand that when visiting Detroit , the best thing to
wear is a Kevlar vest.

30.You actually understand these jokes!!

IT'S TODAY...IT'S TODAY!!!

2009-01-21T06:42:00.001-05:00

Tonight...8pm!!!

Please do not disturb!!!

Blessed...

2009-01-12T18:56:00.003-05:00

In more ways than one...
I came home today to find...

my husband outside cooking steaks on the grill
came inside to find potatos baking in the oven as well as garlic bread
the dishes were done
the laundry was folded

I don't know what they want from me...

But...they just might get it!!!

a year in review...

2009-01-09T18:15:00.001-05:00

WOW...

2009-01-01T09:14:00.003-05:00

What a year it was!!!

we got older
some grew taller
some grew wider
some successfully attempted to grow somewhat slimmer
Cam was layed off for two weeks (but worked the rest of the year!!!)
Shann worked in the greenhouses for the last year (sadness!)
Shann graduated from Davenport University
the girls finished 6th, 4th and 1st grade
we spent the 4th of July in the U.P.
Shann started her job at Metro Health
the girls spent a week at camp
Tate spent a week in Washington DC
1 baby was born
the girls started 7th, 5th and 2nd grade
teeth were lost
teeth grew in
construction was completed on the Nienhuis cabin
Cam and Shann celebrated 13 years
there was much hunting...and much fishing
we battled many a mouse
we spent much time with family and friends
we were loved
we loved
we stressed (some more than others)
we laughed (a lot)
we cried
we took steps forward
we took steps backward
and...through it all we did our best to trust Gods plan for our lives

And now...we look forward with great excitement
to what the Lord has in store for us in 2009!!

Happy New Year to you and yours!!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

2008-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

Global Warming...

2008-12-22T12:41:00.002-05:00

Yeah right!!!

(more pictures to come)

2008-12-19T06:46:00.000-05:00

Let the parties begin...

2008-12-18T21:30:00.003-05:00

ready or not!!

We have the first of our holiday gatherings tomorrow night.

I can say that I have all gifts purchased for this party...I, however, can not say that for all my Christmas gatherings. I am a firm believer that if you are not out shopping on Christmas Eve...you just really don't have the Christmas spirit (read insanity) that some of us do!

I'm such a loser...

2008-12-15T21:32:00.003-05:00

back in October I joined the "Biggest Loser Caledonia" along with 12 of my co workers. We embarked on a twelve week journey of weight loss that would end in the biggest loser walking away with $390!!

Well today was the end of the journey...and much to my surprise...I came in a very respectable 3rd place. While I didn't take home the big prize, the winner was gracious enough to gift myself and the 2nd place winner with $10 and $20 respectively.

I was very excited...while I did consistently lose...it was small increments each time. My theory from the beginning was "slow and steady wins the race", and while I may not have won the race...I am exited to have lost a total of 10 lbs since I started working at Metro in July!!!

Now for the challenge of keeping it off, and continuing to shed pounds in the weeks to come.

But for now I am going to enjoy being the "almost" biggest loser!

the looming deadline...

2008-12-13T21:17:00.002-05:00

bah humbug!

"a baby changes everything"

2008-12-08T20:51:00.002-05:00

It's so good to be back...

2008-12-07T16:15:00.002-05:00

in all my excitement about my return to the "world wide web", I decided that I was sick of the bright yellow, (it reminded me way to much of the warm weather I long for) so I have given this blog yet another face lift.

I have spent entirely to much time trying to catch up on all the blogs that I haven't been able to visit for some time...as if I ever really have time to waste! I am always behind on everything. I am nowhere near done with Christmas shopping...and I have laundry coming out of my ears! But...alas...here I sit!

Oh...well!

Many things have happened since I last made a real post. The most news worthy event happened this morning.

It all started a couple weeks ago when I noticed evidence of a mouse. We live in an old house...and, while I have no idea where they come in, mice are something we deal with every year.

While I know that God does not make mistakes...and all life is precious and has some sort of value...I really wonder what His whole purpose was with the mouse!! In my opinion they are small, furry, bug eyed little devils. They rank right up there with mosquito's...and boils on your backside! I mean if there were anything that was absolutely pointless...the aforementioned would all be on my list.

OK...so back to the story at hand.

Evidence of a mouse...we all know what that amounts too...tiny mouse poo! Now...for some reason, and we all know this is true, when a mouse decides to become a tenant in your home the first two places that they decide to spend most of there time are...under the stove, and in the silverware drawer! Of course the "evidence" I discovered was in the silverware drawer...and that is just disgusting. I mean all I could envision was the little spawn of Lucifer climbing all over my knives, forks and spoons, and deciding that right there next to the spoons was as good a place as any for a pit stop! So I of coarse took everything out of the drawer and thoroughly sanitized every piece. And it made no sense to put anything back in the drawer...so we have been keeping the silverware holder on the counter since we noticed our little "devil" had arrived.

Now...I had a few of the glue traps left from a previous unwanted visitor...so I placed one in the silverware drawer, because he seemed to really like it in there...and one near the stove...because it is a great place to hide when one is small.

So...a few days came and went...with no sign of the evil intruder...until yesterday...when I made a startling discovery...right there...in the middle of the glue trap...one, lonely, tiny....TURD!!! (note to self...checking the stickiness of the glue trap that is almost a year old is a wise idea...apparently they lose stickiness over time!)

I decide I better check all the other drawers...only to find a large wad of shredded paper in the very back of the junk drawer.

We've had a busy mouse.

Now I am steamed, it is like the mangy little rodent has flipped me the bird!!

To which I say...GAME ON!

After a couple of hours of deep cleaning...and a run to Gemmens for the most inhumane trap I can find (remember...animal with no worth deserves no mercy) I position glue traps and the good old fashioned "snap" traps in several places around the kitchen...including next to the stove and in the silverware drawer.

There must have been great confusion in the wee hours of the morning when my little mouse foe discovered the wonderful home he had been building was gone...he must have felt as though it were Christmas when his little rodent nose smelled something wonderful coming from just up ahead...and I am not sure what could have been the last thing to go through his tiny little mind...but I certainly hope he was thinking..."well played clever homeowner!!".

Little did my small opponent now when he entered the warm haven he had hoped to call home...that he had entered the home of a women who has been around the block a time or two with several of his forefathers...I've got many a story to tell about other mice who have met with the same fate...either death by perfectly thrown shoe...death by drowning...or death by trap...you can be assured that the end results is always...death!!

I actually managed to rid the world of two of the worthless beasts last night...I am hoping that there death came before they were able to produce young. All traps will be reset, and no silverware will be placed in it's proper location until I can say with 100% certainty that our home is mouse free.

I'll keep you posted on the situation.

For now..."The Great Rodent Slayer" is signing off!

back in business...

2008-12-06T19:11:00.004-05:00

...cost $0!!!

I was able to get into the computer and do a little "clean up" all by myself. I restored the computer back to a day before all the trouble began... and I downloaded one of the free virus protections off the Internet!!

(viruses found...80...other "potential risks"...over 300!) Note to self...going 2 years with 0 virus protection = not a good idea!

We have all been reacquainting our back sides with the computer chair, I think that it is as happy for the warmth as we are to be providing it!!

I am being asked repeatedly to get off so #3 can have a turn (FYI she has had more turns than anyone here already!)

More updates to come!

Oh how time flies...

2008-12-03T19:09:00.002-05:00

I find it hard to believe that December is already here! I feel like I just nicely got all the winter "wear" packed away...and now we have hauled it all out...to find that most of it fits no one!

I am working on getting my shopping list together for the "great holiday shopping spree" (who am I kidding I am...and always have been a last minute shopper...December 24 is a great day to be trying to find gifts!) I am finding this to be more true now that I am working full time. When I hear people proclaim that they have there shopping done already...I call them bad names under my breath...and curse them...only for a second and then I come to my senses. In my defence I haven't gotten very good ideas from the parents of the children who's names we have chosen this year...heck...I have a hard time trying to get lists together for my own children...so coming up with something to get for the kids who have everything...not an easy task.

I did brave the "black Friday" crowd to get some great deals on gifts for my girls. They are all going to be surprised on Christmas morning...they usually get cloths...I'm dutch...us dutch folks tend to be rather practical...I've thrown practical out the window this year (it helps when you have 2 incomes and an actual clothing budget for once in your life!)

We still do not have a working computer at our home. We are going to get through the holidays and see if Cam continues to work on a regular basis before we bring it in to be de-bugged, de-fraged, de-junked, de-whatever they do to it to make it work better. We all are starting to miss it. I needed a recipe that I couldn't find the the cook book the other day...and I've been wanting to do a little "browsing" for Christmas gift ideas...Oh how sad it is that we come to depend on this like we do.

Cam is actually working close to home this week...it is weird to have him home every night...we hardly now what to say to each other...we went away last night and I don't think we said more than a dozen words to each other...sad! I will say that it has been very nice to have the extra body heat in the very cold bed at night.

Well...if anyone has any great gift ideas for boys or girls between the ages of 2 and 6...I could use all the help I can get. It would be really nice to avoid a trip to the store on Dec 24 (especially since I will be at work that day!)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

on hiatus...

2008-11-19T12:40:00.002-05:00

that is the current status of my blogging (and all other things that require Internet access). It has been a crazy few weeks during which...

our computer froze up completely (most likely due to the fact that our virus protection has been expired for a year, or more, and it needs more memory)
our youngest child, whom we love dearly, but sometime wonder about decided that the top of our television was a great place to sit...and you can guess how that ended...no more TV!
New TV was purchased because I was not going to live with 3 children without a TV and computer...unfortunately that means no money for fixing computer...thus my current status.
Dog ran away
Dog was found
Dog crapped all over the house
Dogs owner wished dog had not been found, and had owner known how to load and shoot a gun dog may be buried in a shallow grave in the back yard.
Found evidence of mouse in the house (grrrrr!!)
Got call reminding me that I forgot to pay an important bill, which resulted in a hefty late fee, which I am not above crying to try to get out of.

so...it is probably a good thing that I have not and will not have Internet access for awhile...hopefully we will be back up and running in the near future, and maybe our situation will have improved! (maybe???)

someone...(you know who you are ;)

2008-11-04T19:52:00.003-05:00

Today I had someone show me great kindness...
This someone probably doesn't even realize how much this kindness meant to me...
There is no way that this someone could have known that at about 12:30 today I was thinking to myself..self...doesn't today seem like the perfect day for cheese broccoli soup...
I left work and said to myself...self...what are you going to make for dinner...
I bet you will never guess what was awaiting me when I arrived home from work today...
yup...cheese broccoli soup...
scrumcious...yummy...oh sooooooo good...I didn't have to make it...cheese broccoli soup.

Thank you for your kindness...
God sure knew I needed it today.

costumes and candy and cousins...oh my!

2008-11-01T12:31:00.002-04:00

Pirate Princess

Trick or Treating with the cousins

out of the mouths of babes...

2008-10-22T20:41:00.002-04:00

The girls had church tonight, and when I went to pick them up Haidyn was still waiting in line to say her verse. While we were waiting I asked her what verse she was going to say this time, and she declared that she was going to say the books for the Bible, just the Old Testament. I was impressed, because we have not worked on those in a while...but she was going to try. And try she did, she was really on a roll...until somewhere in the middle when Job became Joel and there were a few extra Ezekiel's thrown in for good measure. With a little help from the three of us moms standing around, who discovered that it really isn't as easy as it looks, especially when you are being thrown off by the extra Ezekiel's, heck I was even surprised to re-learn that Jonah is a book of the Bible...I was content to think that his "claim to fame" was the whole whale thing?!?

Anyway...I discovered that Haidyn has a grasp on the first and last thirds of the books of the Old Testament...but the middle third gives her a run for her money.

So...we will be working on that every night this week.

And...while going through the books of the Bible I was brought back to my Sunday School days...I don't know what grade it was...maybe 3rd? I had Mrs. Meyer as my teacher and as incentive to learn the books of the Old and New Testament she offered anyone who could memorize them a crisp two dollar bill. On the way home from church tonight I decided to do the same for my girls. Two dollar bills are cool, and if it gets them excited about memorizing, I think my budget can afford two dollars here and there.

Now...on to the cutest part of this whole story. After we got home and practiced the books of the Old Testament for about 15 minutes I carried Haidyn up to bed and as I was tucking her in she says..."the Old Testament was the New Testament before the New Testament...Right?".

Makes sense! Something can't be old unless at some point it was new...Right?

The kid cracks me up.

Now...I think I better go dig into the book of Jonah...it can't be a good thing when one just completely forgets about the existence of a whole book of the Bible...although in my defence...it is a very small book!

just when I said I had nothing to blog...

2008-10-21T21:17:00.007-04:00

I came across this over at another blog I frequent 4 little men and girly twins and I thought to myself...hey...it's sure better than nothing!

So, in honor of my 200th post here goes...

31 things:

1. Where is your cell phone? on the kitchen counter charging
2. Where is your significant other? Evansville, IN
3. Your hair color? light brown
4. Your mother? Kathy
5. Your father? Ron
6. Your favorite thing? snuggling new babies
7. Your dream last night? didn't have one that I remember
8. Your dream/goal? to do medical missionary work
9. The room you're in? living room
10. Your hobby? photography...when time allows :)
11. Your fear? not getting to see my children grow up (for whatever reason)
12. Where do you want to be in ten years? living in Montana
13. Where were you last night? at home
14. What you’re not? the greatest budget-er of my time
15. One of your wish list items? remodeling the family room
16. Where you grew up? Forest Grove, Michigan
17. The last thing you did? Talked to Cam on the phone
18. What are you wearing? Scrubs
19. Your TV? is on in the other room and no one is watching it
20. Your pet? Deek (black lab)
21. Your computer? Dell
22. Your mood? lonely
23. Missing someone? my husband
24. Your car? Chevy Uplander
25. Something you’re not wearing? lipstick (but I never do)
26. Favorite store? the one with the best deal
27. Your summer? went to fast
28. Love someone? a whole lot of someones!!
29. Your favorite color? warm yellows
30. When is the last time you laughed? at work (laughter happens every day there!)
31. Last time you cried? on Sunday watching Little House on the Prairie, can't go an episode without tears:)

Anyone that feels like joining in....post a comment here with the link to your post....=)

I've come down with a touch of the..

2008-10-21T20:16:00.004-04:00

writers block.

Nothing good (read positive) to write about.

No new pictures to post (had family pics on Sunday...will share when they are available).

No new hilarious "Haidynisms" to share.

Thought you may all enjoy this...

It is good for a smile at least!

**make sure you pause the music to the right before pushing play**

you know your husband works out of town all week when...

2008-10-17T18:50:00.002-04:00

dinner consists of

spaghetti with parm, no sauce

and...

mashed potatoes with gravy...

and...

this menu is OK with all persons present!

WWWAT: Capturing the light.

2008-10-15T06:57:00.003-04:00

Sunsets are one of my favorite things in the world (aside from snuggling new babies) so I knew exactly what I was going to capture for this WWWAT! And fortunately for me the sun did not disappoint last night. (the top picture is the sunset last night, the following are sunsets I have captured out my own backdoor over this past year).

ENJOY!!

(these photos are in no way photo shopped or changed, they are just exactly how God sent them, and how my camera captured them!)

that's the way of it...

2008-10-06T18:53:00.003-04:00

and it is really getting old!!!

Cam headed out of town again bright and early this morning.

It looks like this is going to be our life for awhile yet.

We do our best to look on the bright side...

it is work...and for that we are thankful.

God promised He would always give us everything we needed for today.

and He does...everyday!

He does not promise that we will eat dinner together every night, or sleep under the same roof every night.

I will admit I am growing weary of this "leg" of our journey...to be perfectly honest...it sucks!

I am adding this situation to the list of things that I will look back at one day and say..."Ahhh...yes...now I know what God was trying to teach me".

But...for now I am just going to continue to have a love - hate relationship with this chapter in my life.

I love how God always provides...but sometimes I can't help but hate the way in which He does it!

have you ever felt called?

2008-09-23T22:06:00.004-04:00

I have been called, if you will, to the people of Haiti for a few years now. It all started with the most precious little face. His name is Simon...and I was really bent on him joining our family for a few months. But...God had other plans...Simon has a "forever" family now, and it is not us.

I don't know where this calling stems from.

Did it start way before I saw little Simon precious face?

Is it because my brother worked/lived in Haiti for 9+ months while I was in high school, and I never got to go?

Wherever this feeling comes from, I hope that someday I can do something to help impact the people of Haiti in a positive way. I sometime feel that this call brought me to the medical field, and someday I can use my knowledge in the field to help the people of Haiti.

Isn't it amazing how God works.

A couple years ago I was certain that we would add a child to our family through adoption from Haiti...now I know that I may not be called to adopt a child...God may have used that precious little face to open up a whole other opportunity for me.

I found this video over at the Livesays blog (Haiti Missionaries). I love the song...listen to it close, and it made me think again about listening real close for what God may be trying to tell you.

Happy Tuesday to you all, and remember to listen...listen for what He may be telling you everyday!

Please pray for the people of Haiti. It has been raining way to much and more rain is on the way. People are losing there homes and loved ones, roads are washing out...it is just not a good situation.

13 years...

2008-09-16T20:51:00.001-04:00

who'da thunk??

I'll be the first to admit that this whole marriage thing ain't all it cracked up to be at times.

Its been a long road...and it's been pretty rough at times.

Sometimes it seems like just yesterday...and other times it seems like forever ago.

But when I look at all that has happened in the last 13 years...
I'd be a fool to think that we've not been blessed beyond measure.
I'd be a bigger fool to think that we did it by our selves.

Gods been guiding us the whole way...(some parts of the 13 years requiring more guidance than others).

Gods handy work was very evident today...when I pulled in the driveway to find my husband was home. He is supposed to be out of town for the week. (I will admit that a little part of me was so touched because I thought he drove home because he remembered it was our anniversary and wanted to surprise me)...but...alas...that was not the case...his schedule has changed and he will be home this week.

But...he did not forget and even offered to take me out for dinner (which is a miracle in and of itself...because he is usually against such spendature's).

So...Happy Anniversary to us...

Here's to many more years of this amazing journey!!

self esteem boost...check!

2008-09-11T18:40:00.003-04:00

So...last night, as Haidyn was heading off to bed this is what she told me...

"I told Mrs. Broek today that you have been remembering to sign my agenda without me even reminding you. Mrs. Broek said that's because your mom is good. I just thought you'd want to know!"

So...it is official...I am good!

9/11 (Patriots Day)...

2008-09-11T14:49:00.001-04:00

Remember!!

thought for thursday...

2008-09-04T22:06:00.005-04:00

If April showers bring May flowers...

what do September showers bring?

rain...rain...go away
I know we need thee...
but ye suckith so big time!

**edit to add...
as I walked the trash out to the road at 6 o'clock this morning I discovered one thing that September showers bring...that fresh...clean..."new" smell. Everything has been washed clean...and sometimes we can all use a good washing for sure!!**

September showers also make for great "duck" days. (this one is for Cam...he would agree with me.)

the last hurrah of summer 2008...

2008-09-01T22:07:00.002-04:00

We spent the holiday weekend up at the cottage. We had a lot of fun...spent a lot of time in the water...ate a lot of really good food...spent a lot of time with the people we love...and now...it's time to go back to school. (even though it truly does not seem possible that the school bus will arrive bright and early in the am!)

Here is a little montage of our fun weekend.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

as promised...

2008-08-25T21:18:00.003-04:00

It's been quite a week...

2008-08-24T21:41:00.003-04:00

here are the highlights...

I celebrated by birthday...I am now...30 something!!
we spent a night at the Hudsonville Fair.
we spent the weekend at the cottage with one of Cams co workers, Wes and his family.
I became an auntie for the...12th time. Andrew Blayne was born on Saturday. 8lbs 14 oz. cute as a bugs ear (believe me a bugs ear is cute!)

I will get all the pictures loaded and share them tomorrow! It was great week!

Have a wonderful final week of summer! (sniff, sniff)

well....

2008-08-22T07:07:00.002-04:00

little mr.

we can't wait to meet you.

we are nice people, I promise.

don't let anything you've heard while in there

scare you into thinking we are a bunch of loons!

one thing I know for sure is that you won't lack for

love for one second. we love you more than you
could ever imagine already.

so...come on out already!!

Love and snuggles,

auntie shann

I was wrong.

No new nephew yet.

While his expected date of arrival has not arrived yet...it is the hope of all involved (especially the mother) that "little Mr." make his appearance as soon as possible.

Please pray for Marissa and the little guy (who is actually a big guy by the sounds of it).

one thing...

2008-08-21T07:08:00.002-04:00

I have found that there is at least one thing nice about getting up at the crack of dawn every morning.

Sometimes....the sunrises are spectacular!!

Today was one of those days.

Hope you have a great one!

I've come down with...

2008-08-17T15:15:00.002-04:00

a serious bad case of bloggers block.

I have nothing for you.

Same old, Same old around here...

Something exciting needs to happen!!

A new nephew perhaps???

Just a thought.

By my calculation...I will have some blog worthy news no sooner than 32 hours and 35 minutes from now and no later than 56 hours and 35 minutes from now. (that would be anytime on the 19th of August!!!)

So...if I haven't driven you away by my lack of anything new and exciting....stick around and see if my prediction is accurate!!

next step....outhouse??

2008-08-13T18:22:00.003-04:00

Things we have done this week:

taken cold showers
washed hair in freezing cold water to avoid subjecting entire body to cold shower
boiled water on stove to do mountain of dishes
washed cloths in the ditch using the "beat upon a rock" method

OK...so #4 is not a truthful statement...but who knows...it may come to that before the weekend??

We're going with the less is more attitude over here at the Van K "homestead".

I...mean....really...who needs hot water?

Next up...the removal of running water and flush toilets!

It is our theory that if you get rid of it before it gives out on you...it will be less of a shock...and not so sorely missed!

check it out...

2008-08-04T06:44:00.002-04:00

Got a new update on Tate...check it out at her blog...Washington DC...here I come!

**I have added a link to the right to view the slide shows of Tate's trip...there is a new one everyday...just a FYI...I haven't found her in slide show 2...but if you want to...take a look!**

CHICAGO...

2008-08-03T14:10:00.003-04:00

We spent the day in Chicago yesterday. We started out at the airport (see below post)...and after we left there we met our friend the Stephan's at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Cam decided, for all of us, that we will NEVER live in Chicago...for as much as he would have rather not had to do any driving in or around the city...he did really well.

We also discovered that no matter what you do in the city, it is going to cost you a lot of money, well everything except going to the Lincoln Park Zoo...that is totally FREE!! And I am dutch...so...free is good!

We met Karen, Sarah and Sam at about 12:30 and spent the afternoon catching up...eating...and seeing some really cool animals and exhibits. The kids had a great time together...Quinn and Sarah are best buds and even though they haven't seen each other in over a year...they caught up quickly and were making all sorts of plans for future visits...Quinn was quite honestly ready to go home with them right then and there!

We decided that we will need to meet in Chicago again sometime (it is half way between us)...we decided that we may just take the train in and get a cab to avoid the need to find a parking place...which is about as close to impossible as anyghing can get, and extremely costly. The Stephan's take the train in when they come and cab fare is a little cheaper than parking...so...hopefully this was just the beginning of our Chicago visits with the Stephan's!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

She made it...

2008-08-03T09:59:00.001-04:00

safe and sound!

Check out her blog Washington DC...here I come for all the details!

planes...trains...and automobiles...

2008-08-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

well...we are on our way (in an automobile) to the airport to put Tate on a plane to Washington DC!!!

She is excited...and a little nervous.

I am a lot nervous...and a little excited.

Visit her blog...Washington DC here I come ...to learn more about her trip.

Our friends from Illinois are going (to take the train) to meet us at the Lincoln Park Zoo for the afternoon. It has been over a year since we have seen them...we are very excited!!

I'll update both blogs when we get home tonight...and throughout the week, as we hear about all the fun adventures she is having.

Please pray for her today and during this week for safety and just for a wonderful experience.

Thank you in advance!

What does one do when...

2008-07-29T21:46:00.007-04:00

one lives in an antique house that doesn't have central air...and...

it is almost 90 degrees outside (at 10 pm)
there is absolutely no breeze whatsoever
one has every window in the house open but...(refer to above bullet point)
all the fans in the home are running...as fast as they can
one is wearing as little clothing as one feels is still safely within ones "limits"
one has every light in the house turned off so as to not create more heat
one is sitting in a chair doing nothing but typing to avoid expending energy...so one avoids creating heat

and...even with all the above precautions...one is still sweating like one lives in the desert???

I'll tell you what one does...

one opens the freezer door...closes ones eyes...and thinks of this...

Happy summer to ya!!

"it" happened...

2008-07-24T18:02:00.004-04:00

"it" being my first major screw up...(and a few minor screw ups thrown in for good measure!)

I'm still very new at my job. And while I feel like I am picking up on things...and things that hurt my brain a few short days ago are now old news...the last couple days I have made some rather large mistakes...and some not so large mistakes...and all of the above needed to be brought to my attention.

No one yelled at me...they simply brought the mistakes to my attention...and kindly showed me how to do them correctly the next time. I know that everyone has been the "new-kid-on-the-block" at one time or another...and I know that all is well...but screwing up just sucks sometimes!
I have had a headache since noon...I ended my day with one more little snafu...I could really use a mommy drink...and I get to get up in the morning and do it all over again.

The silver lining to this situation...I will not make the same mistakes tomorrow...nope...not me, I'm sure I'll encounter a whole new batch of "learning experiences" tomorrow.

I'm gonna find my self a drink...then my pillow...have a great Friday!!

it was time for a "face lift"...

2008-07-19T14:45:00.002-04:00

I decided that this blog needed a bit of a change.

While the Narrow Road (Matthew 7:13) was an excellent title...and it will still remain one of my favorite bible verses...and it will remain the address of this blog...it didn't really accurately portray the purpose of this blog.

I use this blog as a way to remember all the fun things that happen in our family...and sometimes the not so fun things. It functions as a journal of sorts.

So...after much thought I decided to rename this blog

"Don't Blink"

Because as the time goes by...faster and faster it seems...I find myself feeling like I blink and another year is gone! I realize that if I don't write it down...it just might be forgotten. And I don't want to forget any of it...the good, the bad, or the ugly!

I'm sure you've also noticed that I changed the look of this blog...mainly because the brown...while very nice...was a little drab for summertime. I had been wanting something a little more bright and vibrant.

So...welcome to the new and improved Van K family blog...I hope you enjoy!

my first week...

2008-07-17T19:37:00.002-04:00

well...I am almost through my very first week in my new career!! It is so very nice to be able to say that. I have been working toward this for a long time...and to finally be in a position of "gainful employment"...well...it is an amazing feeling indeed! (and the fact that I am employed with Metro Health...that is just like having my cake and eating it too!!)

It has been a pretty eventful week...lots of orientation and training...lots and lots of new stuff to wrap my brain around...lots of co-workers to meet...lots of rules to learn...to say my mind is mush....that would be an understatement!!!

While I had hoped I would be close to home...I have been placed in Caledonia...which isn't terribly far away...it takes me 20 minutes to get there in the am...and about 25 minutes to get home at night...it is a busy practice with several doctors and staff and (from what I've experienced...great patients!) I continue to learn more every day and look forward to getting more hands on each day as well.

Our family is still in the adjustment phase...but, to my surprise, the girls are doing very well with all the changes (knock on wood) and once school starts, I think this will be an excellent situation!

I hope you are all finding a way to stay cool...Have a great weekend!! If you find yourself in need of medical care...come visit us at Metro! (It's shameless...I know:)

WWAT: July/Summer Days...

2008-07-16T06:55:00.004-04:00

July/Summer wouldn't be complete without some fireworks...and a trip to the lake!

Check out Rachels blog, American Mum to see all the other entries!

Would you want to know???

2008-07-10T10:07:00.005-04:00

I watched the movie "The Bucket List" the other night. It is very good, if you are looking for a movie for the weekend, I highly recommend it!

Any who...in the movie it talks about a poll that was done, where people were asked if they could now the exact moment of their death, would they want to know??

I thought I would have a poll of my readers, to see if our results were the same as those quoted in the movie.

I...for one...would not want to know...I don't think I'd be able to keep living...I'd just sit around and dwell on it.

I can't wait to see the results!! (See poll to the right of this post!)

I heart vacations...

2008-07-07T17:55:00.004-04:00

Five people up at the butt-crack of dawn = not a pretty sight

Breakfast for 5 at the Mc Donalds in Cadillac = $19 (because the girls HAD to have hot chocolate...and I didn't check the price!)

2 trips across the Mighty Mackinaw bridge = $6

Bait for fishing = $10

19 gallons of gas at an average of $4.22/gallon = $80

566 miles of "Are we there yet"s, and "She's touching me"s = at least 3 Tylenol upon arrival to destination and possibly a "mommy" drink or two!

Spending time with family in the b-e-a-utiful upper peninsula of Michigan = PRICELESS!!

There are some things money can't buy!!

(these two are best buds...they are like two peas in a pod)

We had a great time in the UP over the weekend. We went to the parade and fireworks in Cedarville on Friday...and I will have to say that the Yoopers really know how to celebrate the 4th of July! I have never seen so much candy thrown out at one parade in my life!! The kids took home a haul of candy greater than any Halloween on record in the Van K. household! And...I think that every resident of the whole entire eastern side of the UP was in attendance at this parade...and they all stuck around for the fireworks at night...which were pretty good too! We had a great spot from which we could view both the Cedarville and Drummond Island fireworks displays...the kids LOVED it...and the parents certainly weren't disappointed!

(this isn't the "real" fireworks show...just a "pre" show, if you will)

We spent a little time out at camp...but the water is still very cold (50 something degrees) so not much swimming occurred. The boys did a fair amount of fishing...Eric had better luck than Cam...but he was very generous in giving Cam praise for being a darn good netter! (Cam did manage to catch a few during the last outing!!)

The kids had a great time together...doing anything and everything they could think of! They were quite hopped up on candy the whole time...so they had energy to just keep going and going and going...

We dropped Tate and Quinn off at camp on our way home...they will be there for the rest of the week. And Haidyn is going to day camp all week...so I am going to continue the "great clean out".
I hope that our next visit to the UP will be very soon...but for now...we are happy to be back "down below".

we have left the land of the trolls...

2008-07-04T01:01:00.000-04:00

and we're headed up over the bridge! We are hoping that the weather will improve for the weekend.

You may...or may not know that my brother and his family live in the upper peninsula of Michigan. My brother works at an InterVarsity Camp, called Cedar Campus. I have shared pictures from up there several times...it is beautiful...it is peaceful...it is relaxing...we really love it up there.

I have been looking forward to this trip for months...we don't get up there as often as we would like...and with the outrageous gas prices, getting up there is much more difficult.

I spent the week getting the house in order...and spent Thursday getting everything packed and ready to go. We hoped to leave on Thursday night...but if that was impossible we left early Friday morning...there is a BIG parade in Hessel, (there hometown) on Friday morning...and fireworks in the P.M. We hope to be there for both of those events!

I hope you are all having a great holiday weekend.

I'll share pics of our weekend when we return to the land of the trolls!

Some days...

2008-07-01T22:36:00.003-04:00

I am just not cut out for this whole "mother of a pre-teen" gig!

The next...11 years should be fabulous (insert sarcasm).

This should be an interesting decade...

It may be a good thing that my brother is a beer delivery guy?

Stick around...I'm sure that you will find great entertainment at our expense!

The great clean out...

2008-06-30T09:24:00.003-04:00

I am so excited to have a whole 2 weeks off before I officially start my new career! I am going to try to use my time wisely (as I sit here by the computer:) to thoroughly clean the house. I started bright and early this morning with the girls rooms/closets/drawers...things have been shoved and crammed and just generally tossed about for too long...it is time to nip this in the bud!!!

The other nice thing is that the 2 older girls are gone for a couple of days...it is so much easier to "purge" things when they aren't here to claim they can't live without whatever it is that has been buried in the very bottom of the closet/drawer/under the bed for the last who knows how long...you get the picture.

I hope to be mostly done with this daunting task by Thursday night...we are leaving for a much needed vacation to the U.P. and it is always nice to come home to a clean house...what's even better is the girls (all 3 of them) will be at camp next week...so my house just might stay clean for a while...

...I better get back too it...hope you all enjoy your week...and have a great holiday!

from the bottom of a big hole...too cloud nine...

2008-06-25T19:16:00.003-04:00

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a worrier. I come by it quite naturally...I come from a long line of worrier's, it's who I am...it's not a strong point...I'm getting better...but those who love me accept it!

I have been down a long road that has taught me that God is a great provider. I have also learned that He likes to hit me square between the eye's with blessings when I feel like the whole world is against me.

We have had a crappy couple of years for sure...it seemed like everything that could go wrong...did!!! I worried, I stressed, and cried a tear or two (thousand)...but in the end God gave us everything we needed...one day at a time.

Lately I have been feeling down in the dumps...just when I felt like we were "getting ahead" I was hit with an unexpected bill, or some other financially draining situation! I was feed up...I was angry...I was un-trusting...I was unhappy!

Hind site being 20/20...I realize that in the blessing's department...my glass is overflowing...a wonderful husband who works hard every day...three healthy children...a wonderful family...a home...(that is not flooded)...the list is endless! But...at the time, the way I saw it "if there was "poo" coming down the shoot...it was going to land on our house 9 times out of 10!" Yes...I said it...out loud...more than once!

And then...as is usually the case...God decided that I needed a little lesson in trusting...real trusting...I'm talking 24/7 trusting. He not only found me a job...He let me have the job that I've been wanting since I started school...and He even opened up the possibility of that job being located 2 miles from my home!

Do I feel a little (read a lot) sheepish? YES!!! Do I know better? YES!!

I am so very thankful that I have a God who is willing to work with me...that He allows me to be a work in progress...that He realizes that I am not perfect, but He is willing to love me anyway...and love me big time! Do I deserve it? NO!!

So...while I am still enjoying the view from cloud nine...I am also realizing that I need to give praise where praise is due...I certainly didn't do this by myself...and I am so glad that I didn't have too!

sitting on cloud nine...

2008-06-24T17:31:00.003-04:00

and loving the view!!

A little less than two years ago I made a huge decision that sent me back to school. When I started school, one of the first things I said...to several people...was that when I was done with school I was going to work for Metro Health. I began applying for position with Metro fall of last year.

With my school career coming to a close I applied for 3 more positions there around the end of April. I was ecstatic when I was called 2 weeks ago to come in for an interview!! Today was THE day. My interview was at 11am...I was surprisingly not very nervous at all...the interview lasted one hour and thirty five minutes...I had to answer a ton of questions...and I asked a couple too.

I felt like it was going well...and then my interviewer said...so...how does July 14th look for you? To which I said "You mean for me to start working? As in I have a job here!?" And she said "If you would like one"!! I could hardly contain myself...It was a huge YEAH GOD!! moment!!!

I still have to pass the criminal background check and a drug test...and they have to contact all my references...but I am more than confident that that will all go over without a hitch!!

And to top it all off...there is a possibility that I may be working at the Metro office right here in Hudsonville!! Which would be fabulous...but I am not holding my breath...I am just glad to be right where I wanted to be...right where God planned for me to be!!

perfect timing...

2008-06-18T22:19:00.003-04:00

God always knows when a little laughter is needed.

I think that is why we have the children we have. They are good for a make you cry laugh every now and again...and no one is better at that than the youngest of our children. As I type this she is upstairs entertaining her sisters...I can tell by the occasional bouts of laughter!

I thought I would share a couple of the newest "Haidynisms"...

the other night well the girls and I were messing around I took and accidental elbow to the head...I slumped to the couch and played dead...and Haidyn yelled "MOMS DEAD...CALL CPA!!" While we are sure she meant "do CPR"...or "call 911"...we had a 5 minute belly laugh about why exactly our CPA would even care if I were dead...or what it is Haidyn thought she stood to gain financially from my death that would warrant a call to the CPA prior to a call to 911???

Then this evening she came into the living room wearing her lovely new robe...which is a hand-me-down, and WAY to big...as she entered the room I noticed that a little covering up was in order...so I said "Oh dear...I see boobies!" to which she replied..."MOM...they're not real!" I thought Tate was going to wet herself...and I for one didn't realize that they were performing the enhancement surgeries at such a young age...I think she might want to look into a refund, because...not only are they not real...they really just aren't even there!!

What a hoot!! I needed this sort of entertainment this week...laughter really is the best medicine!

the current definition of my life...

2008-06-11T20:40:00.004-04:00

o·ver·whelmed:

To be affected deeply in mind or emotion

(the emotion being an overwhelming urge to vomit, and the feeling that I could completely lose it at any given moment)

great scripture...

2008-06-08T11:52:00.002-04:00

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

too cute...

2008-06-05T17:22:00.001-04:00

**You will need to hit pause on the playlist before hitting play on the video**

Can it really be?

2008-06-05T09:49:00.003-04:00

Is it even possible that today is the last day of the school year? I do remember vividly waiting for the bus on the first day of school! Where has the time gone?

The girls are very excited to start the summer...they are looking forward to summer camp and trips to the U.P. to visit my brother and his family, trips up to the Baldwin area to either my in-laws cottage or my parents cottage...and we are all looking forward to our annual Michigan's Adventure trip with the Roelofs.

Tate has successfully finished her first year of middle school...and she went out in style...I came home the other day from work to find a print out of her grade so far...and she is pulling all A's...and from the sounds of it exams went well so that shouldn't change.

Quinn just loves everything about school and particularly like to read and write. as a matter of fact she walked out of the house this morning with a short play she had written for her a couple friend to present to the class on this the last day of school! We always find the comments from the teacher interesting...because they are so un "Quinnie like" to us. She is defiantly a different person at school...and we praise the Lord for that because she can be...well she can be something...that's for sure.

Haidyn...she had come a long way this year...she is the complete opposite of the other girls...this learning business does not come easy to her...she has to try and try her hardest, and bless her little heart that is what she did. She seems to excel in Math (which she does not get from me)...but that is good. Reading is her least favorite...I have a feeling that she can do it way better than she lets on...she is just very stubborn that way!

All-in-all it has been a great year. They now wait with anticipation to find out who they have for a teacher next year. This information will arrive with their report cards next week.

So...HAPPY LAST DAY OF SCHOOL to everyone...now I am off to bring lunch to the girls!

bring on the pepto...

2008-06-04T19:01:00.003-04:00

Well...20+ months ago when I started going to Davenport...I knew that the end result would be me in a full time(or close to full time) job. And...I sit here now with that reality staring me squarely in the face!!

I have a potential (nothing is final yet) job opportunity...that will be a full time, 5 days a week job. I jump for joy...because, as stated before, this has always been the end goal. But...this opportunity is going to start at the beginning of July...which poses a potential child care issue. Yet another thing that was defiantly foreseeable...but somewhat over looked. Right now my schedule is extremely convenient...I leave after they are on the bus...I am home shortly after they are off the bus. Tate is very capable of taking care of her sisters...the dilemma is tomorrow is the last day of school...and while they do very well together in the short term...8 hour days...may be potentially problematic!!

I will know more about the logistics on Friday...but could really use some big time prayer. While I trust that God has had His hand in leading me back to school, and to this awesome career that I know is my calling and something that I LOVE...I admit to being a bit "throw-upie" and feeling a little stressed and nervous about everything falling into place, and a bit sad about losing out on my summer with the girls!

I know that once we get through the summer, and back to school that this will become our "normal" and all will fall into place, it's just the getting from here to there that seems a lot like a GRAND CANYON sized hurdle!

New book of the month...

2008-05-31T21:52:00.003-04:00

I usually just quietly change the book of the "month" (and usually not monthly!)...but I wanted to draw a little more attention to this book.

To say it is fabulous...that would be an understatement. I am not an avid reader by any stretch...it is not the least bit difficult for me to count on one hand the books that I have read this year. And...it usually takes me a r e a l l y long time to read a book.

I read this book in less than one week...I stayed up entirely to late at night because I kept telling myself "OK at the next break I'll go to bed"...but it was always at a good part when the next break came. I started it last Tuesday night (it was my first night without Cam home...I always have trouble going to bed)...and I finished it on Saturday morning...I woke up early and everyone else was still sawing logs...so I was free to cry my eyes out without pointing and laughing from my children.

I am not going to give anything away (other than it might make you cry...I say might because I cry during almost every episode of Little House on the Prairie...it doesn't take much...so you may be able to hold it together better than I)...but if you are like me and like true stories...full of adventure and suspense...you should really take some time to read this book. It would be a fabulous beach/by the pool book for the summer.

And...believe me...it will not take long to finish...you will find it hard to put it down once you've started.

Happy reading!

Growing up as the youngest child with the last name Van K...

2008-05-30T19:34:00.003-04:00

There is something about the youngest children in the family that I have married into...(actually there is something about all the members of the family I married into)...but for this post I am focusing on the youngest.

I happen to have one of the above mentioned children in my home. And...to say she makes life interesting...well that would be an understatement.

Some of the things that come out of her mouth...well...they often make me laugh so hard I cry. And what's even funnier is that she has no idea that it is that funny.

She also comes up with the strangest things to do with her body...like laying on the floor and making a farting sound with her hands cupped in her knee pits and her legs kicking frantically...I should really tape it...it is amusing. And...her impression of the "Shakira...Shakira" dance...hilarious!!

She used to be very offended if we told stories about her funniness, or asked her to share with everyone around...she is growing out of that a little bit...which might not be a good thing. (the other youngest Van K. child...who is 20 something now...still does stuff like this...and sometimes the end result is a little embarrassing for the family). I'm sure that Haidyn is going to grow up to be the life of the party...but I hope she can do it with a little bit of modesty!

All that said I had to share a photo of our crazy youngest child...and for this lovely art of facial contortion I give full and complete credit to the Van K. gene pool...she gets NONE of this from me...she is a Van K. through and through...

There is something weird in her brain that makes her think of these kinds of things...it is a unique something, and I swear it is found mostly in youngest children...and it is especially prevalent in the Van K. family, and please don't get me wrong...I love everyone of them...but they are a VERY unique breed!!

Family weekend fun...

2008-05-27T07:31:00.004-04:00

We had a fun weekend together with Cam home. He left again this morning at 3:30am!! YICKS! He is currently about a half an hour away from the bridge...it is a 7 and a half hour trip to Escanaba! I've already begun the count down to his return...which is entirely to long!

Any who...we stayed home for the weekend, due largely to gas prices...and a little because we wanted Cam all to ourselves! We pretty much just hang around the house...Cam got some yard work done, we went to the new ice cream shoppe in Jamestown (more than once!!), and Cam did a little fishing with a friend.

But...the highlight to our weekend was the annual Jamestown Memorial Day parade. Anyone who knows Jamestown knows that if you blink...you might miss it. And, you may think that a parade in such a small town would be something to laugh at. But...it is quite the event...I am amazed every year by the number of spectators. This is the third year that I (and the family) have been in the parade. For the last two years we were a part of the Dar's All Star Salon "float" (which is really just all of us in her truck with little decoration...but an unhealthy amount of candy to throw to the massive crowd). This year Cam, Tate, and Quinn were again part of Dar's "float", while Haidyn decided that she would like to decorate and ride her bike in the parade(this decision was a source of much inner turmoil for her...because when you are in a parade...you don't get the benefit of the boat load of candy that watching the parade can get you). She was pleased when the bike riders were placed very near the beginning of the parade...because we ditched off close to the end of the parade, watched the rest of the parade, and came home with a little candy to boot! It was a good day.

channeling Elton John

We always love to hear the stories from the girls about how many people they saw that they knew...how many people they beaned with candy because they threw to hard...or how the candy totally missed the mark and ended up in the field. Lots of fun.

This year there was also a Nienhuis Greenhouse float. My cousin Linda, who just opened the new ice cream shoppe in Jamestown "the Little Dipper"...decided to have a combination Little Dipper/Grand View Orchard/Nienhuis Greenhouse float...it turned out very nice, and hopefully it drums up some business across the board.

Another highlight was that my parents actually got to see the parade this year. With this being prime shipping time for the greenhouses...they haven't been able to come in years past...but managed to come down and see all of us this year.

We topped off the weekend with dinner at the Roelofs. We had great food, and fellowship...and Cam and I even secured a come from behind victory in a friendly game of washers!!

a play...by Haidyn

2008-05-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Qwin(Queen): Hlpr o hlpr cam to me now

Hlpr(helper): I am here Qwin wt do you ned

Q: bri me my dok(donkey) this ist(instant)

H: Here she is my late(lady)

Q:Wal tak you (well thank you)

Doke(donkey): I am sik

Q: No matter...you just hav to b(bring) me to the stor!

Narrator: On the way the dkey did(died)!

H: I wll find a nw one for you

Q: Tak you

Doke #2: Hey Hot (such a classic donkey sound??)

Q: Kan you tak me to the stor?

D2: Hey Hot

Q: I tak tat as a yas!

H: Luk it? (like it)

Q: I love it tak you varey much.

D2: Dot thk me, thk the hlpr!

Q: You did tis for me?

H: wa wt I! (why wouldn't I)

Q: I dot no wat to say.

Q: Wal I ho to go to the stor

H: Biy

D2: I nd mor fod (suddenly able to talk? )

Q: hr you go

D2: tay you vry much!

THE END!!

So...in the end we're not even sure if the Queen made it to the store...I was impressed with how polite the characters were (the Queen started out a little rough...but did come around after the passing of the first donkey!)

Oh to have the imagination of a 7 year old. I wish I could have taped it when she read it to me...super cute!!

Maybe this is a sign of things to come??

Look for future installments of "plays by Haidyn"!

Go here...

2008-05-20T22:46:00.002-04:00

http://americanmum.blogspot.com/2008/05/just-another-day.html

I feel like a real jerk for thinking that I have struggles. (see previous post)

I am blessed beyond measure...and I need to remember that more than I do!

single mother and gas prices and memorial day...OH MY!!

2008-05-20T21:49:00.003-04:00

Yep...I am a single mother again (for the next few weeks anyway). Cam is out of town for the week. He will return for the long holiday weekend and then leave again for 11 day. That will honestly be the longest we've ever been apart since we've been married (insert tears). I am trying to look at the bright side...we rarely fight when he is working out of town...A) because we hardly see each other, usually only on the weekends and B) we're just so happy to see each other it's hard to think of anything to fight about, and with so many people in this "wonderful" state unable to find work...we find it hard to complain about a steady paycheck...even when it means zero time together. So...I bite my lip and buck up and do the single mom thing like a champ! It is rather fulfilling to know that I can do all the "women" jobs and all the "man" jobs by myself...I'm not saying that I like it...because I would not wish for it to continue this way...AT ALL!! Another positive thing...I appreciate Cam 100% more than ever before when he returns from these out of town jobs...mowing the lawn ranks right up there with laundry in my book!! So say a little prayer for us in the coming weeks...while it is hard for us here without him...I know that it is equally hard for him to be away from us for so long.

Now...on to gas prices...ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I am so glad that I got gas this evening (oh, he! he! just read what I wrote...I'm easily amused OK?) But...seriously. I should have filled the tank all the way up...because when I got home a friend called to inform me that by the weekend the price will be over $4...like $4.11 or something!! Isn't it convenient that there is a holiday right around the corner??? Who can afford to leave the house any more?? I could really jump up on my soap box right now...but because this is a G rated blog and this type of subject can really get me all vein poppy and stuff...I'll leave you to ponder the gas price crisis alone!

And...let's not forget Memorial Day! Can it truly even be here already?? Does it not seem like the kids just went back to school, and here we are 16 days...and counting until summer vacation begins!!! UNREAL!! When Cam returns from out of town...the girls will be done with school!! It truly is sick how time flies!

While we are hoping to head up north for the weekend...if the gas prices go up as predicted...we may need to rethink that plan. At 200+ miles round trip and the estimated $4.11/gallon gas prices...it would be an extra $55 over the just sitting home route?!?! I guess we'll wait and see!

So...have a great week...enjoy the holiday, wherever you end up spending it...and if the gas priced depress you...just think about the alternatives...a peddley bike or a horse, or your own two feet, or you could just stay at home! (see it could be worse, just a little bit)!

The state of Michigan sucks!!!

2008-05-15T13:18:00.003-04:00

nough said!!

WWWAT : Chocolate...

2008-05-14T17:48:00.005-04:00

When I found out the assignment this time was chocolate...this was the first thing that came to mind...

This is my niece, Hanna. She is from Ethiopia, and before we knew who she was, or when she was coming home, my youngest daughter would ask "When will my chocolate cousin be here?"

She is very sweet(and a little sassy)...I could gobble her right up...she makes me smile...just like edible chocolate!! (only a lot cuter!!)

So...that is my twist on chocolate...enjoy!!

Visit american mum blog to see the other entries.

Because we all could use a good laugh...

2008-05-12T20:12:00.001-04:00

"Dear Lord," the preacher began with arms extended and a rapturous look on his upturned face, "without you we are but dust..."

He would have continued, but at that moment one very obedient little girl (who was listening carefully) leaned over to her mother and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice,

"Mommy, WHAT is butt dust?"

Church was pretty much over at that point...

ya need it...but don't you wish you didn't...

2008-05-12T17:10:00.003-04:00

While everyday I wish I could "cut the cord" between me and the gas pump...it is a unrealistic answer to the "problem".

I cringe every time a drive past a gas station...I just try not to look. I found it a little bit funny when I experienced great excitement at the sight of gas that was a mere $3.79 a gallon!!! That was a whole 5 cents/gallon cheaper than I had purchased gas for the day before!!! URG!!!

I also feel like an old lady because I can say..."I remember when gas was only 99 cents a gallon"...99 cents!!!! That would be heaven!! (also unrealistic...but heaven none the less!)

So...we are going to be staying home an awful lot for the foreseeable future...I was even thinking last night that we may need to go "camping" in our own backyard this summer. Maybe invite some friends...it could be great!

I will say that life as a mountain man/women is starting to sound more and more appealing...live off the land...now that's a novel concept...I think our ancestors were on to something...oh how I wish I could stop lining the pockets of the oil companies!!

I've been tagged...

2008-05-08T15:43:00.003-04:00

by Rachel over at american mum...so here goes...

What was I doing ten years ago...

well, I had a three month old at home, and she was our second child so I guess I was adjusting to life with 2 children instead of one, I was probably changing a lot of diapers and nursing 6 times a day, and doing my best to entertain my 2 year old daughter.

Five things on my to-do list today...

mail out tuition for oldest daughters trip to Washington DC
get groceries
do laundry
make dinner
attend on-line class

Things I would do if I were a billionaire...

Pay off loads of debt
support Children's Hope Chest
open an orphanage in Africa or Haiti (or support one that already exists with not only money but my time)
possibly adopt a child or two
buy a home in Montana near Glacier National Park, and volunteer at the park.
(I could go on...but you get the idea)

Three of my bad habits...

procrastination...I tend to do things last minute...and it drives me nuts!
washing cloths but never folding them
worrying about money(well about everything...but money in particular)

Five places I've lived...

Um...this a pretty boring one for me...I have lived in the same 10 square miles for my whole entire life!!! I would, however, love to call Montana home at sometime in my life.

Five jobs I've had...

Hostess at a restaurant
nail technician/manicurist
cleaning lady(commercial and residential)
greenhouse laborer and bookkeeper
cosmetologist
(I am currently finishing up my schooling to become a Medical Assistant...so I hope to have a career in the medical field soon...I'm so excited!!)

Five people I want to know more about...

no one ever plays along when I tag them... so I'll see what happens when I tag Marissa, and Tami...and anyone else who reads this and is up to the challenge!!

Day one...

2008-05-06T07:16:00.002-04:00

Day one went very well. I knew that I would love it from when I interviewed...they are a very fun bunch of people. My feet hurt real bad, and I was so tired last night. I arrived home exactly 12 hours after I left the house. I have a feeling that this is really going to kick my butt...but I am excited about it.

I'll go back again on Wednesday, when I'll get treated to my very first drug rep lunch!!

All-in-all it was a great day...I'm glad to have day one "under my belt" so now I can settle in and learn all about life in a pediatrics office.

Oh...and thus begins the great job search as well.

Wish me luck!

Here I go...

2008-05-05T07:00:00.002-04:00

I start my internship today.

I feel a little sick to my stomach.

All nerves I'm sure.

Didn't sleep well.

Please pray for me this day.

Thank you!!

one word...

2008-05-03T20:56:00.001-04:00

Fricanos!!

Yum!! (OK so that was two words :)

Don't Blink

...and the day's go by

Choices...

my beautiful girls...

tank tops...flip flops...gardening...and all sort of other fun =]

How does your garden grow?

hill climbing with God and Mr Melancholy

well it's news...but good news???

L.O.V.E

what do you get when you add...

kitchen floor...

patience...

leaping and waiting

Amazing...

Because it is beautiful...

Under Construction...

2010...Seriously??

40 years...

It's been a L...O...N...G time !!

Washington ~ October 2008

the U in JesUs...

a night out + a New Kids on the Block concert =

just because...

the economy in the eyes of a 7 year old...

Brittany's random picture challange...

March 1, 1996...

Cupid visits Michigan...

11 years ago...

are you ready?

February...

IT'S TODAY...IT'S TODAY!!!

Blessed...

a year in review...

WOW...

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Global Warming...

Let the parties begin...

I'm such a loser...

the looming deadline...

"a baby changes everything"

It's so good to be back...

back in business...

Oh how time flies...

on hiatus...

someone...(you know who you are ;)

costumes and candy and cousins...oh my!

out of the mouths of babes...

just when I said I had nothing to blog...

I've come down with a touch of the..

you know your husband works out of town all week when...

WWWAT: Capturing the light.

that's the way of it...

have you ever felt called?

13 years...

self esteem boost...check!

9/11 (Patriots Day)...

thought for thursday...

the last hurrah of summer 2008...

as promised...

It's been quite a week...

well....

one thing...

I've come down with...

next step....outhouse??

check it out...

CHICAGO...

She made it...

planes...trains...and automobiles...

What does one do when...

"it" happened...

it was time for a "face lift"...

my first week...

WWAT: July/Summer Days...

Would you want to know???

I *heart* vacations...

we have left the land of the trolls...

Some days...

The great clean out...

from the bottom of a big hole...too cloud nine...

sitting on cloud nine...

I heart vacations...