Amazing...

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...

and I just could not resist :]

Under Construction...

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??

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...

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 !!

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

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com