...and the day's go by

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...

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...

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 =]

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?

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

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???

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

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...

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...

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...

something I need a whole lot more of!!!

I am going mad waiting for some news!!!

leaping and waiting

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...

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

the U in JesUs...

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."