Washington

So sorry you had to look at that terrible picture of me with a kleenex stuffed in my nose for so long! That was me just before I left on my first of two trips in November. I had the great privilege of heading to Lynden, Washington to visit my sister and brother-in-law, Shelly and Kent. The weather was pretty yucky . . . but the company was grand!

Shelly sitting at her desk at LCS. Go Lyncs!

Kent sitting at his desk at Logos Software

I don't know how to sit still well . . . so I got inspired to bake some bread! Shelly didn't have a rolling pin, so we used a bottle of wine instead . . . divine!



One of the highlights of my trip was reconnecting with one of my college suite-mates/apartment-mates, Denise (who just happens to be my bro-in-law's cousin! Dutch bingo anyone?) Below is a picture of D's daughter, Jayden . . . probably the cutest baby in the world.The happiest baby ever!

Me getting my baby fix! Lovin' it!

Jeff, Jayden and D! It's amazing how with great friends, it doesn't matter how long it's been since you've seen each other last . . . it's like you were never apart! Love you, D! (I tried to sneak Jayden in my carry-on bag, but she didn't fit).

If ya ain't Dutch, ya ain't much! Can you believe that I've been to this Dutch store 3 times, and Shelly's lived in Lynden for 2 years and has NEVER been there! I introduced Shelly to Dutch "droppies" - now she's addicted! Mmmm!

So true! Although, I think that applies to Dutch women as well!

This is where I hung out with Shelly, Kent and their friends . . . and by myself when they were at work. Gotta love Woods!

Shelly and me standing in front of our "coffee spot".

If you're looking for a good breakfast in Lynden . . . just go to The Dutch Mothers. Ironically, it's not a good deal . . . but the food is good. The last time I ate here, the servers wore authentic Dutch dresses, lacey hats and wooden shoes. This time they were just wearing Dutch Mother's t-shirts. So disappointing. Don't the Dutch know that "change is bad?" I bought a Dutch Mother's t-shirt for Mike.

Also, Lynden is know for it's many churches. I think it's even in the World Records book as the city with the most churches per capita. So, in case you were wondering where Jesus lives . . . it's here in Lynden. Here's proof!

Sick of Being Sick

Seriously . . . 7 weeks of this . . . enough is enough! And winter hasn't even hit yet! I need a vacation!



Woo Hoo! I GET a vacation - I'm flying out to WA to see my sister tomorrow morning - but Boo Hoo, it's gonna suck flying with a stuffed head. Sorry ahead of time to all the people I spread the love to on the plane!

Happy Birthday To Me!

Yesterday was my 35th birthday . . . yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I'm getting old! "Half-way to death", Mike says . . . he he he!

It was a beautiful, sunshiney, Michigan fall day! And it was filled with joy, as any birthday should be!

I thought I should share the beautiful card my husband got for me . . .














Isn't it stunning? I was laughing at the cover of it before I even opened the card! It was so desperately cheesy . . . the flowers, the cross, the golden edging . . . it looked more like a sympathy card than a birthday card.

And then the inside . . . by the time I opened the card, I was crying because I was laughing so hard!

My husband . . . always good for a laugh!

I can honestly say that this was the first time I had a dollar store birthday. It's obviously where he got the card, but he also got party hats and party "savers" (that's how Bella said party favors), and a box of Jr. Mints for me too! What a guy!

After the gift opening part, we celebrated with my "cake". A big shout out to Nancy Wierenga (affectionately know as Aunt Nancy to my kids) who made me blueberry scones for my birthday. I saved one until the evening, popped the candle she provided into it - and wa la! - we had ourselves a birthday cake!

Here's a picture of the fam celebrating with me! Don't you love the hats and party "savers"? Oh, and don't overlook the "Birthday Girl" ribbon I got too! What a thoughtful (and very fun) family I have!

Binder Park Zoo with 2N/S

I had the great privilege of going to Binder Park Zoo with Faith and her fellow 2nd Graders on Thursday, September 24th!

We had a blast! The highlight of the trip was definitely feeding the giraffes! Enjoy the slideshow!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Bella's First Class Trip!

Wednesday, September 23, was Bella's very first class trip! She and her class went to Robinette's Apple Orchard, and my mom and I had the opportunity to join her! It was a beautiful day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Out of the Blue!

This happened in the evening of Bella's first day of Preschool.

Mike and the girls were playing outside before dinner, and a strange - yet very sweet - dog ended up in our yard. Mike looked at the dog's tag, and saw that they lived in our neighborhood, but quite a ways away. Since I was still buttoning up my work for the day (recruiting volunteers - ugh!), Mike decided to take the girls with him to walk the dog to his home! Faith had her rollerblades on, and Bella was all decked out in her sweet, light-up Tinkerbelle Helmet on her bike, and off they went! Mind you, when they left, the sky was blue!







Just a few minutes later, this is what I saw coming up our driveway!






Where did that come from?

Baby Girl's First Day of Preschool!

Since the first day that Faith went to Preschool . . . Bella has been begging to go too!

Here's a picture of Bella, after Faith had been picked up for Preschool carpool back in 2006. I wish you could hear what she was saying! Everyday, after Faith left for Preschool, Bella would cry and say, "War Thaif go? War Thaif go?". Imagine it in the most pathetic, crying voice ever! You can just see the anguish in her little eyes!

Well, Baby Girl! Your time has finally come! Unfortunately not until 12:30p, however . . . which means every school morning is filled with, "Is it time for school yet, Mommy? Is it lunch time yet, Mommy? (no, it's only 9:00a!!!)"

Woo Hoo! The first day is here! The outfit has been picked, and laying out for over a week!

Adorable!

Feelin' Groovy! (that's what her shirt says)

Walking to class . . . doesn't she look small compared that backpack?

Mrs. Konyndyk

Mrs. Clark

Faith and Dylan making their name tags

Hearing the story of "The Kissing Hand"

You made it baby! You're finally a preschooler! I'm so proud of you!

Oh What Fun it is to Play When Mommy has to Work!

As many of you know, I Direct the Children's Ministries for my church. This affords me much flexibility, and allows me to work from home much of the time.

The down side is, I have to keep my kids occupied in order to get anything done . . . OR . . . they keep themselves occupied, which, as you are about to see, can sometimes be worse! He he he! All I know, is they were playing SOOOOOO nice together, which doesn't always happen! When they're playing nice . . . I don't interfere . . . I let them be!

When I went into the garage to check on them, this is what I found!

and this . . .

By the time I had checked on them, they had moved on from playing "Orphanage" to playing, "let's give Lucy a bath"!

You can see from this picture, how much Lucy was enjoying herself! When a dog's ears are down, that means they're happy, right?

You can almost hear her swearing, can't you?

The important thing was THEY were happy!

Too bad getting them to clean it all up wasn't such a "happy" experience!

Big 2nd Grader!

It really is amazing how fast time seems to go! It seems like just yesterday that Faith was starting her first day of preschool . . . and now, here she is a big 2nd grader! She's reading, writing, socializing, and growing up a little too much for my taste! Suddenly she's turning into a young lady instead of a little girl! When did that happen?

Big 2nd grader!

Sporting the backpack, and her new school duds!

One proud mama!

Her amazing team of teachers! Mrs. Seif, Miss Glover (student teacher from Calvin) and Mrs. Nieuwsma! We have been praying for the right "teacher match" for Faith all summer. And she got 3! God knows it will take a team! Ha ha ha!

Her crazy class!

A Weekend Away

The weekend before Labor Day, Mike and I took off for a MUCH NEEDED weekend away! A huge word of thanks goes out to my mom, who watched the girls for us (just a week after her last chemo treatment)! We had a blast! Here are some of the highlights:

We drove up to the Petoskey/Harbor Springs area the first day, and that evening went to a fabulous little place called The Legs Inn. The atmosphere was amazing, and the food was a curious mix of Polish and Native American! Curious, but delish!
Mike and I in front of the restaurant

The back side of the restaurant, where the outdoor dining was

The view from our table (Mike took a picture of his dinner with his camera phone, so if you're interested in that . . . contact him)! He he he!

Seriously . . . this was the view from the back yard of the restaurant! Amazing!


The next morning, we drove to Petoskey State Park to hike the trails!
Hiking in the woods

We propped the camera up on a log for this shot . . . not bad!

The end of the trail came out to the dunes and Lake Michigan - here we made another attempt at a self-taken photo!

That night, we drove down to Traverse City and took a vineyard/wine tasting tour of one of my favorites - Chateau Grand Traverse (they make a yummy Riesling)!


View of the vineyard from the road

Mmmmm Riesling grapes! How I love thee!