dandy

Another. month. gone.  There are days when Jordan asks, 'What day is it tomorrow... Wednesday?'  And I correct him with, 'Friday!'.  And he seriously doesn't believe it.  And I don't either!  Our April just flew by.  It was consumed with our bathroom makeover, thoughts and worries over grandpa (who is doing better), and anxiety (for me anyway) over our 25k race.

But after a somewhat stressful month of April, we have had a 'dandy' couple of weeks of May!  I say 'dandy' in honor of our hometown Dandelion Festival of Borculo.  We love this festival and it was the perfect start to our month. The kids enjoyed playing on the huge inflatable-bouncy-babysitter things(seriously, what do you call those?!), they loved the pony rides, and the parade. That night, we went to the Tulip Time fireworks, after visiting with Grandpa and Grandma 'Myke'.  The kids had such a full day but they were awesome!  They loved the fireworks and Charlie has been talking about it ever since.  Even Emmy was oohing and ahhing over them.  So fun!!

Ruby: Advocate for Dandelions

The next week was Tulip Time.  It never ceases to amaze me how lame it is!  And yet, every year we join in the festivities and enjoy ourselves.  We even made a trip to Dutch Village recently.  The kids beg to go to there everytime we pass it and we assure them that it would not be worth their time (and our $$!).  But opening day was free, so we gave it a shot (afterall, we are Dutch).  It was like a time-warp over there.  Everything looks like it could be haunted!  But the kids had a great time on the carousel, flying-twirly swings (even Charlie!), and the zip-line.  We're not sure how the place is insured... it's like the way things used to be, in the olden days!  I took the kids out to a parade which was also a great time.  We had a picnic and a whole afternoon of quality time.  They were so wonderful and we all enjoyed the time together.  And that night, we went downtown again with Jordan to see Natalie's teacher Dutch Dance and to grab an elephant ear.  Another very full day but again, I was blown away by how great our kids were.  They're good kids as it is, but just like us big people, they get tired and crabby too!

 

 

 

 

 

Friday night, Jordan and I got a DATE NIGHT!  This was a big deal... we do not go on dates as often as we should or as often as we'd like!  It was fabulous: to be able to talk without interruptions, to get to hold eachother's hand, and to go to a restaurant where a kids' menu is non-existant.   We love family date nights but we L.O.V.E. nights to ourselves!  We weren't out too late though since the next day was the Riverbank Run.  We were both signed up to do the 25k but due to our very minimal training, I downgraded to the 10k.  The race went very good for both of us considering we didn't train.  Jordan ran the 25k and scored a 2:33:44 and I did the 10k at 1:00:56.  And best of all, no injuries!!

Sunday was Mother's Day!!  Natalie was so excited to finally give me the cards she had made at school and the picture framed of us and Ruby had a card for me, too!  Jordan surprised me with an ipod touch (yes, we are slightly behind the times!) and I am so happy to be able to join the world of texting!  We had both of our moms over.  My heart swells with love for my family.  Why am I so blessed to have them?!  But then when I think of how much I love them, I get a little glimpse of how God feels about me!  And He even loves me more than I love each of my kids and Jordan.  Incredible, unfathomable!

And to top it all off, the weather has been absolutely gorgeous.  Mid-70s, breezy, sunny.   My favorite kind of weather.  So the to-do list for the inside takes backseat to the outside to-do list. 

And I'm sunburned but smiling!

emmy at five months

Emmy Ellamae is 5 months old now!  And what a month of progression!  It's incredible how fast she is growing up... probably because she is our last?!  She has two teeth that have popped through now and she scoots a little too much for being only 5 months old!  She loves tummy time and her exersaucer.  But most of all, she likes to sit with everyone and play.  She can sit unsupported for quite a while.  I want her to be  dependant for much longer than she seems to want to be.  She loves to be laid down while still awake to fall asleep on her own as opposed to being cuddled.  I know that I wished for that with Natalie especially, but now with my last child, I want her to fall asleep in my arms!  I've started her on some baby food and oatmeal and she loves it.  And since I've started her on some solids, she has been sleeping through the night!

Emmy is just a DOLL!  According to the growth charts, she is short and chubby (we don't need a growth chart to tell us that!)  She is in the 15th percentile for height (24.5in) and the 75th for weight (16.5lbs).  The last time we brought her in to the doctor, we noticed that her bottom eyelashes are inverted and they rest on her eye.  It doesn't seem to bother her except for occasionally her eyes are extra watery.  I'm hoping that they correct themselves or she'll need a simple surgery procedure done.  Sometimes she gets really hyper and she loves to grab my face with both hands and pull my face to hers so she can try to eat it.  She makes the most adorable, high-pitched, baby girl noises.  I cannot get enough of her!  She is such a happy baby.  We just love her to pieces!! 

In March, we dedicated Emma at church.  What this means is that we publically acknowledged in front of witnesses our promise to raise Emmy in a Christian home.  More than ever, my prayer for her is to always love the Lord and committ herself whole-heartedly to Him.  And in these early years, we will be responsible for guiding her into a relationship. 

We love you little Em!

grandpa

What a week.  Jordan's grandpa went into cardiac arrest on Monday morning.  He was revived 15 times in the ambulance.  In just 5 days, he has had surgery twice to put in a stint each time, he got blood clots in the stints which disappeared, and he's been on cpap (a breathing machine) for multiple days.  He was transferred to the Meijer Heart Center on Wednesday night and is still there currently.  He's had fluid in his lungs, inflammation in the tissue around his heart, they have thinned his blood, and he was given plasma to thicken it once more which put him in excruciating pain.  Jordan and I have visited him and it's incredible how at ease he is through this.  He has remained so positive.  I just got the call from Jordan's mom that they were able to successfully remove the cpap and he is once again breathing on his own.  This comes as a much welcomed blessing to us all and a surprise to the doctors.  He has been through so much in just a few days.  We know that he has a long road of recovery in his future but we are just so thankful for another day.  He is 83 years old and has lived a full life.  We know that he is confident in his future whether it be life or death.  He sees it as a win-win situation.  But we aren't ready for him to leave us yet.  So tonight, we just praise the Lord that he is still with us.  And once again, we are reminded to not take a single day, a single breath, or any of our loved ones for granted.

easter

As with every Easter, we spent the holidays with our families.  We enjoyed going to church to celebrate, the sweets and treats, and the Easter egg hunts.  But it was cold!! 

Even though Easter is over, we still get a reminder from the kids (mostly from Charlie with interjections from Ruby, of course) that 'Jesus died'.  And he looks at us with sad, puppy-dog eyes!  And we remind him over and over that Jesus is alive now.  But his reminder stays the same.  I find myself stuck in this same rut.  Often times, usually at the end of the day, I find myself re-hashing everything that I've done wrong, everything I could have done better, everything that I didn't do.  I am a sinner.  And the guilt creeps in.  I have failed again.  It was I who nailed Jesus to that cross.  And yes, it's sad that Jesus had to die... horrific.  But what if I focused on the new life he's given me.  That Jesus arose and now resides in me as the Holy Spirit.  Those regrets and negative feelings are to be laid in the grave.  I am no longer dead in my sin.  Jesus has risen and has given me new life.  I am a new creation and seen as righteous through my Father's eyes.

Ephesians 3:14-21.

'Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us...'

He will accomplish His will through us.  He will do immeasurably more that we can imagine through us.  He has given me His power.

'to Him be glory in the church and our Lord Jesus Christ throughout generations, for ever and ever! Amen.'

Jesus died... but now He is alive and He reigns.  He alone is worthy of my praise.  And I just hope to bring Him glory and that the generations that follow me will also glorify Him.  Forever.

And to glorify my Lord is to raise Him up and to be a new creation instead of keeping Him in the grave, unreceptive of His perfect gift of grace in exchange for my sin.


Happy Easter :)

seasons

It's officially the spring season but the temperature is still in the 30's.  Last year at this time, there were days that reached over 80 degrees...!  Oh, Michigan.  I am so ready for warmth, sun, and thunderstorms.  However, even though I'm over this winter weather, I am still in shock that it is actually coming to an end.  This winter flew by, really.  I'm sure our vacation helped pass the time! 

However, since we have returned, I have definately been affected by SAD (seasonal affective disorder), something that doesn't normally affect me.  I feel as if I have zero ambition but there are a gazillion things to do and I am always feeling a bit agitated.  The few times that I get a glimpse of sunshine from the outside, I hurry through the rooms to pull up the blinds, hoping to imprison the rays.  That's what I've felt this house to be at times, a prison.  And yet the idea of going out for a playdate or shopping sounds overwhelming to me.  This is only a small little dosage of depression (if I can even call it that!) and my heart goes out to those who deal with depression all the time :(

I've been very busy around here.  My side jobs (sewing bags and massage therapy) have been keeping me on my toes.  Along with trying to keep up with that, there's also dinner and housework, Jordan and the kids, quiet time with God, groceries and errands, training for a 25k, bible studies and bridal showers, and the occasional playdate.  It's a season.  A season where I have so many priorities and if/when I don't prioritize them correctly, I know it and feel it.  It's a burden and a blessing.  I am so blessed by each of these areas in my life but when there are so many good things at one time, I don't know how to manage it all.  I don't exactly feel like I need to give something up (maybe because I don't want to either?). I guess I just feel like I have to be on my guard.  Be careful and balance it just right or I will need to give something up. 

In this season, I celebrated my 27th birthday.  I am typically the youngest of all of my friends so most of them are turning 30 or are into their 30's.  I should be relieved about that, to still be 'young'.  But this year is different somehow.  I just cannot believe somedays that I am married and have 4 children!  Jordan and I fell in love 10 years ago this year and it has been such an unbelievable time.  I just had no idea that I could love my family this much.  It's overwhelming to me in so many ways. I feel like the happiest girl in the world but I am also saddened to think of how quickly it is going and how often I take them for granted.  I just don't know how to use this incredible love I have for them all.  I try to reveal my love to them in different ways but it'll never be enough.  There is no way to put into words or action how much I love them.  And so I fear that I am not doing love 'right'!  Does that even make sense?! 

Also, when reflecting on this 27th year (I know, I reflect and analyze way too much!), I realize that I am finally starting to love myself.  I don't want that in any way to sound conceited.  It's just that I've had a low self-esteem pretty much my whole life.  I can definately think of factors that may have caused that but I've always had reason and proof to believe the opposite, too.  I know (more than ever this year!) that I am highly valued by my Creator, my husband, kids, and family.  I think I'm a pretty open and honest person, but I think many would be surprised that this care-free girl has had some pretty hard stuff to deal with.  But each new day, I'd put concealer over my scars.  It has definately been a process but over this past year especially, I have found comfort in the knowledge that Jesus doesn't want me to feel guilt and shame.  I know my weaknesses and God has been reminding me of my strengths.   I have felt something strange occuring in this, my 27th year.  I appreciate who God made me to be.  My sinful human nature is always going to be a part of me this side of heaven.  But God has also instilled in me talents that I am to use to His glory, and more than ever, I feel like I am finding pleasure in what is truly important.  I fell deep in love with Jesus this past year and that must have contributed to the freedom I've begun to feel from self-deprecation. 

Seasons come and seasons go but I hope that this blossoming in my life will continue to flourish when harsh winter seasons come back around ;)

all in a day

March 9, 2013... this was our day:

 The snow is melting!!!!  (Ok...actually this was not from today but a couple of days ago.  The girls did ride their bikes for just a short time today, though!  I just had to squeeze this one of my fashionista, Ruby, in!)

 This little darlin' is 4 months old today!

The day called for a 5 minute photo shoot!

 Emmy and her Elephant

  

 Natalie wanted to make Emmy a little blanket for her 4 month birthday. 

She cut out a heart...

 pinned it to the 'blanket'...

 sewed it on...

and 'Voila!'  We were both pretty proud (:

And it was a lovely day!