Happy Birthday, Bill!

This is a bit long, but there's been a lot of activity around here!
First, a couple of pictures taken earlier this week.....

Bill had Monday off from school and we spent the afternoon and evening in Holland with Tom and Anna's kids. Tori went along and helped Grandpa make some paper deliveries and then helped with the kids until I arrived. Sure was a fun day!

Abby, Sophie, and Noah w/ Grandpa

Abby, Tori, Sophie

Noah shows us his log house - quite an artist!

Wednesday morning I had coffee with my friend Cindy and her son Steve who had a short leave from military duty. It was the fourth anniversary of the death of Cindy's husband Rich and is a time that Cindy and Steve always spend together. We shared memories of Rich, talked about life and faith, reminisced about the past, and found joy in the present.

Tomorrow is Bill's 60th birthday! We've been celebrating with family all weekend, beginning with Laura's surprise visit. Bill didn't know she was coming home and woke him out of a deep sleep about midnight on Thursday night. Let's just say he was surprised....thought he was having a vision, the world was ending, etc., etc. Nearly had a heart attack!



As you will see if you watched the slide show, we crammed a lot into the weekend. On Friday, Laura and I spent time with Jo, Deb, and Grace and enjoyed great coffee, lots of treats, and much fun. Then it was off to friend Sarah's house where we played with Sarah's daughters, Kate and Elia. Anna prepared a delicious lunch, so we headed to their house next and spent a wonderful afternoon with Tom and Anna and the kids. Next we joined Bill and some friends from school for his usual Friday afternoon at Woody's. We ended the day with a wonderful meal at a Japanese restaurant and then a visit to cousin Ben's to help celebrate his 30th birthday. It was a full and fun day!

Saturday morning Laura surprised Grandma B. by showing up at her house. She was as surprised as Bill and was speechless for about 30 seconds. Grandma went for lunch with us and
later we went to Steve and Lynn's to spend some time with them and their kids. From there we went for dinner in Holland with Steve & Lynn and Tom & Anna. We had a private dining room and a delicious meal before heading over to the new City Vu hotel/bar/restaurant in Holland. It was such a special night for us! We missed having Ben with us....but it was perfect in every other way.

We brought Laura to the airport this morning and she arrived safely back in Pasadena this afternoon. The rest of the family was here this evening for Bill's birthday dinner and a late celebration of the triplets' fourth birthday. Spending time with all of them is always our favorite thing. Bill received wonderful gifts from the kids - time with them at activities and events. There's nothing he enjoys more!

This last picture is of the many postcards and notes Bill has received so far. He really appreciates the comments, memories, and best wishes written on them. Thanks to all the family and friends who have written, called, and sent cards! It's not even his birthday yet, and he has already had such a special celebration. It has been a memorable weekend for him....


As we talked about tonight with our kids, Bill and I used to imagine ourselves growing old together - what we'd look like, what life would be like, etc. Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined being so blessed! We are thankful for each other, our family, our friends, good health, etc., etc., etc. The list is endless. Most of all we are thankful for our good and gracious God who has walked with us every step of the way. And tonight, I am especially grateful for the man who just crawled into bed, just an hour shy of his 60th birthday.

Happy Birthday, 'Willie'!!!

My Week in Pictures

It's been a great week, full of family and friends. Tuesday was 'Sisters Lunch', although we missed Denise who is enjoying a vacation in the sunny south. Maybe sister Rose will surprise us and join us sometime! Tennessee is a long drive for lunch, but it would be great to have her with us.

Marva and Beckie

Wednesday was Bible Study, although I should have canceled it due to the ice and extreme cold. Only nine of the folks were able to make it....but we had a great lesson and discussion anyway. Lunch on Wednesday was a celebration of my friend Ruth's birthday, that I missed last week while in Florida. We had a great time together, as always.

Ruth, Lyda, Jacque, me

Wednesday night's snowstorm changed the plans with friend Sue to Thursday night. It was great to catch up a bit after not seeing each other for many weeks. What a dear she is!

Byron Christian had no school on Friday, so Ty, Deven, and a couple of friends and I headed north to Caberfae where we enjoyed many hours on the slopes. Cold, but beautiful!

Deven

Ty

We stopped at the cottage on the way home and walked through the deep snow and onto the lake. It was quiet and peaceful.....

Randy, Cole, Deven, Ty

Deven had a full day on Saturday with a morning of basketball and an afternoon of flag football. We missed the football games, but caught most of the basketball games in the morning.

Deven - # 14

Saturday evening was spent with John & Jo. We enjoyed our time together - even the long wait for a table was fine because we were with friends :) Of course, we spent a bit of time talking about the kids were share in common - Laura and Ben. We hope John and Jo have a wonderful visit with them next week!

Jo really does have a halo - this is not an illusion!

As is often the case, the joys and celebrations are again mixed with sadness. Niece Katie's mother-in-law, Loie, died this week and the funeral is tomorrow. This last picture is posted in her honor and memory, knowing that she left deep footprints in the lives of so many. Our love and sympathy to you, Scott, Katie, and Nicholas.

Saw this Bible verse on Tom & Anna's refrigerator and it's so appropriate in memory of Loie:

To Him who is able to keep you from falling
and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy
- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jude 24 & 25

Disney World!

Celebrating the 4th birthdays of Abby, Sophie, and Noah in Florida was such a joy! We spent two nights at the beautiful home of Laura and Gavin, Anna's sister and brother-in-law. They live right on the ocean in Cocoa Beach and were gracious hosts to our large clan that included all of Anna's family. The kids loved playing on the beach and Noah loved getting knocked over by the waves. Laura and Gavin took us on a 'circuitous' tour (inside joke) that included seeing manatees, orange groves, and Ron Jon's Surf Shop.

We then headed to Orlando where we stayed in two cabins at Fort Wilderness. Monday was spent at Disney's Animal Kingdom, followed by a cook-out at the cabin. Great-Grandma and Grandpa Zeeff drove over from Bradenton and joined us for a few hours of fun. Tuesday was the big day - the 4th birthday of the triplets. All of us got a bit choked up when we sang "Happy Birthday" to the kids at dinner. The gift of their lives is such an amazing blessing!

Our trip was extended a bit by treacherous weather after we headed for home from Detroit. After about 45 minutes on slippery roads, we turned back and spent the night at Anna's parents' home in Livonia. We set out again on Thursday morning and arrived safely home about noon.

The slide show will give you a glimpse of the fun we had. It was incredibly hard to pick just a few of the many pictures I took, but I tried not to duplicate too many that you can find on Anna's site. Enjoy!




Thanks, Tom and Anna, for inviting me along - it was a marvelous trip and I'll cherish the memories of the fun and laughter!

A slight adaptation from Psalm 139:

For You, O LORD, created their inmost beings;
You knit them together in their mother's womb.
I praise You because they are fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.