Monday - Thursday

I have so much to do, I don't know where to begin. So I'm sitting at the computer instead, updating this blog so our far-away family can peek in on our week. It began with some time with my friend Rachel on Monday afternoon. As always, it was good to be together and to catch up on the latest news about the coffee stand she operates, her new home, etc.



Those who know me well know that shopping for clothes is right up there with cleaning toilets on my list of enjoyable activities. But Monday evening I went 'shopping' at Denise's, which was a great deal more fun than any store :)

And it was great to spend some time with family and friends.

Marva, Denise, Lia, Emily

Here's a shot of Abby on Tuesday as she shows off the 'thick-nosed' dinosaur that she made out of play doh.

Anna and I went to supper with the kids before going to Noah's final hockey practice of the session.

Noah's certificate of achievement!

Silly Sophie

Abby uses her hat to keep Grandpa's head warm

On Wednesday Tori and I enjoyed our first trip to Houseman's this season. That's a 'regular' sized cone - well, the cone looks regular sized all right, but the ice cream looks a lot like a triple-dip!

On Thursday afternoon I enjoyed nephew Joey's class musical about the state of Michigan. It was upbeat, entertaining, and interesting!

Thursday evening Tori and her friend Summer went with us to visit Bill's mom, who was delighted to see the girls. Mom is back at Brookcrest and adapting to a new room and a new roommate. She remains cheerful and appreciates all the visits and cards she receives.

After visiting with Great-Grandma, Beckie and Lidia joined us for supper and South's musical. It was great fun and my lack of a picture goes right along with my good-bye - something only Beckie will understand :)


So it is now Friday evening and time to get some work done. Before logging out, here's a picture sent to me by our friend Ali in Florida - a morning dove has found a home in their pot of flowers outside their door.

Wherever you roost,
may beauty surround you!

Precious Family, Special Friends

Before posting some pictures taken in the last week, allow me some bragging rights about a few family members.....

First, Ben will complete his seminary studies at Fuller's Seattle campus in August. He applied to Fuller's PhD program and not only was accepted, he was offered their highest scholarship - something he didn't even know was available! He was called by a professor in Pasadena and was told the scholarship was his if he wanted it. Unbelievable. Ben & Laura and Amelia will be making the move to southern California in early September after seven years in Seattle. We thank God for the clear direction He has given them in not only affirming Ben's call to the seminary, but in providing for them financially.

Laura is back to work after two months of maternity leave. She is Swedish Hospital's first 'multi-campus med-surg float' nurse, which means she can be called to any of three different campuses. She will finish orientation this week and then begin her schedule of three 12-hour night shifts each week.

Next, Anna is receiving many kudos for her work through Hope College. She teaches biology to 8th grade students who will enter high school with their biology requirement fulfilled. Tom told us there is a lot of interest in the biology class for next year because of the 'new teacher', Mrs. Bonnema!

Last, but not least, Ty made the J.V. baseball team at South Christian! He is a great ball player and it will be fun to watch him play again this season.

And now, some highlights of our week.....
The first pictures were taken Tuesday afternoon and Thursday evening in Holland with Abby, Sophie, and Noah. It was a beautiful day on Tuesday, so the kids and I spent hours at the Nature Preserve. Bill drove out and we all had supper together before heading to the ice rink to watch Noah's hockey class. Such fun!

Here comes Noah in the relay race!

These next pictures were taken at several activities at church this week. The first ones are of some of my favorite people in the whole world, the Joy Club folks. There's one shot of the Cadet cookout supper on Wednesday night and then a few taken at the Game Night on Saturday.

Here's Tori's choice at the dollar store this week....we won't be going back until mid-April, as she spent ahead :) Also, I lost bragging rights in Uno and Tori is once again the reigning Uno Queen.

Beckie and some of her kids joined us Friday night for supper and games. It was great fun to be together!

Beckie & Kristofer

Margie, Lidia, Joey

Lidia took this picture of me & Bill

Sunday night was spent with Steve & Lynn, Deven and Tori :) Steve, Ty, and Deven spent the weekend up north helping to make maple syrup, so we went home with both syrup and fresh eggs this week.

Tori and Steve

Deven

Precious Amelia...we just love being able to 'see' her!



This is Laura's St. Patrick's Day cupcake - Guinness chocolate cake with Bailey's Irish Creme frosting.

I just love this picture of Sophie hanging on to Abby's jeans, so I'll end with it and wish you a week full of laughter and always someone to hang on to :)

Simple Pleasures

My week began with a nice lunch with niece Margie. She is working on an assignment for one of her social work classes, so we got to discuss lots of family traits. One generational trend is adoption - it's amazing how many children have been loved into our family through adoption - at least 18 we could think of in two generations! It was an interesting conversation!


Tuesday afternoon was full of fun with Abby, Sophie, and Noah. We did so many different things that I had to put them into a slide show.....First we played at home for a while, then went out for lunch and made a stop at the Peanut Store. Next was a visit to Great-Grandma and then back to Holland for supper and crafts at the pre-school. Bill and I then went to watch Noah at his hockey lessons - cute beyond words!




Tori and I played lots of games of Uno on Wednesday and I can keep bragging rights for two weeks in a row :)


The orchid Steve and Lynn gave me for Mothers' Day three years ago is blooming for the third time. I kid about treating that plant like a newborn baby, but all it really requires is 1/4 cup of water each Monday and lots of sunshine. The re-potting and trimming of old roots may have helped a bit, too.....



I got to 'see' Amelia and Ben & Laura by computer on Friday night. Amelia is such a doll! Laura added pictures of their February trip to Michigan on their site - the link is on the right. Click on AJ's trip to Michigan and enjoy the pictures :)



I took this last picture in a restaurant a while back. I like it because of the fingerprints of children . . .

May little children
always leave their fingerprints
in your heart!

JOY

It's been a fun and full week since my last post. I'm just sitting here thinking how blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life!

Our week began with a great lunch with friends Steve and Michele. We enjoyed spending some time with them - they have such interesting stories.....everything from poison to race cars!


Typical Tuesday Time with Triplets - full of giggles, as usual.

Sophie and Abby dancing

Tuesday night was the last of several birthday celebrations for Bill. There were lots of laughs with Jan and Curt, who shares a birthday week with Bill. Jan & I are thankful the days of cream puffs and pies are over...she'll know what I mean :)

Curt & Jan

Wednesday was packed full - first Joy Club with my friends at church, followed by lunch with Beckie. Like this arms'-length photo?

Tori and I then did a bit of shopping before visiting Mom B., who has made remarkable progress in the last few weeks. Thanks for your prayers for her! She is now able to speak a bit and enjoy soft foods in the dining hall!

Tori and Great-Grandma

We had supper at Byron Christian with Steve & Lynn and their family. Here's a shot of Ty behind the wheel and a little sister behind him :).


I spent Friday through Sunday afternoon with my sisters in Holland - what a great time!! Denise arranged it for us and the pictures can't begin to show the fun we had. So much was included - wine tasting, style show, two incredible breakfasts, live karaoke, tote bags loaded with gift cards and goodies PLUS nearly every store we went into had sweets and snacks, freebies and coupons. It was incredible and we're already on the list for next March :)




Sunday was Noah's special day! Because he shares his birthday with his two sisters, Tom and Anna always celebrate the day each of them came home from the hospital after they were born. We loved celebrating with them!

Noah and Grandpa
(Noah loves the dinosaur but is not convinced it's a T-rex because it has three toes - he'd know better than I would....)

Sweet Abby looks so cute with her new hair bow :)

Sophie loved her new Monkey note cards :)

Sophie and Tom

Bill and me with Noah, Sophie, and Abby

From supper we went to Steve and Lynn's and some good coffee and great conversation.

Tori is becoming a very good artist!

The night and the week ended with some time on the computer with Laura and Ben and Amelia. How that little girl is growing! We miss her so much and are thankful we can 'see' her often - can't wait to hold her again!

Not quite the same as being there, but wonderful none-the-less.

Amelia hears our voices and watches us on the computer screen.

Perfect week in every way!

As you pile up memories.....

..may you always have a fresh supply to add to your stack :)