Thirteen years and counting

It's hard to believe it's been 13 years since Rob and I said "I do." It's amazing all the different things we've been through. Four years in seminary living in Colorado not knowing a soul when we first moved out there. Years later planting a church not knowing alot about it. Struggling to get pregnant with 2 kids and now a surprise one on the way. Little did we know what was in store for us all those years back, it seems that God had a plan and timeline for our lives that may not have always gone with what I wanted but looking back I now see his way is always better. Happy anniversary Rob!!! Here is to many more years!!!!!!!

WHAT????

Yep, it's true two old people are having a baby. After the initial shock of the discovery we have started to get very excited. A lesson learned, even if it takes years for you to conceive your first two children it can take only ONE time without using caution. REALLY! God has a great sense of humor. My due date is December 13. Any one looking to unload some maternity clothes let me know, Rob made me sell mine a few years back and I have nothing.

Just for Fig and E-boy

I couldn't let Fig win. Listen, laptop is gone and I no longer have easy access to a computer. Rob is enthralled with Facebook right now and won't let me have his computer. I am honored that you are still checking my blog Fig, it almost kinda makes me like you. I was going to tell you how busy we've been and how Noah has been sick all week and in the ER twice and how I don't have a computer anymore but then I had to go and read Chelle's blog and the women who just had a baby with 3 other kids at home had to go and put a slide show together and make my excuses look lame. So, I will blog when I blog and I will be thankful for my readers even if they are Fig and Craig-e-boy, maybe I'll even send you some cookies again.

In case anybody is reading this

I have always wondered what the new Zeeland hospital looked like inside. Well last night I was lucky (or unlucky) enough to visit it. My morning started out kinda silly. I woke up got out of bed and then as I fell to the floor realized my foot had not yet woken up. It hurt but I had things to do. I headed off to the store and ran other errands with no problems. Around 3:00 Elli and I sat down to do a little reading and cuddling. Slowly as the afternoon went on my foot began to ache more and more to the point that when Rob got home I was barely walking and in some serious pain. Off to Zeeland we went. After awhile later I came home with a X-ray, a bad sprain, and a funny little shoe.

Taking a Break

Ok, Ok, I don't want to hear it. I know I haven't been posting anyway but it may be an even longer break. My computer is down and I don't know if or when it will be working again. I will be checking periododically on Rob's but he is infatuated with Facebook and will hardly let me use his computer at night. Hopefully I will be back up and running.

The Decorater

Capturing Elli

This just captures a typical day with Elli, waking up with blue gum in her hair. She woke up and said matter-of-factly, "I got this in my hair." I had to get the peanut butter out to get the gum out and wouldn't you know it all we had was crunchy. After a few minutes we got the gum out without having to cut any hair. She spent the next hour or so walking around with bits of peanuts in her hair until bath time. I guess the real question was why she had gum in her bed in the first place huh? Seriously, another school cancellation again? When will it end?

All that was neccessary was a delay

I see no reason for a full blown cancelation of the school day. After all think of the education they are missing. I guess that would not have helped Elli screaming/sobbing in Target, "I want my blankee". Or the fact that Target didn't have one pair of winter boots left, especially since these were the second pair of boots from there that broke. McDonald's which seemed like a good idea was a nightmare. We did finally find a ugly pair of boots at Meijer and they were on sale. Character boots, which I hate, but Noah was thrilled. A bright spot, I did find a pair of Sketchers for myself for $7, they're gold, Chelle you'd love them. All I wanted was to clean my house and do a litlle scrapbooking this afternoon. Oh well there's always next week.

Detox and Technology

We had a great trip last week to San Antonio, TX for a Pastors conference. Grandpa and Grandma Wondergem stayed at our house with the kids. They had a blast and Noah claimed every time that we called that he wanted us to stay away longer. This week however I am now dealing with what friends of ours call "Grandpa and Grandma Detox", you know learning what the word "no" means all over again. Elli especially thinks that the world revolves around her and what she wants. Slowly, daily she is remembering what Moms rules are like. We are truly greatful that we have wonderful parents who are willing to tire themselves out for a week so that we can relax and rest. We were also able to visit some good friends from seminary who live in Houston and stay with them a few days. We really enjoyed catching up. This was the first chance I got to see Keri since graduation. Loren and Rob stayed in touch via email but we discovered through both of our Apple computers we can now talk via video mail. Even though it's been around awhile it was really cool to talk to them so soon after our visit in a "semi- real" fashion. Technology is cool.

Royalty

The other night we were having a conversation at the supper table about what Rob was like as a kid. Rob was explaining that he was the biggest kid in his class in grade school and was always "King of the Mountain" during recess. Elli was carefully listening and told Rob, "Mommy was a princess". She is obsessed with princesses and was looking through a scrapbook with a picture of me in my wedding dress. With much excitement Elli said," Mommy is a princess, she is beautiful." She loves to look at that picture and is convinced that at one point I was royalty. She will gladly share the news with anybody the secret of my past youth.

Noah

Noah turned 7 this year on Christmas Day. This year especially since Noah started first grade we've noticed changes. All of a sudden we are hearing phrases learned from school, some funny, some bad,one of my favorites is "I rule, you drool". ( Ok, this may one that Rob taught him). He's learning how to read and although at times it's trying he making progress. Even his fashion sense has changed as you notice in the above picture he is very "cool" in the latest headwear. Thanks Uncle Todd, Noah used his gift certificate to pick this baby out. We did quite a bit of shopping to spend his Christmas and Birthday money, we wouldn't want that money sitting around. Some of his other proud purchases were, a Michigan football jersey, a Lions jersey, fuzzy Crocs, and the ever exciting Doodle Monster. Don't worry he decided to save the last remaining $3. Wow, that's two posts in a short amount of time. DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR PAYTON AT BAREFOOTCENTRAL FOR FOOTER OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donny Osmond - Soldier of Love

This is for Ron and Todd. This is way better than Soldier Boy.

Now that's a record

Wow!! Twenty seven days between posts, I told you this wasn't my first priority. So alot has happened in a month. Thanksgiving, Black Friday, decorating for the holidays, and just trying to live life in between. I will have three week off from BSF coming up soon and I hope to share what God has been doing during that time. In the mean time just wanted to say hello and let you know that I am alive.

Happy Halloween

Good times were had by all this Halloween. Noah had waited for weeks to be able to be the dark and dangerous Vader, complete with the red colored light saber. Elli on the other hand had been panting and barking for weeks to become the animal she loves so much. Noah got a load of candy while Elli did a cul-de-sac and called it good. She had the best time handing out candy and getting excited with every new costumed kid at the door greeting them with a trick or treat.

Annoying Noises

Is anyone else annoyed with commercials on the radio that have a beeping horn in them? I don't know how many times I have panicked and looked frantically around only to discover it was from the RADIO. Or how about the sound of a fire engine, the agencies that put these commercials together think that maybe, somebody might mistake it for the real thing and pull over and cause an accident. With all the talk about cell phone use and other distractions in the car wouldn't you think think somebody would have thought to not put such distractions on the air? What dangerous or annoying noises have you heard on the radio?

Tagged

I was tagged some time ago. So here goes. J- Just lucky to have a great family O- Overwhelmed with being busy at times, but grateful for God's peace in it. Y- Yearning for my kids to grow up slower Ok so it was a stretch for most of my answers but I had hard letters to work with.

Low priority

I am sorry to say that this blog has become a low priority in my life right now. I know I didn't need to tell you that. Many other things have taken it's place, homework with Noah, my Apple computer class, doing hair, and probably the most challenging and yet fufilling is Bible Study Fellowship. I have been going to BSF for 4 years and love the indepth study of the Bible. This is my first year as a discussion leader with a group of 15 women. Not only do I go on Wenesday mornings but Monday mornings too. God has been stretching me already in teaching me to be a good listener, something I thought I was good at, but God has shown me different. The other aspect I thought I would stuggle with and not enjoy has probably become one of my biggest privileges. I call each of my women once a week to connect with them. Let me tell you that can take up a good chunk of time but I am so blessed by talking with each one of these women and look forward to the contact. I also pray for them daily and get to see what God is doing in their lives and how their study of his Word really makes a difference. So if you see the same post from me for awhile, know that I am trying to be used by God. There are alot of amazing things he has already been doing in my life and I do hope to share some of them soon. Please keep me in your prayers that God will protect me and give me the endurance in this new venture. For those of you who would be excited by this Rob shot a doe on opening day of deer season. Rob was very excited and still hopes for a buck.

I know, I know

Okay all you nameless commentors who raze me about never posting, this time you may be right. I have been busy with summer melting into fall. I have to say that I was ready for the structure that fall and school brings. Noah is really starting to adjust to getting up early and is loving being a first grader. I am enjoying him being in school everyday and spending some one on one time with Elli. Elli was not at all that excited to be with just mom that first week. Throughout the day she would constantly ask "Where Noah go?" But this second week into our new schedule she is also being to adjust. Every bus we see no matter the time of day Elli squeals out with delight "NOAH'S BUS". Some day we can see up to five buses a day. She is convinced that he is on every one. I just wanted to give you all a little update and to tell you that, yes, it may go weeks at a time before I blog, but I will try to be a little better.

Happy Belated Birthday

There were alot of times growing up with my brother Todd when we didn't like each other very well. A few memories come to mind. * Todd slamming the car door on my head as I was climbing out, he said it was accidental but I always wondered. * Riding home from church in his car, ducking my head so nobody would mistake me for his girlfriend. * Having crushes on all his friends, Todd hating that. ( Rob Tinholt took me out for ice cream once, did you know that?) * Almost drowning me at Ludington, I'm sure you don't remember that. Thank goodness things got better as time went on. When he came home from college during summer breaks I remember ordering pizza late one night having a heart to heart talk about life. I am amazed at the connection he has with little kids. I have never met one that has not loved him, my kids included, he is their favorite uncle. Noah plans on moving in with him when he turns 18. He is very generous with his boat always offering to take Noah on the kneeboard or for a tube ride. He has a big heart that I have gotten glimpses of during different times of our lives. Times that he might not remember but that have made an impression on me. I am grateful to have a brother like you and the influence you have had on my life. I love you. So happy late birthday Todd, and don't worry I only get mushy once a year on your birthday.

Say "NO" to fear

Noah had a lesson at church that taught him to say NO to fear and yes to God. That lesson came back to haunt me Tuesday night. We headed out to the big Hudsonville Fair with the neighbors for a night of thrills and excitement. If you remember from a prior post Noah was a little hesitant about some of the rides. We started out a the swings and he wanted nothing to do with them. Madison went on all by herself without an ounce of fear. Noah started noticing how much fun she was having and decided he didn't want to miss out. I was so proud of him he rode every ride with excitement and went on rides I wouldn't have dreamt he would have done before. As the night ended they had to decide what their last ride would be. They chose the Ferris wheel, now if you know me you know that I am not a big fan of high ride or anything that might even make you lose your stomach. Ok, so I may be known to freak out on a roller coaster or two. But I could I not go on it with him? After he had been so brave all night? It was my turn to bite the bullet. On we went and had a great time. I was so glad I was forced into doing something out of my comfort zone. I would have missed out on a great moment with my son as we looked out over the fair and saw everything below.