Happy Birthday, Andrew....Part 1

Yesterday was Andrew's second birthday! He had such a wonderful day. He woke up in time to watch his favorite show, Curious George. He then went out to the dining room for breakfast and found his presents! What a great surprise.
He opened his train and played with it for a good hour!
He got these cute snow tubes.....and got to use them on the hill at Van Raalte farm!!

This game is called Lucky Duck. He didn't really get the point, but sure liked watching them go around in circles.

This is just a glimpse of his very fun day. We unfortunately didn't get any sledding pictures. Maybe next time. All in all, it was a GREAT day!

Come on ring those bells!

Andrew was in his first Christmas program at church. Ok, so it wasn't really a program, just the 2-5 year olds singing. He did great. He started off by falling on his head before all the kids were even on stage.....No tears though... All the kids were such a blessing, hearing them sing about Jesus and his birth reminded me what Christmas is all about.

Here he is doing the motions to Little Baby in a Manger.

I was listening to the radio the other day and heard "Mary Did You Know" I was brought to tears with the line "Did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters." I'm so glad that we have hope this Christmas, hope found in a savior, not a baby that is helpless, or a man hanging on a cross, but a SAVIOUR! Risen from the dead, secure in our SALVATION all praise to him!

Here is our big man ringing his bell with all he's got, wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

MMM.. Christmas

So we FINALLY got our tree up. I say finally not because it's December 24, or because it took forever to do, or any other reason except that I usally do it the day after Thanksgiving. We took the approach this year, that our tree is for Andrew. He is really the one that will enjoy it....if we do it right. So, no breakable ornaments, no perfectly tied bows (yes I've done this), and no tinsle (tear). We have snowflakes (that I made and cannot be broken) popcorn and cranberries, gingerbread cookies and candy canes....that Andrew calls umbrellas. So every day, Andrew gets unlimited access to cookies and candy.....Aren't we great parents?
So here's the bet, how many cookies will we have that don't have bites taken out of them on January 1? Any guesses?

Babies are supposed to grow....right?

This week has been most traumatizing to me as a Mom! In one day, I put away Marianne's newborn clothes, AND moved Andrew into a BIG BOY BED!!! Even though he is so proud of himself, I cried. Yep, I cried! Amazingly, I have only told him ONE time in three days to get back in bed!!! What a good boy. I'd like to say its all our good parenting, but I'm not delusional....he's just a good boy...

Just a little challenge for US all (yes, including me). Pray today. Pray often today. Pray for whatever comes to your mind. Why? 'Cuz God wants to talk to you, me, us, everyone. I have been challenged to bring my concerns and doubts, before HIM, instead of trying to fix them myself, or run to another HUMAN to fix them. He's bigger, right? RIGHT!

Only 21 more big sleeps until Christmas!!! I love Christmas, it's the reason I can sing!




I'll post a picture of the Boys room soon...

Thanksgiving leads to Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! We are so thankful to live the lives that we do. We live in the greatest country, defended by the greatest soldiers (both past and present). We have beautiful children, amazing family, wonderful friends. We live in a nice house, have food to eat, warm clothes to put on, and so many pleasures! Thank you to God who provides our every need!

Here comes the part where Thanksgiving leads to Christmas......I can now listen to Christmas music, put up my tree, wrap presents, and bake Christmas cookies. Another thing, I have decided to try my hand at selling a few things on etsy.com A website for selling all handmade items.

Happy Turkey day to you all!

Life on the RUN!

So, here we are, one month into our new adventure. We are LOVING being parents of two. Andrew is such a joy to us and Marianne continues to be a very good and content baby, also a blessing!! We cannot believe how time flies! As we look at our little girl and see how much she has changed already, we know that this precious time is going all too fast. Andrew is quickly approaching two. I have started planning his birthday and am really having fun! We are looking forward to my sister, Krista, and her hubby, Brian coming to visit on Saturday. We get to keep them here in Michigan until the Friday after Thanksgiving. We are really excited and Andrew has been practicing saying "Aunt KK" and "Uncle Brian" FUN!!! Nana and Papa come back in only four weeks....We are also excited to see them as they will be here for both Andrew's party and Christmas!!! Hip Hip HOORAY!

Please Pray!

We just got word that some friends of ours from church need prayer. Seth and Meg have two beautiful children, Annabelle (2) and Talin (2 months). Meg went to the hospital last night (November 10) with bad back pain and has now been diagnosed with cancer. She has a mass in her uterus and it has spread to the outside of her lungs. She also has dirty bacteria inside her lungs. This cancer is treatable with chemo. A CT scan today showed that it has NOT spread to her brain....Praise God!
Please pray for this dear family. Meg is still in pain and lots of medical "stuff" will be going on in the next weeks and months to come.
Thank you!