Happy Father's Day

I contemplated long and hard on who I should honor in my post today. . . My Daddy or my kids Daddy. I chose both. So here goes.

Dear Daddy,
Thank you for being my Dad. Thanks for choosing me. (He really did.) Thanks for taking such good care of my Mom. Thanks for loving her rotten children enough to call us your own. Also, you are the worlds greatest Papa. Thanks for loving my kids the way that you do!

To my baby Daddy:
You are an amazing husband and father...here's the top ten reasons why.
10. You taught Andrew to pee standing up.
9. You tolerate Marianne's big bows.
8. You love me first, always Mommy first.
7. You like to be with us.
6. You taught Andrew to smash spiders.
5. You like to snuggle...with all of us.
4. You understand when I've had a long day.
3. You play.
2. You desire for our kids to have a godly example of what a real man is, and strive to be that real man!
1. You change diapers, feed kids, dress kids, read to kids, and love Andrew, Marianne and me unconditionally.

Thanks for being you!

Family update

Hi everyone. So its been a while since I posted, but I've been on vacation. North Carolina and Virginia were wonderful, but more on that later this week. For now I've got an update to share with you about Lisa (our sister in law). A round of testing has been done and the results are not positive. We are not giving up hope, we refuse, but her cancer is back and growing. She has new tumors on her brain which are causing symptoms. She also has cancer on her bones in several spots. Please pray for the family. Jon, Lisa, Elizabeth and Katie. Appointments are made to discuss treatment options, but every time cancer returns, the options grow smaller in number. Thanks for your prayers.
Specific requests:
Jon-Work, that they would be understanding and supportive
Lisa-Little effects from steroid treatment (racing mind and extreme sleepiness)
Lizzy and Kate-Being shuffled during appointments ect. Understanding when Mom's not on her game
The rest of us-Doing whatever we can to help out while leaning on HIM not ourselves.

Boys vs. Girls

As a Mom of a boy and a girl, and the wife of a man, I've done some independent research on the differences of the genders. Here is what I've learned.
Boys are dirty---Girls pretend not to be
Boys think they can fly in the sky---Girls like to look at the sky
Boys can pee standing up---Girls can too, but its much more work
Boys think farting sounds tough---Girls think it sounds like a helicopter (Direct quote)
Boys think smashing bugs is cool---Girls think boys should do it for them
Boys hate clothes--Girls love them
Boys hate shoes---Girls love them
Boys think climbing things is an accomplishment---Girls think its dangerous
Boys make good sound effects---Girls don't
Boys have muscles---Girls have "squish" (Another direct quote)
Boys are fun---Girls are too! (just in a different way)

Poor baby!

I am pretty sure that anesthesia and babies shouldn't mix. Marianne had tubes put in her ears this morning. The poor little girl has had 5 ear infections now since January. In an effort to make her more comfortable, we handed her over to the little labor smurfs (you know all the medical professionals in the surgery area wearing blue) and watched the next 14 minutes drag by. I'm a wimp, an over protective mother and I'm proud of it! All went well in her surgery, but she sure gave a fight when it was time to wake up. Pretty sure they kicked us out as quickly as possible so as not to disturb the peace!
Here's to healthy ears!

If ya ain't Dutch....

You are still precious!! In your own little way! Even if your name is Andrew and you are a total stinker when you're Mom and Dad want to take your picture all dressed up to look like something you are not. The only way we could get this special Prince to pose for a picture with his little sister was if we told him he could make a "super silly face."

As pretty as the tulips are, they just don't hold a candle to this gem! She was so happy on this night! Not that I'm partial or anything, but DANG she's cute!!!
Our little Dutch Princess decided that it was much better to eat her wooden shoes then wear them. Why were we surprised by this, coming from the I'll-Put-Anything-In-My-Mouth-Just-To-See-What-Kind-Of-Germs-I-Can-Find Princess?
Pretty sure this isn't an innocent look. I'm guessing it was when he was telling our friend Jeremy, "Come!" Mind you, he was telling, not asking. Fortunately for Andrew, Jeremy thinks he's cute enough to follow.
Andrew sure enjoyed dancing with the Klompen Dancers. I'm pretty sure that the only reason he was dancing was for the laughs and smiles of all the wonderful silver haired people who found him "sweet and adorable."

So again I'm behind in posting pictures, but well....get over it! FYI for those who may think I'm a disturbed Momma, I did not actually read the book pictured in the previous post...it was for dramatic effect that I posted that picture.

Attention Please!

Attention Ladies and Gentlemen....I here by announce that one named Andrew Jon Bush is officially potty trained. As a result the Prince's mother and father are jumping for joy!
To all whom it may concern. This is not a joke, it is not April fools day, it is not wishful thinking, it is a fact! Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Have a nice day.

It's My Life.

As I look out my window I find myself longing for yesterday's sunshine. I love sunshine and basically loathe yucky, nasty, dreary, gray, dingy clouds. For some reason that is beyond my understanding, clouds make me lazy, grumpy, bored, and basically blaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh! I know what you're saying: "You live in West Michigan...get over it." And to that I reply, BLAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know where I live, I know its cloudy here often, but I will remind you that I grew up in the SUNNY Big Sky Country...God's Country! I will never get used to all these clouds and I don't WANT to get used to all these clouds, for if I did, what would I have to complain about today? Again, I know what your thinking: "There must be something else you can complain about...they are just clouds." But again, you are wrong. I have nothing to complain about except the clouds that are so dark today that they will most likely rain on the parade. (This is not a fictitious parade, as there is indeed supposed to be a parade today, not that I plan on watching 64,000 children walk down the streets in lines, but there is a parade.) Don't believe me...nothing to complain about...here's my list of my current life...see for yourself.

I serve a living Saviour.
I have a wonderful Husband. He is the best thing that God ever gave me. (Don't tell him, but I don't even mind picking up his dirty socks and flannel shirts)
I live in a beautiful house.
My house is messy. (Nope not a complaint. Its messy because....)
I have a precious son given to me by my gracious Heavenly Father at just the right time.
I have a beautiful daughter who brings joy to our home.
I have wonderful friends who go shopping with me at 10:45 pm and who come over for key lime pie for my birthday at 9:30 and who take me out for lunch and who call just to encourage me on tough days and who I will forever adore.


OK, so seriously, that is my life...What is there to complain about?
Have a nice day.