Boys Boys and more boys

1 year later...

2012-01-11T07:02:00.000-05:00

Today marked one year since I started weight watchers. I haven't talked much about this...maybe not at all. Now I'm going to get an little vulnerable for a few minutes. This whole lifestyle thing started the summer of 2010 and we were camping. Mike had gone home for the night and I settled into my "bedroom" to read before falling asleep. I was horrified when I looked into the mirror on the closet doors and I looked like a beached whale lying there. I got sick to my stomach...I always knew I was heavier but I really thought I was that fat.

It took me about 6 months before I actually got serious about losing. I finally walked into a weight watchers center on Jan 12 2011. I was scared...scared to see how high my weight had gotten. It was bad. After that first meeting, my thoughts were if I could use 35lbs or even 50lbs I would be happy. I always had in my head that I was always going to be heavy. I would never to skinny...I would always be plus size.

Slowly but steadily the weight came off. I stopped drinking soft drinks altogether and started getting on the treadmill a couple times a week...even though it wasn't very long. Before I knew it those first 25lb, then 50lbs came off...I was so excited.

Today, one year later I am 90+lbs lighter and feel wonderful. Am I done? No, not yet. I have some more to loss and hope to get to my goal weight by this time next year.

Here are a few pictures from the past year. I never liked pictures taken of me and really still don't so there aren't many pictures.

Before Picture: My dad and I at Barothy Lodge

Before Picture: Christmas 2010

Before Picture: at Barothy Lodge December 2010

March 2011: Mike and I at a Red Wings Game
25 pounds lost

May 2011: I was in my dad's plane for the first time
50 pounds lost

on a field trip in May 2011

June 2011
60 pounds lost

Nov 2011 Celebrated 80 pounds off by having my ear pierced

Dec 2011: Griffin's game with my family
90 pounds lost

New Year's Eve with my best gals. Thank you all for being there throughout this past year.

Today this is what i look like...

with my jeans from when I started my journey

Killing two birds with one stone

2012-01-07T10:07:00.002-05:00

Thursdays are Connor's day home from school and we were bored. He wanted to play a game and I wanted to play around with my camera and here's what we did...

...played Jenga.

peeking through the blocks

our tallest tower

Connor wanted to be behind the camera

and of course Spottie had to be in a couple shots

Spottie on top of the tower

~Fun Times!!!

New Year's eve Party

2012-01-01T20:44:00.000-05:00

Last night we brought in the New Year with the best group of people. We started the with a seat down dinner...something we don't usually have with our bunch of kids (17 total).

After dinner we started a friendly competition with a bunch of Minute to Win it games. We did the games as a couple; if both completed the task in 1 minute they scored 2 pts, if one completed the task one point was earned and of course if no one completed the task a big fat O.

We also played a great game of Jeoprady with Josh as Alex Trebek.

more candelier

more reindeer nosedrive

Extreme Christmas Nutstacker

more Chocolate Unicorn

Don't blow the Joker

Caddy Stack

more a bit dicey

more Movin' on Up

more Chocolate Unicorn

Tim thought it would work better to smash the ding dongs in his forehead, the only thing did was make a chocolaty mess.

At the end of four rounds, the points were tied between us and Tim and Nat. So it was decided that we had to have a tie breaker with the candelier, which remember the Jelsema's already did.

in the end Tim and Nat won the prize...a gift card to TGIF

Toasting to the New Year.

Here's to a great 2012!!!!

Barothy Lodge

2012-01-01T19:35:00.000-05:00

Between the holidays we spent time with my entire family at Barothy Lodge...same place we went last year. We were quite bummed there was no snow this year but we found other things to do to keep us busy. We started off the gathering by opening our Christmas gifts to each other. My boys got things that they really wanted; Brendan - a Red Wings Sweatshirt, Austin - a Red Wings Jersey. Lucas - Boxcar Children books, and Connor - a puppy pillow pet. and from G & G Geerlings they got tickets for Disney (they are starting to get little more excited about our Florida trip), devotion books, an ornament and a webkinz.

We spent some time letting the kids decorate Christmas cookies. I love how some of the kids were so detail oriented and others just wanted to see how many sprinkles they could get on one cookie

We played lots of games...card games, word games, angry birds on the parent's cell phones, pool, minute to win it games, and much more.

Here's the actually lodge that we stayed in...on Thursday we got a little dusting of snow and the kids are were left (sickness hit this vacation and slowly we lost some of the families to the flu) headed out to play in it.

making snow angels,

and a very small snowman

a favorite spot of an afternoon snack

Christmas at Home

2011-12-25T20:51:00.001-05:00

Today we opened presents at home. There wasn't a lot of gifts, just the ones from the Christmas shopper at school and their stockings. But before the gifts could be opened the boys had to make their mom happy with a family photo.

Connor was so excited to give Mike the car wash that he opened the gift and needed a picture with it.

Austin gave Mike a new pair of gloves

the best coffee cup in the world, right mom????

the twin's handmade calendars that they made in school

Brendan and Connor with the Webkinz they got for each other

Austin & Lucas with the gifts they got for each other.

the angel ornament Brendan made for us.

Connor with his chain saw...I wonder how long it will be before I put this one in the cabinet

the boys with their stockings

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2011-12-25T17:34:00.000-05:00

First Christmas Party

2011-12-24T14:14:00.003-05:00

Friday night we had our first official Christmas party of 2011. We head to G & G Van Dam's house for dinner and presents....tons of present for the kids. Good Times!!!

fighting over the gift

new sunglasses from Aunt Kelli

the erector set Connor broke the motor on the next morning

patiently waiting for more presents

our third annual copy of super mario bros

a bug house for all those bugs they catch while we're camping next summer

new sled

more books

car washing supplies

new camping chairs

Grandma made the kids all a pillow like the one they all love from her house.

All the kiddos with their stockings

and as you can see the pillows have already been put to good use.

our boys will not being making us rich...or would they???

2011-12-24T10:23:00.002-05:00

We did something a little different for the boys for Christmas this year. In lieu of a couple gift each we decided to do one big gift for them all. So instead of just telling them when we open gifts I did something a little different...I gave them 12 gifts; each one with some candy or a small token and 4 puzzles pieces. They slowly put the puzzle together trying the figure out what it was. On Thursday night we gave them the last four pieces and here's how it played out.

Mike and I were hoping for way more excitement than what we got...I really hope they aren't disappointed. There was no shock, no disbelief, no jumping for joy, no super excited kids....we would never make it on AFV with our kids' reaction. BUT then again the funny videos never do win so maybe we would have had a chance if I had recorded it.

As you can see from the picture below there is a missing piece...that is Mike's fault. I know of all my boys, Mike has to lose a piece. I had wrapped the last four pieces individually so each boy could open one...Mike had them in his pocket when we went for supper that night. After supper, Mike had to stop at D&W for the soda. When we got home there were only 3 pieces left in his pockets...I did try and make him go back to the store to get it, but in the end we just took one of the other pieces and let the boys open them. He thinks he threw it out with some candy wrappers.

So now I just hope the boys will get a bit more excited as they will be finding out a few more things about the Florida during the rest of our Christmas Parties. Mike's parents bought them tickets to Legoland and my parents bought tickets to Disney. So I really would like a little more excited from the boys.

Griffins Hockey

2011-12-23T17:02:00.000-05:00

To start off Christmas break we headed to a hockey game...hockey's a favorite sport in this household and seeing how it's too expensive for us to the boys to the Joe Louis Arena we opt to take the boys to the VanAndel to watch the Griffin's. We had a great time and made through the whole game, leaving during OT. The griffins unfortunately lost but it was a good game even a fight or two.

Christmas Around the World

2011-12-23T15:01:00.003-05:00

My twins have been learning about Christmas around the World at school. It's a special class that they got to take in first and second grades. Last year they learned how Christmas was celebrated in Philippines, China, Mexico and Sweden. This year they learned about Netherlands, Peru, Australia, and Sierra Leone.

It's really neat and amazing what they learn about the traditions in other countries.

So anyway, we have to amazing place called Frederick Meijer Gardens. It's a place that we have taken many field trips to...for the children's gardens, the butterfly exhibit, and many more things. But they also have a really cool display of all different Christmas Trees decorated for many different countries. Last Tuesday the first and second graders got to see all the trees. Austin & Lucas's favorite tree was from Peru...they must be twins :)

Unfortunately, I was assigned to my own kids during the field trip so I don't have any pictures of them, but enjoy these pictures of the different trees and some of the different nativity scenes.

Merry Christmas to Everyone all around the World!!!!

Giveaway

2011-12-19T17:10:00.002-05:00

My girlfriend, Nat is celebrating her 1st year on Etsy with a giveaway of one of her creations. I love how creative she is will her designs. There are many times that I have wished over the past year, if only I had a girl, because I love so many of her designs. So head over to her blog ASAP to get registered for her giveaway.

The Geerlings Critters

2011-12-12T07:39:00.001-05:00

On Saturday I had the opportunity to take some more pictures...this time is was for my brother and sister in law and their barn-ful of critters. It was a fun afternoon, I just need to get some fingered gloves so I don't freeze my fingers again next time. Thanks Jodi (and Bri, Cash, Wes, Ritz, Trisket, Jasmine, Lucie & Bernice) for letting me take your pics.

double digital

2011-12-12T07:27:00.000-05:00

Can I really be this old???? I mean where the past 10 years go? I can't believe I already have a child in the double digitals...that's right Brendan is now 10!!!

This past Friday was his birthday and he was so excited to celebrate his day. Here are some of the highlights from the day.

1. cinnamon rolls for a birthday treat.

2. being at school (he was sick for 2 days before the big day)

3. having the grandparents over for a party

4. getting ninjago legos

5. having the ninjago legos built within 10 minutes of ripping open the gift.

6. the $20 in one of his birthday cards.

7. Pokemon cards from his friend

8. new books to read.

9. a new Jeopardy DS game

10. cake

one posed pictures with all the gifts before they're open.

opening his gifts with his jack knife.

the opened gifts

the cake

Happy Birthday Brendan!!!!

I pray that you will continue to be the young man that you are growing up to be. Someone who loves life, your family and the LORD. I pray that you will continue to grow in your relationship with God. I love you more today than the day you were born...so does your dad. :) Thanks for being who you are

Brendan's recap of Summer 2011

2011-11-22T17:59:00.000-05:00

Brendan made this video in computer class at school...I thought he did a great job.

Impulsive

2011-11-21T16:53:00.001-05:00

So last Friday I spent the day in Chicago with some Friends on a day shopping trip. We had a great time browsing through the stores, buying some things, and enjoying lots of food &drinks. Towards the end of the day we stop by a Clarie's store to pick up some earrings for Nat's daughter Sydney. That's when I had in impulsive thought to get my ear pierced again. Crazy, I know...but thought of it as a way to celebrate all the weight I have lost so far (I know I don't talked about that much...I will soon, I promise). Of course I had some great friends who thought I needed pictures of this. Thanks, girls!!!!

As I was waiting to get it done, I commented about how I didn't think Mike would even notice...and true to nature I finally gave in and told him on Sunday night...two days after I had it done. He's reaction "well, you don't notice when I give myself haircuts anymore either"

Ummm, Hello!!!! He give himself a haircut like once a week, of course I don't notice. He wasn't mad and glad I did the earring instead of a nose piercing.

For the record books

2011-11-21T14:25:00.001-05:00

No it didn't snow here in Michigan today, but this is what our yard looked like a couple of weeks ago...Nov 11 to be exact. It was so beautiful hanging on the trees, but I honestly must say that I'm glad that it didn't stay. I'm not ready for winter just yet....even though the boys did convince me that we needed to go winter boot shopping the next morning. But at least I don't have to do that when the snow does stay around. Happy Monday Everyone!!!!

Made my Day

2011-11-08T15:15:00.004-05:00

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!!

Days of Thanksgiving: Day 3

2011-11-03T17:59:00.000-04:00

Today I am thankful and proud that I am an American

"I'm proud to be an American, Where at least I know I'm free. I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. I'll proudly stand up next to him to defend her still today, Cuz there aint no doubt I love this land. God bless the USA" (From the song “Proud to be an American")

God truly has blessed America. We have so much more than so many people in the world. So many things that we take be granted each and every day. So today I want to thank God for allowing me to be a citizen of this great land, because HE could have put me in a ~~hundred~~ million other places in the world.
I am thanking for the freedom that I have to worship and thank the LORD most high for this blessing.

Days of Thanksgiving: Day 2

2011-11-02T17:00:00.000-04:00

Today I am grateful God allowed me to be a mom to this guy.

There are so many things that I love about him; he's

caring,

willing to work ~~for money,~~

knows when I need to be complimented,

has a great sense of humor,

athletic and loves to run,

has an amazing love for God,

kind to other...

the list goes on and on.

There are plenty of times when we butt heads...but I love him with all my heart and my life would be missing something if he wasn't around.

Days of Thanksgiving: Day 1

2011-11-01T22:07:00.002-04:00

One of the blogs that I follow, had a post today about 30 days of Thanksgiving and I thought it was such a great idea, so I thought I would be a copycat. ( I hope that's okay, Sarah)

So for Day 1, I am so grateful for these three gals in the picture below.

They are the most INCREDIBLE friends a person can ask for.

They are there for the GOOD times and the bad times.

They want to hear about the HIGHS and the lows in our family.

They are the BEST people to laugh with and to cry with.

I can be myself when I'm with them.

Thank you girls for all your LOVE, SUPPORT and PRAYERS.

sorry about the glowing eyes in the pictures...I guess that's what you get with a photo camera.

Pumpkins

2011-10-30T15:16:00.002-04:00

The boys begged me for almost a whole week before I finally took them to the farmer's market for pumpkins. No I am not that mean of a parent, it seems like every day that it was super cold and drizzly they that is was a good day to get pumpkins. The day I suggested getting the pumpkins is was still cold but the sun was out...much better if you ask me.

The House is TOO quiet

2011-10-30T15:06:00.000-04:00

So after lunch this noon I head to the computer to touch base with my cyber-worlds... Facebook, blogger, and Pinterest. Soon I noticed that the house was awfully quiet for having four boys. So I went to check up on them and this is what I found.

Four boys

in four different corners

reading books...

and there's only one reason why I can imagine this is happening....

because someone needed a nap.

Happy Sunday y'all!!!!

Pumpkin Math

2011-10-20T09:45:00.000-04:00

One of the many fun things that our boys have done in kindergarten is Pumpkin Math. It's a math lesson where a bunch of us moms come into the classroom with some pumpkins and the kindergartens done math...estimating and then actually counting by 1's and 10's. Seriously when did kindergarten become so advanced; I think I just learned numbers and what order they went in when I was in kindergarten.

The group is going through their booklets doing their estimating.

Writing down his estimate

Look at all those seeds!!! How many do you think there are???

Just one posed picture for mom

Connor's group gone done early so their carved their pumpkin.

"I said only ONE posed picture, mom"

"I'm not going to look at you, mom"

Mrs. Boomsma reading a story to finish the school day. Love this teacher!!!!

Sprinkle Shirt

2011-10-13T20:53:00.001-04:00

I love to make things for my boys when I'm not sewing for others. Unfortunately it doesn't happen often...mainly, because they are boys and there just isn't that many ~~cute~~ handsome thing for them. Then I came across this on pinterest, the sprinkle shirt. I made one for Connor and he loves it...one of his favorites at the moment. I have also made one for Lucas and he's taking order for them at school.... but first, I still need to work on Austin's.

More soccer

2011-10-13T11:32:00.000-04:00

When I did my last post about soccer I completely forgot to include Connor so I just had to do another post. This is really Connor's 2ND year playing soccer, but it's the first year that he will actually play with his teammates. He loves to just run around on the field looking like he is playing really hard. I think his favorite part of the game is the snack he gets after the game or maybe it's getting to drink tons of Gatorade even though he's not even thirsty.

Oh, the joys of 5 year old's playing soccer....we do lots of laughing during the game.

Just for Kicks

2011-10-12T20:56:00.000-04:00

We are coming to the end of another soccer season. It's been a great season, the weather has been great and the boys are all loving the game this year. No one is crying when we get to the fields or when they suppose to be putting on their uniforms. No one is bring stubborn and not wanting to get on the field and give it their all. It's been fun watching them all grow in their skills.

My Rowdy Nephews

2011-10-10T14:12:00.000-04:00

Last week, I had the privilege to take some pictures of my two rowdy nephews. I had a ton of fun running after these two snapping a few pictures. I'm so glad we got some good ones.

T-shirt Blankets

2011-10-06T07:20:00.000-04:00

This past summer, my wonderful SIL wondered if I would help her made a blanket out of all her old t shirts and sweatshirts from high school and college. Having a creative mind and always wanting to try a new craft, I took on the challenge. As we were making her blanket, an idea popped into my mind to doing the similar blanket out of Dutton Christian tees.

So I wrote a couple posts on the school's facebook page and in the school weekly newsletter asking parents to go through their kid's closets and donate their old DCS clothes. The donations came in slowly but I finally got enough...enough to make TWO!!!

The best part is that I used them as part as the kindergarten class projects for the school's largest fundraiser, the Harvest Sale. The harvest Sale (auction) was held last weekend, the blankets were bundled with a popcorn bowl, movie and the snacks...all the things needed for a great movie night. I am proud to say that each blanket bought in $275.00 for the school.

Thanks to the parents or grandparents who purchased the blankets!!!!

Binder Park Zoo September 2011

2011-10-04T12:24:00.000-04:00

On September 28, The twins and two of their friends jumped into the van all excited about going to Binder Park Zoo. We also had the extra special rider...Mr Kelder, their teacher. After about a hour of four boys laughed like girls and talking over each other, we arrived. We started the day by seeing some animals up close...the kids even got to pet a turtle.

After we finished in the zoo's classroom we headed to Africa....that's right we rode on the tram all the way to Africa. The biggest disappointment of the day was it was too cold for the giraffes...they are such babies. So we didn't get to feed them, which BTW is the best part of Binder Park Zoo. All in all it was a great day...the rain stop just in time for the field trip to start and started again once we got back to school. So thankful I got to hang out with my boys, their friends, and their teacher.

first field trip of the 2011-2012 school year

2011-10-04T08:13:00.000-04:00

On September 23, Connor's kindergarten class had their first field trip of the school year. It was one of those morning were you really don't know how to dress your kid....the air was cold but the sun was warm. We headed out about 8:10, with all the kindergartens and most of the parents of one bus...51 kindergartens to be exact. I quickly volunteered to drive a couple of the extra moms in the minivan :)

The kindergartens have been learned about their 5 senses in school...taste, smell, touch, hear, and see ( just in case you had forgotten what your 5 senses were), so we going to Frederick Meijer Garden to visit their 5 senses garden. Unfortunately, it was one of those days where Connor wanted ~~nothing~~ NOTHING to do with the garden. He didn't want to TOUCH the lamb's ear leaves, he didn't want to HEAR the clanging of the xylophone, He didn't want to SMELL the awful smell coming out of the nose sculpture, he just wanted everyone to SEE that he ~~was~~ is stubborn and sometimes a pain in the butt. (there wasn't really nothing he could TASTE). It wasn't until he finally got to play in the Great Lakes that he was finally happy, and very wet. :)

All the kindergartens listening to to rules of the gardens

The class.

He did at one point humor me and stood by the tongue for a picture...

but he wasn't very happy when I made him go by the ear.

A little bit happier playing at the Treehouse.

Running through the maze.

Finally playing in the "Great Lakes".

Having a snack with his BFF just before heading back to school

Neighborhood Party

2011-10-04T07:53:00.000-04:00

So I'm finally getting around to updating my blog. I tend to upload my pictures overnight and then forget to do a posting. So travel back with me to September 10...almost a whole month ago. One of the local farms puts on a Neighborhood night, where all the locals can come and eat dinner, walk through the baby calf barns, go on a hayride and learn about the modern day farm, play with the barn cats, and stand in a VERY long line for ice cream. You may be thinking, why would we go??? Well, I would have to say for the free food...mainly the ice cream except this year we invited some friends along...some of our city friends :) We had so much fun, the boys loved hanging with their friends, having the baby calves lick their hands and eating ice cream...are you getting the picture we like our ice cream in the VanDam household.

End of Summer Fun

2011-09-05T21:18:00.001-04:00

Today we took the boys to Boulder Ridge...a wild animal park that was just 3 miles down the road. The boys were so excited when we pulled in the driveway.

The first animal we just had to see was the zebras...I would say that was my favorite part of the whole park. They had two brand new baby zebras that were born two nights ago; so cute!!! After a few pictures with the zebras we headed into the park

The park just opened to the public at the end of July so it was all so new. It was so neat to see the animal pens. Here's the porcupine taking a nap in the log.

Next we headed into the reptile house...not my favorite. I can't held snakes that send shivers up and down my spine....can't handle it.

The macaw's were a colorful surprise in the reptile house...they even put on a small fight for us. :)

Next's was the petting zoo area...we could touch and feed the animals; goats, baby wildebeest, baby bison, baby zebu(it's looked just like a baby Jersey cow), baby zebra, chicks and the parakeets.

So much fun!!!!

We saw a few more animals before going on the Safari Ride to see the larger animals (which I really didn't get any pictures of, sorry)

Then we went back to the zebras and this is what we saw...I guess it was time to go. :) It was a great day and I would highly recommend you stopping by Boulder Ridge.

Happy Monday!!!!!

Lucas

2011-09-02T21:38:00.000-04:00

Mr. Smiley is what we should call you. You smile so easily. Love you, buddy.

Austin

2011-09-01T21:37:00.000-04:00

Austin, Austin, Austin why do you need to be so difficult when I want to take your pictures. Is it because you were tired from a long day a school? or maybe because you don't like to smile? or maybe because you're way too make like your dad. I will always love you even if you don't like pictures.

Brendan

2011-08-31T23:55:00.000-04:00

I can't believe Brendan is already in fourth grade!!!! He is growing up way too fast. He still loves all everything that has to do with wild cats. He loves to read. He's a great ~~bossy~~ big brother. We love you, buddy.

first pinterest project

2011-08-31T20:17:00.002-04:00

So the last couple ~~days~~ weeks I've spent away too much time browsing this new website called pinterest.com. If you have been on yet, you need to check it out...I'm in love. Yesterday I across this great canvas artwork that would be prefect for Connor to do on one of his days home from school. (he's in kindergarten and is home on Tuesdays and Thursdays)

http://explanationrequired.blogspot.com/2010/07/messy-masterpiece.html

Well, after the second time of asking for lunch before the morning had even began, I hopped down the stair to grab a canvas and then to my craft for some paint. Here's what Connor came up with. I love it and hung it in the toy room to help remind me that the toy room doesn't always have to be clean.

Great Finds

2011-08-31T16:47:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, my girlfriends(we missed you, Jamie) and I head to the antique fair in Allegan. We all got some great finds. Some were planned, but I would say most were not.

connor

2011-08-29T08:23:00.001-04:00

had to do at least one silly picture.

he just had to have some pictures with his birthday balloons.

School, already?????

2011-08-28T21:51:00.001-04:00

Well, it's that time of year again...we start school this coming Monday, yup that's right before Labor day. I hear that's the thing to do with private schools. :) So tonight we continued Connor's birthday celebration at school. He wore a birthday boy pin that he was so proud of, so that everyone would know.

My Kindergarten

We started the night visiting Connor's classroom. He find his coat hook just outside the classroom door and then headed inside to find his desk and put his school supplies in the basket on his desk. He meet his teacher, Mrs Boomsma, and she's is wonderful!!!! Connor also got to pick out what color clay or play dough he wanted, and he chose yellow...no surprise there. After spending twenty of our thirty minutes in Connor's class we headed to the second graders' room.

My two Second Graders

Next it was off to Austin and Lucas's classroom. Their teacher is Mr. Kelder and I'm already impress...he knew all the kids' names that stopped by to visit...except he did get the twinners mixed up. The twins quickly threw their school supplies in their desks, met Mr Kelder, and then we were off to the next classroom...

My Fourth Grader

Wow, now I'm starting to feel old...I can't believe all my boys are in school and that Brendan's already in 4th grade. This year Brendan has all his friends(including his girlfriend, but I can't tell you who she is) in his class and he got Mr Bird for a teacher. He thinks that's cool because he's the shortest kid in his grade and Mr Bird is the tallest teacher in the school. Before I even got in his classroom, he had everything in his desk and was putting his marker board in his locker.

After a short mandatory meeting for the kindergarten parents, we headed to the local ice cream shop to celebrate the beginning of school (and Connor's birthday)

I'm excited to see what God has in store for my four boys this coming school year. I hope and pray that they will love their teachers, continue to build good friendships with their buddies, and to learn lots of new stuff.

I will leave you all with the school verse for this coming year. Welcome back to school Everyone!!!!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:7-9

Connor is 5!!!!

2011-08-28T10:17:00.000-04:00

This past week, we celebrated Connor's 5th birthday. His birthday was on Thursday, but we needed to visit school on the 25th so we celebrated the night before. We had the party at Uccello's cause I was a little too busy I couldn't get the yard and house clean in time.

the free birthday dessert from Uccellos

Connor wanted a puppy cake and this is what I came up with...he LOVED it!!!

After the party, we stepped outside the restaurant and find this huge cloud head....it was gorgeous.

Another week of camping

2011-08-27T22:22:00.000-04:00

Mid August, we spent another week camping at Gun Lake. This time it was just me and the boys...Mike came out for suppers at night and then headed back home at 10ish. We had a great week...not too hot. :)

We keep very busy all week; we celebrated Mike's birthday, both sets of grandparents and Brian &Jodi came to visit, Natalie and the kids came for a day, we went miniature golfing, out of ice cream, and had dessert every night.

enjoying smores

one morning, We made up a game...water balloon bucket toss.

Connor was super excited when he got his water balloon in the bucket.

one morning, I kept the boys busy be having them make a banner for Mike's birthday

celebrating a hole in one!!!

3 Separate Mini Vacations end at the Beach

2011-08-13T11:27:00.001-04:00

Well this last couple days were filled with mini vacations for the whole family. Never of us went too far from home but none the less we all had a good time.

The Boys' Vacation

My mom so graciously had all four of the boys over at her house for 2 days and 2 nights. They haven't spent much time at Grandma's house lately so my mom being the person that she is, made sure they got to spend some quality time with her. So Wednesday night after the family dinner where we celebrated 5 August birthday, the boys headed home with G & G. (I really enjoyed the quiet and peaceful ride from Holland to home.) On Thursday, the boy entertained my niece and playing with Grandma's toys (I still wonder why Grandma's toys are so much better than our...the boys never play with the toys here?) Then late afternoon they headed to Zeeland stopping to see Great Grandpa and Grandma Lucas and Grandma Skip. Next it was off to Subway to pick up food and then off to Timber Town...a huge wooden playground the boys had been begging to go to. Then to was to the Village dipper for ice cream and finally a stop at Grandma and Grandpa Van Dam's house...wow what a busy day. The boys crashed with the got home, only to be up again at 6:30 the next morning.

On Friday, Grandma and the kid hung out around the house. Brendan got paid for doing some chores around the house...grandma's pays much better than mom does. Then they headed to the beach...

My Vacation

It started Wednesday night when Mike and I left mom and dad's house. Not often do we get to ride in the van for a hour with no kids...peace and quiet. Thursday morning started with a quick haircut and then I headed to my SIL's house. We were spending to day together. It was first planned to head to South Haven to spend the day walking through the shops, but instead we ended up in Saugatuck. It was great I didn't have to watch out for 8 little hands touching everything in sight. We didn't get a lot...I got a new cheap pair of purple sunglasses, a necklace and bracelet, a ring, and 2 bottles of wine...Yes you read that right. We even got to do some complementary wine tasting - Fenn Valley and Tabor Hill. I'm not a huge wine person but I got a dessert wine from Fenn Valley that's to die for...

Once we were done shopping we returned to Jodi's house and hung out...feed & played with her animals, well that was more Jodi and not so much me, had dinner, I redecorated her house, and then we settled in for a movie and wine.

On Friday we started the day very slow and finally headed to Holland around noon to run some errand. Then I headed to the beach....

Mike's Vacation

I will start off by saying I don't know many details of Mike's vacation but here's what I do know. One of the feed company's that the farm works closely with invited Mike and my dad to a morning of Charter Fishing. In the past when Mike's been invited to these things they are usually local but this one was up-north. So Thursday night Mike and my dad headed up to Ludington...that's where their hotel was. I do know there was a Euchre tournament, dinner and a cash bar for them that night. On Friday they were up bright and early...breakfast was at 4 am and then they drove up to Manistee for the fishing. There were 7 boats with a total of 35 guys....37 fish were caught. Mike caught two and so did my dad. Then they headed to the beach....

The Beach

We all ended our vacations with dinner at Holland State Park...I needed to get the boys from my Mom anyway and we missed out on being at the Beach earlier in the week because it was too cold.

After a dinner a subs from Subway, grapes, and Sun chips; I just had to get my camera and get so pictures of the boys by the lighthouse and on the beach...luckily they didn't mind it that night.

We all had a great time and can't wait for our next adventure...which begins tomorrow. :)

I better get packin'

Sewing Class

2011-08-05T22:28:00.000-04:00

This past week, I had the opportunity to teach a sewing class to 3th - 6th graders at a Arts Camp at our church. This year, the Arts Camp had 23 different types of classes that the kids could be involved in; classes like cake decorating, woodworking, drawing, karate, singing, acting, etc.

It was a fun week, even though this was my first teaching a sewing class. Most of the girls had no experience with a sewing machine, so I started off simple.

Day 1: the girls learned how to thread their machine and how to sew straight stitches and zig-zag.

Day 2: They learned how to use a seam ripper to pull out seams and believe me there were lots of seams pulled this week...but for some reason I pulled the majority of them out. :) We also started with the pattern. I think the fun-est part of the day was when the girls got to pack out what fabric they were going to use for the week long project. We finished the day by getting our fabric cut.

Day 3: We started day 3 with learning to sew on a button. Then we continued to sew on the projects.

Day 4: We spent the whole day sewing on the machines...and taking out many seams.

Day 5: We had a little bit more sewing to do and then had to pull the drawstrings through the pockets...that seemed to be a bit difficult for some of the girls. But the good news is everyone went home with a finished project, so I was happy. :)

Here are the girls with their finished bags...they made a drawstring backpack.

I love how they taken out.

Highlights

2011-08-01T15:05:00.000-04:00

It's already August...I can't believe how fast the summer is going!!!! Here's some highlights of our July

Biking

The boys loved going biking while we were camping. Of course we didn't ever get very far because someone always gets tired and we have to make lots of stops. Here we are stopping at the fishing dock at Gun Lake

Pneumonia
While we were camping with Mike's family earlier this month, I ended up with Pneumonia. I wasn't feeling very well and ended up sleeping for 40 hours straight...I know, right?!?!?! Then I couldn't sleep for the next 24 hour. I had fever, chills, not hungry, and very tired... then a few days later the cough starts. I headed to the ER and after tons of tests (blood tests, x ray, CT scan, oxygen level tests, and much more) it was confirmed that it was pneumonia. I am finally starting to feeling better and an back to normal activity.

Beach
We've done lots of camping this past month. First time was with Mike's family and then again for our small group. The kids had lots of fun digging holes in the sand, building castles, making pools of water, and so on.

Flooding
There's nothing more surprising than when you step out of the camper in the morning than to see your stuff floating around the campsite. I can say I didn't have it so bad...our friends' lots were so much worse. I believe Mike said we got 6.5" in a couple days. YUCKS!!! But the kids had fun playing in the water despite our (the moms) worries of electrical cords in the water.

Candy

Oh the kids ~~asked~~ begged us to go to the candy store. Finally on Saturday morning we biked the 2 minute ride to the candy so the kids could get as much as candy they had money for. They were so excited.

Fishing
I need to give a shout out to my husband for the patience that he had to take the boys fishing. It requires a very patience person to take four boys fishing. A person who is willing to continual put worms on hooks, untangle lines, and take fish off the hooks when they finally do catch a fish.

Major Repairs come in sets of 3, right?
Oh this past month has been full of major repairs in our household. First it was the air conditioner, then my washing machine, which is still not working correctly...it tends to have a mind of it's own. Working only when it wants to. Finally it was my van. First Mike thought it was a dead battery then it turns out today, we found out it's the wiring harness. The mechanic is trying to find a used to help cut down the cost. I'm hoping that all the repairs for a while

Good Friends
I thank God every day for the friends that we have. They are a very special bunch of people that we love and appreciate so much. But the picture is not really complete...we missed the Birds this past week. Wish you guys could have been there with us.

Bee Stings
Connor was stung by a bee and he wanted me to take a picture of the spot where he was stung so he could see it. Silly boy!!!

Ice Cream
and of course we just had to go out for some ice cream while camping. We made the big trip to the Curly Cone for ice cream cones, sundaes, and flurrys.

Campfires & Smores
Finally what is camping without campfires and smores. On Saturday night after our trip to the curly cone, the kids also had their fill of smores. There's nothing better than ice cream and smores all in one night...good times.

some fun with the camera

2011-07-24T10:32:00.002-04:00

The pictures aren't of the best quality, but we had fun taking them anyway.

the twins, Luc & Austin

My oldest & baby - Connor & Brendan

Storming Heaven's gates

2011-07-12T13:46:00.002-04:00

PLEASE join me in praying for Jamie & Josh.

Jamie is in L & D right now having their baby, She is 28w 3d.

Pray for a healthy baby

Pray for proper lung function.

Pray for peace and comfort.

Pray for strength.

Pray for Tessa's mommy and daddy.

Pray for Tessa's big brothers.

Pray for Tessa's grandmas and grandpas.

To read more about Jamie's story and her amazing testimony click on the pictures below

UPDATE!!!! (at 4:39pm)
I just got an email from our school (Jamie's husband is a teacher there) with an update that want to share with all of you.

GOD HAS ANSWERED OUR MANY PRAYERS WITH A HEALTHY BABY TESSA! Wow, this is fantastic news! We are sharing tears of joy at what God has done for Tessa!

Tessa was born at 1:50pm today weighing 2 lbs and 10 oz. and 14.5 inches long. With a little help, SHE IS BREATHING ON HER OWN! She is in neonatal intensive care. Let's pray that Tessa will keep breathing on her own and she will keep growing so that she can go home in Jamie's arms in due time.
God is so good!!!! I want to shout it from the mountain peaks. We serve a God who listens to his people and will give us the desires of our heart when we ask. Today I am so grateful.
Please take a moment and praise God for this miracle today. Also continue to pray for the Bird family as Tessa is in the NICU and will probably need to be there for some time.

Face Painting & Fireworks

2011-07-07T20:20:00.000-04:00

Monday was the 4th of July. We spent the majority of the day at home. Mike mowed the lawn and washed his truck. I found my spot on the deck with my kindle and working on my summer tan lines. It was a glorious day. However in the evening we headed out to Overisel have pizza with friends and then headed over to the community fireworks celebration. There were hayrides, wheelbarrow baseball, football games, sparklers, face painting, and much more. We didn't do everything but did our fair share. The boys first headed to the face painting. Three of the boys got red, white and blue flags that looked more like dutch flags than USA flags but they loved it just the same. After the face painting we stood in line for a hayride...we were lucky we got on the last one. Then we headed back to our seats and waited for the fireworks to began.

It was a great day all in all despite the fact that we didn't get home until after 12:30, but the boys did sleep in Tuesday morning so it was all worth it. PLUS I got to meet up with a high school friend I hadn't seen since high school. I hope everyone else had a great holiday, now I need to start thinking about getting the camping trailer packed as we will soon be camping. I love summer.

Wet N Wild

2011-07-05T12:43:00.000-04:00

Way Back Wednesday

2011-06-29T16:08:00.000-04:00

the twiners - 9 days old

sneak peak: Morgan

2011-06-19T22:40:00.000-04:00

Tonight I snapped a few pictures of my beautiful niece.

Dear Dad,

2011-06-19T22:32:00.000-04:00

You are the kindest, loving-est, gentlest father a son could ever have. You are awesome in many ways.

Sincerely, Brendan, Austin, Lucas, & Connor

P.S. We Love you Dad

Let Summer begin

2011-06-08T22:50:00.001-04:00

treating the boys to ice cream after the last day of school

Way Back Wednesday

2011-06-01T07:56:00.000-04:00

Soarin' high in the clouds

2011-05-31T08:54:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I experience another first...I went flying with my dad as the pilot. It was so different from any other flight I have taken before. We took off at Tulip City Airport where my dad stores his plane and headed east towards Hastings. As we flew it was so fun to recognize so many different buildings, houses and landmarks. The last thing that we flew over before headed back to the ground was the farm in Freeport and our house.

My pilot for my short flight AKA my dad

taking off at Tulip City airport

the farm

our house...it's good to know that you can't see how long our grass is or how many weeds are in my gardens from up here.

another view of the farm

heading in to Hastings Airport

almost back on the ground

After we landed my dad took 3 of the boys on the shortest flight possible...I don't think they were up in the air for more than 5 minutes, but the boys LOVED it. Thank You Grandpa!!!!!

Brendan as a hands off co-pilot.

taxiing out to the grass runaway

Grandpa and the boys

Remembering those who have served.

2011-05-30T21:50:00.000-04:00

Today was a great day....we started off with an early start and headed to Zeeland for a parade. I thought it was important for the boys to see why we celebrate Memorial Day....it remember and recognize all the men and women who have served our country. The parade was full of marching bands (a few who even played the same song as when I was the marching band), lots of kids on bikes and scooters all decorated with streamers and flags, many old tractors, the city's Fire trucks, and of course many veterans.

After the parade we had some time to kill before we needed to be at the Annual Lucas Memorial Day Picnic, so we stopped by the Drenthe CRC pancake breakfast. The boys and Mike had a second breakfast for the day with only a big hour until we would feast again at the picnic. We caught up with Mike's parents for a while and the we headed off to the city park.

(Just had to take this picture...Mike and I both wore these same blue jackets when we were in kindergarten at ZCS. )

At noon we met up 50 some family members of the Lucas Clan. We had amazing burgers, party potatoes, lots of yummy salads, chips and ice cream cones....not a good thing for someone on WW. After eating, My mom thought we needed a family pictures...nothing professional looking but just something that G & G Lucas could show off. Here's a quick sample...the real pictures were taken with my cousin's camera. definitely a fun day, it's amazing how the family has grown and continues to grow. God has surely blessed this family.

Dutch Village

2011-05-28T13:05:00.000-04:00

Last Wednesday, Brendan and his class headed to Holland for a visit to Dutch Village. It was a beautiful day for a Field trip....oh wait a minute, that's wasn't the beautiful sunny day that we had this week. Actually it down poured. There wasn't any outside pictures by the Tulips, or the wooden shoe slide, or the horse statues. Instead we ran from building to building to keep from getting too wet.

BUT WE HAD FUN!!!!

We learned about Delft Pottery, cheese making, wooden shoes; both why they wore wooden shoes and how they were made. We also saw a couple ladies making some amazing candles...truly a work of art.

Plus we saw some Klompen Dancers and get to learn a dance...definitely not the same that I did as a Dutch Dancer in high school and beyond, but non the less it was still neat to watch them. Check out this video of Brendan dancing.

Fresh Country Smells

2011-05-20T20:41:00.000-04:00

Those were the smells that were smelt during Connor's last field trip yesterday. Of course being a country girl myself, I didn't really notice the smell until we got to the pigs...not to fond of it. The field trip was at a classmate's farm, Ridgeview Farms. It was tons of fun, but once again Connor had a "I could care less" attitude and kept running off with Nolan (who had a "this is boring, I already know everything about the farm" attitude.)

We saw goats & chickens by the house, then we headed across the road to the barns where we saw the cows, a massive bull, lambs and pigs.

After seeing all the animals we went back inside the barns, where the kids planting seeds, either veggies or flowers. Connor was actually interested in getting his hand dirty and planted some lettuce. Hopefully it will grow and I can put it in my garden.

Finally we had a big cookout and the kids played on the play set.

What a fun day!!!

riding the rails

2011-05-14T15:46:00.001-04:00

Wow Connor and his preschool class has been had lots of field trips and special event lately. first there was the butterflies, then the teacher's birthdays (no pictures of the party, just making the cupcakes), then grandparents day (again no pictures), then Connor was the special person of the day, then it was Mother's Day and now Mr Sinke's Train.

This past Tuesday, I headed to Mr. Sinke's train with Connor. Mr. Sinke lives in Grand Rapids, MI and has a train in his backyard that we could ride on...complete with a track that has bridges.

The next couple pictures are ones that Connor took while on the train.

More pictures of the kids and Mrs. Deppe on the train.

Blast from the Past

2011-05-12T15:34:00.000-04:00

This week is Tulip Time in Holland and seeing how we don't live in the area anymore the boys haven't been to Tulip Time in a long time...Connor has never been. I thought I would pull these pictures out of the achieves to remember the good times we had back then.

Brendan almost 2 1/2 years old.

love this picture!!!!

me and the twins who were 2 months...so tiny.

so blessed

2011-05-12T13:05:00.000-04:00

I'm a little behind but wanted to share with all how special my boys made me feel on Mother's Day. It started with a special Mother's day program in Connor's preschool class. I was invited to the class, where Connor and his classmates shared with us the verses and songs they had learned through out the past school year. After that, the kids get to gift each of their moms a special "world's best mom" diploma, a flower, and little heart with a message on it.

Connor took this picture and I wasn't ready, but the one where I am looking is super blurry so this will have to do.

Connor enjoying some ice cream and fresh strawberries, yum!!!!

Me and my buddy...I can't believe this is the last preschool mother's day celebration I will have...bittersweet to say the least.

Connor and his friend, Nolan...

being silly.

Now fast forward to this past Sunday, which was Mother's day. The other three boys were so excited to give me their handmade gifts that they spent lots of time on in school.

From Lucas and Austin I got a book "My Mom wears Many Hats" well exactly I got two...one from each of them. So Precious to see what they wrote and drew in the books. Here are a few of my favorties:

From Brendan, I got beautiful handmade flower vase. I can tell him spent lots of time on it and took great proud in making it. I love it and already have flowers in it. His written card was very precious as well and I actually cried while reading it.

Defintely some of the best gifts I've gotten.

but that's not all that I got...after 9 years of Mother's days I pretty much know my wonderful husband don't think much of getting a gift from the boys for me, so I took care of that myself this year...I bought a gift for myself and it was a surprise for everyone but me (yes I know that's not the way gifts are usually given, but sometime you need to break the rules.)

So are you wondering what I bought myself???? It was a Kindle and I LOVE it.

Mother's Day was a wonderful day for me. I am so blessed with a husband who loves me beyond all understanding. I am so blessed to have 4 amazing boys who I love beyond all understanding. I am so thankful to God for the blessings he has given me.

worms, soccer, and derby cars

2011-04-27T13:50:00.001-04:00

Worms

Connor found a new friend at the soccer game on Saturday....Wormy the worm. He so badly want to take the worm home and keep it as a pet.

He did a great job care for it, until he dropped it and the worm tried to escape into the ground, that's then the worm became two worms...and Connor no longer wanted Wormy as a friend.

Soccer

Saturday was the boys' second soccer game of the spring. All the game have been cold and rainy so far, but the boys are having fun and that's what counts, right??? This week the soccer fields were a muddy mess and the uniforms, OMW...yellow and light gray are not good colors when they get full of mud.

Derby Cars

This is Brendan's first year in Cadets at church. He loves it!!!! The monday night meetings, the badges, the campouts with Mike, the inside wall climbing, and the most excited part was the pinewood derby car race....and that was last night.

He was a little bummed he didn't win any of his races, but glad he didn't lose them all either. There is differently room for improved but that good because he got a few more years in cadets. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments.

Special Person of the day

2011-04-26T16:40:00.000-04:00

We had Tembo, the class elephant, all weekend. He was well loved and play with during his stay at our house. Today Tembo had to go back to school, so that means that Connor was the special person of the day. He got to dress the Weather Bear, write his name on the whiteboard and he had to take snack. I didn't do anything exciting for snack...just some goldfish but I bet the kids loved them.

wii

2011-04-26T13:48:00.000-04:00

wii...oh what a machine you are.

I love you and want to play with you all the time.

but we have rules at our house

that you probably don't like....

neither do I.

When we do get to play, it can be days between the times I get to hold your remotes, because my brothers hog them

so when I get to play you all by myself,

now

that's

treat!!!!!!

We have so much FUN together.