sweet boy, I miss you tonight...

and I probably always will.

I want to put pix of Jack up, a bit at a time....here are all 6 of my people, taking in the beautiful shell of JOY. He is not here, he is with his Heavenly Father. What a lucky duck...

We just got back from a wonderful, though non-relaxing trip up to Holland, Michigan. We've joined the RV world..Had a good time with our kids camping (hotelling it one night) and tried to make some happy memories in the midst of mind-numbing grief. One of the clearest directives I am getting from God is CHERISH - cherish the 5 children that we do have...tightening my resolve to nurture them, guide them (and sometimes they guide me. More often than not lately....), and enJOY the time I have with each of them.

I needed to get out of the house for a few days, especially on Thursday. I wonder if I will always have to leave the house on Thursday. I really hope not, that will get rather inconvenient...

Be still and know...He is our Father. come rest your head upon His breast, listen to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love, beating for His little ones...calling each of us to come....Be still....

I just wanted to tell you all...THANK YOU! for the cards, the meals, the gift cards, the prayers, the care and comfort...Tory, for the cards...Levi was soooo excited to get home tonight and find a card addressed TO HIMSELF! WHOA! we are beside ourselves with the affection and sympathy.

I'm seriously just in awe of all of this...I have so many thanks to write (thankfully, I'm keeping track of who has done what...but it might take me some time to get it all together...)

Until tomorrow, lots of love and gratitude from our home to yours. The prayers are very much appreciated, especially as we plan for the Celebration of JOY this weekend, July 16th, 2011 at 1 pm. Stones Crossing Church, located at SR 37 and Stones Crossing Road.

Holland Part II

Tammy and fammy, this is for you...we missed you this year!

it'd be fun to rent one of these private lakehouses for a span of time...it's so beautiful on Lake Michigan! almost as cool as being on the ocean.

yes, these are sadly out of order. this is the walk back.

don't go down there.

skeery.

Levi and I liked the spooky little windows. Love the jazz hands.

checking out Big Red. It was really a cool structure...and very red.

ahh haa, you don't say.

a little history for ye

a great little 10 minute walk to the local lighthouse...

It's always time for a sword fight...

We stole away to take some pix of the little ones while the big ones were honing their sword fighting skills.

sword fighting AND big chess...it doesn't get much better.

I love my yiddle tids.

Mel & Mol enjoying the gorgeous zinnias in and around downtown Holland...beautiful flowers and plants!!

this and the next few are from our 2nd annual visit to a cool, quaint little local coffee shop...JP's...tried to buy a mug yet again, but alas, they had none. But I did get this groovy souvy. (Molly hopped up on caffeine)

My little coffee man.

waiting patiently for whatever goodies their Dad decided to get for them.

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Here are the rest of my pix...My camera batteries died after the beach (when I fell chasing a raft...and the ol' Canon flipped outta my pocket)...so once again, I didn't get any pix at the pool, which is a really cool pool...but maybe I can lift some of Tom's pix...he takes lots and they are always so good.

So glad that our trip is over (it was so good to see what we will need to do for the trek in October)...this week, we begin new English, David has big meetings (@ Lilly's) and we begin planning our great adventure out west....we are looking into renting/purchasing a small travel trailer...so we can camp/tent/hotel and spread out a bit...so if you have one that you'd be willing to rent out or know of someone trying to sell/rent one, let me know....

That's it...hope you had a restful weekend. Be back later, taters.

reddish brown hair and the last of our trip

just some of the quaint little shops in and around Holland




these statutes were really cool....a memorial to Edgar Prince, whoever that is (ask my brother)

getting sing songy with the kids

David's red eyes and the spooky eyes of this particular girl kinda freak me out...




this is for you, Stickers.







I felt sorry for the guy with this name. I mean, really.


Molly wasn't so sure of the shoulders...


these statutes were raising the flag...kinda cool.




outside the Curragh..

JP's coffee shop...we went to this place on Tuesday...such good coffee and a cool little shop. Jeff is just here because he is such a coffee advocate. it was only right.



this is my new hair color...yes, surprising...but it's fall hair, folks. get over it.

I feel like my cool west coast friend, Amy (Calamity Jane)...who has such pretty hair and can really pull this color off...she's cool that way!

Hello folksies..how are ya on this dreary Friday?

We've been busy and today is no different. This evening is our get together for a new group of homeschoolers we have joined. It's a low key little group and we are so excited and blessed to be a part of it! I will hopefully have some pix to post on here.

My next post needs to be on Levi's first actual teeth cleaning...he sat through it so good yesterday!!

Otherwise, I am outta here...Jillian's calling but hope this finds you ready for a restful weekend!

Peace!

Sunsets, sandy piggies, and shoes of wood

Yes, it does look like they are going to jump on that car. Alas, they did not. they were just trying to break their legs in some sand! Thanks for showing them this, Jeff. yeah, thanks!

feisty one...

sometimes I feel like this duck

we all decided it would be fun to stroll the Holland streets on one of their hottest days...if you know me, you know I was dying. sweating, nearly crying. but I survived.

this is totally out of order but Mrs. Squareface makes an appearance...

those are some big shoes ya got there, ma'am.





Levi tried to "lift" his little sample pair...boy, he looks swell in his wooden kicks.

Jeff didn't buy any of these wooden shoes (hard to jog in)...but my brother bought himself a pair...I failed to get a picture of that though.

This guide, Tony (not a very Dutch name if you ask me)...came to America in 1950...we were privy to his very last demonstration on how wooden shoes are made...he was leaving his job to have his hip replaced...awww. he was really cool.





How ya doin' there, boyos?

dorks

These are the Dutch wooden wedding shoes...cool carvings huh?








building forts with our friends...






alpha omega




This was at Tunnel Park...you can see the tunnel...and that trek up to it? yeah, looks innocent, huh? it isn't...especially toting a 25 lb sleeping baby, any beach gear we had brought (and there was a lot), a stroller, which doesn't roll in the sand well AT ALL, and 9 tired peeps. ahhh...





The boys of summer...finally came back up to shore for me, so that I could take a few pix of them!

Ethan is under here...

Annie and Melanie

nothing like rolling around in the sand

This was her bird stance...she loved the seagulls

ohhh, sweet, sandy baby piggies...resting serenely.

Jeff and E, chasing Levi.

time to go...



stairs that Tom and I had to hike to get our sunset pix...

perfect ending to a wonderful getaway...worth the hike!

Tammy & Annie joined us for a game of A2A...her hubby, Bobby, and their other girls, were resting in their room!

We had such a lovely time on our trip up to the Mitten. I am so bummed that it's over and that life as we know it must resume. But that's always a good thing too...I like consistency and schedules. it's always a little bit hard to get the brood back into lovin' it though. No one wants to do anything they are supposed to. (nuttin' a good beatin' won't cure, huh, huh?)

Here's a funny little story:

Yesterday (Tues), while we were scurrying out of the lobby to go to the beach...we noticed some little girls...and I thought, how fun for Mel, maybe she can meet them in the pool upon our return this evening. Mel hesitated.

When she met up with me out in front, she said "Mom, that was Annie K." and I didn't believe her..but then I heard Annie's mom speak, while unloading her car...she has a fun southern accent, unmistakable. I turned around "What the heck are you guys doing here???" (I know, I'm a warm gal, so approachable)...I mean, what are the chances of that actually happening? they were in our homeschool group from last year...Annie was on Mel's spring soccer team and they became fast friends. Tammy and I tried to coordinate a get together a few times this summer and it never meshed. Well, here ya go...this was not a coincidence...when God wants certain people in your life, He makes sure to work out the fun little details (at least that is how it has been in our lives, how 'bout you??)....... I'm a bit of a dweller...so Tammy & Bobby probably got sick of me saying "I just can't believe this happened.." They met up with us at the beach for a few hours and then we met up again in the lobby for a rousing game of our old time fave, "Apples to Apples"...I always enjoy getting to know people better through that game...'Twas nice to meet up with you, folks! Let's get together again soon! Whatta blast!

Ok, well all this uploading has worn me out so I will close for today....write more tomorrow. Hope your week is going well!

by the way, Molly's mom forgot her bathing suit, that is why she is sporting the swimmer...did I mention that?