happy 2nd birthday, joseph

The Hippo and Hello Kitty party was a success...complete with Kitty Fruit Kabobs and Hippo Hammies, Hello Kitty cake pops and a beautiful Hello Kitty cake (thank you, Auntie Li, we couldn't do it without you), hippo cupcakes (thanks to a great friend who took a tremendous load off my back by making the adorable cupcake toppers, which by the way, Joseph ate most of his cake by using the toothpick from the bottom of his hippo topper) and colorful pom-poms to brighten the room! Thank you to all who came and were a part...Kate and Joseph had a ball and are set with more than enough fun to last quite some time!









JoJo, you have the best facial expressions, the best cuddles at night, the silliest dances with your little legs, we love when you say "c'mon" and "mote" (remote for your remote control car). Our family is blessed to have your kindness mixed with your boyish fun. Your grin makes us laugh, your determination keeps us on our toes. Thank you for being a fine combination of brave little warrior (tackling your sister, playing "hoop ball") and compassionate comforter (rubbing our backs when we get hurt). Happy birthday, son! Daddy and Mommy love you more than you will ever know!

happy 4th birthday, kate!

katie bug lady bug, mommy and daddy are so proud of you! you are finally 4, just like you have been talking about for the past few months! your sweet, adventurous and joyful and determined disposition keeps us on our toes as well as laughing at your "kate-isms". sometimes your clothes are to buggy (aka: bulky, itchy), at times you may test our patience, but you write the most loving and thoughtful notes, give hugs and kisses that make us melt. We tuck you in each night and love that you promise us that we can still rock you no matter how old you may be...we love you, Kate, always and forever! Happy 4th Birthday!

happy easter 2012

spring is a wonderful time...a time of "new"...this year we not only have new weather, but a new job and new baby soon to arrive, joseph is in a regular twin bed (he beams whenever you ask him about his big boy bed), kate is talkative as ever.

opening easter gifts from papa t and mama lynn, easter egg decorating, opening and telling the story of our resurrection eggs (kate takes pleasure in telling the whole story by herself. wherever you are today, have a happy easter remembering the He Is Risen!

Good Ol' Myrtle Beach

A friend who casually invites husband for golf weekend, new job beginning for wife in near future, gracious parents who have an available timeshare and want to see us, need to get away from winter, memories to be made on a LONG family road trip = great time had in North Myrtle Beach!

Suprise visit to my Aunt Laura's adorable home in the countryside of South Carolina, Put Put Golfing, Alligator Adventure, Kate got to visit a real "bog" which was a highlight for her for some reason (love that she chose to wear her safari hat), seashell gathering by the pier with Mama Lynn who helped rescue the "sleeping" crab Kate found, sandcastles with Papa T, hanging out with family friends, visit to Calabash for hushpupies (a childhood memory of mine), quality time with just the four of us in the car all the way there and back again!























Thank you, Mom and Dad, for a wonderful week of memories with you and the kids!

Fruit of the Spirit

A few weeks ago, I was challenged to improve some character issues...issues which can only be corrected by the grace of our loving Father and by walking according to His plan. In a nutshell, living out the fruit of the spirit. I figured that the kids could join in the character improving experience and this is a picture of what we have been learning (although we are far from complete, it has been fun):


Loving Lemon, Joyful Apple, Peaceful Pear, Patient Pluot, Kind Kiwi, Good Grape, Thankful Banana, Gentle Guava (I know, its really a mango, but I haven't found a guava in all of Michigan, so we are calling it a guava), Faithful Star Fruit, Obedient Orange (our version of "self control")

big boy bed beginnings

Successful first nap in "big boy bed"...still to be set up but thought it would be less traumatic to accidentally roll off just the mattress versus a real bed for starters.

Sweet JoJo, you are growing up so fast! Soon you will no longer be the baby in the house.

Waffles Year 2

Another wonderful year has begun, which means another intense all-church fasting has taken place, thereby being broken with an evening of glorious true Belgian waffles and friends gathered around the table to partake. Thanks to our generous host family who know how to make the greatest breakfast in the world!