Hike Continues

Here are a few more pictures from our hike. Jilli is marching up A LOT of steps to get to the top of the hill.
Along the path there are many different places that you can stop and look at the view. This trail was called the Lost Lake Trail.
Every time we stopped by the water Tyler had to feel how cold it was. Couldn't take our word for it, he needed to figure it out for himself.
Blessings!!

Hike

I am back to blogging about the hike. Sorry, but so many cute things happened while we were hiking.

There was this huge tree that had fallen down and the boys ran right for it. They wanted to climb in the tree. I think I stood there for 30 min before we finally moved on. It was great. Letting boys be boys without too much of a mess and not too much danger is right up my ally.

Then the "Big Boy" had to show his little boys how it was done. "Look Mommy No Hands!"

then he showed the boys what it would look like if you were falling out of a tree.

He is such a great actor! He deserves some kind of an award for his performance!

Even Jilli had her turn at climbing the tree, just look at the concentration on her face.

After they were all done playing in the tree, we continued on with our hike.....

Too Busy?

Holidays are always a busy time of year. This year seemed especially busy for some reason. Maybe because I started my Thanksgiving at 5:15am at Meijers and didn't end it until 1am Friday morning. Or maybe it's because my family celebrated my birthday yesterday (since Tim and Melissa were in town to celebrate with us). Or maybe because I celebrated my birthday with Kevin's parents tonight. Or maybe because life is just that....busy.

So often we fill our lives with so many things, places to go, people to see, that we don't slow down and concentrate on the importance of being home and just being a family. There are many times that I wish I lived back in the 1800's. I know that life was hard back then, but it was also simple. Neighbors looked out for each other (can't tell you the last time I have even SEEN one of my neighbors). Life was all about family and making sure you had food on the table. There is something magical about living back then. Even when I sit and listen to my Grandma talk about life as a child it makes my heart yearn for a simpler life.

I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa on Tuesday. I am sad to say it had been a REALLY long time since I had seen them. It was just Jilli and I. I sat on the floor at my Grandma's feet with Jilli on my lap and together we listened to the story of her sister's birth. Why was my Grandma telling me about Auntie Lu? Because she passed away the day before. My Grandma is the oldest of 7 children, 4 girls and 3 boys. She is now one of 3 remaining siblings and the only living girl. I think her heart was full of grief that day and she needed to talk about her very special sister.

Auntie Lu was born at home. Grandma remembers there being a lot of commotion that night. The neighbor must have noticed that too, because she came over in the morning to find out what was going on. I need to stop here a moment... When my Grandma told me this fact, it struck me. How many of us would go over to our neighbors to find out what was going on. Most of us would either say "mind your own business" or "it's none of my business". Not back then. Neighbors looked out for each other. My Grandma even remembers the name of the neighbor that came over. Back to the story... My Great Grandparents invited this neighbor in to show her the new little girl they just had. It was an exciting time. The neighbor commented on how she had just received word from her sister in Iowa (my Great Grandparents lived in Wisconsin) that she had just had a baby boy that morning as well, and how wonderful it was that these two babies were born on the same day. Little did anyone know, but God had special plans for those two babies. For just over 20 years later those two babies were married. My Grandma called it a "marriage made in Heaven". I sat there listening to this story in awe and all too soon it was time for me to go. I apologized for not coming more often. My Grandma said that it was OK, for she knew how busy I was and they didn't expect me to come see them much. It made me sad. I was too busy to visit my very precious Grandparents. All too soon they will be gone and I will have missed out on the many visits I could have had, because I was too busy.

My parents traveled to Wisconsin to go to Auntie Lu's funeral this past Wednesday. Mom said it was a beautiful service. Some of her children and grandchildren spoke of the wonderful women she was. How she loved to share her faith and how she prayed for those who had none. Her children were rising up and calling her blessed.

What I remember about my Auntie Lu was that she always had a smile on her face. She looked so much like my Grandma, I remember thinking it was kind of creepy. I remember the smell of her house when we stayed there. I remember taking a bath in their huge bathtub with lots of bubbles (something we never got to do at home) and I remember her little dog Casey. Funny what a child's mind remembers about a person.

Just over a month ago, Kevin and I were in Wisconsin visiting family and I was able to hug my Auntie Lu and talk to her for a little while. She had had a stroke awhile back and was losing her memory. In April when I saw her, she knew who I was, but in October, she couldn't quite place me. I mentioned that I was Tennie's granddaughter and her face lit up. They had a great love for each other. She then asked me all kinds of questions about my Grandma. It was a very sweet moment in time. The next week she fell and broke her leg and slowly declined into a coma and then died.

How quickly life changes. How quickly you lose people you love. How easy it is to get so busy you forget the little things in life only to look back and wish you had paid more attention to them.

James 4:14 ~ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

So what am I doing while I am a mist, that makes a difference? Am I getting myself so busy that I will vanish before I do anything worth while? Will MY husband and children rise and call me blessed? Am I leaving a legacy that has an impact on someones life? I hope so... My Auntie Lu did...

Blessings!!

Strong Boy

While camping at Ludington we went on a few hikes. There are miles and miles of trails there, it is such a great place to get out and enjoy God's beautiful creation.

As we started out on one of our hikes the boys found this dead limb. Tyler flexing his muscles picked it up. Kevin and I were surprised that he could lift if.

Not to be outdone by her brother, Jilli had her hand at lifting it. Again, Kevin and I were surprised by her ability to pick it up.

Of course Tyler could not have his little sister show him up, so he decided to lift the log behind his back. At this Kevin and I just said "WOW" and laughed.

Blessings!!

Kid Quotes

A few weeks ago, Micah had been getting up early and instead of watching cartoons he was watching the Today Show. He watched a story about a little girl who had died of cancer and had left little notes and letters all around the house for her family to find. When I got up that morning, he told me all about the story. A few days later we were having lunch with Kevin's parents, sister and friends when I was telling them about how Micah had seen this story on the Today Show and he says "No, I saw it on the Couple Days Ago Show." To which we all cracked up laughing.

While we were camping Micah was in need of a washcloth so he asks "Is this washcloth available for me to use?"

The other day I was playing a game of Sorry with the kids and Tyler was just about to land on my guy and throw me back to the beginning, when I asked him to move another guy (which was a better game move for him to make), and I was telling him that it wasn't nice to put Mommy back to the beginning again, in which he responds "I am not programed to be polite."

Jillian told me "my booboos on my knee elbows are better."

Blessings!!

Full Heart

I come tonight with a heart that is full. Full of so many emotions that I can't even being to start writing about them all. It is days like these that leave me crying out to my Father for understanding and wisdom. I am a fixer that at this moment can't fix. I feel the need to help heal, and at this moment I can not heal. I am overwhelmed with helplessness. Sorrow flows from my eyes as I am held in a warm embrace.

My Grandfathers favorite Psalm brings comfort to me. As a little girl my Mom had me memorize it and I am so thankful that it is written on my heart for days like today. "I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalm 121)


It seems, as of late, the Lord has me on my knees for various reason. When I think that I can start to stand on my own two feet, he sometimes gently and sometimes forcefully puts me back where I belong. When God commands us to pray without ceasing....He means it.


The Bible tells us "The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26) I am so thankful that I have The Spirit that can pray when I have no words.


Kevin and I were just talking tonight about people who go to church but have no personal relationship with God. My heart aches for those that have to go through tough times but don't have The Spirit living inside of them to help them along life's journey. There is a passage in 1 John that says, "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth." When I read that a little over a year ago, I had to do a heart check. It made me stop and evaluate my relationship with God. I am so far from what I want to be, but am I striving to walk in Truth or am I living a lie? I am so thankful for that time of reflection. It started me on a path that has taken my relationship with Christ to a deeper level. A level that God knew I needed for "such a time as this."


And even in this time of struggle, fear, worry, sadness....there is a Rainbow that God has given to us on this very special day. It comes in the form of a beautiful little boy. A boy who has captured my heart and my camera on many occasions. He is mixture of all things wonderful and beautiful with a little Dutch and Russian spice. A year ago today he came into this world...a little early, but for God, right on time. His eyes capture me every time I look at him.
My beautiful nephew, who for today, is a Rainbow in the mist of my tears.


Blessings!!

His Girls

Kevin took this of his girls as we were starting off on our family hike while up at Ludington. It was one of those rare times that I found myself on the other side of the lens. I must relinquish my camera to him more often. He really does take some beautiful pictures (which has absolutely nothing to do with his subjects :-)

Blessings!!

Family

There are certain times in your life that you look at the people around you and really study them for who they are and what they mean to you. Each person in my little family has a specific role they play. Each person is special in their own way.

Micah- He is my people pleaser. When I ask for something to be done, he is the first one to do it. Usually without complaint. He puts forth the extra effort to get the job done right. Although he doesn't complain about doing a task he usually is the first one to tell me he is tired if we are walking somewhere or are riding bikes. This was very apparent this past weekend when we were riding our bikes or hiking. He is my early riser and my early to bed kid. He has a sensitive heart and loves to make sure everyone is good all the time. He also gets down on himself when he isn't getting something right the first time. He is a very special part of our family.

Jilli- She is my little actress. She loves to be the center of the show, but more importantly she loves to be the center of all of Daddy's attention. She LOVES to climb in bed with us in the morning and cuddle with her Daddy. She works hard at not being the youngest. Whatever her brothers do, she can do. She is very quickly learning how to be a studious student like her big brother Micah. She loves to read. She also loves to follow me around "learning how to be a Mommy." If someone is going to help me in the kitchen, she is the first one in line. She is also the first one to bring on the whine and let the world know that life sometimes isn't very fair. Always ready to give you a huge smile when you are feeling a little down. She is a very special part of our family
Tyler- He is my physical boy. His love language is physical touch, whether that be in the tightest hug you have ever felt or the hardest hit on your backside. He is probably my most sensitive child which most people wouldn't see right away because of his rough and tumble attitude. Since he is so physical, he can out walk, out ride, out run, out fight his siblings. He is our jokester, who goes out of his way to be funny and make you laugh. He likes to play alone and can do so for long periods of time. He loves anything about airships, his favorite is the Hindenburg. Tyler, out of all my kids, asks the hardest and deepest questions. He is the one that urges me to keep in the Bible. I regularly have to tell him I will get back to him with an answer, because frankly, I have never thought to ask what he asked. He is a very special part of our family.

All three of my children push me to be a better more rounded person. The responsibility to train them to be loving, Jesus following, well rounded adults is overwhelming at times. Thankfully that is where God's grace steps in. I don't need to be perfect, I just need to strive to be the best that God calls me to be.

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

There is one more person in my family....

Kevin- Where do I begin? He is a very proud man. Proud of his country, proud of his business, proud of his kids, and (going out on a limb here...) proud of his wife. He is fiercely protective of his children (don't mess with papa bear). He is a perfectionist that is realizing that perfectionism isn't always so perfect. He has no problem standing up for his family, and their rights. He is a hard worker that doesn't give up on a difficult task. He loves to laugh with his kids and play with them. He has no issues, coloring, putting puzzles together, or holding them. He also loves to get on YouTube and play all of his old favorites (there are some night's I am sorry I ever showed him YouTube). He has a smile that lights up his face...I just have to make sure I am quick enough with my camera to capture it, because inevitably his tongue will be showing up and his smile will be gone :-) I wish I could show you all the pictures I have of him with his tongue out.....but he would kill me if I put them on my blog :-)

Orchestrated by God, Loved by God, Cherished by God, God's Gift to me......My Family

Crazy Campers

We have heard a lot of comments about how crazy we are that we are still camping in November. We don't think that we are that crazy. Our weekend in Ludington was the most beautiful weekend that we have had in about 2 months.

We arrived Thursday afternoon and we had the pick of the sites....because....well....we were the ONLY ones there. Out of almost 400 sites, there was NO ONE. Kev said it was a little creepy, but I thought it was cool. I had to take pictures of the empty campground, because it is probably a very rare thing to be there with no other campers. Ludington is THE most popular campground in all of Michigan.

Since we had the pick of the sites, we got the best...in our opinion. We camped right on Lake Hamlin. This is the view that we woke up to every morning, how beautiful!


What a great location for some rest and relaxation!

Blessings!!

Road Trip

The forecast for our camping weekend left a lot to be desired. Our first day was cold and WINDY, but there wasn't any rain. So we decided to go for "a little" drive and wound up at Sleeping Bear Dunes. That was only after we had to hitch the trailer back up, pull all the slides back in and drive it over to fill up with water. I think that was the highlight of the day for the kids. We let all six of them stay in there while we drove it to get the water. You should have heard all the hootin and hollerin goin on back there. With slides in they were trapped, you can't open the doors to get out. They didn't care, they thought it was an awesome ride. They were sad when I put the slides back out and opened the door. They wanted to go for round two!

The last time Kev and I had been to SBD, was way before we had children, so it was fun to go back and show the kids some of the sights. The kids had a great time playing on the dunes.....getting full of wet cold sand (Mom wasn't lovin that part). It was great because they really needed to get some of that energy out before we had to be cooped up inside because of rain.

One part of SBD is a driving tour that you can get out and look at different spots along the way. Although the color had already peaked, it still was awesome to see God's handy work in the fall display. The kids especially liked the area where there is a 450 ft drop down to Lake Michigan...and NO they didn't go down. Kevin still remembers the last time he went down that hill and has no desire to do it again anytime soon (even though he brags that he could climb back up no problem).

After our adventures in SBD we decided to find our way up to Leland. It is a fishing town that is very near and dear to Heidi and Kevin's heart (or taste buds in Kevin's case). This is the town that they would vacation in when they were little. Kev had us walking all over to find the candy store that he used to get HUGE peanut butter cups from. We think that store is no longer there, but there was a store that had yummy fudge, so we bought a pound of it, we just couldn't leave empty handed.

We then decided that it would be a good night to eat out, so we mosied our way back down to Traverse City and had dinner there. It was really a nice easy going day. By the time we got back to our trailers it was time for the kids to go to bed.

Great start to a great weekend.

Blessings!!