Having just picked up the kids from the Koopman's house after a quick appointment for Cara this mom questioned them on needing a snack not even an 1 1/2 after lunch.
Me: "Did you guys tell Mrs. Koopman you were hungry?
Boys: "Yes, we were hungry!"
Me: "You turkeys, you just had lunch."
Cam: "But we're hungry little pigs!"
Monday, November 7, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Taking a Break...
from the past to fit in some today. The reception was filled with beautiful details both in the decorating as well as the content (program and people). The thought of sorting through it has been bit daunting so I'm going to include a picture or two from today and leave the rest of the ON for another time. Be warned I'm about to include some lovely pictures of myself!
Last week at Bible Study, while speaking on the subject of contentment, one of the ladies wisely related the advice of loving what you have. Huh? Well, for example, say I really am tired of my vehicle, it has a few dents, the carpets inside are stained, the paint's not as shiny as when I got it 9 years ago (hypothetically speaking, of course). Lately I've found myself eyeing the ads for all the car lots in town. Honestly? I've picked out which vehicle I would drive off the lot if I had a chance. Only one problem, the dented, not so shiny, slightly stinky one I currently own still runs smoothly enough. It is not a safety hazard, it is not facing thousands of $ in repair.
So, what to do? The longer I look at the shiny ones the more I despise the one I've got. Enters in, "love what you have". Dust, vaccum and clean out the garbage, wash and maybe even wax my old one back to shiningness. And before I know it my old van is looking a lot less shabby and unlovable than before. I've invested enough energy that I relearn to love, or at least appreciate and be content, with the vehicle I got.
Now, vehicles aren't necessarily my discontentment issue as accurately as prior example might describe the vehicle we own. But, rest assured the discontentment rears it's ugly head other places here. It can be something as insignificant as a trimless wall in the house or old dinged and dirty walls. It can be significant, as huge as my children and husband. Living in this sinful world I'm sure I'm not the only one to wrestle with these issues. But having been equipped with the wise advice of an unsuspecting dear lady I can fight against my rotten sinful heart. I can love what I have (and there's no denying I have lots - more than most!)
So today, on a gorgeously sunny day I scrubbed walls with milk trails and muddy fingerprints, I washed floors and cleaned up clutter and already my house is looking better. Already I'm looking around with a more appreciative attitude. I hugged my kids close and shared some silly moments with them (and I'll admit, got frustrated when they refused to stay outside and brought mud across my just clean floor - sigh) But right now I know I'm more aware that I have to change and where I can start. All the while acknowleging I can't do it apart from God's help.
So pray God will make me a more godly and content stay at home mom to these dear kids...
Last week at Bible Study, while speaking on the subject of contentment, one of the ladies wisely related the advice of loving what you have. Huh? Well, for example, say I really am tired of my vehicle, it has a few dents, the carpets inside are stained, the paint's not as shiny as when I got it 9 years ago (hypothetically speaking, of course). Lately I've found myself eyeing the ads for all the car lots in town. Honestly? I've picked out which vehicle I would drive off the lot if I had a chance. Only one problem, the dented, not so shiny, slightly stinky one I currently own still runs smoothly enough. It is not a safety hazard, it is not facing thousands of $ in repair.
So, what to do? The longer I look at the shiny ones the more I despise the one I've got. Enters in, "love what you have". Dust, vaccum and clean out the garbage, wash and maybe even wax my old one back to shiningness. And before I know it my old van is looking a lot less shabby and unlovable than before. I've invested enough energy that I relearn to love, or at least appreciate and be content, with the vehicle I got.
Now, vehicles aren't necessarily my discontentment issue as accurately as prior example might describe the vehicle we own. But, rest assured the discontentment rears it's ugly head other places here. It can be something as insignificant as a trimless wall in the house or old dinged and dirty walls. It can be significant, as huge as my children and husband. Living in this sinful world I'm sure I'm not the only one to wrestle with these issues. But having been equipped with the wise advice of an unsuspecting dear lady I can fight against my rotten sinful heart. I can love what I have (and there's no denying I have lots - more than most!)
So today, on a gorgeously sunny day I scrubbed walls with milk trails and muddy fingerprints, I washed floors and cleaned up clutter and already my house is looking better. Already I'm looking around with a more appreciative attitude. I hugged my kids close and shared some silly moments with them (and I'll admit, got frustrated when they refused to stay outside and brought mud across my just clean floor - sigh) But right now I know I'm more aware that I have to change and where I can start. All the while acknowleging I can't do it apart from God's help.
So pray God will make me a more godly and content stay at home mom to these dear kids...
(one of who came up to me 10 minutes ago, planted a big kiss on my cheek and said, "you are my cutest big girl" thanks Cara!!)
and make me everything this dear man (who's smiling so lovingly at me) needs me to be. 
And I'm pretty convinced that by putting even greater amounts of energy into loving them they will become more and more precious to me. I don't know I'm getting out quite what I mean.... they are already very precious to me but I'm just trying to honestly admit to you that I too look outside of our family and sometimes feel discontent with what and even who I have.
Ps. And I thought a wedding reception post would be daunting?! This musing took me farther than I thought, sharing a picture I wasn't planning on at the beginning. Thanks for coming back to read our family moments and my scrawling thoughts. I appreciate you all!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The families
His
Hers
Ours. Too bad for me Cam wouldn't go where I thought he should and Steve was needed back with the group so this is all we got - it's not balanced and really it's not even nice but it is the members of our family that attended the wedding. :)
Hers
Ours. Too bad for me Cam wouldn't go where I thought he should and Steve was needed back with the group so this is all we got - it's not balanced and really it's not even nice but it is the members of our family that attended the wedding. :) Where I failed...
So, considering the fact we took huge numbers of pictures my actual recording of this most wonderful day is actually quite pathetic.
I have the program hander outers. Quite a charming set of cousins if I do say so myself.
Especially when they're nervously giggling together over the mushy wording or something in the programs.
Should you have gone up the other entrance this handsome boy would have handed you your copy.
There there was the 3 cousins who took the minutes preceeding the ceremony to enjoy eachother and the time to run around and play on the stairs.
One the pictures I was really hoping to capture... Jeff grinning (uncontrollably - sorry Jeff but you know I love that grin even if I do usually enjoy it on Steve's face!) at his approaching dearest Holly.
The beautiful (inside and out) bride, my new sis-in-law.
And I think about here I put the camera on the floor and just enjoyed the rest of the service. Too bad but it just wasn't working to take pictures from where I was sitting, trying to get a better angle and work around my kiddos heads.
I have the program hander outers. Quite a charming set of cousins if I do say so myself.
Especially when they're nervously giggling together over the mushy wording or something in the programs.
Should you have gone up the other entrance this handsome boy would have handed you your copy.
There there was the 3 cousins who took the minutes preceeding the ceremony to enjoy eachother and the time to run around and play on the stairs.
One the pictures I was really hoping to capture... Jeff grinning (uncontrollably - sorry Jeff but you know I love that grin even if I do usually enjoy it on Steve's face!) at his approaching dearest Holly.
The beautiful (inside and out) bride, my new sis-in-law. 
And I think about here I put the camera on the floor and just enjoyed the rest of the service. Too bad but it just wasn't working to take pictures from where I was sitting, trying to get a better angle and work around my kiddos heads.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Continuing
Figuring out the details...
...and practicing.
The day of... the boys/men getting Jeff's car ready. Take one look at them and you'll notice it was COLD!
This is how we transformed Joel and Marianne's neighborhood (sorry, this picture is included here because this is when I took it!) Between the 3 trailers and a roving band of miscellaneous people we kept their driveway and street(s) filled!
Meanwhile, the guys had gone back inside to get ready. The girls (not the bride and company but O family) had already been working on hair etc. all morning and it was fun as there was nothing to stress about and only time to enjoy each others company... and encourage eachother to try something different :) Jeff got this far and then almost no further... Daniel again :)
And Daniel... I'm not really sorry :)
...and practicing.
The day of... the boys/men getting Jeff's car ready. Take one look at them and you'll notice it was COLD!
This is how we transformed Joel and Marianne's neighborhood (sorry, this picture is included here because this is when I took it!) Between the 3 trailers and a roving band of miscellaneous people we kept their driveway and street(s) filled!
Meanwhile, the guys had gone back inside to get ready. The girls (not the bride and company but O family) had already been working on hair etc. all morning and it was fun as there was nothing to stress about and only time to enjoy each others company... and encourage eachother to try something different :) Jeff got this far and then almost no further... Daniel again :)
And Daniel... I'm not really sorry :)Part 2
High in that special moments category was this packing us all into Joel and Marianne's living room just for hanging out.
It was good and packed with people while all the kids were up but it was good and packed with laughter and hearty conversation once the kids were in bed. Those few late nights were such... special times (please excuse me as I over use the word special but try not to lose it's meaning in it's overusage).
A table packed with little kids... it would have been so full if we would have been able to include the 5 we collectively had to leave behind!
Speaking of tables, Marianne was/is quite the hostess! Our meals were fit for royalty and we hardly had to lift a finger in getting them ready. Marianne had worked extra hard to prepare nearly everything before hand - meals and snacks - it really was incredible. And it made our days that much more relaxing and enjoyable.
We also got together for supper with Jeff, Holly, their families and a few friends before the rehersal Friday night. It was a fun time getting to know everyone just a little bit better. Or at least, we learned Jeff loved us all because we all fed him at some point or other. Holly loved us all for keeping Jeff from starving :) Aww, that's okay Jeff, it's good to know your heart and stomach are so connected!
And the three musketeers with their matching/pre-curler braids! Such a joy to watch them all together!
ps. I'm at picture 52 ;)
It was good and packed with people while all the kids were up but it was good and packed with laughter and hearty conversation once the kids were in bed. Those few late nights were such... special times (please excuse me as I over use the word special but try not to lose it's meaning in it's overusage).
A table packed with little kids... it would have been so full if we would have been able to include the 5 we collectively had to leave behind!
Speaking of tables, Marianne was/is quite the hostess! Our meals were fit for royalty and we hardly had to lift a finger in getting them ready. Marianne had worked extra hard to prepare nearly everything before hand - meals and snacks - it really was incredible. And it made our days that much more relaxing and enjoyable.We also got together for supper with Jeff, Holly, their families and a few friends before the rehersal Friday night. It was a fun time getting to know everyone just a little bit better. Or at least, we learned Jeff loved us all because we all fed him at some point or other. Holly loved us all for keeping Jeff from starving :) Aww, that's okay Jeff, it's good to know your heart and stomach are so connected!
And the three musketeers with their matching/pre-curler braids! Such a joy to watch them all together!
ps. I'm at picture 52 ;) The Start
Well, seeing as between everyone that picked up the camera and shot some pictures (thanks y'all - many special moments would have been missed otherwise!) we had about 755 pictures between us, this is just the start.
Go fish and Snap in the airport with Auntie Rach, Jacob and Jess as we waited our connecting flight.
Gettting to know nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts much better - one of the trip's most special benefits. Hi, Sweethearts!
One of these bonding activities included a fantastic time of school. Can you believe it? All of them relieved from their school duties for a few days and it was one of the first things they played :)
We also got to do a bit of wedding prep which according to Daniel is a very good thing indeed!
... These posts are going to come in fits and spurts...
Go fish and Snap in the airport with Auntie Rach, Jacob and Jess as we waited our connecting flight.
Gettting to know nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts much better - one of the trip's most special benefits. Hi, Sweethearts!
One of these bonding activities included a fantastic time of school. Can you believe it? All of them relieved from their school duties for a few days and it was one of the first things they played :)
We also got to do a bit of wedding prep which according to Daniel is a very good thing indeed!
... These posts are going to come in fits and spurts...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)