I blinked!

 When I look at my kids I don’t necessarily see what’s right in front of me.  I’m aware they are grown up,  most of them adults.  Yesterday, when I hugged the twins at the airport, I was holding my little babies, that use to look just alike. That liked sleeping in the same crib to be close to each other.  They dragged each other around the house just so they could be together.  It was amazing to see how far they’ve come and where they are today.  

I had a wonderful conversation with another mom at the airport.  Her daughter is also on the Africa trip.  I have never officially met her but knew her name through friends.  I introduced myself and we talked.  We are both from Hamilton so I told her were we lived. She said “I remember praying when I would drive by your house for a little girl.  How is she now.”  I pointed at Brooke.  She’s now 16 going to Africa with her twin sister.  Their family has also been through trials and I had been praying for their family.  It was such a testimony that it takes a village.  And God shows up, in people you have never met.  He’s working above and beyond our immediate circle!!!

Brooke wouldn’t be where she is without the village.  Brooke wouldn’t be where she is without Macy, and her sisters.  And none of us would be where we are without GOD!!!  

I am soooooo excited to hear about their experiences over the next 2 weeks.  I pray God opens their hearts and minds to soak it all in and let it change their hearts.  All of our girls have been there, they’ve all had different experiences, and everyone has been changed.  Sometimes in life, we seek to find out God’s plan.  But it’s ALWAYS greater than our plan.

Mark 16: 15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

Wedding Week!

 OH MEGS!!!  Here we are, it’s wedding week.  We’ve done this before.  So logistically, I feel we are sitting good.  So many times Megs and I have asked ourselves “what’s next,” and things have just fallen into place.  I am 1000% confident, it’s going to be a great and fun night. 

But where did the time go?!?!  We brought her home 22 years ago.  I’m sure I have shared this before but when we had babies I always wanted to wait a little bit to call and tell people, because I was in AWWWW every time, how beautiful and perfect they were, and I didn’t want to share with anyone.  (I know selfish on my part).  But Megs was and is so perfect.  22 years ago, I planned to hold her and rock her forever.  She was the smiliest baby, loved to nap and so content.  She was definitely quieter than her sisters until they got her mad.  That was a sight to see :). But I would go back and do it all over again.  We always prayed for God to bring the right man into our daughter’s lives.  When we started hearing the name “Jayden” me and Steve’s ears perked up.  Megan denied it for so long that I thought I either had things really wrong or she really did not like this boy.  But then we got to meet him.  He has endured our crazy family.  All the girl screams, excitement and tears and he has not run away yet.  Megs said she knew dad approved when we were all in the living room and Steve and Jayden were ignoring us talking about cars.  

We are beyond excited for them to start this next chapter. So much awaits them in life.  As a mama, that sits here reminiscing with tears streaming down her face, I’d give anything to hold that sweet baby Megs for hours.  Megs, you have been a joy to raise and parent.  You’ve always been a little quiet, but so aware of what’s going on around you, crafty and ready for any project mom was conjuring up, and smarter with a spreadsheet than I will ever be.  I’ll miss our afternoon and night talks and “good night mom” before bed.  I’ll miss you walking around the house in your robe (because no one appreciates robes like we do).  I am so happy that you lived home for 22 years but it makes handing you to Jay a little difficult, even though Jay promises to bring you back sometimes :)  Thanks for being my best friend, even though mom is slightly annoying at time.  It’s time to put the finishing details on this wedding and have the BEST DAY EVER!!!!

Love ya to the moon and back sweet girl!!!!  I will continue to bug you by text and Snapchat daily and as always, “the doors always open” for my best girls ever!!!!

Freedom and Tears

 It’s almost time!  The twins turn 16 THIS WEEK!!!  The excitement is mounting fast.  The cars are running.  They are washing them and “moving in.”  Getting them stocked with everything they feel they need.  Steve and I are so excited for them.  Who knew 16 years ago we would make it to this day!!  And here we are.  

And then as a mom………for 25 years, since Leah was born, I have been driving kids around.  It starts with daycare and doctors appts, trips to grandma’s and vacations.  Then school, school functions, sports and friends houses.  Every time a kid turned 16, I knew I had more.  I would dare say 90% of the time I have really enjoyed driving my girls around.  They talk, they banter back and forth, they sing.  You never know what they are going to say and at times I’d have to say, “stop talking.”  But was still a joy.  I was their captive audience and they were mine.  

So my point is, now what?  I have no one else to drive around.  This is uncharted territory for me.  Steve is jumping for joy :). We’ve have had quite the crazy schedules these last few years.  And maybe I won’t have as much time as I think.  I know my mini van will be confused as to what is going on, and I feel I will be just as confused.  So these last few days I will relish every minute with my girls in the car with me.  Whether they are fighting or laughing it’s all definitely ok.  And when Sunday comes around and they drive by themselves I may shed a tear or two, but I have never been so happy for them.  It’s been a wild 16 years, and I am excited for the next chapter for them.  Maybe a few more grey hairs for me.  

Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever!!

God did this!!!

 It's been a long time since I've blogged.  The kids have their own stories and not always mine to share but theirs.  But the last few months have been a lot reflection on life.  Steve and I were able to witness Leah and Bryce get married this weekend.  And as I sat with a front row view, I leaned over to Steve and said, "we made some really beautiful kids."  Definitely a proud moment.  But my mind kept going to "God did this."  23 years ago when we brought Leah home, we were scared of messing her up.  Who let us be parents in the first place?  We had no idea what we were doing!!  I was certain we were going to screw this up.  However with the help of a very large community, we have seen her grow into the woman she is today.  

As we watched the wedding video, I said to Steve, "Leah is a grown woman and adult, she's gorgeous."  He looked at me like I was crazy,  (not the first time) she is 23 years old.  I have never seen Leah as an adult in my mind.  She's my little girl.  And over the past 4-5 years she has become one of my best friends.  But I saw something different this past weekend.  I saw a grown adult, a woman who loves Bryce, who loves the Lord.  I could not be more proud.  

I will always see her as my little girl.  She will always be my best friend and go too, as are the other girls.  Relationships are strange in that way.  

I cannot thank our village enough for shaping Leah.  Most of the village was able to share in the day with us.  There were many tears and lots of emotions.  As much as I was never ready for this day, I could not be more happy for Leah and Bryce.  For the new son in law we gained and his amazing family we can now call our friends and part of our village.  

Thanks to everyone that made the wedding of their dreams happen!!  

Can't fix it!

 As parents we want to fix things.  They're car breaks,  we fix it.  They're heart hurts, we hug them to make it feel better.  They're sick, we bring them meds, and food.  They call from Africa that they're COVID test came back positive and they can't fly home........................AND WE CAN'T FIX IT!!!!

That pretty much sums up our week.  There has been anger, MANY tears, chocolate, ice cream, cake, and lots of Facetime, but we can't fix it.  I've told myself many times to get my "poop in a group,"  "focus" but I can't.  As I sat on the porch tonight eating chips and dip, Ashley's favorite, I decided I don't want to "get my poop in a group" until she comes home. And luckily we have a plan before I'm 500 pounds.  

Ash has had one negative rapid COVID test.  Tomorrow she will go in for a test at a clinic.  If it's negative, they will book her a flight, and we will meet her at her destination in the states. If it's positive we will try and find an MD or possibly get a video visit from her MD here to clear her to fly home.  

The place she is with, Ocean's Ministries, is AMAZING!!!  She could not be with better people or have had better leaders go with her.  I will forever sing their praises.  

And Ashley is doing well.  She has her moments and this isn't ideal, but she even said, "I'd like to go to Beautiful gate sometime" where Leah was.  (Ash is in Fish Hoek).  She did say she's not traveling when stupid Covid is still around. 

As much as I dislike technology sometimes, I have never been so thankful for it now.  Hours of facetime, and tucking her in at night is what we look forward too.  Friends from here calling her, texting, and "taking her with for errands" has been a highlight.  But when I hug my 6'2" little girl I WILL NOT LET GO!!!!

Praying for a good smooth week!!  Safe travels for Ash and for Steve and I to pick her up.  Steve and I are aware she can catch a connecting flight to Chicago or Grand Rapids, but she doesn't have to.  Why add more stress to her than she already has.  This may be the only thing we CAN DO!!!  

I will update when we have more information and her!!!  Thanks for the prayers, and all the friends and family that have listened to us.  Ash said, "I'm learning to trust God, He just wasn't finished yet."  

We are thankful God is never finished with us, or He may have given up on this Mama this week.  

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!

 I must be honest.  I thought this Fathers day was going to look different.  My dad had a rough 6 months, and we had a hard time getting answers and resolutions.  I tried to keep my emotions in check and press on, but there were a few times I cried to Steve and friends about the unfairness and that I wasn't ready.  My kids weren't ready.  I was not ready to face this life, my kids and my mom with out him.  I felt so selfish at times.  Because I have watched friends lose their parents and be forced into the terrible reality of grief, and here I was begging for more time.   

I don't believe I will ever be "ready."  My dad has always been my biggest cheer leader, even when he probably shouldn't have been.  He has always believed in me.  He has always told me, "You can do anything you put your mind to, it doesn't matter that you're a girl."  Hence all my home improvement "projects" I think I can go and maybe mess up :)  Sorry Steve.  

But this year, we were blessed.  The patriarch of our family, got more time.  He had to work for it.  It didn't come for free.  We had to advocate and he had to sign up for a major surgery, but we see him coming back.  Physically and mentally.  Him and mom came out to visit up while camping.  The girls said, "grandpa you have on a new shirt."  Grandpa likes old shirts, not new ones :)  He said, "Yes, grandma planned to bury me in it, but I lived, so I thought I'd wear it for you."  That is grandpa humor.  And I don't ever want to take it for granted.  

On this Father's day, hug your dad's.  Don't worry about anything except spending time together.  Soak them in, every personality and funny comment.   Happy father's day!!!

This guy is pretty cool too!!  

Privilege!!

There is a giant smile in this tractor!!

 This week I had the privilege of being at a virtual visit with my dad and his cardiologist.  The doctor was very impressed with the progress and healing he had seen.  He re affirmed dad had scared us all with how severe his symptoms were, and we all questioned how recovery would go.  Dad said to the doctor, ,"do you like blueberries, because when they are ready I'm going to bring you blueberries.  I really appreciate all you did for us."  You must realize, when you are offered blueberries that is a token of deep thanks.  More precious than money or gold.  Thank you Dr. Willekes for giving us our dad and grandpa back, and giving us more time.  

Dad has lost 30# in 5 months.  So he's trying to slowly gain strength.  He's been back on the tractor, driving the truck, he has his naughty grin back and smart comments.  He has started cardiac rehab to gain strength and see how much his heart can take.  Dad thinks, at the age of 75, he should be able to work a good 12 hours a day.  That is an unrealistic expectation, but if you talk to my dad, he dreams big.  So he will keep striving to do more, and we love him for it.  

We want to thank everyone for all the prayers, cards, calls, food and well wishes over the past months. It has been a long haul. This poor man and my mom have been through a lot.  Seeing their marriage and love has been an inspiration to me.  Seeing how many people my parents have touched and friends they have, warms my heart.  We continue to pray for strength, endurance and patience.  God is so good!!!