Simple Life

Our family trip to sunshine

2011-04-12T10:04:00.000-07:00

The real Lords prayer

2011-03-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

There is just so much i want. but only one thing i need. One thing that will satisfy the deepest longing. Jesus. I want him. All of him. But what does he want from me?

Jesus prays for himself in John chapter 17. He prays the "real Lords prayer". You see his heart, and his love for his children. He wants our hearts. He wants us to do what we were in truly made to do! To worship him! Heartfelt worship. vs 1-5. Evangelism and edification of the saints. He talks about in verses. 6-10 make disciples and encourage believers to grow, to change and to learn and meditate on the word! And to do what it says! He wants his disciples to to be vigilant and ready, because the world will hate them. But he wants us to be progressively holy. He wants us to be sober minded and watchful so that when the trials and persecution come it won't rock our world. ( Peter 5:8)
Verse 24...i will quote. It is that good!! "Father i want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." This is why he died. This is what he desires more than anything, that we would be with him in glory. This is my desire. To spend more time with him.... and in the word.{ It is truth. It is life and it is power.}
Jesus is speaking of heavenly longing! Lastly, in verse 25 He is saying to us to Love like Christ. "that my love would be in my disciples." This is also my desire.

Air Zoo

2011-01-24T19:08:00.000-08:00

The boys and i decided to take an impromptu field trip to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo with Sarah (my sister) and Amy! Admission is free, they have alot of hands-on activities, flight simulators, and rides. This is Ethan walking in...He LOVED IT. Levi didn't really know what to think. (I didn't have time to mess with my camera's lighting settings so they are a little blurry.) Helicopter ride

Guns....Ethan magnet!

Turbo Jet engine.

This one's for daddy!

The Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" (The fastest man made aircraft ever made)

My cleaning neccesities

2011-01-22T07:58:00.000-08:00

Micro-fiber rags Baking soda is a nice abrasive for cleaning the sinks and shower, and it's CHEAP, pure and natural! (I also use it to get scuff marks off of walls and doors)

I bought this Simple green concentrate at Sam's for like 8 bucks and it lasts FOVEVER.

This stuff is awesome because its CHEAP, smells really good and safe to use around kids! We use it to clean pretty much everything...I have 3 squirt bottles that i keep around the house to clean everything from the kitchen counters to the shower, floors, furnature and whatever else i feel like! (it only takes less than an inch of concentrate and the rest of the bottle is water!) Side note: When Bill was in the marines they used this stuff to clean their rifles! Like i said. Safe and effective! As you can see i dropped this bottle and broke the nozzle off. Oh well i have like 5 more! hehe
This little guy is also pretty handy. I think i paid under 10 dollars for it and it came with 2 washable pads. I get the pad wet with warm water, wring it out and spray my cleaner (simple green) right on the pad, and i'm good to go!

Hope you enjoyed my favorite cleaning products, what are yours? Happy cleaning!

SNOW Cones!

2011-01-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun winter treat that is fun to make and VERY yummy! (it tastes like ice cream and probably a lot less calories!)
Ingredients:
Pure white sparkling CLEAN snow (roughly 8 cups- Use a LARGE bowl!
Mix following ingredients together in a separate bowl and add to the snow:

1/4 cup milk (we added a little more)
1/2 cup sugar
A few drops of food coloring-ethan chose blue of course!
1 tsp. flavoring. (we used vanilla and LOVED it!)

Next time i am going to try strawberry or watermelon and Red food coloring for valentines day....Ethan (and his friend Jonah) LOVED it!
We finished it off with some SPRINKLES!

Rubber band gun & spiderman

2011-01-18T15:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a typical day, shooting each other with guns! Levi chasing Ethan (spiderman) with ethan's rubber-band gun. He just looked so dang cute!

Tuesday

2011-01-18T10:03:00.000-08:00

Weather:
Cold and slushy.
Things that make me happy:
Taking care of my family, seeing my boys play together nicely, family dinners, and coffee. kids afternoon nap time and a quiet house.
Books I'm reading:
Having a Mary heart in a martha world by Joanna Weaver, Same kind of different as me by Ron hall and denver moore-(which i highly recommend) my bible.
What's on my TV today:
Nada.
On the Menu for dinner:
Leftover Chile, bread and probably some kind of salad
On my to-do list:
menu plan, grocery shop, and spend some quality time as a family tonight.
Recipe i want to try soon:
Vienna bread.
Dinners i make on a regular basis...maybe a little too regular...
Fajitas, pizza, enchilada's, parmesan chicken, Chicken cordon bleu. sandwiches.
Tip:
Static hair? grab a dryer sheet and wipe your hair down, works PERFECT for me after using my straightener.
My new blog discovery:

http://mealplanningmommies.blogspot.com/

Things

2011-01-11T10:31:00.001-08:00

It's a new year. Here are a few things i am going to try really hard to do in this new chapter of my life.

1. Spending money carefully. and only using cash to do it. (this one is hard for me!)

2. Spend quality time with God daily and digging into the word.

3. Letting the holy spirit lead me in every aspect of my life.

4. Letting go of the things in my life that i cannot change. ( my past, my body, my family etc.) and working on the things i can change....also hard for me.

5. Being very careful what comes out of my mouth. (Is it edifying and uplifting? does it have the power to heal or to destroy?)

6. Spending more time with my man. Encouraging and praying for him.

7. I want to try to be more strategic with grocery shopping and meal planning.

8. Contentment... This is where God has me RIGHT NOW. This season of my life. poopy diapers and long days at home. I need to love it and embrace it. I am so blessed.

Spiced Pecans

2010-12-07T11:52:00.000-08:00

Ok, so one of my friends posted this recipe. It is AWESOME. seriously. you can't stop eating them. Thought i would share it.

1 egg white (wisked until frothy)
Add in 1 lb (4 cups) pecan halves. Stir until coated.
Add 1/2 cup sugar, 3 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp salt/

Spread out on a cookie sheet and bake them at 350 for about 20 minutes. Turn half way through. ENJOY these wonderful little holiday delights!

~Christmas tree hunting~

2010-12-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite part of the holidays. Cutting down a tree and decorating it! Saturday we put on our snow gear and took off on our family adventure. Screw the fake tree in the box in the storage room. Let's go freeze our butts off and pay $25! No, I love the look and smell of the real deal. It is not christmas until your floor is covered in pine needles and tinsel! Not to mention the smell of fresh pine! A few things we learned this year. 1...Bring enough warm clothes for the kids on the tree finding journey. 2. Make sure everyone (including myself) uses the restroom before the hike!!! that was interesting to say the least. 3. Don't forget to take the tree off the top of the truck before driving into the garage. Luckily, We survived. And so did the tree!!!
Afterwards we went to Red Robin, our fav burger joint, and ate our FREE ((big huge greasy 90- million calorie)) birthday burgers. They were freaking awesome to say the least. sidenote: RR has the BEST campfire sauce! Have a blessed holiday season! :::

Fun weekend at the cabin

2010-10-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

A few snapshots of the boys at grandpa and grandma's cabin up north....

Pumpkin Bread

2010-09-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

1-15 oz. can pumpkin
1- 1/2 c brown sugar
1 stick butter, softened
3 eggs, beaten
3-4 cups flour
2 T baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 c. chopped walnuts (ethan likes chocolate chips)
Combine pumpkin, brown sugar, butter and eggs until creamy. Mix in the dry ingrediends Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Makes 2 loaves

Fall Tip: Dip your pumpkins in bleach water to prevent mold, and they will last alot longer!

Pasties

2010-09-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

When the weather starts getting cold, there is nothing quite like a warm pastie right out of the oven. This is my mom's recipe, I made it the other day and it brought back so many memories! Memories of Fall. Good memories of my dad and hunting for rabbits with him in our backyard. memories of my mom's kitchen. This recipe has a buttery flaky crust that is to-die-for!
I like dipping mine in ketchup.

Pasties:

Brown 1lb ground beef in a skillet. When the meat is starting to brown throw in one chopped onion.
Season with salt and pepper and some minced garlic.
Remove from heat and add chopped carrots, diced potatoes, turnips or parsnips. set aside in a separate bowl.

Pastry crust:

Mix together 3 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp sugar. Cut in 2 sticks of butter, and add 1 cup cold water. Blend with a pastry blender. Roll out on a heavily floured counter and cut into squares. Place your meat in the middle of the square and fold over into a triangle. Dip a fork into flour and press along the edges of the dough to seal it. Bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes.

For the love of Lindy...and really cool pink porta potty's

2010-09-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

Well i ran my very first 5k this saturday.
What a great time. There were alot of people there. It was powerful and exilerating to see literally thousands of women running together, supporting each other and standing together. Well running rogether. It was a blast. Lindy we love you! and we can't wait to run with you next year! Amy even let me spray her hair pink!

Also, i had to add a few pictures of the porta potty's. They were awesome. I loved them.

A nice getaway

2010-09-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

This past week Bill and I went on a little trip just the two of us to the UP to spend some time together without the kiddos. It was a blast. We went to TQ falls and did alot of hiking to waterfalls and along the Pictured Rock lakeshore. It was beautiful. And so much fun to hang out together and have uninterupted conversations... We both were totally in our element out there. Just us two, and God of course! A few pictures of our trip....

2010-09-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite things about FALL

2010-09-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist this last one... :)

2010-09-09T04:37:00.000-07:00

Top ten highlights of summer 2010...

1. Levi turned 1 last month, He is walking and has two bottom teeth!

2. Ethan is done with training wheels!

3. We adopted a Yorkie puppy! Ethan named him "Jojo" (He is a little stinker so he fits in with our family) :)

4. Our grass has totally come in full and green.

5. Bill is graduating with his BA in computer science in December. He is on his last class! (thank you marine corps!)

6. Bill is officially out of the inactive reserves as of yesterday! (this just means they cannot call him back or deploy him. ) He is safe!

7. Witnessed 3 of my best friends tie the knot!

8. Took the boys to the zoo for the first time ever!

9. Biking with the boys to Holland state park and grand haven...bonus: both have "pronto pup")

10. My favorite part of the summer was spending time with bill and the boys. sunsets. bonfires. beach and the smell of sunscreen and bug spray.

I have to say, however, that i am ready for FALL! Pumpkins and mums! Apple picking and fresh apple pie. The smell of leaves burning and watching the leaves change color. I love it all!

Play -Doh

2010-06-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here's some rainy-day fun! Make some good old fashioned play doh! This is the recipe my mom made when i was a kid, and it seems to last alot longer than the store bought, and is alot cheaper!
1 c. flour
1c. water
1/4 c. salt
2 tsp. cream of tarter
1 T canola oil

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry in a sauce pan over med heat until it thickens and turns into a ball. It's pretty sticky at first, so just hang in there. It will get thick.
Add whatever food coloring color you desire! Ethan's is always blue. Store in an airtight container or ziplock bag. (:

Cherries in the snow

2010-04-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite desert recipes, i'm not usually big on "cherry" deserts. however this one is a keeper! So i thought i would share....
Cherries in the Snow

1 cup flour
1/2 cup margarine
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup nuts, chopped fine

Filling and topping
1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
1 (32 oz.) can cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 375. Use an ungreased 9 x 13 pan or 10" pie pan. Combine flour, margarine, brown sugar and nuts. Place in pan. Bake 15 mins. Crumble and pat down into pan; Cool.
Cream the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla; fold in the whipped cream. Spoon over crust. Spoon pie filling over top. Chill several hours or overnight.

Banquet night

2010-04-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Holland christian high schools senior banquet night. Bill and i took Levi (Eth was taking a nap so we figured we'd be better off leaving him with grandpa than trying to get him in a costume and making him sit still.) to Centennial

park to take pictures of Joe and Jenna, Jake and Ellie. (Joe is Bill's brother and Jake is my brother). We managed to get a few snapshots of Levi by the tulips in the dutch costume my mom made for Jake when he was a baby! They all looked amazing! Jenna and Ellie were stunningly gorgeous!!!

Longing

2010-04-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

I long for something greater. something radical and world changing. something that fulfils me in a way that i cannot describe to you. To feel God working through me like when in Haiti or Cambodia. I guess i just miss the "thrill" if you will, of being apart of something HUGE! Feeling the presence of God in such a tangible way like bringing Jesus to the nations.... I always dreamed of opening an orphanage overseas, rescuing children off the streets....of bringing people to the Lord! Lately i feel like God is imparting to me that THIS. This is my job right now. Raising my boys to love and fear the Lord. To be radical world changers for him, because after i am gone. THEY are going to be the next generation. Sometimes it's so hard to see things in these terms in the day to day of life. Changing dirty diapers all day, making dinner, doing laundry, sleepless nights and ear infections! (Levi right now unfortunately). But i think we must see things in a bigger picture. I just get so discouraged thinking I'm not doing a good job raising my boys! That i am a failure!
I am listening to the Lies of Satan. Of COURSE he does not want me to be raising men of God who are going to bring people to Christ and stand up against him! The devil wants me to put my children in day care all day! have a prestigious carer and make tons of money so that i do not need God! SCREW THAT. and screw Satan because that is a LIE.
(Just to clarify i have nothing against mom's who do work, i just am having a revelation that it is not my calling.) And i am sick of feeling guilty for staying home! Our society is so backwards. Being a parent is a huge calling. and a very important responsibility.
Lord help me to raise my children to love and fear you... to teach them your laws and to impart to them YOUR heart.... your unconditional love and grace. Help me to not be discouraged in the day to day monotony of life. but to see my life and my calling through YOUR eyes. not my own.
I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.

Family Pics

2010-04-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

SpRiNg!

2010-04-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

I absoloutly LOOOOVE spring! Today is beautiful. the windows open with the birds singing. mmmm awesome.....
Levi is MOBILE! In a minutes time i had walked away to get something, and when i got back this is where i found him. (first pic) He is obsessed with power cords too. Ethan was the same way! I cannot take my eyes off the little bugger! He knows when i leave the room too. haha love that naughty little stinker. I posted a few more pictures of things we've been doing. Bill and i went on a date last weekend...bek's soccer game and just getting things ready to start LANDSCAPING and seeding the GRASS! We went to pick out boulders and steppers at the allegan gravel pit last week and had cement patio poured under the back deck. last but certainly not least GUTTERS put in.( no more neighbors almost killing themselves on the ice skating rink at the front door!)
It's going to be alot of hard work this summer, but we plan to do the rest on our own. it will probably only be a few bushes and trees to start!
A few weeks back we spent the day out at great grandpa and grandma's farm. (last 2 pics) Ethan LOVED the tractor ride with "grandpa grandpa"!

Us lately....

2010-04-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent pictures of the GROWING boys! Levi
is crawling!! and sitting up on his own at 7 months! He is eating more and more foods like pieces of fruit, bread, Cheerios and of course his fav sweet potatoes! Ethan freaks out when I'm feeding Levi his sweet potatoes b/c he thinks it's totally disgusting and cannot bear the sight of it going into his mouth, yea, i am still working on getting him to eat his vegetables. I seriously envy mom's out there who's children eat all their vegetables.
Ethan is extremely smart. and does not miss a beat. ...girls have boobs... he says to me... that makes them pretty. I was taken a little off guard. HE IS ONLY 3! little bugger..... but yea, he can get away with murder he is so dang cute.
I love love love being a stay at home mom. Above is a preview of our photo session a DeVries studio last week! I can't wait to get them all back, they turned out awesome! Oh and next week Bill goes down to only part time school!
A few of the growing boys:

A few recipes for your enjoyment

2010-03-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

Salmon and Pasta with Asparagus and cherry tomatoes

This dinner is SO easy and one of our favorites. All you do is
cook the Salmon however you like. Pan fry, grill or bake it. I
bake mine in a little olive oil on tin foil over a cookie sheet.
Sprinkle it with a little cracked pepper, minced garlic, cayenne
pepper (for a little zip) and a little sea salt.
Cook up your pasta. I use whole wheat penne but you can
use whatever you like.
Throw in a few cherry tomatoes, grated parmesan. (I like
to use Asiago and Romano as well for more flavor.)
Olive oil and Lemon juice (fresh is best)
As much or as little as you want. Toss it all together and
throw the salmon on the top. YUMM-O (:

Mrs. Fields Cookies

2 c. ground Oats
2 c. ground walnuts

5 c. flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 c. softened butter
2 c. white sugar
2 c. brown sugar

Add:
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2-2 c. chocolate chips
* I like to press in m&m's while they are still warm.

A bunch of random stuff

2010-03-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

Go Maroon Platoon and go Becka! I just love my little sis, isn't she just adorable??

First bike ride to grandpa and grandma's house down the road.

Grilled chicken spinach tomato and pepperjack panini on 7 grain whole wheat honey oat bread. amazing.... This is what i do when the kids are sleeping. make myself a nice big lunch and hop on facebook. haha

I like to call this bread "natures broom". (7 grain honey oat bread)

Found this cool little treasure in my grandma vanallsburg's basement....this is an old milk jug from 'east end cremory' in grand rapid that my grandpa owned when my mom was little.

my new sign made by Kris Arendsen!

Merry Christmas to me. from mom and dad DY...thanks again! (this is our family verse). Also made by Kris Arendsen

V day

2010-02-18T05:55:00.000-08:00

This year Bill did something really sweet for Valentine's day. He and my brother Jake made a gormet meal for Me and Jake's girlfriend who came up from chicago for the weekend! They made roasted garlic and chicken stuffed crust pizzas! Salad with home made croutons! It was amazing!!!! Sorry i forot to take a pic, but trust me, it was fabulous!
Ethan got a goodie bag of candy and monster truck chocolates. And a card FULL of "car" stickers from his great gramma Joe! And chocolates from Grandpa wayne and gramma Deb! What a lucky little guy! Oh and Levi is almost sitting up! (with the help of his boppy pillow!)

Ethan

2010-02-16T18:28:00.000-08:00

I just love my little Ethan. Looking back at his life, he is such a little miracle. being born two months too early, you would never know! He's such a a blast. He's talking more and more and in full sentances which is SO fun! He can tell me what he wants and what he's thinking! He loves his little brother too which is so sweet, he says to me the other day "mommy, Levi is my best friend"!!!!
Ethan- 3 weeks old (right after getting out of the NICU)

Came across this one of Ethan and couldn't resist....

The growing boys

2010-02-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

Both boys have been relatively healthy this winter, and about a week ago,they both came down with NASTY colds. Sunday Ethan seemed to be getting progressively worse as the night went on, so i made a call to the "on call" nurse... She asked me a series of questions...how fast was he breathing, his temp (which was 103.8 under his armpit) and a raspy hacking cough...She advised us to bring him to the ER right away.. So we took him in at 10 pm, called in re-enforcements (mom dy and darse bills sister). They were so sweet to come to the rescue that late at night! Anyways, he ended up with a discharge diagnosis viral pneumonia and the start of an ear infection. He is on the mend now, but the last few days have been long and i am begining to feel like a hermit, and wondering if winter will never end! Not to be too negetive, we are very blessed to be as healthy as we have been.
Levi is rolling around like crazy, i am going to have to start looking into buying a gate for the stairway! This week we started giving him banana's and applesauce. He did not like it. Here are some pics of our growing boys!

To my husband

2010-02-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

In light of Valentines day i wanted to do a special blog post to my husband. He is amazing. to say the least. I want to share with you a poem that he wrote me a few years ago.

Take the red pill.
Step through the looking glass and down the hole.
You are leaving kansas when you walk in the door. Unlock the door the key is at hand
Only two keys exist in all the land.
One from a diamond the other, blood pierced hands
Two with access, You and He, to the deepest part of me
Look inside as you step past the sign
See the lighthouse;follow it to the haven inside
Between the trees the lighthouse sits
That is where the road begins
On the path i wait for you, upside down as i am sure you are
Hand extended reasy to guide through the twisty maze called my life
The trail twists through tunnels and hills
Forever hold this hand and guide you i will
Past paradise on the mountain top, waterfalls, palm trees, and a tiki hut
through the swoops and curvs and dips in the road
We come to the center, this is my world
Forever changing, giving, filled with stories untold
See the sun and moon joined together at the hip
Time suspended, moving fast on our crazy trip
Going in and out and all around with the love now in my life that i have found
Together forever we take the chance to stop and see
You were not the only one to use your key
Before you came, so did he, Bliding, swooping, and soaring, guiding me
He is soaring by, circling the sky, ready to swoop;forever in his eye
When troubles arise, we call on He and swooping down He picks up you and me
We soar together on high until the troubles below us die
Then diving down we all go, landing amidst the waves of the meadow
He returs to his post, ever watching he will be
As you coninue to walk my world with me.

5 months old!

2010-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

levi is 5 months old! He can roll over, laugh, sleep ALL night, say "da da" and "goo goo" and i gave him his first haircut, it was more like a trim. but still.
Soon we will be registering Ethan for preschool in the fall at Zeeland Christian! He is going to love it! He can already count to 20, say the whole alphabet, and he is completely potty trained! I am loving his new found independance. He usually wakes up around 7am, and he knows how to turn on his cartoons, get his cheerios, get dressed, and even brush his teeth while i sleep til 8! or until Levi wakes me up. He is such a big boy!

Carrot Cake

2010-01-16T19:30:00.000-08:00

2 cups Flour 2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 cups cooking oil
2 tsp baking soda 2 cups grated carrots (Food processor works great)
2 tsp cinnamon 4 eggs
1 tsp salt 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting

1 3 oz pkg cream cheese 1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup warm milk 1 tsp vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. grease and flour a 10" spring form pan. Mix together the dry ingredients and then add the wet ingredients.

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

2010-01-16T19:13:00.000-08:00

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
4 slices cooked ham or prosciutto
4 slices swiss cheese
1 T butter
Fresh parsley

1. Use a meat mallet to lightly pound the chicken about 1/8 of an inch thick.

2. Place the Ham or Prosciutto and a slice of cheese over the chicken breast and roll. Secure with wooden toothpicks.

3. In a 10-inch skillet cook the rolls in hot butter over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes. or until no longer pink in the center. Turn to brown evenly.

4. Sprinkle with the fresh parsley, and remove the toothpicks to serve.

The little dudes

2010-01-08T19:43:00.000-08:00

Parmesan Chicken and Cheesy Potatoes

2010-01-08T19:22:00.000-08:00

I am going to start doing something new on my blog and post recipe's for other mom's to enjoy. I always love new *easy* recipe's that are kid friendly!
Here is a delicious easy recipe that both of my picky boys love! I like to serve this with salad, cheesy potatos and wild rice.

Parmesan Chicken

1/2 c. butter (melted)
3/4 c. Italian bread crumbs
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1 T basil

Combine the Italian bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, basil and salt. Dip chicken breasts in the melted butter, and dredge in the bread crumb mixture.
Bake at 400 degree's for about 25 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the center.

Cheesy Potatoes

1 lg bag of frozen hashbrowns (diced, not shredded)
1 tsp Salt
1 c. Sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of potato soup
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Combine everything except the potatoes and mix well. Add the hashbrown potatoes and put in a 13*9 pan.
bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

Sledding, Bathtime and the kitty kat

2009-12-29T14:59:00.000-08:00

My big brother Nate and his wife Heather are visiting from California. Today we went sledding with our cousins who are also here from Goergia!

My girls and my 4 month old

2009-12-20T13:25:00.000-08:00

lookin back

2009-12-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

Here's a few old pics taken at Christmas.... at the cabin. 2004 before we were married. and we were were 19 and engaged.... notice we were enjoying a beer (: (what happens at the cabin stays at the cabin....only not with me, it never stays at the cabin. haha
Chrismas 2005 Bill was in Iraq. and i was in CA with my brother nate and his wife heather.

Christmas 2006 (Ethan has just come home home from the nicu.) Christmas 2007 sorry forgot to take a family pic this year i guess ):

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2009.....coming soon.....

First snowfall and snowman of the year

2009-12-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

Last night daddy and ethan made this cute snowman on the back deck, the snowman has chocolate kisses for eyes, chocolate chips for a mouth and a carrot for a nose. (notice Ethan insisted on wearing his rain boots)

Budget Master

Our little 3 year old

2009-11-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

Levi's Baptism

2009-11-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

November 8 2009 Levi James DeYoung was baptized! A beautiful symbolization that we as parents and the church promise to raise Levi in the Christian faith. One of the deacons Jim Terpstra took Levi for a walk down the isle to show him off! As he handed him back to Bill and i he said somthing to to this effect. "Levi is one of God's children, and he gives him to us temporarily, to raise and teach, and then give back to do God's will".
Yesterday Bill and i promised that we would do everything we can to raise our boys to love the God!

House progress

2009-10-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic of the front of our house as of a few days ago, the drywall is completely hung, cement work done, painter comes tomorrow to start priming, and the cabinets are being installed on friday! Only a few more weeks!

DeYoung's lately...

2009-10-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

This past few days have been SO beautiful! Fall is definately my favorite time of the year...The crisp cool air and the smell of leaves burning, and a Apple pie in the oven! God is so amazing to have created such amazing things for us to enjoy. Even just the leaves that turn bright red, orange and purple on the trees, and when the sun hits them in the late afternoon, how they radiate! I love it. If earth is this beautiful think about how amazing heaven will be!! What a great God we serve!
We have been adjusting well with 2 kids- Ethan loves Levi so much, he kisses him like 100 times a day, and wants SO bad for Levi to play monster trucks with him! It is just the most precious thing. I love being a mommy more than anything, well, i love being a wife too, but it is a different kind of love.
But anyway, Bill is still truckin away at school, He is in his 3rd year already, i don't know how he does it all. but i am proud of him. He is amazing. I now want to take this time to brag about my man. He is my Rock. He is selfless, he is strong when i am not. I don't know what i ever did to deserve him, but i musta done somethin right. This was always my verse when i was praying about my future husband "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart". And he sure did!!! So many of our friends from the military are getting divorced, and it breaks my heart. mostly for the kids who have to go through it- i would know! It sucks! but whatever happened to "For better or for worse-AS LONG AS YOU BOTH SHALL LIVE"! It is so sad that people think they can just throw in the towel when things get tough! sad. ok can you tell i am bored..here are some pics!!

mini photo shoot!

2009-09-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

Most of you have already seen these on my facebook, but here are a few pics for those of you who do not have or use their facebook (you know who you are!) One of our good friends, Christina Terpstra did a photo shoot for the boys, She did a fabulous job! Thanks Terp!!
Here are my precious little guys...

Levi's First bath

2009-09-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

Last night Levi had his FIRST BATH! Here's a few pics of the boys in the bathtub, and some random ones as well! It's so fun having 2 boys! I love it. I want them to stay little forever! to snuggle up to me when they are tired, to miss me when i go to the grocery store, even just playing monster trucks on the floor... everyone says this time comes and goes way too fast and before i know it they will be going off to school!!

2009-09-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

The Deyoung boys

2009-08-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

Levi James De Young

2009-08-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

At 12:29 this morning, Levi James De Young was born at 7 pounds 9 ounces and 20" long.
Thank you all for your prayers, it is such a blessing to finally meet Levi and for him to be so heallty. We will keep you updated, but here are a few pictures for now.

Tim's tub!

2009-08-15T19:27:00.001-07:00

Tim is a very close friend of ours born with brittle bone disease, he is an amazing 13 year old kid that has been through so much pain in his life. Please check out his blog! and come to his 'Tub fundraiser' at the Soft Spot in Borculo to get some Ice cream, do some line dancing and meet Tim!!! August 25th 5-10pm!!!!!

http://www.timstub.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=144310570089&ref=nf

August update

2009-08-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

Lately, i am going totally CRAZY and so ready to have this baby! And i think the most annoying thing that people do is ask me where the baby is! or "whens that baby coming"? I don't know why, but it seriously gets to me! ha ha I think most woman in the last few weeks of pregnancy feel the same way. I know that God's timing is perfect, i am just getting so impatient!
Here's a few pics of Ethan and the house progress. the basement is framed in! I absolutely cannot wait to move into the house, there are so many kids on our street for the boys to play with, and 5 BABY BOYS born this summer on our street! lots of friends for Levi!
Anyways, things are busy over here, Bill is still trucking away at school, he is already starting his 3rd year! It is going to be hard with a new baby and school this fall with bill's classes... (visual basic comp. programming, data mining, and UNIX operating systems) I will just have take all the help i can from both mom's! God has definitely blessed us with awesome families! I don't know how my husband does it, work full time at go to school full time. and yet he makes time to play with Ethan and spend time with me! He is truly amazing.
Ethan and mommy on a date to Zealand bakery, Ethan eating his frog cookie...actually he just ate the green frosting off the top! mommy ate the rest (:
my little monkey....

House progress...

view from the back. basement and kitchen on the right...

Ethan met his new neighbor friend brooklyn, they played in the dirt together at the lot and got absoloutly filthy!

Let's have Levi....today Puleeeese!!!!!

2009-08-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning at 3:30 i started having contractions every 2-5 minutes apart, so i called the nurse on call after it had been about an hour and a half. she told me after 2 hours of these contractions to come on it to the hospital... So at 5:30 we called my mom to come over and stay with ethan while we go in.... When we got there my contractions started dying down....of course, right! I was still having small ones, but not enough to dialate my cervix. i was still at 2 cm and 70%...... so after 3 hours at the hospital i was sent home because i wasn't progressing.... since then i have had contractions here and there, but nothing huge, they come and go. Now it's just a waiting game.... and i am going CRAZY! The nurse said because i was 37 weeks when i came in they wouldn't try to stop contractions like they would at 36 weeks, but they wouldn't break my water until i am 38 weeks. haha I am afraid to go in again only to be sent home!
anyways, everything is ready, and i am doing fine, just uncomfortable and very impatient!

less than 4 weeks to go!

2009-07-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

This week we finally got started on building our house! Next week the foundation is poured, and our builder is thinking we should be in at the end of October, woohoo! I can't wait to move and get organized in the new house! It will be awesome when the boys can have their own bedrooms, Levi will sleep in the bassinet in our room until we move, then we can set up his crib (which is still in the box) in his room. Last night we went out with friends to the BOB for dinner, what a beautiful night! I was a little uncomfortable and felt like i was having contractions while we were eating, but they went away...I am SO excited to meet my little Levi, but i would like to go at least another week or two....

36 weeks

35 weeks!

2009-07-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

35 weeks! YAY I am so thankful to have made it this far! My non-stress tests have been going good, however yesterday's test Levi's heart rate was getting up in the 80's. nothing to be concerned with as long as it consistantly stays in the 50's but it's normal for it to get that high with an active baby! My doctor laughed and said i am going to have my hands full! LOL heard that one before! Ethan was every bit as active in and out of the womb! by the way, i am LOVIN this weather! It feels so good to not be sweating!! Here are my 35 week pics, i took them myself so the first one is a little off centered (=

"Mommy i a baby"

2009-07-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

This is what Ethan says to me this morning , after he climbs up on the changing table with a bottle in his hand, and asks me to change his diaper. I think Ethan is already a little jelous of the baby, and he isnt even born yet!

today's accomplishment....

2009-07-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Braided sweet bread with raspberry filling and cinnamon crumble topping..... Simply Delectable. this picture is my second piece... one for me and one for Levi! LOL This morning mom and i made 8 loaves, 4 raspberry and 4 blueberry. My mom has been making bread ever sence i was little. She had a stone grinder, (now she has an electric one, she gave the stone grinder to me) and she would order grain from Canada. this grain is a 'soft white grain' that makes delicious bread. My mom and Bill's mom got together and my mom got bill's mom totally HOOKED on this bread. So she bought herself a "grain mill" and a Bosch mixer. (now this is no ordinary mixer. The Bosch mixer has the same motor capacity as a washing machine! It has to to be able to handle dough for 5 loaves at a time! The first time i turned on my mixer, my husband says "Now THAT is my kind of mixer" HAH a badass mixer if you will (: This is a family tradition in BOTH families now!! SO back to bread making... This bread is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. and let me tell you why.
1. Made with honey instead of sugar
2. Made with NO preservatives unlike storebought breads.
3. Made with fresh grain, not only does it taste better than flour, it is rich in vitamins and minerals and loaded with fiber! (natures broom!)
4. this particular recipe is made with Lemon zest, maple syrup and fresh berries, which are packed full of antioxidants!

mmm..... can you tell i am bored? haha (;

As of lately...

2009-07-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

34 weeks...

and feeling great! I have been going in 2 times a week for a non-stress test just to monitor baby and make sure everything is ok! I have pretty much everything ready for him, clothes washed and put away, bought diapers, wipes, bottles, double stroller etc etc! only 6 more weeks! Company party relay race... bill running with a beach ball between his legs. Ethan thought it was hillarious!

Uncle Joe & Auntie Jenna came over to watch a movie with us a few nights ago and made ethan's bed in the living room... he LOVED it!! They are the best!

Ethan has been obsessed with headbands and chapstick lately......lol

watching the boat parade on big star lake on the 4th with my baby

...meanwhile ethan jumping off the dock (in his clothes) !!

yum, chocolate pudding!

Fun day with mommy and daddy

2009-06-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

haha

32 weeks

32 weeks! i am alot bigger this time around i feel (: too much captain sundae perhaps...

DeYoung family weekend adventure

2009-06-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

This weekend at the cabin.... i feel like this is the start of 90% of all my blog posts! haha well anyways, we went on a 5 hour kayak trip down the "big" manistee river on saturday. totally a blast (accept for my legs cramping up) one of the little bonuses of being pregnant! Ethan had a blast squirting everyone with the "mega-blaster" daddy bought for him! Our friends Dan and Lindsey went along on our adventure too! It was a great day. When we got home we had a fire, deep-fried onion rings and cooked brats on the grill. (not just brats- "beer,cheddar and onion" brats from dublin). We put Ethan to bed, and Uncle Joe, they were pooped after a long day! so we all went out (mom, dad, dan, linds, bill and i) went for a midnight hike to a clearing in the middle of the state forest, and layed on a blanket to gaze upon the most stars i have EVER seen! we laughed so hard we were all crying! then we walked back to the cabin and went to bed! My pics are backwards, sorry! We stopped in Ludington and Pentwater on the way home. ( i wanted to go to my kitchen store "the bitchin' kitchen" lol)
Ethan getting ice cream:

walking.....

family pic at Ludington:

Frying some onion rings...take a look at bill's face! HAHA

Our family:

Ethan having a blaaaast...so beautiful.

love the manistee river..... and my baby!

So blessed. married to the love of my life.

chillaxin....

grandpa grandma and ethan.

and yes i ran into the upcoming tree because i wan't paying attention (:

family pic

Daddy teaching ethan how to use the Mega-Blaster... moments before mommy got soaked!

again, blasting lessons (:

helping grandpa and uncle joe finish building the shed...

this weekend...

2009-06-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

Me and my bff at starbizzles. green tea frappucino. YUM

The girls threw me a baby shower this weekend, it was so fun! this is the only pic they took becasue my memory was full.

friday night we went to visit my sister (sarah) out in grand rapids, and to see her new appt, we went out to pizza and then got ice cream! Note to self: Superman ice cream is extreamly messy!!!

Ethan and auntie sarah eating super man!

Climbing tree's

2009-05-31T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a few snapshots of my little man climbing tree's with daddy!

25 things to remember

2009-05-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

I came across this on a friends blog, there's alot of good things to think about!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it :)

4th aniversary date and 28 weeks!

2009-05-28T13:37:00.000-07:00

Last night Bill took me on a date out to GR for our aniversary, we actually went to discount home improvement to look at cabinets because we had heard that they are alot cheaper, because you get them straight from the retailer. anyways, that was fun, i pretty much have them picked out color, style etc. Little early, but i want to have things picked out before i get too huge! Then we went to my fav resterant... besides crazy horse, Carraba's! I think my stomach is shrinking, because i used to be able to eat my own! We split a pasta dish, and i could only eat like a third of it! Today i went through Ethan's old infant clothes! I want to be ready, because with ethan my water broke at 27 weeks, and i had nothing! not even a crib! So this time i will be ready! Well. i am hungry, so i am going to go make some food! 28 weeks tomorrow!!!!!

Fun weekend with the family

2009-05-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

What a fun weekend at the cabin with the family, We went kayaking 2 days, and i wish i had brought my camera! i flipped my boat the first day, and the second day we did a day trip and packed a lunch on the big manistee river. It was so relaxing! Throwing horseshoes, and Uncle Joe taking Ethan for a ride on the dirtbike, can you tell Ethan loves it?

gearhead at age 2

playing in the dirt...ramping his quads and dirtbikes!

Bill doing homework by the fire...for some reason my camera did this...

Dad's chicken on the grill...YUM

Ethan's dance recital

2009-05-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of Ethan's dance recital on saturday. He was so adorable!! i couldn't take any pictures during the show, so these are of practice on friday. Ethan is quite the performer, he had the place laughing after he fell over in the middle of the song! He will do anything for attention! haha takes after his daddy!

Ethan's dance recital

2009-05-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Ethan's hospital stay and almost 25 weeks!

2009-05-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

This weekend was quite the scare in the DeYoung family... Ethan was playing at centennial park this weekend, and fell off of a birm about 5 ft. onto cement, and we started getting really worried when he wasn't responding right away, and then slow very delayed reactions, so we rushed him the the ER in holland... they did a CAT scan on him (which he HATED) he was so scared! I think i would be too! It looks scary! After about a half hour, the doctor came in and told us she was concerned that she was seeing bleeding on Ethan's brain, and that they were going to put us on an ambulance to spectrom. I absoloutly lost it, we started praying! After about an hour, they hooked Ethan up to an IV just in case. About another hour later, (now this is about 11 pm) the dostor came back in, and told us that the neurologist and radiologist (and the lab in australia-that is where they send the CAT scans for more highly trained people to look at them). all agreed that there was no bleeding or bruising in Ethan's brain! but they decieded to keep him overnight at Holland just to observe him. PRAISE GOD. We were relieved and a little ticked at the doctor for scaring us before getting a second opinion. (you think they would!)
But anyway, Ethan is fine. That's all that matters! The experience made us really think about what really matters in life! And how fragile life is! ultimately our children are in the hands of our almighty father!

2009-05-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

Daddy and Ethan trying to catch a water snake at grandpa and gramma's! Racing the boats down the river! Ethans fav!

Ethan and his bacon... he ran away, and broke his IV cord. go figure!

his hideout!

24 weeks and 4 days preggo with Levi James!

DeYoung update

2009-04-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

Here are two vidoes from this morning's dance class. The kids are practicing for their spring concert next weekend! The boys are wearing tux's and the girls are wearing ballerina tu tu outfits.( not sure what they are called. haha can you tell i don't have any girls! )
They are singing the "cupie cake" song. with motions, Ethan seems pretty distracted, he has an attention span of about 2 seconds and he is off! He is also getting pictures taken by Devries photography in his tux and as a group! I can't wait to see my little guy on stage!
Anyways, Levi is active as ever, and also HUNGRY as ever! My doctor told me i am having braxton hicks, just mild cramping every once in a while. mostly when i stand too long, or if i'm in a bad postition. It's so hard not to worry about what happened with Ethan, (my water broke at 27 weeks). My doctor is having me take 81 mg of childrens asprin every day, for some reason it helps calm the uterus. Just taking one day at a time, and trusting God's plan for Levi! Although we are definately praying that Levi stays put for a little longer than Ethan did!
In other news, Bill is getting his associates degree! He managed to do it in a year and a half and working full time! He is going for a BA in eather Computer security, programming and web design! He is so smart, i can't even begin to imagine how complicated that stuff is, but he loves it!

Ring around the rosi with Ethan, reece, maly and malachai

2009-04-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

The wheels on the bus by Ethan

2009-04-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

2009-04-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Heres a few pics of bowling friday night with our friends...

Bowling night

2009-04-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

ok so i couldnt resist posting this.... Levi is definately a deyoung! and DEFINATELY a BOY! (notice the thumbs up!)

It's a BOY!!!!!!

2009-04-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

I had my ultrasound this morning, and Ethan is going to have a little brother!!!!! We are SO excited! We are naming him Levi James! Ethan is already saying baby "we wy" The woman who was doing my ultrasound said he going to be a very active child, he was doing flips when she was trying to measure him! My due date is one week earlier than we thought... August 21!

2009-04-12T19:44:00.001-07:00

This year we drove to florida with my mom, brothers Jake and Josh, and sister Rebekah! We drove 16 hours to Destin, where we stayed in some friends condo for the week. Ethan had a riot playing on the beach in the sand with his daddy and uncles! They made some awesome tunnels and cities! I am so tired i can barely type anymore, i will update my blog tomorrow with the BIG NEWS!!! Is baby DeYoung a girl OR boy???? tune in tomorrow!

Florida 2009

2009-04-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

Ethan and his new rocking horse

2009-03-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Ethan LOVED his rocking horse we got from the sweet dreams baby botique in holland today! They are going out of business and have some really good deals on baby furnature! Bummer we don't know the gender of baby for a few more weeks... (april 13 we have our ultrasound) because i think i would have bought out the store!

2009-03-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Ethan and his rocking horse

18 weeks!

This is how i found ethan this morning.... getting warm by the vent!!

Potty training and 17 weeks!

2009-03-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Well, i decieded that Ethan is about ready to begin learning to use the toilet. I did exactly what the book "potty training in less than a day" instructed, and Ethan LOVED it! I bought him all kinds of goodies that he rarely gets, m&m's, chips, pop, etc. and i borrowed a "peeing" doll from a friend, and we began our "potty training day" first thing this morning. I started out putting his potty in the kitchen ( accidents are a little easier to clean up on the wood floor).
Ethan tought the dolly how to use the potty, which he thought was pretty cool! Dolly would actually pee in the pot! SO COOL. If dolly had an accident in her pants, she would not recieve a treat, but if she stayed dry Ethan would get to feed her a chip or candy! which i would let him eat if only if his underpants were dry....He now says YUCK diapers are for BABIES!!!! longest day of my life, but it paid off! Ethan went pee pee about 5 times, and pooped in the potty twice! I am absoloutly thrilled with him, and he is quite proud of himself too! He has this new found attitude that his is a "big boy" now so he must do absoloutly everything by himself!!! which takes FOREVER to do even the smallest things like put on his underwear or socks!
I cannot complain though, he did fabulous, so much better than i had anticipated!

Potty training day!

2009-03-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

2009-03-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Picnic at the park

2009-03-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

Ethan lately

2009-03-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

Daddy and Ethan climbing trees

This treefort Bill made when he was in high school!

Daddy and Ethan at red robin

Ethan and Jonah with their dum dum's

Auntie Sarah and Ethan watching the new fav movie Madagascar

Love

2009-02-25T12:13:00.001-08:00

One of my friends had this poem on her blog, and i just wanted to share it.... Alot of times i find myself at the end of the day wishing that i had spent more time with Ethan, Sounds silly because i am home with him all day, but actually spending time with him, like playing trucks with him and talking to him, instead of putting a movie on so i can do the laundry. I get wraped up in wanting my house to be perfectly clean! and alot of times ignoring Ethan to finish the chores. But does that stuff really matter? The floor is going to get dirty again, and the laundry is never going to go away, but i will never get this time with my children back! And at the end of the day, what really matters?

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not Love, I am a housekeeper—not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not Love, my children learn cleanliness—not godliness.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. Love wipes away the tears before it wipes upthe spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love is present through the trials.Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Love is the key that opens salvation’s messageto a child’s heart.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God’s perfection of my child. As a mother, there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is Love.

Author Unknown

2009-02-19T18:56:00.000-08:00

my 13 week photo...obviously! I felt the little peanut already too! Just little flutters! It is the coolest feeling!!

2009-02-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

Ethan and Malachi at dance class trying on their tuxes for the upcoming program in may! I can't wait to see my little guy up on stage in his tux, he was SO cute!

2009-02-19T18:49:00.000-08:00

Thankful....

2009-02-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

I can't stop thinking about cpl Mendoza, One of our good friends that was killed in Afganistan recently. Bill was suppose to be with 2/7 on this tour with matt, I just cannot imagine the pain! His 4 year old son, and his wife! I am increadibly thankful that my baby is home, and safe! No more sleepless nights, and months without hearing from him. Not knowing where he is, or what he is doing. No more wondering if he will come home! no more goodbyes, and tears, waiting weeks for a letter, just to hear the works " i love you".
He is home, and he is safe! Thank you Lord for bringing my baby home to me! I will never take him for granted!

WAAAAARM!

2009-02-08T14:51:00.000-08:00

This weather makes me SO happy! After church we grilled chicken outside on the grill! It felt like spring! I wanted to put on my flip flops and t-shirt! I kinda miss living in 29 palms!, it was so warm all the time! But i would much rather be close to family, as much as i don't like this cold weather i really don't think we will ever leave michigan! hmmm ok i am bored.... can you tell? We are skipping church tonight because i am too tired (; hah SHHH

Ethan's first reaction to "the baby in mommies tummy"

2009-02-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

Lately i have been telling Ethan that there is a baby in mommy's tummy. I don't think he quite understands that there is really a baby in there, but his first reaction with this confused look on his face he says "EEWWWW"!!! totally hillarious. I about died laughing! The other day Ethan and i were once again talking about the new baby coming, and how he will have to help mommy and shre his toys, So he pats my belly and says in the sweetest little voice " Hi Baby" I melted it was so sweet!

Super bowl partay!

2009-02-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

Last night we went to a super bowl party with our friends, us girls ate way too much food....and talked the whole time.... we didn't know who was playing, or who won! haha

2009-02-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

Snowmobiling up north

2009-02-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

Ethan warming up after a long snomobile ride

2009-02-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

2009-02-02T11:59:00.000-08:00

Ethan and daddy fixing fixin the kitty cat before a ride!

2009-01-22T17:39:00.000-08:00

9 weeks pregnant

Ethan at dance class today!

2009-01-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

Ethan and malachi were so cute playing together!

2009-01-07T05:11:00.000-08:00

Who said 2 yr old's can't drive a snowmobile!

2009-01-07T05:05:00.000-08:00

Gettin all dressed to go outside and ramp my snowmobile just like Uncle Joe!

2009-01-07T05:03:00.000-08:00

Simple Life

Our family trip to sunshine

The real Lords prayer

Air Zoo

My cleaning neccesities

*SNOW* Cones!

Rubber band gun & spiderman

Tuesday

Things

Spiced Pecans

~*Christmas tree hunting*~

Fun weekend at the cabin

Pumpkin Bread

Pasties

For the love of Lindy...and really cool pink porta potty's

A nice getaway

A few of my favorite things about FALL

Play -Doh

Cherries in the snow

Banquet night

Longing

Family Pics

SpRiNg!

Us lately....

A few recipes for your enjoyment

A bunch of random stuff

V day

Ethan

The growing boys

To my husband

5 months old!

Carrot Cake

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

The little dudes

Parmesan Chicken and Cheesy Potatoes

Sledding, Bathtime and the kitty kat

My girls and my 4 month old

lookin back

First snowfall and snowman of the year

Our little 3 year old

Levi's Baptism

House progress

DeYoung's lately...

mini photo shoot!

Levi's First bath

The Deyoung boys

Levi James De Young

Tim's tub!

August update

Let's have Levi....today Puleeeese!!!!!

less than 4 weeks to go!

35 weeks!

"Mommy i a baby"

today's accomplishment....

As of lately...

Fun day with mommy and daddy

DeYoung family weekend adventure

this weekend...

Climbing tree's

25 things to remember

4th aniversary date and 28 weeks!

Fun weekend with the family

Ethan's dance recital

Ethan's dance recital

Ethan's hospital stay and almost 25 weeks!

DeYoung update

Ring around the rosi with Ethan, reece, maly and malachai

The wheels on the bus by Ethan

Bowling night

It's a BOY!!!!!!

Florida 2009

Ethan and his new rocking horse

Potty training and 17 weeks!

Potty training day!

Picnic at the park

Ethan lately

Love

Thankful....

WAAAAARM!

Ethan's first reaction to "the baby in mommies tummy"

SNOW Cones!

~Christmas tree hunting~