I HAVE A PLACE IN HEAVEN

Please don't sing sad songs for me,
Forget your grief and fears,
For I am in a perfect place
Away from pain and tears...
It's far away from hunger
And hurt and want and pride,
I have a place in Heaven
With the Master at my side.
My life on earth was very good,
As earthly life can go,
But Paradise is so much more
Than anyone can know...
My heart is filled with happiness
And sweet rejoicing, too.
To walk with God is perfect peace,
A joy forever new.

Author Unknown

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way."

Author Unknown


I blog about birthdays and anniversaries and other such occasions that happen on a yearly bases and then get to post pictures of the people these events effected. Often with past &present pictures to compare what a difference a year has made. But on this day each year I blog about a friend who I don't get to post new pictures of. I can only post pictures that were taken years ago and remember the times they represent.
Each year my tears become less & less and my smile just gets bigger thinking about all the memories we shared.
So today I am smiling, remembering my friend.

Allison
Heavenly Birthday - July 18, 2003

Miss you, Love you!

Payton

Sweet Girl,

I realized today that is has been a while since I've written a post just about you and because today you are 23 months old I thought it would be a good day to do just that. 23 months, almost 2 years old. Where has my baby gone?
You are such a joy and so much fun these days I can't even stand it. I feel so blessed that I have been able to spend so much time with you this summer. God is so good. Going to the pool and the park, playing with your water table, riding bikes, taking walks and watching you discover the world around you has been...I can't even explain it to you...it has been amazing. It has been the best summer ever. The pool is definitely your favorite place to go. You could swim for hours and never get sick of it. I have to say for a two year old you are a very good swimmer too.
We are really starting to be able to communicate well with each other. There are still moments of frustration because I don't always know what you are trying to tell me but I am learning more each day as are you. Your favorite question right now, 'What doing?', 'Mommy, what doing?', Daddy, what doing?'. It is cute. I am just hoping you don't transition from this into 'why?'. One repeated question is enough for me. :)
Your personality is coming out with each new day. You are just the right amount of sugar & spice. :) You are always wanting to help with things, weather it be baking banana bread or sorting laundry you are always at my side saying 'Mommy, I help?' or 'Mommy, my turn?' (meaning you want to do it). The spice comes in the form of things like, 'Mommy, TUM HERE!'...although you are polite most of the time you have not learned how to ask me to come see something in a polite manner yet. We are working on it. You like to be the boss and get your way, which might be in part due to your age but I have a feeling your daddy's stubborn side might be coming out...ok, so mommy might have a little bit of a stubborn side too but we'll blame it on daddy. :)
Something I find very cute is that you are a neat freak. You are always picking up after everyone, closing cupboard doors, throwing away napkins and such, whipping up spills...it is really cute. I think you have a little of your Papa in you.
It is hard to believe that in a few short months we will welcome your little brother or sister into the family. It is even harder to believe that I will be able to love him or her as much as I love you. Everyone says that I will and I know it is true but it is still hard to believe. I hope you know how much you are loved.
Love you always & Forever my Sweet Girl,
Mommy

Redundant - For HC Class of 2000

This is totally redundant but I have been asked to remind the Holland Christian Class of 2000 that the deadline for RSVP-ing to our 10 year class reunion is July 15! That is 5 days from now so go to the website and RSVP. Money is also due on the 15th so if you have RSVP-ed but have not sent your money in please do so before the 15th.
It is going to be a fun evening to catch up with old friends so don't miss out! The more people who attend the more fun we will all have.
Hope to see you all there!!

Also if you pictures from high school please send them to the email address on the website under the 'photos' tab or if you have an extra print you can send it in with your money (please know you probably will NOT get the print back).

Spread the word! :)

Week 3-0...10 to go

Another appointment in the books. Everything seems great & things are right on track.
Belly: 29.5 cm
Heartbeat: 148

July 4th Weekend Celebrations

It has been a fantastic weekend. We have fit a lot of activities into the past few days and have enjoyed every minute of it. Saturday we started out the day with a short boat ride. We planned it to be an all day beach trip but with 1 to 3 foot waves and my weak stomach it turned into a very short trip. So we decided a day at the pool was a much better idea & thanks to the Eldean's we were able to spend the afternoon at the Yacht Club. It was a perfect day for it and of course the little girls loved swimming all afternoon.

After a good long nap, for both Payton & I, it was back to the Marina for some more swimming (yes, more swimming :), a grill out, swinging, and fireworks. Yes, Payton stayed up and watched the fireworks. She was a very good girl & we were very proud of her. She really seemed to enjoy the fireworks but was definitely a tired baby by the end.

Sunday thanks to Bobby & Jami we got to enjoy another day of swimming. We headed over to Bob & Jami's did some swimming in their pool & had a great lunch. We then again went home for a rest and met up with the gang later at Jami's parent's house on Lake Michigan where, yes, more swimming! This was Payton's dream weekend that is for sure. She also got to play in the sand and build a sand castle with Adi & Uncle Benny. Which, I think Uncle Benny might have enjoyed more then the girls. We had some pizza, played some shuffle board and just enjoyed the company of good friends.

Today was a more relaxed day. We spent time together as a family in the morning just playing around the house...I think Payton missed her inside toys a little bit. Then Daddy, Payton & Chester went to play at the barn. It was an added bonus when they found out that Graafschap Church was having a 'car show' and there was a petting zoo there. So she was able to see some animals as well as some cool cars. Mommy enjoyed some time at home sanding the trim on our main floor. We are having it painted but in order to save some money I am doing the sanding...I have to say I think I would rather have paid for it to be done. :) But it is mostly done now and for that I am happy. After naps we got ready for Daddy to take us out for dinner & ice cream and lucky for him ( just as we were getting in the car Papa & Amma called and invited us out for dinner...meaning Daddy didn't have to pay for dinner. Thanks Papa! :) Payton then of course did not forget that we were going to get ice cream so we ended the weekend with some Kilwins and I have to say it was the perfect way to end a great weekend.

10th Birthday

Every year for Noah's birthday I get to brag about about him & this year is no different. I can't even believe it but he turned 10 year old yesterday. So hard to believe. He is growing up to be such a sweet, kind, loving young man. He is such a big help in so many ways and Payton absolutely adores him! It is so great that he will sit and play with her and can make her belly laugh. I really love watching them interact.
Friday night was his birthday party at the barn. With rip sticks, bikes, rollerblades, blow up pools, fireworks and sling shot water balloon fights, I think it is safe to say everyone had a good time.Baby Noah - Just days old Noah - 10 years old

Grandma Genzink turns 85

Last night we celebrated my grandma Genzink's 85th birthday with a small get together with the family & some yummy deserts. She is a very special lady & I am so blessed to call her Grandma.
I love getting together with this side of the family because all of us cousins are about the same age and have a lot in common. We always have good intentions to get together more but that doesn't happen often which is a shame but we are all really busy.
We were able to sneak in a few pictures with the cousins even though there were a few missing due to living out of state and being busy with other things. :(