Spring Break

There has been a lack of posting here.  I apologize for that.  Luke is 9 months and 1 week and as you can see, no letter has been written yet.... because we are still recovering.  

Here's the story.

We all went to Michigan for spring break to meet my new niece Charlotte 

(which was heaven because she is the sweetest little angel... ever)

Visited our dear friends and their son Easton, who is obviously Luke's brother from another mother. 

and then I went on to spend a week at my sister's in Holland.  We went downtown, ate at Cranes, stopped by the best place ever (which also happened to be my high school job), went swimming, worked out, watched movies, and of corse played and played and played.

and then.  

The day before we left for home... 

We had an attack of

 - - - the ORANGE vomit - - - 

My sweet little orange puker started with the bug and so graciously passed it to my niece Abbi, my unsuspecting brother-in-law Dave, and his puke catching, down the pants/in the hair Mama.  I know some of you can relate to how horrible it is to have a sick baby, but not all of us are so lucky to have a sick vomiting baby in someone else's home.  

You get an extra measure of 

uncomfortable 

watching your son vomit orange nastiness on 

someone else's 

carpet, toys, and couch.  

Lucky for me, I have the sweetest sister in the world who did not freak out or banish us from her home 

(which is something I would have considered)!  

Instead, 

she felt bad for us and then helped clean up the mess.  

WOW.

She may not have thought twice about it, but that incredible act of kindness was truly the hands and feet of Jesus to Luke and I.  What an example! I will not soon forget it. 

Love you Jenn :)

Holland, MI- my hometown

I just got home from a week and one day trip to Holland, MI- my home town.  My older sister lives there with her hubby and 2 kids.  It's been several years since I've spent any significant time in Holland, and I found this trip to be one of the sweetest times I've had there in years.  The snow was incredible.  Every time I looked out the window I was in awe of the beautifully large fluffy flakes floating quietly to the ground.  It was truly spectacular.

The major highlight of the trip was spending real quality time with my sister and her family and the long overdue reunion with my dear friends who have been apart of my life since high school.   I also got to see my best bud Allison, who drove all the way from Ann Arbor for a Friday night visit.  I cannot explain how much fun I had with everyone!Obviously, I could not tell you about this trip without mentioning the massive amounts of delicious food I indulged in.  I ate like a CHAMP, enjoying all my local Holland favorites.   Everything tasted even better than I remembered! I spent my last day of the trip in Spring Arbor with Eric's family, who so graciously drove me back to the Detroit airport.  Also, in case you were wondering, Luke was the perfect traveler (which I know was due to the massive amounts of prayer I asked for concerning our travels).  Such a GREAT trip reminding me again of how grateful I am for the meaningful relationships in my life.

Mommy week #1

I just spent a fabulous week with my older sister Jen.  She flew down from Michigan with sweet baby Emily and I drove up from T-town with Luke.  We met in Nashville at our parents house (who so graciously let us hang there) for a week of mommy time.  
Can i just say-
SO.
MUCH.
FUN.
and long over due!  So much awesomeness happened that week!  We ate, played, shopped, cooked, talked, walked, witness a stray hot air balloon nearly miss my car on the landing,

went to an amazing art exhibit only to be totally unprepared, ate some more (worth it), and barely slept. Nothing changed in the sleep department, but at least this time it was due to late night chats and not a screaming babies- well maybe a little of both :).  


Luke and Emily got along great!  We were some-what relieved to see how sweet they were to each other b/c this happened last time they were together. You can see how cute they are in this pic- holding hands and everything.... awwwww! :)  

This will be a yearly event (just so you know Jen) I plan to make happen.  Maybe next year we'll spend our "Mommy week" in Holland... and maybe we'll add another sister by then??? (hint hint) :). 

Jen- you teach me so much about being a mom.  You are a selfless, fun, confident, creative, incredible mommy that I always learn so much from.   Thanks for being a wonderful sister to me and best friend.  I can't wait to see you again for Thanksgiving!