Wanderings

Dad's B-day party - with the piano recitalists.

Sunset on vacation. Wow.

Father's Day at home - kids made him a poster

Beachin' it on vacation

That Father Son Campout was a blast! Seth fell asleep before the bus left the campground. :)

Curls and more curls. So cute.

We celebrated Ken's birthday in June with an overnight at the Shack in Jugville. Beautiful, quiet, peaceful = perfect!

He's a charmer...

The church goin' dudes...Seth selected the hat to wear with his Sundy' best.

Wanderings of the mind, in random order:

• Is anyone else (especially you with children) amazed at how fast your kitchen/dining room floor needs to be swept? The broom and I spend time together often and every time I am truly amazed how much 'stuff' I sweep up. So glad I don't have carpet in my wood floor areas!
• Walfield Park (Alpine/8 Mile) is such a great place. Go there if you haven't. We spent time today having a picnic in the spacious pavilion - which overlooks the nice playground - then romped around the play area. They have creative play equipment and lots of trees around, which creates a pleasant breeze. There's also a nature trail, but we didn't tackle that today. I think my friend Carolyn used to walk her dog on the nature trail area.
• Women from KCBC - we have nine people signed up for the IKEA trip on August 15 - we need to fill the bus a lot more than that! I've never been there, but have heard it's a 'destination all it's own!' Hoping I can go on the 15th for a Mom's Day Away. Sign up if you're interested. :)
• The 'big boys' (i.e. Ken, Nathan, Seth) had a ball at the Father/Son Campout last Thurs - Sat. They camped near Silver Lake and had a ball...when they got home they were dirty, tuckered, and glowing about their trip. Seth said, "I told Daddy that this was the BEST trip I've ever been on!" Nathan liked the wiffleball and sand dunes. They both liked hangin' out with Dad and other kids. How cool that Ken is so involved with the kids and they love it! There were 40 Dads and sons total. Thanks, Doug, for coordinating all the food - that's a BIG job for all those big eaters! Nathan especially liked the bacon and sausage. (something he doesn't get a ton of at home :)
• And while the boys were away, the Girls Played! Oh, and Aaron, too - he came along happily for the ride. I asked Robyn what was something she wanted to make with Mom and she chose Peanut Butter Kiss cookies. We had a tea party (once Aaron was in BED - he and tea parties do NOT go together!) We headed to Muskegon on Friday afternoon and did the noble and tiring task of getting their pictures taken (individually) at JC Penneys. The photos turned out great; the time it takes is always long and laborious. I wanted an update for the big frames in our stairwell. Check 'em out if you're over sometime! After that we met Grandpa Richards for dinner, a playground in Spring Lake, the Imagination Station in Grand Haven, and the musical fountain! Wow - a full and fun evening. It was enjoyable watching Grandpa interact with Aaron and Robyn - he always gets involved playing and having fun with the kids when we're with him, which they and we all love. Thanks, Granpda, for a fun night! By Sat afternoon we were ready to be a complete family again.
• Aaron enjoys handing his plate to you from his high chair when he's finished eating - OR wants more food. He gave big smiles to the photographer at the studio - for about 6 shots, then was DONE. Robyn smiled sweetly the entire time and asked me the next day if she could go get her pictures taken again. Amy, can you help me out here?
• Robyn is looking forward to getting her glasses soon. We had a screening done recently at a kids' event we were at, and the results indicated we should get her checked out. Sure enough, the glasses will really help her - not only in vision, but in helping both eyes work together well. I am SO glad I went on my intuition and got her checked that night - the dr expressed that they will help her a great deal. And in first grade, lots of things are happening academically that I wouldn't want her to struggle to see things. She asked me the next day if her glasses had come in yet!
• VBS is here!!! Our church is trying it in the evenings this year, after always hosting it in the mornings. The Vanderwest kids have been looking forward to VBS all summer. Day one went smoothly, lots of kids came, and all enjoyed Bible Study Outback, G’Day Café, Recreation Rock, Craft Crossings, the Opera House, and their fearless leaders: Crocodile Kendee, Wallaby Weeks, Billabong Bandicoot (aka Pastor Josh), & Kickin’ Koala Bair (Brian Bair – standin’ in for Pastor Derek)!! I'm helping with registration, the kitchen crew, and whatever the director (Crocodile Kendee) needs.
• Having our first Michigan corn on the cob tonight! Yum! Going to pick blueberries Thursday morning with the kids. The Fisher girls are coming over on Friday, which we always enjoy.
• The kids are currently playing their about 26th game of Uno Attack in the last week. Thank you to whichever family member gave this to us for Christmas!
• There's something about 'old' or long-time friends that is so special. My dear friend from growing up, Kristen (or "Buddy," as my brothers called her), now lives in Indianapolis with her husband and step-daughter. They came for a visit to MI and came over for dinner last week. It was so good to chat and catch up....the phrase "A friend is somehow who knows all about you and loves you anyway" comes to mind with my 'long-time' friends...and there's something soothing about them knowing your history and you knowing theirs, etc. We agreed we needed to catch up more often! She is sweet and kind and now helping her mom who has Alzheimer's - very hard, especially as Kristen is just 35 and an only child.
• We found wild blackberries and raspberries in our woods! Yum! The kids enjoy finding ripe berries. I checked to make sure there was no poison ivy in that area...ugh! Ken has had it 3 times this summer....yuck. Poor guy. Last time steriods took care of it, because his eye was swelling shut. :( We (that's the collective "we") are trying to eradicate it from our woods, but it is TENACIOUS stuff and "evil," as Ken says. Ugh.
• We had a fun birthday party for my Dad and all pitched in to purchase a cell phone for him! Six days later, after he read both manuals, he was ready to turn the phone on and make and receive calls. Woo Hoo! It was exciting the first time I couldn't reach him at home and called him on his phone and he answered! I think he'll like it - or at least his kids and friends will....
• Tonight we are having Michigan corn-on-the-cob for the first time tonight! Aren't all the fresh Michigan fruits and vegetables wonderful?! We are blessed! In the summers, my Mom often made veggies and fruits meals - all different types of recipes, and always tasty.
• It is now 4:30 and I need to have the crew to church by 5:30. Thanks for reading this meandering post

RV

May!

It's May - fun, sun, and activities!

*We have a graduate on our hands! Robyn graduates from kindergarten tomorrow and is awfully excited. We have been hearing renditions of patriotic songs for the past weeks and it will be nice to hear the whole class. I am taking a personal day and we're having our grandparents over for lunch afterwards. Her menu choice? Pizza, of course! She just ran upstairs (5:15 pm) to set out her special dress for tomorrow. She is so sweet and cute.

*I was told by Mrs. Rich (Nathan's teacher) that she has seen him blossom so much this year and how fun that's been to see. She said, "I had to ask him to stop talking recently and it surprised the whole class, including Nathan and myself!" Haha. He has a field day and carnival time next week with his class.

*Aaron's current favorite spot to climb? The CENTER of the kitchen table. Sigh. Each time he is reprimanded, taken down, and I think he seems to be understanding more...He loves charging around the house and makes us smile a lot.

*We sure love our woods! I have been planting some flowers and they look pretty next to the woods. However, I am NOT loving the amount of BUGS!! They are BUGGING me! Tiny gnats to famished mosquitoes-ugh! Also, Ken and my allergies are going bonkers - currently taking two Clarinex a day, instead of my normal one.

*Seth is reading all of his Cubbies verses to me from the past year - recognizes some of the words and says the whole verse. Isn't that awesome?! AWANA is a great program. Ken and I had such good experiences in AWANA as children (perhaps 80% of the verses I know are from memorizing them in AWANA). How cool that all three kids passed their books this year - Nathan earned a Sparky award for all three years!! Passing from one generation to another - exactly like the Bible commands us.

*Just found out that my good friend Cathy, from college, will be coming to West MI for a visit this summer! Melanie, Cathy, and I are planning a girls day together - haven't seen Cathy since 1997-way too long! Her brother just relocated to Holland, MI, for a job (YES - someone COMING to MI for a job! :) and she's visiting him. She's lived in TX and FL for many years.

Stop by soon for pics of our new grad. :)

Melacholy...

Maybe it's the dreary, gray day...
Maybe it's the rain...
Maybe it's the time of year...
Maybe it's the end of the week...
Maybe it's the "day in and day out" of it all...
but whatever it is, I feel "blah."

Does anyone else ever feel worn out by the time the kids are in bed (when you have time for yourself, but are too tired to do anything)? Does anyone else ever sit down at the dinner table to eat, after preparing the meal, and are so weary they just want to put their head in their hands?

Please don't take this wrong.
1. I am incredibly grateful for the life God has given me. I should dwell more on that!
2. My husband is so giving. He gives and gives some more. I wish he had more time to do what he wanted, not what others needed.
3. Our 4 kids are soooooo precious and such a gift. How fortunate that I can be the one to feed, clothe, hug, love, teach, snuggle, read to, enjoy, and be their one and only Mama!

But sometimes I get So. Weary.
I've told my high school students that being a Mom is the best, most rewarding job I've ever had and will ever have. I follow that up with being a Mom is the most challenging job I've ever had and will ever have. And that's followed by explaining how grateful I am to have a loving, supportive husband....that's the best route to go!
I am not a night person. My energy is in the mornings, or at least during daylight hours. I used to chuckle at my Mom for her 10:00 pm "Cinderella Time," as I called it. I would ask her if she would turn into a pumpkin....and of course, I'm exactly the same. :) I have lofty ambitions for what to do when the kids are in bed. The two hours or so of time seems so long. But, then reality. I usually make it to the couch, read the paper, fiddle around on the computer, etc., and tonight it felt ambitious to write this.

*Sigh.*

Could I force myself to do more? Yes. At times, I do. But other times, I think it's fine to just sit after a busy day - physically and emotionally - and relax/decompress.

Ken just came home - he's been teaching each Thursday evening for a while. Combine that with his Tuesday night meetings and Wed night responsibilities, and by Thursday night, I'm pooped. Aaron is walking up a storm. SO CUTE!!! And so busy! And why is his favorite place the bathrooms? And then the dishwasher? And then, and then, and then....And why does he love to dump everything - except his toys?! And how does he learn without me saying "No" time and time and time again? Ken says, "He is something! He has the gift for finding the worst possible way to make a mess. There's books? Tear them off the shelves. I want ALL of the towels out of the drawer, ALL of the pans out of the cupboard. Unlike a tornado, which is random disaster, he is quite purposeful in his mess-making! And the strange thing is, he doesn't take ALL of his toys out of his toy bin." Good thing he's got such good grins. He's adorable.

Aaron's busyness, in conjunction with our three other darlin's needs, make my rice sock (received from the hospital after having a baby) get warmed often and placed on my shoulders in the evenings. After all the responsibilities of the day, sometimes a cozy blanket, a rice sock, and some down time are just the ticket for a Mom. Would you agree?

Our Sweet Vampire!

With grins like these, would you agree with me that I have THE BEST job in the world?!
He's such a happy boy! He makes my heart full of joy.
He's Our Boy.

Precious

Isn't he precious? It has been such a joy to watch each member of our family shower his/her love on Aaron. (yes, sometimes a bit too much, but I suppose that's to be expected). Each of the kids has their own ways of sharing friendship with him - and it's very sweet to watch. He interacts so much these days - grabbing for all toys (and anything else within reach), giggling at his siblings, following us with his baby blues all around the room, loving being played with, giving big smiles to all. I've enjoyed the cooler days and putting various overalls on him....there's something so cute about little boys in overalls! He's experiencing his first cold this week - and no teeth yet, but everything immediately goes to his mouth to be sucked on. He likes to reach out for Mama and always gives a grin to Daddy when he comes home from work. I think he's going to be a mover and a shaker...on the go - rolling or moving backwards or somehow able to get from one end to the other. Why is it that with the first child or two we were eager to have them crawl and get to the next developmental stage and with my fourth I think, "Oh! Let's just sit right here and play with toys! No need to move anywhere else!" :)

He is a precious blessing. What a joyful, splendid addition he has been to our home!

And yes, I will try to blog more consistently. Thanks for sticking with me in my absence. And thanks to Amy for the great pics. I am falling in love with that setting on her camera where the person is clear and the background is a touch blurry. She's such a good photographer!

Rollin' and Campin'!

He's on the move! A couple of days ago the five of us watched eagerly as Aaron, with a great amount of effort, rolled from back to tummy! We all cheered for him and it was so cute to see him look up with a surprised look at first and then a big grin! I often call our boy "Happiness and Joy" - he is precious and his big smiles light a room.

Well! We made it through the camping excursion! Someone told me later I was brave for going. After a day Rhonda realized that camping = dirt, and that's the way it is! The last time we camped was in a tent when Nathan was one, and I had not remembered how much dirt there was!

And my question for you: Is it really camping when you can use your wireless internet from inside the pop-up camper? We could connect to the ranger station from our site on our laptop. We really didn't use it much - I promise! :) My brother, who enjoys rustic campgrounds with his young children (i.e. porta potties, no showers) called me a "Pampered Princess." I call him crazy.

I will share with you the email exchange my good friend, Melanie (mother of five) had:
Melanie: (written as I was preparing to go) "Did you know I went camping last spring and vowed not to do it again until Jacob is five years old? Think of it as working towards many wonderful happy memories for your children."

Rhonda: (written after we'd been camping for half a day) "Ken said this morning, “You let me know when it’s the part of camping that you like, ok?” We’re at the campground – I had FORGOTTEN how much mud/dirt there is – ewww! But I’m not going to stress out about it…I decided that I didn’t want my kids to remember camping as “mom stressed about the dirt."

And now a current update from me: "We had a great time and all enjoyed ourselves very much - from fun Jellystone activities for the kids to the awesome dune rides to reading a book to just being together." Will I go camping again? Happily - but I don't think tents and our family would get along. The pop-up was great, and I think we're going to head out again in August.

Highlights:
Robyn saying the day we got back, "Can we go camping again sometime?"
Seth's prayer the first day: "Thank you, God, for this happy day. I like camping!"
Tie-dying t-shirts with the kids. I'll have to get a picture of them for you.
The kiddie pool and big pool at the campground! All 3 do well on their own in the water - Nathan with no noodle, Robyn with one noodle, Seth with two noodles.
Finding a cove where Silver Lake meets Lake Michigan. The tidal basin had shallow water that we all played in.
NO Schedule! (well, except for being aware of what time it was so the kids could hit the various kids' activities!)
Watching Nathan ride all over on his bike (two wheels only)
Reading aloud Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux each day to the kids.
From Ken - sitting and reading The Hobbit
Eating sticky s'mores by the campfire - mmm!
The gorgeous mixture of azure sky, sugar sand dunes, Lake MI views, and going up, down, and all around the sand dunes with our fun driver, "Weazy," on the Dune Rides.
Driving through beautiful Pentwater, with its picturesque boats and calm waters, on the way home.
Eating a tasty meal at Bob Evans on the way home. I sure like their food - especially after eating campground food for a week!

Will post pics soon.

Here's Smiling at You!

(Like Father, Like Son - Aaron and Daddy dressed alike today!)

Grins like that warm our hearts! Aaron's been smiling for a while...here are some pics taken this week. He is quick to smile when you talk to him, looks at you with wide blue eyes, seems to enjoy the activity and bustle that occurs in our home, tries hard to 'talk' - so cute!! I adore that boy...often call him "sweet boy" because that's the best description of what he is. He had a major case of cradle cap and once that was taken care of, much of his newborn hair was gone - sad, because it was so soft and there was lots of it (though typically falls out around this time). He's our boy - still a champion eater and grower - probably about 18-19 lbs. My high school basketball coach would have liked my current biceps back 15 years ago when I was playing ball! Who needs to life traditional weights? If you want to tone up, come on over and hold our Aaron!

Life on Nellie Lane

• From Robyn (age 5) today: "Mom, I have two favorite foods...Do you know what they are? They are ham sandwiches and broccoli."


• One way to diffuse a pre-schooler's infatuation with wearing short-sleeve shirts and shorts on a quite cool (high of 48) day: "Let's call Grandpa and ask what he is wearing! You can wear whatever Grandpa is wearing." Grandpa Richards was wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt today, which made Seth skip happily down to his room to pick a long-sleeved shirt!


• From Ken: "We have very blonde children." We see that Aaron's hair is lightening and is rather fair-skinned. His eyes are awfully blue, as well...sorry, Daddy, I'm not sure he's going to have brown hair and brown eyes. BUT you never know - he's only two months old!


• From N & R: "Guess how many pine cones we have collected from our back woods?! We have 203 pine cones on our picnic table...and there's lots more out there!"


• From Rhonda & Ken: thank you for your prayers for Dad Vanderwest. His surgery went well - they ended up doing four bypasses and replacing a valve. The surgeon felt this will help him have much better blood flow and more energy. We are grateful he has had no complications at this point; we met others in the surgery waiting room who had loved ones who had routine surgeries but experienced complications and had been there for weeks. We were thankful Valerie (Ken's sister from PA) came out to help her Dad and enjoyed introducing Aaron and spending time with her. And Kay is coming from Peru this week - yeah!


• Seth - praying for lunch today: "Dear God, Tank you for the flowers, tank you for the trees, tank you for Daddy be safe on the roads, tank you all the people to feel better, and tank you that Robyn won't be squishing my arm anymore." (sister was sitting very close to him on his stool while he prayed)


• From Dr. Watkins - "Wow! Big Boy!" Aaron had his 8 week check-up today and he's tipping the scales at 14+ lbs! He has vaulted into 3-6 month clothes and will soon be out of them! Dr said to "keep doing exactly what you've been doing," which is always reassuring. Amy took some adorable pictures of him which I will share with ya'll.


• To God Be the GLORY! We've been in the new church building ('Kent City South,' as we will still use the old church building, too) for two weeks now...what an AWESOME experience it has been!!! The first Sunday was moving for me - to see ALL the people worshipping in the area that has been in the works for so many years. Pastor Chris' kind words about Ken's dedication to the project made me cry tears of happiness and pride. The 'quiet room' has been a nice spot for Aaron and I to hear and see everything without everyone hearing and seeing us! :) And playing the piano for the first time in a couple of months and playing in the new building was special, too. We are thankful and look forward to this coming Dedication Weekend.

Happy 'Spring' (currently 34 degrees) . . .

-REV (That's Rhonda, not the Reverend)

What a Love!

He sure is sweet and quite content. His brothers and sister love him so much. His Mom and Dad think he's so very precious. God has graciously given us a gift in Aaron. We are blessed!!

p.s. . . . and his Mom is grateful, very grateful, that he has slept through the night the past few nights!!!!! (Do I dare say/write that 'out loud?!')

Random Thoughts

I teach my students that it is important to craft their writing in a coherent, organized way. However, today I divert from my own teaching and share random thoughts. Most likely due to interrupted sleep, here goes:

• I adore holding our sweet boy and gazing at his toes, big blue eyes, and fuzzy hair. I like how he holds onto my fingers. It calms my soul to snuggle with him. He is precious.
• Nearly everyone who has seen him from church says the same type of thing: "Wow - does he look like his siblings/no one will accuse you of taking a child from the hospital/etc.!" As I look at him, it is "deja vu" to holding the others...genetics are amazing.
• Happy Birthday to my brother Paul! We all like him. Paul is talented (music and handyman, specifically), puts on no pretenses-is always himself, is a giving, generous person, and makes us smile!!!
• Two doctor's visits (one for me, one for Aaron) today plus quick stops to Wal-Mart and Sam's Club tuckered this Momma out. My energy level is not 'normal' yet. The good news - Aaron was 9 3/4 lbs today and Dr said he is "just great" in every way!
• Thankfully, my Wal-Mart experience was the best I've had there in a while. (i.e. the checkout wasn't painfully slow and long). I really do NOT enjoy Wal-Mart, due to the aforementioned checkout process. It seems like every time I'm there it takes at least twice as long as Meijers or Target, my preferred stores. Today I was in and out. I do enjoy the Muskegon store much more than Alpine.
• I have been reminded how making a meal for others is a true ministry. We have eaten healthier and better because of friends helping us. I can't describe how helpful it's been!
• Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, "Rejoice!"
• Is "thumping" from above (upstairs) a bad sign when you've put the children to bed for the night? I'm not sensing a lot of sleep happening at this point.

INTRODUCING . . .

Our newest addition!!!

Aaron Jager Vanderwest joined our family at 3:08 pm on 3/03/08!!! He is a healthy boy - received a ‘10’ rating on his Apgar test and everything! At 9 lb. 2 oz. and 21 ½,” he is a sweet bundle. All went well with delivery – THANK YOU for praying for us! I am a convert to the epidural; why on earth hadn’t I tried that before? I was able to take two naps during labor and it was a rather peaceful, quiet day prior to delivery. Quiet is not a word we typically use to describe our home, so it was a pleasant change to enjoy some restful time together.

I just re-read the above paragraph: Don't think there wasn't any pain, however-just much less than previous deliveries! :) I mentioned to my high schoolers that they could "say a prayer for me Monday" and one of them asked, "Why would you need prayers?" I assured him I could use all the prayers offered for me at ANY time, and then asked, "Do you know what the word 'labor' means?" Another student called out, "It means WORK!" "Yes, it does . . . and that is why prayers are welcomed," I answered. :)

Aaron is Hebrew, meaning 'mountain of strength.' The name Jager means ‘hunter.’ More importantly, Jager (pronunciation as in Mick Jagger) is a family name. Ken’s Mom was Shirley Jager before becoming Shirley Vanderwest. With our four children, we are glad we could honor each grandparent through their middle names.

To me, Aaron has strong similarities to Robyn at birth. He is a champion eater and we believe he is adorable!! He is a beautiful miracle and we are awed that God has blessed us with him.

Thank you for your love and prayers. If you would, please pray for our transition as a family and that Mom and Dad would have love, joy, strength, and patience. (and all the other fruits of the spirit!! :) It is my (our) desire to relish and make the most of each day and phase of our children's lives. Sometimes this is difficult in our active household.

Will post more soon. Please praise God with us!