Toby trying to teach Aubyn how to eat sweet corn

Trey eating sweet corn

Just around the corner part 2

My Job:
I am thankful for my job at OCAHS. I love being a nurse there and the people I work with. Every time I work I learn new things and touch different peoples lives. And little do they know they touch mine as well. The physicians are a wonderful base of knowledge that never cease to stop teaching me new things. The care and compassion they have are wonderful. My co-workers are all different but all bring a well-rounded work force of character. They always keep me on my toes and smiling. My favorite are the patients. You never know who is going to touch your life in some way. Some are so honest, some are scared, some are hurting, some just need you to touch them and tell them it is going to be okay, some need an honest word themselves, but all there for some kind of support. My favorite is working the Emergency Room. Working one on one with the physician and never knowing what is going to come through the door. When you heart is pumping and your adrenaline running it is something you cannot turn away from but have to jump in with two feet. My next favorite is Postpartum. Teaching new moms and dads how to care for a newborn. Teaching them they are capable and seeing the love on their face as they look at a new precious, perfect child. Then there is Labor and Delivery. Going through a grueling process of pain and anguish. Helping them through tears and sweat and then to have a beautiful outcome of a healthy birth. To share a miracle with a family that could only be created by the Lord's almighty hand. To see 10 fingers and 10 toes. To see a baby turn and try to root for his mother, to watch it move and kick and open its eyes for the first time. To see love flowing out of a heart of a new mom and dad. My job is great. I am thankful God has provided this opportunity for me and all the people that are apart of it. Thankful!
My Extended Family:
I am thankful for a large family both on my side and Toby's side. I love having sisters to call and chat of the phone with. I love trading kids and having my nephews and nieces at my house. Watching them all interact with each other. I love playing games and having good competition. I love that to family you can say something bold and they won't take it personal and say sorry for it the next day and they say ,"for what?" I love Sunday dinners, roast and mashed potatoes. I am thankful for family vacations and the time you have together to share stories and get to know your nieces and nephew's personalities a little better. I am thankful for parents that you can call and they drop everything and run even though your a grown adult now. Family is a blessing.
Little things:
I am thankful for peppermint mocha creamer, hot showers, pushing a button and my van doors open, chocolate, mountain dew, shopping online, internet, friends, fun mail, cold water that comes out of my fridge, little please and thank you's, little prayers and amens, mascara, ceiling fans, sweat pants, mocha frappe's, my under-counter radio, swap shop, church friends, volleyball on Monday nights, library for kids books, my net book, texts from my husband, little kisses and hugs, my lazy boy, contacts, beaches and lounge chairs, sand toys, spell check, my watch, norwex rags, flannel sheets, my piano, and of course I love you's!

I know I am missing a ton of things, but we all know what we are thankful for everyday. May we never take them for granted.

Just around the corner

Just around the corner is CHRISTMAS! Can you believe it?! But first we must talk about what is really just around the corner.....Thanksgiving! Next week is Thanksgiving and all of us will be doing our regular traditions. Going to church, then off to a big dinner, and then maybe even off to another Turkey supper to enjoy with more family. Then the next week enjoying, Turkey soup, turkey on a bun, pulled turkey on a bun, and some kind of Turkey casserole. :) But at least we didn't have to pluck the bird and butcher it the way my Grandpa George showed us how to do when I was a kid...YUK! We told him that the bird was really good, but really we threw it to the dogs....we just couldn't face to eat something we had seen run around without a head and watch it's claws move by pulling the right tendons and ligaments in the leg. Wow, it's amazing the things you learn as a kid. Love those real life learning lessons, Thanks Grandpa George.
Well,today I am hear to blog about the little and big things I am thankful for in my life. Where does a person begin?
Of course my family:
Toby...Everyday I thank the Lord for a wonderful husband. For the job he has, for the honest man he is, for the hard worker he is, for the tender heart he has, for the love he has for God and his family, for just the man he is. Toby has really been enjoying his new job that he started in July at Siouxland Fab. in Rock Valley. He is challenged everyday and enjoys the people he works with. He also continues to pick up some side jobs which he enjoys doing also. He also stays busy with fun projects around the house whether it be making a music/picture video, finding some new cool app., creating some cool new app (efishjournal.com check it out), surfing the net, playing with his kids, teaching trey how the internet works with a picture and diagram of outer space and satellite, throwing Aubyn to the ceiling and making her laugh hysterically, playing store with the kids, of course wresting and boxing with Trey, aggravating me some how :), cooking, reading, or just relaxing. Toby is a wonderful man, husband, and the world's greatest Dad!
Kids....OF course Trey and Aubyn are on top of the list also. Aubyn is 18 months now and continues to get more funny everyday. She is now talking a ton and repeating everything we say.
She loves laughing, having fun, and being a center of joy in a room. He newest thing is When I ask her a question she says, "I dunno know." Then I give her the answer to the question and she says, "YAH." It's so cute. She continues to love to play babies and cook in her little kitchen. She gets her babies stroller, diaper bag, bottle, blanket and carries her around patting her back or pushing her in her stroller. Lydia is her baby's name. She also enjoys helping me dust. Every time I get out the dust rag she says "I too." Trey says we should write a little critters book about Aubyn and instead of the title being "ME TOO" Aubyn's would be "I TOO!" LOL. I laughed and agreed with Trey, b/c we probably here her say "I TOO" about hundred times a day. She is also starting to hide to make a dirty pants and then finding me and says "stinky" holding her diaper. I then ask her if we should go change it and she yells "YAH" and runs to her room. The other day I had to laugh because I was in my room telling Trey to run to Aubyn's room and grab her cloths I had laying on her dresser so I could put them on. Trey was not doing it, so I asked him again and turned around and there was Aubyn holding her cloths. She doesn't miss a beat. A few months ago I went to Minneapolis with some girl friends and got home and was sorting through my stuff in my room. I had a pile for each person. I started picking up Trey's pile and asked Trey to help me with Aubyn's pile. As I turned around Aubyn's arms were heaping full of cloths that she could barely see over top of ready to help me. She is so observant and such an outgoing little girl. I love her ambition! She continues to love reading books and stealing Trey's tag reader pen and trying to read every book with it. Her new words this month are endless, but here are a few I can remember, toast, cookie, peease, Levi, I too, and anything that we ask her to repeat she does. I love this age!
Trey is still four and is as big as a 1st grader I swear. Today I was looking at him and his legs seemed a mile long :) I am thankful for Trey and the boy he has become. I am most thankful for his child like faith. He reminds me everyday of how great God is and how even the little things are so great! The way he treats his sister and the way he treats others brings a warm feeling to my heart. He has such great love in his heart. Everyday he halls out the markers and crayons at home. He gets a piece of paper out for himself and one for Aubyn. He helps her climb onto the chair and then gives her any color marker she asks for. (and believe me she wants a new marker like every 30 seconds) I know he has his dad's patients! :) He gives her one of his imaginext guys to play with and includes her in almost everything. BUT they still are brother and sister and still have their moments :). But fighting build character too :). Trey continues to love school. He comes home and teaches Aubyn and I new songs. One of our favorite songs is "days of the week" sung to the Adam's Family tune. Even Aubyn can sing the chorus. :) His imagination continues to be beyond belief. Every day we are taping new robots, bats, some exotic creature to the fridge and now Aubyn's walls in her room. Every little detail created down to the button on the super robot's arm. He also now has excelled his mother in the electronic department. He can start netflix in the morning all by himself and pick the cartoon he wants to watch. He can turn the volume down, pause it, and restart his cartoon. I am just thankful I have another man in the house that is better at electronics than I am so he can answer my questions b/4 I get frustrated :)Well, Trey is asking me to play catch with him right now, so....I will be back to blog about all the more things I am thankful for! and there is a lot!

Moments in time

It's 10:30 p.m on a Monday night and another day has come and gone already. It is really amazing how fast a day goes! Today was a good productive day again. It started out with a normal morning of waking up, cuddling with my two favorite little people in my bed, and getting breakfast. Then we headed over to grandma Myrna's to find some remaining good tomatoes left in the neighbors field. We had to search for a while, but eventually after walking the rows and picking up Aubyn from tripping over the vines, we had enough to make a batch of homemade tomato soup. MMMMM. We search grandma's house for a few canning supplies and off we were to begin our project for the day. When we got home I fed the kids dinner, washed the tomatoes, and got Trey ready for school. 12:10p.m came and off we were to pick up the kids for preschool and dropped them all safely off at "Little Blessings." Then Aubyn and I ran to the grocery store to grab some onions and celery for our soup. When we got in the house I started chopping the onions and celery with my little helper at my side to "assist" me. They were quickly chopped and put in the pan to start to boil. Then the little helper went in high chair for a snack. Then my process began of cutting the white parts out of the tomatoes and cutting them until I had 8 quarts of chopped tomatoes. Then my faithful grandma showed up at my door to teach me the proper way of how to put "love" and "patients" into a home made batch of soup. She taught me little tricks along the way and finally by 4:00 p.m. our first jar was "popping." Such a sweet sound. Now I have 14 quarts of home made soup on my counter and a great afternoon spent with my grandma. Miss Aubyn then finally woke up from her nap and Trey was already home from school. Supper was then made. Noodles, ham, and beans in a casserole. The kids loved it and ate it all up. Then we went and "swam" in the hot tub for a while. Then a shower was in desperate need for a woman who smelled like canned soup, YUK! :). Volleyball at 8:30. My mom came and watched the kids and our team won in four games. Way to go girls. Now relaxing in the chair, soon to go to bed, to wake up to another wonderful day.
Toby also had a good day today. He is fishing in Canada with some of his good friends. This morning I texted him to wish me luck b/c I was going to attempt my first batch of home made soup and he wished me luck, but also asked for luck back. I did wish him luck and guess what!!!!! it worked....he caught a 10lb.8oz, 30 in. Walleye today. OH GREAT...now I know what my next new decoration is going to be on my wall. :) He said 7 minutes b/4 he caught that he caught a 9 lbs Walley and a while later he caught an 8lb walleye. I would say his wife may be his good luck charm :) Way to go hun, now you can come home right?
Trey also had a fun day today b/c this morning after breakfast I let him do something he has never done b/4. I let him paint. He put on a paint shirt and I told him first we were going to do and education project with the paint and then he could paint what he wanted. I have been trying to do a project of the week with the letters he is learning in school. Last week he was learning letter "d" do we cut upper case "D's" and lower case "d's" out of magazines and pictures that started with the letter "d." We cut out; dogs, desk, dinner, dads, diapers,drinks, desert, dinosaur, and desert. We had a lot of fun! Today we worked on the letter "e". He painted a big "E" and a small "e" in red,blue, yellow and green. He thought it was great and then he colored a picture of water, fish, boat and a pirate ship with his next picture. He thought that was even more fun. Now to come up with something for "F" is going to be a challenge......
This past week I reflect on a few precious moments with my family. Toby was leaving Thursday night for Canada, so Wednesday night we had a family fun night. We first had supper and then played games till bed time. We played candy land, Memory, and then made a big puzzle together and ate candy corn. That may have been Aubyn's favorite part :). Then it was time for P.J's and stories. Off we went to Trey's bed, books in hand. While I read Trey his books Aubyn usually sits at the end of our feet "reading" her own books. Then it was prayer time and lights out. Aubyn crawled right into my arms and I thought maybe i'll just lay in bed with Trey and her and sing some songs for while. While Aubyn layed on my chest and Trey on my right side I started singing "I have peace like a river, I have peace like a river....." Suddenly Trey stopped me and said,"mom, I know this song."(I had never sang this with him before.) I said please sing it with me. We sang all three verses together and it was such a memorable moment for me. Having Trey singing with me and Aubyn resting so quietly on my chest sleeping, I just wanted to freeze time. Trey has such a wonderful little manly voice and Aubyn had sound and steady deep sleeping breaths. I took that moment and thanked God for the wonderful family he has given me. These moments in time are the ones you never forget!

School, Harvest, Life

Well, Trey is into school a good month and a half already. It is so fun to watch him come off the bus from school and run in the house with a big smile on his face. Even though everyday I ask him what he did in school today, and he answers,"I can't remember," I know his little mind is being challenged. I do know that he has learned the letters A,B and C so far, also a few numbers, how to trace lines, learned many songs, and he also told me a big story about Sunday Ford coming and talking about beavers, bats, and bears. That must have been a fun day, because he told me all about that! Trey also gets to be leader of the day this week Wednesday. They go to pumpkin land by Orange City and he already informed me they get to ride the bus all the way there and back! I think he is more excited about the bus ride than Pumpkin land :) This does not surprise me at all given the fact that on the first day of school I could hardly get him off the bus. Finally, his bus driver Lisa had to tell him he could ride the bus next time but had to get off today. He got off the bus and said, "mom, I wanted to ride the bus longer." Who knew his favorite thing about the first day would be the us ride! Trey also had grandparents day last week at school. Both Grandma Lori and Grandma Myrna went. After that day, they both told me Trey talks a lot in school. OH no, I can't wait to hear what I learn about Trey at parent teachers conferences. All in all, Trey is growing into a fine young man! I pray everyday that Christ continues to bless this child and works the Holy Spirit in his heart to continue to have a love for Christ and His people.
Harvest time is here! Harvest always gives me a new energy. I don't know if it is the wonderful change of season or if it is the hum of the combines or the tractors and wagons that continue to take their corn into town. I love going to field and taking coffee to my dad, I love riding in the combine and asking my dad lots of questions about life, farming, and his opinions. I love watching the smiles on my brothers faces knowing they are happy driving truck, tractor, and farming. I love hearing them talk about the grain prices and what they predict is going to happen with them. I love watching the leaves change and the cool days and nights. Harvest Blessing are abounding again!
Aubyn also continues to change everyday. She is saying more words everyday. like....shoes, grandpa, grandma, cheese, baxter. She also is learning her animal sounds. Now she can do a fish face and crab hands thanks to our new books from the library. She is also shaking her head yes and no. This is wonderful, it is so fun to ask her a question and her head go up and down instead of always side to side :). She also is getting a little more bossy! She thinks that it is her way or the highway. Her and Trey love to pick on each other, and believe me she puts up a good fight! Sometimes I get mad at both of them, but sometimes I can't help sit back and watch and see what they do. Aubyn also is starting to love reading books. Every night we read Trey 2 books and she runs into the room and tries to climb on the bed like she isn't going to miss this! Aubyn also loves to spend a lot of her time sitting in our living room window perch. She climbs her way up and sits there like she is queen. This is something Trey never did, so it is fun to watch her. She brings all her little toys up there and enjoys watching her family go about there routine activities. The only bad thing is that we have lots of fingerprints on our windows. An older lady told me once that when her grandchildren left her house she left the fingerprints on the doors all week b/c she loved seeing their little hand prints. I try my hardest to enjoy them too, but they usually don't last a week:).
Well, Life continues to shimmy and shake as normal and I praise God for that every day. He has blessed our family greatly and continues to supply more than our needs! God Bless!

Her own little ideas

Aubyn is 15 months now and growing more into a little girl everyday. She almost seems to be growing faster than Trey, because she thinks she can do everything Trey does. She wants to draw, color with markers, run, play tag, hit the ball off the tee and run the bases, ride bike, and do all sorts of big kid stuff. And with her determination she almost does a good job at over half of these things. In fact, today she lugs the markers, crayons, and coloring book bag out of the cupboard and brings them to me. I ask her, "do you want to color?" and she gives me a big smile and claps her hands. Here we are on the counter coloring with markers and colors! She is spoiled!

Aubyn may not be able to say a lot of words but she sure has no problem letting you know her ideas and what she wants. She can say, "mommy, daddy, tey(Trey), tate, woof, meow, hi, josie and I have heard a few more words, just not ones that she uses consistently. On vacation I heard, "my turn (as her and breslyn were taking turns on a little slide), robbi, and her normal uh, uh." But like I said before she will let you know what she wants even if she can say the words or not!

Aubyn loves to imitate. If you do a little dance, she will do one too and laugh. If you make a funny face she will try and laugh. If you run around, she will do it too. If you shake your head up and down side to side, she will grin and do it too. She is a funny little girl. On vacation with the Boogerds we learned that she loves to play ring around the rosie. She would hold our hands, act like she was singing, and when the time came to fall down she was on her butt and then her back rolling around. It was so funny! At home she still would grab my hands and want to play. Also on vacation Robbi brought a baby stroller, diaper bag, and doll. Aubyn loved caring around the purse, taking things in and out, and pushing her doll in the stroller. I think we know what we need to get her for Christmas! It was so fun to see her act like a girl!
On vacation we also put her first little pony tail in on top of her head. It stuck straight up but she left it in. When you would ask her about her pretty, she would touch the top of her head very carefully. It was awesome! Then when we got home, she had to go to Aunt Michelle's for a day while I was at work. Michelle was doing her girl's hair in the bathroom and Aubyn came to her and started going uh uh and hitting the top of her head. Aunt Michelle asked to you want a pretty too? Aubyn smiled and giggled as if saying, "Yes!" Its amazing to watch girls turn into little girls!

Looking Back! Looking Forward!

As I reflect back over the summer I have had many great memories made! Thinking about the Hoekstra vacation, swimming, camping, visiting friends, fishing, taking walks, playing in the garage, playing ball with Trey, little projects, and to end it with the Boogerd vacation life has been great. This week we had open house for "Little Blessings" Preschool for Trey on Wednesday. We had his backpack packed with all his little school supplies and off we went to find his desk and put his supplies away. As we got out of the vehicle Trey put his Transformer backpack on his back and off he was to show us the door. As we walked down the side walk to the front door a couple of feelings came over me. My first feeling was sadness. Sad that he was already this big. He has grown so fast. He is half the height of me for pete sake. He has his little backpack on, he can dress himself, picks out his cloths, can tell me what is right and wrong, can almost buckle himself in a car, can use his manners, can pray, can almost do anything an adult can do. Where has the time gone? Then the feeling of amazement. I was amazed at thinking what a great little guy he is. Such a little man like his father. Amazed about thinking about all the stuff he is going to learn this year soaking it up like a sponge. Amazed at the fact God has given me such a great Little Blessing! I am excited for him to go to school, learn new things, meet new people, and of course learn how to continue to serve Christ.

When we found Trey's room we met his new teacher at the door, Mrs. Horseman. She introduced herself and asked Trey his name and who he was with? Trey was not shy at all and told her his mom,dad, and little sister Aubyn. After that moment I new everything was going to be all right. My little boy is old enough to not need me 24/7, and I new he was in good hands with Mrs. Horseman. She then handed him a paper with a treasure hunt on it. We had to go around the room and find the calender, his seat, the reading area, the blocks, sink, and where to hang his backpack. Trey had so much fun looking for these things! His eyes were bright with excitement and searching the room and looking at all the new cool stuff. We then labeled all his stuff with his name and put his supplies in the correct spot. After we did all that Trey spotted his friend Carter and gave a quick Hi. Toby and I gabbed a bit and then went and checked out our friend Megan Raman's new room. Trey looked over her room and roamed the hallway a little bit, and then like any man all good things come to an end and "Let's go." We went back to the van and just like that my little boy turned into a big boy!

Hot Dog Days of Summer

Well, the high for the coming week is about a heat index of 110 degrees and boy have we felt it the last couple of days.  Toby and I on Thursday decided to take our little camper out to Rivers Bend and get another excursion in before summer is over.  So we packed our camper quickly and headed out to get a spot b/4 they were all full.  We got it out there and enjoyed a fire with some friends and Toby stayed overnight while I headed home with the kids.  Friday about 12:30 I got back out there with the kids and boy was it HOT!  You either had to be in the air conditioning or in the water.  To the beach we were headed to stay cool.  Trey dove right in the water with his tube floating like no care in the world and Aubyn grabbed her trusty scoop and bucket while I put up the Large umbrella to shade us from the mighty sun.  There we all sat relaxing and enjoying the HOT day.  Aubyn soon found the water not long after her bucket was full of sand and I was close by to attend.  This little girl has no fear and loves to frolic in the water and fall to none the less get a big mouth full of lake water!  After a lot of splashing and playing in the water it was time for a snack under the umbrella. Nothing like a cold juice box and Cheetos and raisins.  Then another hour or so of playing in the water and we were shot from all the heat.  I tell you what you don't appreciate air conditioning until you sweat just sitting and doing nothing.
Saturday was really fun at the beach b/c Dad was along.  Even Toby went swimming in the water.  It was again so hot you either had to be in the water or in air conditioning.  After a couple hours at the beach I took the kids to Grandma Lori's house to cool off and get some rest. Aubyn took a three hour nap and Trey took an hour nap.  I even got a little snooze in and did not want to go back to the hot camp ground. But we went back and packed our stuff up and stayed for a fire and of course the evening at least gives you a rest from the hot sun beating down on your skin.  All in all it was a good weekend, but I don't think I will plan on camping when it is that hot again.

Pictures

 Up with Good Morning America.  Bright and Early!

 Easter morning with Dad.  It was soo cold outside yet I thought I should keep their winter church cloths on yet!

 Trey says that Aubyn is going to be his nurse someday and that she has to carry the Doctor stuff b/c that's what nurses do.  what the world?  who teaches him this stuff or is it born in a man?

 Playing dress up with friends. Annica(princess) Trey (football player) Skyler (spider woman)!

 Aubyn turn 1. This is the party with the Boogerd side. She loved the frosting and hated the cake part!

 This is the 2nd party with the Hoekstra side. She licked off the frosting and destroyed the cake.

 Baking with mom and getting to lick out the bowl. Both of their favorite part.

 9 A.M. coffee with Grandpa Goerge.  All of the muchkins in their hats.  what a great morning!

 Aubyn first boat ride. She was not impressed with the life jacket.  On little lake Pahojia camping with friends.

She would much rather sit on the beach and play in the sand. He beach babies are a big hit!

Super Hero's and Building Blocks

Trey is already four.  I always thought I would have a boy that loved baseball, basketball and sports.  Little did I know that I would have a boy that took after his dad!  Trey likes to play with his tee and ball and is pertty good at hitting, but this is by far not his passion yet!  He would rather put on his Bummble Bee, Super Man, Spider Man outfits and fly around the house saving us from all the bad guys.  He also loves to put on his fire man suit and fight the fires to save the people!  He also loves playing with our doctor set giving curious (his monkey) shots and looking in his ears.  Or looking at his teeth telling him he needs to brush more :)  Wonder if he has heard that before? :)  He also loves playing pirates calling himself Captain Black Beard or Captain Trey. ARRR.  We have several ships from the couches, his bed, the swingset all the way to the boat in our garage.  

Trey also loves playing with his Trio blocks. He will get them out at least once a day and build some kind of robot, ship, flying creature or something creative.  He is my little engineer.  He also loves coloring and drawing robots, super hero's and monsters.  He occasionally draws his family, but his favorite is drawing monsters with big teeth and arms.  Trey also says several times a week that he wishes we would have a robot to do all the cleaning and picking up and someday he is going to build one so we can play all day instead of picking up!  I told him I am all for that!

Trey also loves going on the swing, riding his bike/(motocycle), riding his battery jeep, playing with sticks, and playing in the dirt like a regular boy.  He also loves watching cartoons and movies, which mom puts a limit to, but dad joins right in and watches them with him :(  His dad loves movies and cartoons too!
Treys little mind or shall I say big mind never ceases to amaze me either.  He thinks sooooo deap for a four year old.  He asks me about heaven all the time.  He even asked if Heaven is so high that even batman can't fly that high.  What four year old thinks that way?  He also has started saying his own prayers at supper time. He thanks God for many things such as family, food, dad's work, Aubyn all his family members, scout and lots of other things.  He even prayed for Andy Moss yesterday, Toby's old co-worker, that he may find a new man to work with. (He was very worried about Andy when dad quit hit job) The thing that breaks my heart the most is that he always ends his prayer by saying, "and most of all God we thank you for you."  I don't know where he caught this but it is sooooo sweet.

Trey also is very sweet and loving most days (believe me he has those regular kid days too.)  He loves to cuddle and give his mom hugs and kisses.  He loves hugging Aubyn and giving her kisses. He also even tells me sometimes "you look so nice today mom, you are so pertty."  It breaks my heart.  I hope he says this to me when i'm 65 with wrinkles and gray hair! :)  He also prays every night for his friend and family all by each individual name.  He has such a soft heart and is my sweet little boy.  He takes after his dad so much it's almost scary, in looks and personality. I hope he is around forever to give me his tight squeezes and loving kisses.

Little waves and pudding cups

Aubyn is already 14 months old and I take joy in watching her grow everyday.  She has such a happy little smile and eyes that light up a room.  She is my blond haired, blue eyed little girl.  I never expected to have a child with blue eyes due to Toby's dominant brown eyes. I just love the way her little eyes dance!
Aubyn has been waving since about 9 months.  He little wave makes me smile everytime.  Aubyn will wake up in the morning and the first thing she does in her crazy hair is wave and say, "Hi Tey."  It is so stink'n cute.  Also, she loves waving to everyone she recognizes.  When we sit in church, my family members will walk in at different times and she sees them and waves and says, "hi."  You can't help but smile and wave back. Her little cousins Tate and Levi are also two of her favorite people.  She even knows how to say "Hi ate (Tate.") She also loves to wave to scout our dog.  She will seem him through our patio door or when we pull up to home in the van and she waves and says, "Hi out."  She is such a little social butterfly.  Her little waves bring many smiles.

Aubyn also loves going up to the fridge and whining until I come see what she wants.  I lift her up, open the door, and let her pick what she wants.  She ALWAYS find her favorite pudding cups.  I started this about a month ago and she would refuse to eat it unless I gave her her own spoon.  Her first time was very messy and most of it landed on her bib, but now she can finish off the whole thing.  She uses her spoon until there is about 1/4 left and then she dips her fingers in it to finish of the bottom.  It really is amazing to see how much she has progressed with a spoon in one month time.  My how fast they grow.

Another thing Aubyn loves to do is play with her dollies.  She holds them up and pats them on their back. It really is amazing how this is a born instinct to be a mother.  She also will get her sippy cup and trys to feed the baby.  Her baby is called Lydia and if you tell her to go get it she knows right where it is.  She also loves to play with our Doctor set on the baby.  She takes the otoscope and tries to look in her mouth and ears. She also takes the stethoscope and puts it around her neck like I do when i'm at work. I think she learned all this from Trey but it is really amazing to watch.  Just shows me how much of an example we really are and how much they pick up on.

Aubyn can also knows where some of her body parts are already. She will point to her ears, toes, tummy, shoes, sometimes eyes and sometimes nose.  She loves playing with her brother even though sometimes he doesn't enjoy hanging out with her!  She loves playing ring around the rosy and acting all funny and crazy lifting her arms up, running in circles, and giggling.  Sometimes after you are done tickling her she will take your hands and put them back on her tummy to tell you to tickle her some more.  LOL.  She also loves cuddling with her blanket.  She has about four of them she likes.  She snuggles up and will rock by you like a little snuggle.  She also loves her strollers. Every time one is out she will uh, uh, uh till you put her in it.  Then if you take another stroller out she will want out of the one she is in and uh, uh, uh at the new one until you put her in it.  She is just too funny.  She is my sweet little girl and I pray Christ does great thing through her!

Vacation #1

Well, we just got back from the Hoekstra get-a-way at Village West for week.  We soaked up a lot of sun, drank a little pool water, did some boating, and just totally relaxed.  Oh, I forgot to mention..and gained a few pounds :).  Vacationing, I decided, is one of my new hobbies.  I would consider it a cheap hobby if mom and dad continue to pay for it, but I have a feeling that won't last forever.
Relaxing at the beach and pool were probably my favorite thing to do.  I would try to be out there by 10:00 A.M. with my kids and not come in till 4:00 p.m.  Aubyn would nap in her stroller and I would relax under the big umbrella or soak up some rays.  Trey had so much fun playing with his cousins and even learned how to swim better in his life jacket and his blow up ring.  We spent two days at the pool, which also was a nice change for some clean water :).  Toby got some fishing in and I even got a book read! The days were pure relaxation or what you could call relaxation with six munchkins running around.  (Makayla 5, Trey 4, Samantha 3, Aubyn 1, Tate 11 months and Levi 7 months)  But Grandma and Grandpa may have been the busiest since they rate the highest.  Dad brought the yellow mustang and my mom and I cruised up town to shop at the emporium a night and we also got to spend a day at the beach with the Vanden Bosch's.  They added two little munchkins to the mix too (Sarah 9 months, Kade 2 weeks).  My Grandma now has 8 great-grandchildren.  I think my grandma also enjoyed having her whole family together. She is 75 and still has energy to watch and play with the kids.
Toby and I had  our own little unit. It was wonderful to finally have a vacation together.  These last six months have been really busy with different things going on.  Toby had been interviewing at a few companies for a new job and our minds were heavy on what decisions to make.  But God always gives us His answer and of course it is good.  Toby had started his new job at Siouxland Fab in Rock Valley on Monday and came to be with us on the lake Tuesday night after work.  (Don't worry he told them b/4 he started).  He had a wonderful two days at work and then could put his mind at rest with some vaca time! He is excited for this BIG change.  I think changes are always hard, but God is always at our side to help us through them. (I think change is harder for me than Toby :)) Toby had been working at Roosenboom Machine in Sheldon for almost seven year.  He had many wonderful experiences there and hopes to have many wonderful ones at Siouxland Fab.
Now we are home again, and of course Home is where the Heart is.  Trey said that he missed his home and was glad to be back.  That is always nice to hear, and I hope that continues till he is all grown up.  I think even Aubyn was happy to be in her own crib and play with all her toys again.  Today is July 4.  We are staying home and getting some work done. Toby just fired up the smoker for some smoked ribs tonight.  May we reflect on this day and thank all the soldiers who can't be home enjoying this day with their families.  We also pray that God continues to bless this country and give it's leaders what they stand in need of to make good, rational decisions.  Happy Independence Day!

About the Kids

Trey is my oldest. He is already four! The time has flown by and I cannot believe he is this big already! As soon as Aubyn was born, he seemed to have transformed into a kid.  He would love that I used the word transformed because he has a passion for the transformers Optimus Prime and Bumble Bee.  In fact, when Trey came to meet Aubyn at the hospital for the first time he leaned over her, gave her a kiss, and whispered "Hi Aubyn, I'm Optimus Prime Transformer, I"m your big brother." We have it on tape, and little does he know this will come out at some big event in the future.:) Also, Trey is into Superman, Mega Mine, Bat man, Iron man and anything that can fly, save people, or has some extraordinary power! It is amazing to sit back and watch his imagination at work. Oh I forgot he also loves being a pirate, fireman and doctor. He has multiple super hero outfits and these other outfits that I encounter him in several times a day.  Every time I see him "fly" around the house it brings a smile to my face. He also enjoys listening to dad's superhero stories before bed and playing pirates, with his dad, over my couches making this his pirate ship.  His name is always Captain Black Beard or Captain Trey.  Occasionally I join in and become Captain Mom, ARRR!
Aubyn is 14 months old already and growing like crazy.  She constantly wants to be put in her high chair, which means feed me! She will eat almost everything I give her, although she will not eat what is on her plate until I give her a spoon.  One of her favorite things to do is sit and eat a pudding cup with a spoon. I love it too, because it gives me along time to get some things done :).  She also loves reading books. If I cannot find her in the house, I will always find her next to Trey's book shelf paging through his books.  Her little smile lights up a room. Her blue eyes twinkle as if she has great things planned for you in the back of her head. She also loves sitting on the counter and watching me cook. She tries to lick everything before i'm even done. Hopefully this is a sign that someday she will be doing my baking!  Of course like all little girls she has a daddy wrapped around her finger.  She is my little girl and her hair drawer will prove that! Pink, bows, ribbons, hairbands and ruffles have been so much fun since she was born. She has been a wonderful addition to our family and her spunk keeps me on my toes!
Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

A little History

Well, since this is my first attempt of a journal entry I thought I should give a little history.  I have been married to a wonderful man for almost six years now in August. We have been together for eleven years already! My how the time goes fast. Toby is a wonderful man who I have learned a lot from over the years. Particularly patients :). He has a loving heart and is a wonderful dad, provider, and husband.  He may seem like a man of few words, but his few words are wise, thoughtful, and occasionally humerus!
I have two beautiful children, Trey and Aubyn.   Trey is now four and Aubyn a little over one.  They are my pride and joy, and when God gave me these two little blessing He taught me a love I never new could exist.  So perfect, innocent, and fragile! (Starting out) Their little world made my world so much LARGER! The Love I have in my heart for these two children continues to grow everyday even when I think there is no more room.  It is amazing.  After Trey was born it gave me a new realization for the Love God has for His people. To give his only begotten Son to save US!  WHAT GRACE!
My favorite Bible verse comes from Psalms 118:24  "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."  Everyday is given to us from the Lord. Some days are fun, some days full of trials, some days uneventful, but everyday is given to us by our Creator and Author.  Everyday is meant to be lived for the One who gave us this day!  When I am having a hard day this verse always brings me joy, because I know I have a lot of things to rejoice about!