Jesus Is Born

From ours to yours, 

The Broersma Five wishes you a Merry Christmas.

School Successes

Fall has passed, routines are set in place, homework is now normal and workbooks are being used assisting in achieving monthly goals set at the beginning of the year. All the kids are doing excellent in school which Tim and I are really proud of as they work hard at the assignments given to them. What surprises me most is the interest Addison is having for drama and impromptu skits! Yes, this coming from our sweetie who struggled with crowds, speaking and being heard. It's been so much fun to watch Addi grow, challenge herself and make a strong community of friends at Mp3. 

Charlie has done well and made big strides with reading and writing. He's made great friends and seems to be Mr. Social at school. Some of the best reports though, are when you hear how your son is the one to stay behind, clean up, organize and model gentlemen behavior. Money doesn't touch how rich a parent feels when hearing those positive remarks made towards your child. 

{ Painting therapy creations. }

I had the perfectly organized plan for this fall school line up. Myriam was pre-registered for our church program with Addison and Charlie enrolled for all day campus classes at Mp3. It worked out that on Monday and Wednesday's Myriam and I would have the day to ourselves with the Tuesday/Thursday line up giving the older kids three hours of uninterrupted home school time. 

The only glitch was that our youngster was still not 100% potty trained. At that same time, I was also having a few concerns for our little one as we had been seeking professional advice from a dear friend specializing in children's occupational therapy. Megan lives just north of the border and has given Tim and I some amazing insight into our spunky sensory babe. Myriam now has a tool belt to use when feeling anxious, nervous or tempted to take off. I have been immensely blessed by our "play dates" with Megan and feel like we've made significant progress over the past few months. 

The problem with making perfectly organized plans is they never get off the ground without a bump or two. Our bump was that Myriam was not accepted into our church program which in turn became a huge gift to her. She's now attending the Peer Pre-School Program at Lynden Middle School and loving it. The best part is that it's on the original weekly schedule I was so excited for back when school started. 

Myriam is our first child to ever ride a school bus so it was a big deal here on Double Ditch Road. JoAnn is an absolute doll taking such gentle care of the kids buckling them up, handing them toys, keeping the "Magic School Bus" warm and on Friday's handing out treats. 

Teacher Kaaren and her team of support understands Myriam's struggles and already have made a difference in her behavior at home. There is overflowing excitement to share about the day at school once she bounces off the bus. I am extremely thankful for this program. 

Whatever the need any of our kids have, we will meet it. 

If that means not keeping Myriam home then that's what we must do. 

{ First & second day on the bus. }

All the kids are now on the count down until Christmas break. There are Christmas art projects ready to be made, cookies ready to be baked and attempts at obtaining an all-family-smiling Christmas card photo taken. What I love most is that regardless of the successes at school or at home, Jesus remains the only reason for this blessed Christmas season. 

So, we focus on that as we keep motivated at our school work. The kids continue to build relationship with their class peers and gain friendships alongside of their schoolwork. ABC's, lessons of making right choices, being respectful and learning colors and numbers are being taught.

As for us as parents, we learn from our kids that it's not easier to over complicate issues. Keep it simple; keep it real; and keep it about Jesus in our hearts. 

{ Retakes were later in the day... }

A New Season for Dad

{ The glory days. }

After 40 years of scanning patients, Dad turned in his badge, claimed old age and now enters the season of retirement. 

There are projects to be done, lists that have been running long overdue for years and mornings to sleep in as the alarm clock is turned off for good. No more beepers, pagers or complaints of pushing stretchers around the hospital. No more politics, on call shifts, days without lunch breaks or breakfast spent in the cafeteria enjoying biscuits and gravy. Mom is now on her own, a hallway away from Dad's CT scanning room, where she'll have to adjust to working a days shift without her honey an extension away. An adjustment for both of them.

Dad had a grand plan arranged for sliding out without notice. Too bad for him, word got out and the party planning committee quickly put things into action. Thanks to Pure Bliss Desserts, there were cheesecakes for all of the X-Ray department to enjoy as the three of us kids came to celebrate with Dad. Of course encounters with the ER had to be remembered too as Dr. Dag Jensen arranged for the Cat scan cake, stubby finger fish food cake and the moment when Dad fell off the ladder on a fire call.

{ Celebrating Papa with family and grandkids. }

Prior to the hospital, Dad drove ambulance for United General where he experienced the worst call of his entire career. Some scenes are harder to forget than others as most in the medical industry can attest too. After falling in a pond and being pulled out by their mother, dad arrived to find two girls laying under the Christmas tree, lifeless, in need of resuscitation. Only one made it that day. Between the hospital and fire department, I too, have many tragic memories witnessing Dad's career unfolding before me. 

Paul started his career back in 1970, working south at University of Washington Medical Center. With the Huskie Stadium being so close, Dad certainly took advantage of the cheap seats at $4 a piece on game day. The other benefit was having access to the athletic department across the street playing racket ball for free. He then transferred to St. Luke's South Campus in 1975, enjoying the small hospital feel, knowing everybody and having limited politics. In the late 1980's, Dad made his final career move to St. Joseph Main Campus rounding out a total of 40 years of service behind the CAT scan machine.   

My best memories are from St. Luke's where my childhood McDreamy crush worked side by side with Dad. Devlin was a ladies man and a cute one I may add, even though I was not even double digits at the time. A girl can dream. Ask any women in the X-ray department today and they'll know exactly who I'm talking about! 

{ McDreamy is on the bottom left in fancy scrubs. }

Then there were the scary moments of being tossed in the red reading room through the round tunnel door and of course sitting on Dad's lap pushing buttons during scans. Probably should keep that on the down low, but I'm sure it's no surprise that times have changed dramatically since then. I will always remember picking up chestnuts in the parking lot and walking in the front ER doors, turning left to get to the X-Ray department and getting an X-ray if needed. Some Sunday's we would go and have lunch in the cafeteria; my choice usually was the egg salad sandwich. Then came the main campus where I would visit Dad with Addison sharing lunch together or sneaking candy treats and stickers from those working by Dad's side.

{ Dr. Crabo and Dr. Dag Jensen }

{ Co-workers creating a tunnel and send off to retirement. }

Paul was the senior in the group. Everyone in the department knows about our family and Dad boasted with beaming pride when sharing about his grand kids. My work ethic, commitment and ownership in work came from the years of Dad's employment giving me a solid foundation, an abundance of provision and sense of security through his countless hours of labor. I am incredibly grateful for the sacrifices made to accomplish such an amazingly strong finish in Dad's career. 

This painting below can be found near the East entrance of the hospital; a legacy of service remembered. 

Thank you doesn't seem enough for what you gave me and the endless stream of patients that entered the CT room. 

This community thanks you for serving us well. 

{ Happy Retirement Dad! }