the broersma five

A Camping She Must Go

Saturday, July 30, 2016

From conducting and singing on the drive down to Deception Pass to the animated, show-stopping campfire stories, Myriam entertained Papa, Nana & Auntie Traci the first weekend in June. Morning snuggles at 5am while searching for cavities and insects with the Olaf flashlight, giggles by the bay, entertainment by the outdoor theater, plenty of secrets, kisses and splashes on the beach... Myriam had a fabulous time and we are beyond grateful for family that asks to spend such quality time with one of our kiddos.

Here's a picture glimpse into the weekend...

{ Walking on her own journey determined, full of passion and plenty of zest. }

{ This crack issue runs down many generations in the family. }

{ Jellies on the bay. }

{ Unconditional love from Auntie. }

{ The animated campfire stories by Myriam. }

{ I love you across the ocean. }

{ Always picking flowers whether were allowed too or not. }

{Nature's sensory playground. }

{ Papa has become a best friend. Nana keeps them out of trouble. }

{ She walked the beach barefoot almost the entire time. }

{ Peek-a-boo I see you. }

{ Chilly toes & conversation with Auntie. }

Let Freedom Ring & Apples Pop Into Pieces

Monday, July 18, 2016

{ Happy Fourth of July }

This year was quite low key as we celebrated the Fourth of July.

We had a lazy morning around the house, then made our way to my parents for dinner and some experiments. I clearly remember as a young girl having my Dad put gun powder in a hole in the center of our cul-de-sac and making a ball of fire go up into the sky. I'm sure now it would appear like a small after thought, but as a young child it was HUGE. Dad was always into blowing stuff up and seeing what type of reaction he could get from me and my siblings.

So, when our kids asked if Papa would help them blow some apples up he was quick to dart outside, socks and all, and assist in the fun.

After dinner and some black cats as well as cleaning up the apple mess, we headed home to put the littles to bed on time and attempt to sleep through the boom and bangs of the celebratory community.

Here's a little slice of the fourth adventures...

{ Apples Pre-Papa Experiment }

{ Preparing the apples for the black cats. }

{ The experiment. The victim. The lone apple. }

{ Get ready to run...}

{ Let Freedom be celebrated and go BOOM! }

{ The end result. }

{ The kids taking cover from more of Papa's loud fireworks. }

{ Papa in his socks teaching Myriam to light poppers. }

Just 2-3 Weeks Long...6 Months Later

Saturday, July 16, 2016

"Honey, it's just 2-3 weeks. That's it."

Well, Miss Bee just passed her six month birthday at a whopping 19.5 lbs. wearing 12-18 month size clothing.

A little longer than just a few weeks as thought it to be in January... We'll take as much time with this princess as possible because it has been a joy to have her in our home and family as the baby sister to us all.

Miss Bee is incredibly relaxed, happy, content and developing perfectly along the charts. Our nights are interrupted once and quickly back to sleep until late morning. I have nothing to complain about as Miss Bee is very easy to care for. She loves her Mommy snuggles, especially in her ERGO, but nightime snuggles are fought over for time with Daddy. Bath time proves to be the best place for funny time splashes and decompression. Miss Bee loves the water! She has now learned to sit up on her own with some soft pillow protection for the new wobbles although she's pretty sturdy on her own. And watch out, this girl can roll from one side of the room to the next. Her favorite activity is the stand up bouncer which her legs find a complete jumping workout as she talks to those around her. We've been feeding her some delicious green beans, squash and bananas and every week adding more and more to her pallet.

{ Repeating what Charlie did around the same age. }

The kids have been amazing with Miss Bee. They all know that our time of caring for Miss Bee can come to an end at any moment, but regardless, they call her their Baby Sister and have loved her the same from the moment she came home. Miss Bee has no lack of attention, snuggles, funny faces to laugh at or people to read her stories. She is extremely loved here in our home.

I wish I could share more pictures of her beaming smile, but for now you'll have to keep guessing what her bright smile looks like. The similarity between Daddy and Miss Bee is oddly the same making many ask if they missed my pregnancy! Oh, please, no. You missed nothing!

God has protected our family and Miss Bee as her journey continues in our care. Please don't forget to pray for her Mommy and also for those on the case. We have some amazing social workers organizing the details of those in care and we are lucky enough to have the best.

Monday afternoon we have another case conference so be in prayer as decisions are made for the best interest of Miss Bee.

Happy Half of the Year Birthday Chunkee Bee!

Whatcha Up To?

The month of June quickly slipped past us and July has yet to

prove itself any slower.

June began as school studies came to an end. Addison and Charlie enjoyed a morning with their classmates at the Mp3 Field day saying goodbye to their teachers and friends. Many of Addison's friends will be attending a different school next year so it was bittersweet. Charlie will be attending an all new school as well saying goodbye to home school and hello to traditional classrooms.

Addi shared an afternoon with her girlfriends celebrating the year's end, Myriam swam with her bus buddies at Homestead and all the kids were able to swim again at a Mp3 pool party. I don't remember having such parties like this when I was their age, but I'm so grateful for the friendships the kids have made.

{ School Friends: Noah, Kayden & Lydia. }

Myriam completed her first year at Lynden Middle School Intermediate Preschool and loved every minute of it. From the bus to and from school and all the activities and one on one help...the routine has been missed greatly this summer and we look forward to next year. This program has done wonders for Myriam and we look forward to see even more progress next year. We can't say enough good things about this program.

{ Favorite Bus Driver: Miss JoAnn. }

{ Tea Parties with Great Grandma Broersma "Cookie Grandma" }

{ Lunch Date with cousins, Papa & Uncle Jason. }

The first weekend of June we enjoyed a balcony view of the Farmer's Day Parade. We nibbled on snacks from The Mill and witnessed Lynden making history with the longest strawberry shortcake display. Myriam was camping with Papa and Nana at Deception Pass and missed all the sizzling hot commotion. We saw many red faces and sun kissed shoulders from a top the Windmill!

Tim and I were able to get away to Whistler for a few nights to catch up on sleep, relax and play while all our kids were cared for with much love by others. We ate ourselves through the village and had an afternoon on the ski chairs riding the gondola from Peak to Peak even catching glimpses of black bears below us.

The older three kids went south to support Auntie Traci as she got her special medicine and Miss Bee played with C & K for the

weekend receiving lots of snuggles.

The following weekend we packed the Suburban with our little ladies and headed to the Vancouver Aquarium with Melissa and Michaela. I wish we had more time to spend in Stanley Park walking around, playing in the spray park and exploring the beach. We'll have to save it for another day!

Charlie was exploring the natural aquarium on the Knot So Fast with Papa and Uncle Jason at Sucia Island. Charlie and his cousin were exhausted from hiking, exploring the beaches, playing games of hide and seek and eating like King's. I could tell by the smell that Charlie had a grand time.

Myriam attempted to have some fillings, or as she calls them jewels, done at Dr. G's, but it turns out the laughing gas was not quite strong enough for our busy one. We go back in August and have the real deal in order to fix a few mishaps in her mouth. The true challenge comes prior to the appointment as she's not allowed to eat or drink from midnight before until noon the next day. I'll be needing some covering of intense prayers August 19th, as we try again for "jewels" in her mouth.

Charlie completed another year of swim lessons with Teacher Shannon. His skills have much improved and we are excited to see Shannon's talent impress Myriam as she starts her swim journey in August.

{ Rainy Day Roller Fun. }

Last week the kids enjoyed Day Camp at NCCTK. Addi volunteered with the pre-school crafts and had many adorable stories from remarks made by the little ones. Her favorite was from a little boy who kept eyeing her and finally said, "Hey you, you young lady! I like your bracelets." He again told her on the last day how he really liked her bracelets... She was puzzled at first, but quickly realized he meant her braces! This was Myriam's first year at Day Camp, but it proved too much stimulation and noise for our little one. She stayed home with Miss Bee and Mommy the rest of the week.

{ Charlie, Myriam & Michaela ready for the Cave Quest Camp. }

Charlie made some new friends, Todd and Tyler, as their daddy just moved to Lynden and started working at Elements. We had a great time entertaining them after camp playing outside games, showing them the creek, cooling off with Otter Pops and getting to know them better. We can't wait to see them again!

{ Pre- Camp Hot Chocolate at Wood's. }

My girlfriend and mentor was in town and I was able to celebrate her birthday and visit a bit before she headed back to her sandy beaches in Kona and checking in on the families from Chosen & Dearly Loved. I love watching Catherine talk about her "job" because nothing that is apart of God's will is work. She is extremely passionate about the families she meets with, supports and advocates for the orphans coming into their forever families.

{ Selfie's with the ladies. Miss Bee loves the camera. }

This weekend we walked through the Raspberry Festival tasting JP's BBQ and the famous bowls of ice cream and berries. Tim and Addison were up early as they prepared a few rooms to be previewed at The Mill Inn & Bistro. Addi has been Tim's sidekick working at the hotel and loves to be of help with whatever Daddy asks her to do. Later the two of them toured the activities on Front Street as I took the other three home to decompress.