Tissues on the Dragon Boat

{ Dr. Look & Traci May 2015 }

My sister was always stubborn and held true to her dutch blood. 

If you wanted to see her fight for something you just had to tell her, 

"No. Don't do that. You can't do that." 

Well, Dr. Look shouldn't have expected anything other than resistance when he told Traci she shouldn't paddle anymore with the fear of her breaking bones due to the cancer that continued to deteriorate her bone strength. Traci refused to accept that reality so she did something about it and created an event which showcased the benefits paddling had to a patients entire being. From physical to emotional, she wanted to prove her point and stay seated in the boat. 

With that, "Paddle with the Pinks" became an every year event where local health care providers who treat patients with BrCa (breast cancer) could experience for themselves the full-body workout and camaraderie of the teammates who meet three times a week for practice. Traci was the first captain of this incredibly special event and outreach program.

This year the team named the Provider Paddle in Traci's name:

2017 Traci Van Dyken Health Care Provider Paddle and Sponsor Recognition

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

"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!

A Mother's Love

These kids have my full attention. 

Mother's Day was full of emotion as we wished Myriam's Tummy Mommy a happy day and sent a text to Miss Bee's Mom to have a sweet day. 

Two gifts grew in my tummy; two gifts grow in my arms; all four have my heart. 

Thank you to our village who encompasses us with prayer, support,
hours of childcare and wrinkles to prove that we share lots of laughter together. 

Thank you to all my motherly figures in my life who have
inspired me to continue to become a better, stronger more influential
mama to my little blessings. 

Thank you to my mom who, from the beginning, has shown and continues to
example to me what a mother's love and sacrifice lives, loves and prays like. 

Happy Mom's Day to all...(yes, a day or two late)...and cheers for surviving the ups and downs that comes with parenting all ages,
all back grounds and all situations. 

Sometimes, I find the best way to overcome a bad day is to simply laugh.
Thank you Jesus for blessing me with such joy.

A Misdirected Moment of Pause

A new year. 

A new start. 

A new beginning. 

Sometimes that’s all one needs to turn the page to make the next step into something great. 

As a stay-at-home mama to three kiddos, having time to stop, take a deep breath and pause before taking the next step forward is hard to find. This past weekend, My Love gave me just that; a time to stop, pause, reflect and to have fun. I left home with my suitcase packed full of snow pants, snow boots, stocking hats and warm gloves with the expectation of a romantic get-away to Steamboat, CO. I had myself dressed in layers with childcare pre-arranged as Tim had organized the surprise of all surprises. Little did I know that I would be landing hours later, cozy wool socks on, in Kona, Hawaii!

{ Prepared for a snow storm. }

Sure enough, Tim pulled a good one on me (oh, yeah, our oldest was in on the surprise trip too!) as a month of secrets led to the weekend of rest with my dear, sweet friend Catherine, who had moved to Kona six months earlier. The shock was very much present even after five hours of processing over the ocean. The weekend began immediately as we stayed up until one in the morning catching up and chatting. That then led to a days worth of exploring, swimming and enjoying the presence of each other. The pause in life continued the next day as we parasailed 1200 feet up in the sky, paddle boarded over the turquoise seas, snorkeled with schools of colorful fish and hiked drop-off cliffs through the jungle. 

{ No boots required. }

{ I could only focus on one thing; turning & waving about 

made me dive into the deep blue. }

{ Living on the edge...technically climbing it. }

Life is demanding. Life refuses to stop; it can’t be put into slow motion through selected situations. We are given a choice to move forward or to rapidly make a U-turn unwilling to face what the road ahead looks like. Recently, I have felt overwhelmed with potentially new seasons and being able to clearly hear God’s voice as I want to obediently execute my purpose for His plan in my life. 

The push and pull of life has never felt so heavy than what it has been over the past few months. My husband saw this wearing on me and knew that no other Christmas gift would amount to what this weekend would bless me with, as for a brief moment, the strain from the push and pull paused; it fell silent. I’m leaving with clear direction, understanding and insight for the new year. I’m leaving with new experiences shared and tummies full from delicious meals and couch time snacks.

The challenge will come when I wake up back home and find the demands of life meeting me first thing in the morning. The decision to embrace the pause will come when the first panicked wife calls as she is faced with betrayal; when my sister’s doctor appointments fall short and report unwelcome news. The challenge to seek peace when the kids choose to button push and responsibilities of home schooling become present.

I feel more prepared for the road I’m on as 2016 is here and moving. My prayer is the push and pull of responsibilities and desire to fulfill my purpose in life doesn’t cloud the drive to His destination; the journey God has me on. I pray that I can pause a few more times to take in the sights, have some fun and let go of the burden not mine to carry.

And hey, if it takes another surprise trip to Kona in wool socks to dump some burdens, then let it be that Tim seeks a female to pack my suitcase next time rather than the awesome attempt he made. 

{ Layover in Portland made for a sweet sister visit & the 

random passing by of my MIL. }

The Gift of a Multi-Tasking Mother

Mother's Day morning I woke up to poppy eggs in bed with steaming hot coffee served by My Love and our Little Blessing's. As I sat in bed awkwardly eating my breakfast with all eyes on me, I was showered with reasons why I was special and dearly loved. There were a few pauses and thoughtful moments, but I'm going to say the silence was due to it being early that not many reasons were shared!
There are moments where I don't deserve the doting on as I snap or need to fall to my knees in forgiveness for my impatience. My role as a mom has morphed into teacher over the years and I'm blessed to have kids that offer me grace daily when trying to teach hard topics with a toddler dancing around. I'm forever grateful to be Mom to these kids!
Either way, I felt loved. Of course there came the cherished handmade gifts and attempts at a peaceful day but in the end, the day was perfect. A mid-afternoon run left me sweaty and we topped it with a sweet S'moresma as the sun set to the west.

 { Brothers. }

We spent the late morning at Gigi's enjoying an impromptu brunch with Aunt's and Uncle's. It's entertaining as the 1st cousins are now chasing the 2nd cousins in the back yard. We were missing a few, but the group has grown over the years. Gigi still has the same LEGOS my dad played with as a child for our kids to be creative with as the wood cars and John Deere's rolled around outside. The four brothers have evolved over the years too with less of more gray hair and bellies full of wisdom. And as always, more stories of these curious four come out with smirks and grins oozing with guilt.

Gigi is an amazing mother. She is a survivor, a do-it-yourself-er, strong in personality and strength and rarely gives in to whatever it is she's facing. I am blessed that God has given her so many years to inspire me, challenge me and to give our kids numerous memories of their Great Grandma.

 { Myriam was experiencing a bit of an overly tired, sensory meltdown during an attempt at pictures with 2nd cousins and Gigi. }

Thank you to all the Mom's in my life who have shaped the way I parent and love our kiddos. My Mother is a saint and I have been immensely blessed to watch her navigate extreme challenges both in health and at home that have inspired me to be greater. Thank you to all the mom's around me who have taught me to be a better wife, mother and friend displaying Jesus to our kids and those in our circles. Happy Mother's Day!

Bald IS Beautiful

Been there; done this twice before. Third times a charm.

Grandma is down three chemotherapy treatments and with that comes hand-full hair loss. That's quite common and Grandma was prepared with a beautiful wig in place along with a few hats. My mom held it together after a brief "I'm going to loose it" moment and continues to be the rock we all love and adore. 

Grandma was ready. So were my clippers….

 { Pre-buzz cut with mom - isn't she pretty?! }

 { Mid-cut; mid-sentence…go figure. }

 { Post-cut with her fashion forward wig. }

We love you so much Grandma! 

I know with your faith as solid as a rock and the family ready to hold you up when you're too weak to stand, we can conquer ANYTHING that comes in our way. 

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 
but a women who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

A Day of No Dishes

Saturday morning I was told to relax, drink a few cups of coffee and be ready by 11am. So, I did just that! Addison and Charlie had sleepovers Friday night so the house was quite calm and snugly with the little one having mommy all to herself. When I asked what I needed for the special date, all I was told was to bring money. With wallet in tow, Addison directed me where to drive in town to our first of many stops on her special mom's date she planned out for the two of us. Our first stop was lunch at Dutch Mother's because, "You're dutch and my mother!" 

Addison and I had a fabulous time playing menu games and chatting about life. I love how we are able to learn more about each other, build stronger bonds and expand our trust so we can be the friends we are, but also the parent I need to be to my beautiful oldest child. 

Next stop was Cheek's as I was given a gift card the day before from our friends Melissa & Michaela! (thank you!) With Addison's help I had a new dress to wear for Mother's Day. 

And of course being so close to other stores and having time before our next appointment, Addison instructed me to shop at the furniture store and antique store. We just window shopped but fun we had!

 Addison made it very clear we needed to be at Mane Style's at 1:30pm. We had a little under an hour so we stopped at Little Red Wagon and Starbucks for some liquid goodness. 

Next and final stop was getting manicures! What fun that was as Addi and I went girly together at the salon. She even used her gift certificate to help pay which I adore about this gal as she's a team player and understands the beauty behind the art of giving. I felt so incredibly blessed and loved by my daughter! 

When you wear many hats during the week, things can get complicated. Addison understands the importance behind my teacher hat, mommy hat, cleaning hat, and being Jesus to others hat. She sees the value behind blessing others to make them feel special and important. I love watching Addison grow into a Godly women, but I wish I could freeze time as the "tween" stage is nearing and attitudes may change. My prayer for Addi is that she would allow God to encompass everything she is and what she's going to be as she matures and grows into a beautiful child of God. I pray her sweetness never leaves and her compassion for others grows stronger. I pray for her future; the decisions she makes now as they reflect her tomorrows. I pray for her heart and mind to stay innocent and pure. 

I'm so overwhelmed with love for our Addi Jean. Thank you for our date!

 { All prettied up on our date! }

Here are a few pictures from Mother's Day! A day where I refuse to wash dishes and do laundry. A day to remember all the many sacrifices my mom makes for her children and how in that one act alone, has reflected in my parenting.  We were able to BBQ for my mom Saturday night and spend some time with my parents as we had plans for Sunday. Thank you Mom for the love you never stop showing to me, your family, and anyone you meet. Thank you for being the supporter, the encourager, the catcher, and awesome Nana to our kids! We love you so much!

 After playing with Charlie for awhile now, I'm proud to say I can actually make a hoop again! It's been awhile since my rock star days in middle school, but my son thinks I'm pretty cool so, WIN WIN!

Tim and Missy (his little sister) planned a surprise visit to Judy, who was 3 hours away at friends, as they walked through the door and made her day with grandkids in tow. The weather was gorgeous as we crossed over on the ferry and came home over the bridge. Heather and Allen were wonderful hosts as they opened their home to kids and extras, fed us, and allowed Myriam to toddler proof their kid-free home. The dogs were well-fed with plenty of vegetables and had days of exercise with games of fetch. Judy was overjoyed spending the afternoon with her son and daughter and we are happy to have made her day. It wasn't until we were almost home that I asked if Tim and Missy got a picture with their mother!!!  And no, they didn't!!! Next year…

Now it's Monday morning…the dishes that were stocked piled from yesterday are in the dishwasher, the laundry has been started, and kids fed. School will begin shortly and the vacuum will make an appearance as well sometime today. Back to routines again as it's Mom's Day every day here with the Broersma Five. 

Happy Mother's Day Mom's!

Mother's Day Came Early!!!

For way TOOOOOO many months I have been trying to bribe, force and coach Charlie into a haircut which Daddy strongly advised to do the opposite.  And, out of nowhere last night, as Daddy was getting his fingers tangled up in Charlie's blonde locks, he FINALLY gave me permission to CUT AWAY!!!!!     

I was ready to cut immediately even though it was bedtime, but we agreed to wait until the morning…and not a moment wasted. Cup one of coffee was consumed and the scissors came out!!!  Good bye long hair…hello handsome stud. I can see Chuckle's cute chubby cheeks again. So, if you ask me what I want for Mother's Day, my response would be, "It came early in the form of a haircut."

{ Most women are terrified to cut as much hair as what Charlie left on the salon floor this morning. }

 { Now to wait 5 weeks for another happy haircut. }