Sweet Smudges

No one told me to buy stock in Spray 'N' Wash or Oxy Clean before having children. 

With three Ladies and a Man Cub, I go through quite a bit of stain remover. I've tried many different kinds and sometimes revert to Dawn dish soap in my last attempts to salvage a shirt or pair of shorts. When all measures have been taken to bring an article of clothing back to life, with no victory of being clean, I'm not slow to find the trash can or donate pile. Yes, I donate stain clothing to Goodwill because every Mama needs a play clothes drawer. 

Our Littles have the uncanny ability to destroy anything fresh from the clean laundry pile in seconds once their bare feet hit the outside ground. Turns out the Little Ladies are more attracted to messes than the Man Cub. Becoming dirt fairies seems to be a favorite as they toss dirt in the air and watch it blow away, usually towards themselves first. Food never makes it in the mouth first - arms, legs, hair or face are the first point of contact when quieting ones hungry tummy. 

Make up has been of high interest and, even with child locks on bathroom drawers, some said Ladies can find it and create havoc to the always newly purchased lotion or eye shadow. I finally caved and thought buying play make-up brushes and cheap make-up would cure the need to use my own. I learned that the eye shadow and lipstick work great but I forgot to mention it only goes on the eyelids and lips. Although, when using Nana's twenty four hour lasting lipstick, Myriam always manages to apply it perfectly making her child-like lips appear grown up for days. 

 The reality is this:

Regardless of the mud smeared doors and windows, stained clothing and constant messes I clean up, these sweet faces can plant a messy smudge on Mama's cheeks any day. I've learned to let go of keeping things perfect because in the end, I'm just as much of a hot mess as my Little Ladies. 

Keep the dirt blowing...

 { Use a straw? That's too easy. }

 { Here a dirt, there a dirt, in and up the nose some dirt. }

 { Create - Happi - Mess. }

 { Sweet & Smudges. Keeps the body strong. }

{ Future make-up artists. }

13,870 Days

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

Psalm 139:16

This verse has become one that I park on often. 

I sit in my chair having conversations with God about why some people have fewer days than others and why far too many can't even take their first breath before already fulfilling their ordained amount of days destined to live. I can honestly say that if I knew how many days left I had to live, I would live differently. Don't fool yourself - you would do the same. 

I would take the time to update all the kids' scrapbooks (I'm a solid three years behind) and baby books (haven't even started Baylee's) writing them letters to read on their graduation day and wedding day (goals). I would organize my crap (it's called crafting; not crap) so others didn't have to filter through what I call treasure. I would travel with my family, take long walks with My Love, snuggle with my babies and stare at them all night long (yes, I would be creepy, weepy mom). I would sneak love notes throughout Tim's daily life so he would never forget his bride. 

The reality is God knew life would become exceedingly far too much if we all had an expiration date stamped on our life that we could track until completion. 

I officially have outlived my sister on this 38th birthday of mine. 

13,870 days old. 

I've lived 72 days longer than my big sister. 

Traci knew her days were growing shorter, but never did she stop living. 

She loved more. Laughed harder. Forgave quicker.

Death forces you to reevaluate your life. I've done more pondering, mediating and worshipping in the past year and half than I have in years. I've chosen to live like it could be my last. 

I chose the word pursue for my word this year. To pursue my family more fiercely,  to grow deeper in my faith, to pursue God's calling in my life more obediently and to learn to say no to noise and say yes to me. It's been an amazing year of growth and learning which has produced opportunities I never thought would be possible and challenges I never wanted to tackle. 

Today I celebrate the pursuit of life because I can with dark chocolate cupcakes, running shoes, Bible Study and my little blessings that can make me laugh and cry all in the same moment. I celebrate knowing I am loved deeply by a man I never thought I was deserving of and have a family that would follow me around the world. 

13,870 days of being loved well. 

I pray God grants me another day tomorrow so I can love even more, laugh even harder, fight for my dreams with more passion and seek God with no boundaries. I will live every day forward with the inspiration I gained from being loved by my sister; she made and still makes me a better person. 

Most importantly, I will live and celebrate knowing God pursued me long before I was even born, already having a purpose and passion calling placed in my life. 

I was no mistake. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14

Playtime at Lake Chelan

The first year our family traveled to Lake Chelan and camped at the Lake Shores RV Park was on my golden birthday in 1988. Great Aunt Betty had traveled with Grandma and Grandpa Van Dyken and along the years other family members joined the group family vacation. Aunt Cheryl's parents and nephews eventually began camping with the party and cousins were added as the years went on. 

My sister and I would attempt to defeat Gigi at a fierce game of Phase Ten or SkipBo while all the grown ups sat around reading. Bike rides or walks around the Riverwalk happened then and continued this year looking at the same ducks, walking the same route and rehashing the past memories of trips before. 

This camping tradition went all the way through my high school years and continued on as an adult. Addison's first year was when she was not quite a year old. Since then the family hasn't visited every year and my last visit was back in 2010. 

Trying to recreate a tradition is impossible when those you loved aren't here with you anymore. Grandma and Grandpa are passed, Great Aunt Betty took a rocket to heaven according to one of the kids she ministered to, Aunt Cheryl's mom has passed and Traci no longer spoils the kids at the donut shop or candy shack. The cousins are all grown up and our own kids now do all the entertaining. Vacation as a kid is fun and easy; carefree and spontaneous. Vacation as a parent is exhausting and busy; home-life squished into a twenty-five foot home on wheels. 

The memories I cherish from eight years of age forward will always be dear to me, but if I've learned anything over the past eighteen months, it's that you can't live in the past. You must move forward. 

So, with that, came a new year. 

A new trip to Lake Chelan with a different landscape and new faces. 

Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty joined us for the first time this year and cousin Chad brought his sweet girlfriend. Most stayed in the RV park, but others wanted the comforts of a regular shower, comfortable bed and space to breath when not all crammed inside of a trailer. (smart ones there) It was a new year; a chance at creating a new tradition. 

The cousins got along great as most often Ashlyn, the smallest of the group, chose to pull the two little girls in the wagon around the loop. The teenager only said she was bored a few times, Charlie had to be told not to spend all his money on candy and only a few times did Myriam make new friends when unattended.  Baylee sang Twinkle Twinkle throughout the camp ground on the back of Tim's bike, Charlie and I learned we're not so great at miniature golf, Addi enjoyed the first cup of coffee with Dad sitting outside bundled in blankets and Myriam got so many snuggles during rest time. Tim and I both came home relaxed and blessed from all the one on one time with each kid.

It was a great week and praise God we all got home safely to the piles of laundry awaiting detergent. 

Thank you Mom and Dad for making this possible!

{ From oldest to youngest: the Van Dyken cousins. }

{ Life guards they claim to be but Broersma and Van Dyken is what they be. }

Pencils Down; Schools Out

Shoe Size 8                                    Shoes Size 8.5
7th Grade Completed.

Addison's first day of school was not what I had prayed for when we decided to send her to a "real" school. I waited anxiously at the end of the driveway somewhat confused as how to fill my day without teaching any child. First year in seven years not homeschooling had me wondering around for awhile figuring out how to make a new routine. I could sense the tension before she even got close to the house; frustration powered her steps and once inside the tears poured for a few hours.
Fast forward to the last day of school and Addison now has a tight bond of friendships with her classmates, a walk with confidence built into each step and a grown up attitude that can be seen in how she speaks, holds herself with others and interacts with friends. I teared up picking the kids up on their last day of school reflecting on all that our baby girl had accomplished this past year. Her maturity, wisdom, diligence and responsibility is of high importance to her and to top it off her deep love for her family, gentle faith and dimpled smile greet us daily. It was all of these qualities that allowed Addison to complete her first year at ECS. We are so grateful to her teachers and friends that were apart of helping our daughter blossom this past year!

Shoes Size 7.5                                    Shoe Size 8
4th Grade Completed.

Our stud of a Man Cub did really well this past year. Charlie once again was ahead in math and always sought out extra credit each week. He loved recess first and socializing second. He didn't have the same love for reading, but that will come someday. It was so much fun to see how going from single to double digits changed the growth pattern of shoes, shorts and shirts that instantly became far too small. Charlie grew inches this past year and went through four pairs of shoes from all his activities. His favorite activities were flag football and basketball this past year with his current interest being guitar lessons. Charlie is a natural when it comes to music. We often catch him singing and rocking out to his favorite groups. He experienced his first concert this year watching Jordan Feliz; he was mesmerized by the lights and sound. Can't believe he'll be in middle school next year??? Addison and Charlie will now be in the same building...not sure that will be a good thing as this Man Cub loves to push his sisters buttons. 

Shoes Size 13                                     Shoe Size 1

Kindergarten Completed.

I honestly don't even know where to start with our Myriam. The beginning of the year was extremely rocky as plans that were made exiting preschool didn't mature into reality the first day of school. Different teacher, bus was a no show, and other programs not in place to support Myriam's school year. It was stressful to say the least. We continued to visit our friend Micah weekly which gave us a great tool to bridge the gap at school. It wasn't until after Christmas that Myriam finally achieved felt safety (a fairly important part of any kiddo working through anxiety, sensory, RAD and ADHD.) This was in main part due to Myriam's aid who became a new favorite person in our eyes. Mrs. Karb endured many attitudes, behaviors, emotions and even punishment following the days she missed at school. Myriam made such healthy attachment to this angel of an aid that she would get mad if she had to get a substitute instead of the real deal! 

The teachers at Fisher are all incredible and we give them so much gratitude for being apart of the progress made this last year. Some days were met with thumbs down or text messages stating she was coming in hot, but regardless, they made me feel supported as the parent and did a great job in reassuring me the day was going well post drop off. We are beyond proud and joyful of what our Myriam accomplished this year. Most days she worked so hard making the right choices and doing her best that she'd fall asleep on our two minute car ride home or crash on the couch once home.

When it came time for Myriam to walk into her Kindergarten graduation, the girl waved like a princess to every single parent until she landed eyes with Mom and Dad followed by cheerful delight.  No surprise to us when she started making multiple different faces, but thankfully had no other shenanigans on stage. Fisher was exactly where she needed to be this year and we are thankful for her amazing team of teachers and aids that walked this last year with Myriam. 

Now to secure Mrs. Karb for next year...

{ Class of 2030 }

A Just Us Recap

{ The Just Us Team: Broersma's, Petersen's & Van Mersbergen's }

It's hard to put into words what was accomplished this spring in La Conner, WA. With forty NCCTK couples present, we managed to saturate the small town with crazy laughter, new friendships, active connection between spouses, the ability to have fun while competing and in the evening cutting it up on the dance floor. 

The Just Us Getaway was created to provide NCCTK couples the platform to meet other church couples, the ability to date each other and to fellowship in a non-threatening marriage environment all while laughing and having fun. Everything terrifying about a marriage seminar was removed and replaced with ease, welcoming smiles, no homework or uncomfortable moments of confessing your failures to your spouse, freedom in the schedule and optional events to take part in that again provided connection. 

Many marriages have forgotten how to date, or what it's like to date each other, because simply stated, marriage is hard and some don't have the flexibility to not work on their relationship. The idea of setting aside the stress and challenges that so often accompany a couple is, and was, a very refreshing thought. 

The Just Us Getaway surpassed every vision and goal we had laid out for the weekend. It was beyond fulfilling to see random couples connecting that have never met before and yet have attended the same service for years together; to hear deep belly laughter as Tim introduced our speaker. To walk into an establishment after our first Gathering and see a room crowded with double, triple dates; laughter bouncing off every wall brought such satisfaction. 

Every part of the weekend provided a success including Just Us Church as we watched the live stream after our own worship led by Joel. 

Nothing of this nature goes without help and the Just Us Team made it possible. From those behind the scenes to those fashioning the Just Us tees, (thanks Jessica!) there are many thank yous and shout outs to be told.

The design team at NCCTK outdid themselves with patience and creativity in all our printable needs.

Wood's Coffee provided the caffeine for the entire weekend both morning and evening.

Local businesses stepped up with over 40 items donated for game prizes and random give aways; all of which encouraged the date to be continued once home.

Sean Taylor provided the beat for our Throw Back Prom.

Mark Warren spoke at our Gatherings and provided personality tests to couples

who had never done such a thing. 

The Oliver's donated their time by filming the weekend so we'd have a digital footprint to remember the weekend by.

Many baked delicious treats to sweeten the snack table.

It truly was a team effort in assembling this getaway. It is a blessing to work with a church that supports and stands behind marriages with such intensity. To have the church promoting healthy marriages, active engagement with each other and moments to deepen the relationship is a true gift to the couples and also their families. 

Ultimately, the thanks and glory goes to God who, in the beginning, decided that man should not be alone. He knew that man would need a helper.

Even if it's a helper in the car...

{ Tim introduced our speaker and shared a few suggestions of possible topics he could give insight into...all of which he stated were examples from his own marriage. It was ten minutes of testimony videos that had the room rolling in laughter. }

{ The La Conner Channel Lodge and La Conner Country Inn were our gracious hosts. }

Sweet Sixteen

Together for nineteen years; married for sixteen.

We love nothing more than to disgust our kids with a kiss.

We know very well what makes the other one tick.

We finish each others thoughts and sentences.

As much as a night away sounds enjoyable, we both would rather fall asleep in our bed that has a permanent crease from holding each other all night long. 

We're blessed with memories filled with air miles and suitcases and never would imagined that we'd have the amazing tribe we're responsible for in our home. 

There have been days where liking the other was harder than loving, but at the end of the day, I would want nothing other than just us.

You and me.

Happy Anniversary to Us.

A Mother's Day Road Trip

Road trips. Not my favorite. 

If planned well, they can be tolerable.
Making sure you have ample car snacks is key to any road trip... that, and not scratched DVDs if possible! We loaded up on Starbucks and headed south on I-5 after the kids got home from school, managing to avoid most traffic, where we finally made it to our destination of Seaside, OR. Our heads hit the pillow just a little before midnight. It's a parenting success when you can transfer multiple sleeping kids to their own beds. Win. 

With full bellies from the nothing special breakfast at the Pig 'N' Pancake, our tribe made our way to feed the seals and play on the beach. Two must do's when visiting the ocean side town; breakfast special and the Aquarium. The seals are hilarious to watch as they show off for snacks, slapping their tummies and barking for attention. Always entertaining no matter your age.
From there the kids spun in circles on the carousel followed by time with the big kid (Daddy) in the arcade. Later that day we headed a little further south to Depoe Bay...things have changed slightly since we were there last...some had hair, others had shorter hair and no ring grazed my finger. We look like babies.

{ Notice I caught the bigger fish. }