Jesus' promise

 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20)

 In baptism God now claims us in Christ marks us as his own people,
and seals our membership in God's covenant community, the church.
Baptism is the covenant sign that God frees us
from the power of sin and death,
uniting us with Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection.
By water and the Holy Spirit we are washed clean from sin.
God's grace in baptism calls us to give ourselves to him
in trust, love, and obedience.



Theodore was able to be baptized in the outfit that Jim's parents chose for him to be baptized in



 Our 3 beautiful miracles that God has entrusted to us

 Jim and I are so thankful to have wonderful family that have modeled God's promises and goodness, and support us and our children in our walks with God.

Yesterday Jim and I, along with the girls, stood in front of church and watched Theodore get baptized. We were blessed to have 3 rows filled with family and friends, and our church family be there to support us and promise to do the same for Theodore. I'm in awe that God is so great, and good. What a wonderful day!  We finished it off with a potluck lunch in the basement of our church.  It was the perfect place when I realized there were 14 kids under the age of 4 with us!  Oh yeah, keeping in CRC tradition ham on buns were served ....revamped for the new generation. 

Ghosts and Goblins

Well actually we had a skeleton, bee, witch, cow, and a dalmation. Our kids got a double dose of trick or treating this year. Since Halloween was on a Sunday each neighborhood decided when they were going to celebrate. Saturday night we went to the Damstra's, and Sunday night they came here. Each neighborhood seemed to be just perfect for our kids ages.
Lucy had asked and asked to be a witch this year, so it was pretty exciting when I picked her up from school one day with a witch costume hanging in the back. Kadence had helped me shop, and picked out her cow costume. TJ didn't care what he was, and I believe he slept through everything.
The witch was not complete without her "beauty marks"

Night 1: Getting ready to go around the Damstra's neighborhood. They all seemed very into it, and loved going from house to house.

again, TJ slept through it all, with his thumb, all snuggled up against Joe Westra. Could it be possible to have 3 thumb suckers??

Night 2 : attempt at a picture, at least all 4 of them are in the frame (my favorite part of Kady's costume were her cow buns...check them out!)

Lucy was still very into it....Kadence would have been content to eat all her candy as we went, only getting out of her stroller if her pumpkin had nothing left in it

What a life....Max and Ty enjoying some of their loot as well

Perfect fall weather

How could you not spend almost everyday outside this fall?

taking a family walk to the park

I love all the colors of the leaves, and the sounds they make as you walk through them

The girls and their makeup

The Saturday night before we met up with the Engbers and Gritters at Rivertown to let the kids play, and to eat some dinner.....the mall was crazy. We spent a little time at the tree house, on the carousel, and at the cars. All in all we survived, but decided that next time we'd choose some one's house and order some pizza!

Lovin' fall

Sunday October 10

My mom and dad hosted a get together at their house while Gib and Ruth were in town. It was fun to see everyone again, show off the newbies, and just enjoy what a gorgeous fall we have been having. Jovie would have been perfectly ok to snuggle with babies all day long!
Aunt Carrie and Theodore

cutest lil boy I ever did see

loving it!

The Cochran version of a hayride...the kids loved it, and the trailer was full....we even got some lawn chair action in on it

Simon and Grandpa

Poco the pony needs to get readjusted to life with kids again. Thanks for being so brave Lucy!

What's a day on the funny farm without some tractor racing???

hold on Justice....I think the girls just took the lead!

Grandpa with the 2 newbies, 3 weeks old

The Hoek's

We took a quick road trip to Nashville/Brentwood to see Brian Hoek get hitched! It was great to get away and catch up with so many old friends. TJ came along (he was just 4 weeks old), and we left the girls at my parents house for the weekend. I LOVE hanging out with the Byma's and the Hinderer's! (PS...Dan and Jen ignored the memo of what to wear...Blue pin stripes for the men, and turquoise for the women). Doesn't Theodore look like a little stud in his sweater vest??? I am loving little boy clothes!

October 16, 2010The ceremony was at Brian's parent's house. It was a beautiful 70 degree fall day in TN. Arron was a beautiful bride, and it was nice to finally meet who had finally stolen Brian's heart!

Daddy and TJThe "boyz"

Brian even took a turn holding him. TJ was a perfect little angel. He slept pretty much the entire time we were there (except for the getting up every 2 hours at night), and there and back in the car. He woke up to eat, and that was it.

A rare picture of just Jim and I

Our precious cargo (like this for the entire 10 hours there and back)

Fall preschool memories

I was able to go with Lucy on her first field trip to Koetsier's greenhouse. (have I mentioned I love maternity leave?) I loved to see Lucy with all of her friends and teachers whom she cannot stop talking about when she gets home! We love Ada Christian!
Lucy and Susan duck racing at Koetsiers

Mrs. Boot giving instructions to the class

The hayride

Daddy and Lucy at pumpkin carving night! The theme was Jesus loves me and you can't see the heart and cross on either side of the pumpkin, but they did such a good job!

Sleep, oh my, what is that anymore? Someone needs to tell TJ that 1.5 to 3 hours is not enough time inbetween feedings at night. That is especially true when I'm up with him for 45 minutes of that 1.5 hours. Needless to say this post is not about how I'm sleeping...because life does, and has not stopped because of it. I love being home....just will be thankful for the day that I feel almost rested. This little part is because I'm hoping to excuse anything that doesn't make sense, is spelled incorrectly, etc, etc from now until he's 5!

Grown up halloween

I can't believe Jim and I didn't get a picture together. If you ever wondered what Jim looked like with hair, here he is. I wish I got a picture of his face..the sunburned spring breaker!


and the winner is.....dubtee

The hosts: Matt and Lesley

all the girls

showing off her moves

The Ghents and Nagelkirks