Check out my daughter's blog.

I didn't even realize that she notice... go read, it's short.

What a beautiful group of Grandkids!

Back row: Brandon (nephew), Zack (son), Emily (niece), Derek (nephew), Desmond (nephew)
Front row: Libby (daughter), Kaylyn (daughter), Kendra (niece), Anna (daughter)

Warning:Spoiler Alert for Christmas Eve Service

Don't watch this if you are going to be attending Lighthouse church tonight because it is a sneak preview of what Libby will be singing tonight at church. It is a song by Francesca Battistelli called "You're Here".

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy this special time with family and friends and know that God loves you!

Snow Day Fun

Per Cheri's request.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

And a bonus one for fun.... (if it works)I removed it since it wasn't working correctly.

A picture for Kat

I noticed that in this picture of Emily I got my "Christmas headboard" in the background. I got this idea form Kat and Mark really likes it also. I think I will be doing this every year. Thanks Kat for sharing this idea!

Christmas Program

Here is Libby saying her verse at our Christmas program Sunday. The kids all did such a great job.

Singing songs.

Wordless acting.

Being still.

Watching.

Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

TimberWolf

It is going to be hard to pick what pictures to share but I will try to limit it. We had so much fun this weekend on our youth group retreat to TimberWolf Lake. We spent most the weekend indoors thanks to the blizzard that we were living in but it was still a great time.

Here is a picture of the dorms we stayed in. Each dorm has 8 cabins in them and each cabin has it's own bathrooms and sleeps about 16.

Here is a picture from the 2nd floor inside the dorm looking over the "hang out" area.

Some of the kids hanging out on the second floor.

Here is Anna and our fearless youth pastor Brandon.

We ate really well. We were always served family style with as many refills as we needed. It was really good food.

This was a little payback from Anna to Cody for throwing her in the snowbank earlier.

Ice cream, coffee, and candy. Just what they needed to keep the leaders up all night. lol!

A performance from "Mega Man".

What High Schooler wouldn't want to go bobbing in a pan of flour for marshmallows?

Anna and Jordan climbing the rock wall.

Anna and Jordan again at lunch.

Taylor in the news.

Continued great news on Taylor.

French Toast Sticks and Hope

Posted 7 minutes ago

Sorry this is coming a bit late. I actually wrote an update several hours ago, but evidently got distracted before I posted it, and lost it. Taylor ate a full breakfast of french toast sticks this morning (wolfed em right down) and as a result, got to have his tube feeding discontinued. He later also got his central line taken out in anticipation for his procedure tomorrow to have an automatic defibrillator implanted (similiar to a pacemaker, about the size of a quarter). He had 2 MRI's this am, which we are awaiting the results of. Taylor went for a walk today as well, or should I call it a sprint? I had to fast walk to catch up. He also was on the computer and logged on to his facebook, so you in the younger crowd can check that out. Taylor has as his goal to sit on the bench for the first HHS basketball game next week. From his lips to God's ears! Amazingly, barring any further complication, I don't see this as an unreasonable goal. Praise God for his mercy. We serve a God of grace and mercy.

Amazing!

updates from Sara on Taylor's condition over the night. God is good!

"hello" and "Just look at you God!"

Posted 8 hours ago

Taylor just got his vent/breathing tube gastric drain tube completely out. He continues to breathe well on his own. The nurse asked him to try to say "hi" or something and he whispered a husky "hello". Our dear friend Vanika prophesied during a prayer just yesterday that we would be saying "Just look at you, God!". Vanika, you were so right...I would like us all to say a collective "Just look at you, God!" He has done more than we could ever ask or imagine. We still have an incredible road ahead, but we never could have predicted the miraculous events of today. For all of you out there posting and praying, I also say, "Just look at you!" You will never know the depth of our gratitude for your caring and prayers.

interesting turn of events

Posted 1 hour ago

Well, we have gone from thrilled that Taylor opened his eyes, to Taylor fighting with his mom about having to be in the hospital. One of the sedating drugs he had, wiped away the memory of all of the trauma of why he is here. Taylor is stating "But I'm healthy! " Praise God his personality is intact-the teenage one that blames mom for all things that are unfair-...but yet we need prayers that he will accept the fact that he will need to remain here for some time for the tests and assessments to determine the cause of the cardiac arrest.

Taylor update #3.

From his care page:

God is HERE!!!!!!

Posted 18 minutes ago

The greatest news EVER, just happened. Taylor opened his eyes on command and also squeezed the nurses hand. A bit earlier, he sort of startled when Coach Chapman came in, but we think it is because he felt badly for missing practice. : ) The next few hours will be rough, as he will likely start coughing and have confusion as to why he is here and why there is a big tube breathing for him. Nurses want only mom and dad in the room with him for the next while. We are dancing for joy. Thank you, thank you, thank you Great God!

An update on Taylor.

Here’s the latest update on Taylor: Please continue to pray as the Lord’s hand is reveled step by step today.

Warming up

Posted 10 minutes ago

Earlier this morning, Taylor's cooling mat was removed, as he has been cooled to approx. 91 degrees for 36+ hours. The next step is for him to warm back up!. Once he is warmed again, only 1 more degree celsius to go, they will start to reduce his paralytic medicines, and depending on his response to that, also some of his sedatives. He is having all of his EEG electodes removed as I write, so that will eliminate some of the many wires dominating him. He will begin tube feeding later today so that his nutritional status will remain strong----sorry Taylor no pizza, hotdogs, or Mike and Ikes for you for a while! We are still vigilantly waiting, prayerfully waiting, and hopefully waiting. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and postings, it really is an encouragement to me during this time. When Taylor wakes up, he will have each and every one read to him.

Please pray for Taylor

Taylor is my sister and brother-in-law's nephew. Yesterday morning at a basketball scrimmage he went into cardiac arrest. I don't want to put out more information then the family wants so I will just copy what is on his care page so far.

Today Taylor experienced cardiac arrest following some scrimmages with the Holland High Varsity Boys Basketball team at Northview High School at around 12:30. An alert referee and also a Spectrum Health recovery nurse who happened to be in the stands immediately began CPR. Taylor came via ambulance to Spectrum/Butterworth. Taylor was still unconscious when mom (me) and Jaime arrived, but did moan a bit, when I talked with him. Taylor was brought to the Pediatric ICU and put on a ventilator and sedated. They started a central line and also connected him to any number of monitors, eeg's ect. Taylor is currently being cooled down and is sedated and artificially "paralyzed" for the next few days. At this point a large concern is swelling on the brain, seen on CT scan, related to the lack of Oxygen during his arrest. Echo's show a strong heart, with normal rhythm at this point. He is unable to respond due to his sedation, but is being talked to and prayed with. If he remains stable through the next few days, more testing will commence on Monday am. We covet your prayers and are believing in a miracle for Taylor. At this point he is very critically ill, but the God who watches over us is a mighty God. To Him be all the glory!

Saturday am

Posted 29 minutes ago

Taylor did very well last night. His heart rate was falling, and blood pressure was rising for a while, but they added a blood pressure med and that has stabilized things quite a bit. He remains on his paralytic and sedating medicines, so he is not conscious at all, but that is a good thing right now. He has 6 iv pumps, brain and heart monitors and a ventilator, so to see him is very sobering and sad, but I know that Taylor, the REAL Taylor is still in there, despite all of the hardware and equipment. The hope and prayer is that he will remain stable over the next 36 hours or so, and then they will wean him off of his sedatives to see what kind of consciousness he will regain. We are not able to be given any prognosis medically at this time, which is frustrating and scary, but our God is in complete control, and there is nobody we can trust more.
For those of you who wonder how to help, to be honest, I am in no state of mind to even know. I can only say, of course pray, but if you are feeling like you want to do anything else, I would just encourage you to go for it. I have no idea when I will even be able to go home at this point. Odd thoughts came to me as I was trying to grab some sleep last night, in terms of helping. HHS basketball team is selling discount restaurant coupons and I realized Taylor wouldn't be able to sell his...so it would be great if you'd grab a player and buy one (isn't that wierd, that is what I thought of?) I think they are $20. Right now, my general feeling is "Life has changed". But I don't know how, or to what extent. The nurse asked me just now what is my goal for Taylor. I responded, "For him to regain consciousness". He is such an amazing kid. All I can think about is seeing his quiet smile again.

Wordless Wednesday - Thanksgiving past

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Enough said?

Following Mari

I got this award from Mari...
Thank you Mari!

Then she also did a Book Meme today so I figured "why not join in" since my brain isn't working for thinking of my own ideas anyway this morning. I love run on sentences, don't you?

So here are the Meme rules: Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, turn to page 56. Write the 5th sentence, as well as 2-5 sentences following that.

Press arrows on the control button to select the item you want to set. Press 0 to enter the setting. Turn off the setup screen, press MENU.

Can you figure out the book that was closest to me? The manual for my camera because I still haven't been able to get the flash to work, the error sign to go away, and stop the batteries from being drained at lightening speed. Grrr. I have done what it tells me to do and it says if it doesn't fix it I need to find a "local authorized Sony service facility". Bummer!

Have a great Saturday!
Smiles!

Praise and Coffee Night Report

Kim and I were welcomed at the door with a huge hug from Sue! What a wonderful way to start the evening.


Here is Sue introducing us to Karen and "pointing out" that lady with the really strange blog title. LOL! For any of you that haven't heard the explanation yet, Zaankali was created using the first 2 letters of each of my four children's names.


Sue invited us sit at the "blog" table. It was such a blessing to meet Deborah and her mother Jody. Deborah grew up in Michigan but married an Australian man 2 years ago and now lives in Australia. She was here visiting her mom for Thanksgiving. Deborah found Sue's blog while in Australia. Isn't it crazy the way God arranges things?


Here is Sue "live" with Mel. Mel was hosting a Praise and Coffee Night down in Florida. Mel's group picked the numbers for our groups door prizes. Too fun!


Karen came and spoke for us. Karen has written books for mom's. She has a very calming presence about her and it was a delight to hear from her what God had to share with us.

By the way Karen, I love your jacket and you looked beautiful in it.


Sue is just as sweet as her blog. She has a huge heart and it was a joy to get to meet her in person. Kim is going to see about having a Praise and Coffee Night close to home and Sue has agreed to come up and share at it. What fun that will be! We are thinking we need to find somewhere bigger than Beans to Brew here in Allendale.


Thank you Sue for stepping out and starting this up. It was a wonderful night!

Status Report

Got this post idea from Lisa @ Lisa writes.

Sitting...at the kids computer.

Drinking...coke. I know, I know I am supposed to have given it up but it is creeping back into my life.

Feeling...excited about Praise and Coffee Night tonight.

Wondering... if my headache will go away so that I can fully enjoy myself.

Figuring out...what I will wear tonight for the special occasion.

Reading...The Shack. I am just not very motivated to finish it.

Dreading...Christmas shopping. I am very excited for Christmas this year.

Honored...to have been entrusted with the care of four of God's precious children.

Pondering...what life will be like next year with my first child in college.

Wordless Wednesday-Grrr!

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Wondering what Twitter is?

Here is an excellent video that explains what Twitter is.



Find me on Twitter here.
Warning: It's addicting.

He knows I love them!

What does my sweetheart do before he leaves for the weekend to hunt? He brings me roses and not just any old color roses but yellow roses. Do you know why I prefer yellow roses? Because they represent friendship and I love knowing that I am my husband's best friend. He also brought home mint chocolate chip ice cream for me to enjoy while he is gone. He knows it is my favorite and he doesn't like it. He's a keeper!

Here is a bit of what Florapedia says about yellow roses...

A bouquet of yellow roses now brings to mind all of the sunny, cheerful feelings of warmth and happiness. In contrast to the romantic meanings attributed to other roses, the yellow rose is purely a symbol for friendship. This gives it a unique place in the pantheon of roses. Yellow roses can send the perfect message of appreciation and platonic love without the romantic subtext of other colors. They can represent feelings of joy and delight, and are an ideal way to brighten someone's day who may be feeling down. There is perhaps no other flower that is able to bring out a smile in quite the way that a yellow rose can.

That is true for me!

Smiles!

Big scary Zack....

I just couldn't resist. Emily thinks Zack is big and scary. Poor Zack just keeps on trying to get her to not see him as scary.
Some day Zack just keep working on her.

Please ignore the annoying voice on the video. Wink!

I am THAT kid

Just an FYI for those of you that had been following Anna's old blog, she started a new one. You can find her at I am THAT kid.

12 Days of Junkie

Tip Junkie is having a 12 Days of Junkie where there will be 2 winners announced each day for the next 12 days!

It's to help promote the women who are selling their products in the Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon. So be sure to head on over to Tip Junkie and enter the contest and check out all the amazing gift-giving possibilities in the shop-a-thon!

Help me find this...

Melissa, being the caring girl she is, knew Kaylyn was concerned about her first allergy shots. Since she wasn't able to go along she let Kaylyn borrow her necklace as a reminder that she was thinking about her and praying for her shots to go well. This meant a lot to Kaylyn. So you can imagine how terrible Kaylyn feels about losing it. Kaylyn was running late for the bus and she had the necklace in her hand, when she got to school she realized that she didn't know where it was. We have searched the house and the driveway and Kaylyn asked the bus driver to look for it also but no luck. I would like to replace this for Melissa but I don't know where to begin to find it. I believe she got it on a vacation in Pennsylvania. Please let me know if you have seen this being sold anywhere. Edited to add: Kaylyn just told me that on the tag it says "A friend loves at all times."

Have I told you how wonderful she is?

Look what Mari just surprised me with!?!?!? A homemade apple pie! I am beside myself. I can't tell you what a blessing this is to me. I am allergic to apple peels and it has gotten so bad over the past year that I don't even like peeling apples because my hands break out. I haven't made anything with apples in over a year. I used to make apple pie for my family but it just isn't worth the discomfort of my hands anymore and if I touch my eyes after touching apples I am running for eye drops. I can eat apples if they are peeled without any problem though. I can't wait to finish my dinner so I can dig into that pie. It is still warm!

Thank you so much Mari, you are a blessing!

Wordless Wednesday - Emily

(photo credit: ANNA {sorry Anna, I seen Kaylyn with the camera} Hill-14)

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Three teenagers, say it isn't so!

It is official. Wednesday Kaylyn turned 13 so I am now the mother of 3 teenagers. She was quick to "calm" my stress by stating that I will never be the mother of 4 teenagers though. Zack will turn 20 before Libby turns 13. That really doesn't help. We celebrated her birthday with my family on Sunday.

Note the Sponge Bob pants. She made it her "theme" for the day.


Kaylyn likes to decorate her own cake. Can you see who is on it? Yep, more Sponge Bob. The funny part is we don't have cable television so my kids have never watched Sponge Bob at our house.


I like this picture. This is my mom and her brother. Do they look like siblings?


Then Kaylyn was going camera crazy with Emily so here she is being held by my dad with my mom looking on.

Happy Birthday Kaylyn!

Are you ready for some Football!

Zack, Coach Sloterbeek and his wife Dawn, Coach Cataldo and myself all went to an MSU football game today courtesy of MSU.

I should take this moment to tell you all that Zack has verbally committed to MSU and we couldn't be more happy for him. We have a second generation Spartan in the house. Woot, Woot!

We headed out early this morning and met up with MSU throws coach John Newell so that he could give Zack's HS coaches a short tour before the game of the campus and show them where Zack will be working out.

The game had a noon kick-off. It was such an intense game between MSU and Wisconsin. The score was close the entire game but MSU pulled out a victory in the last 12 seconds with a field goal to make the final score 25-24. That is some great football! If you have never been to a college football game and felt the excitement in a football stadium I am here to tell you it is incredible. I love college football. Fun times!

Coach Sloterbeek and Zack

Zack and Coach Cataldo

Zack and the final score, if you click on the picture you can see the scoreboard.

Can you relate?

I read this over at Chrysalis and thought it was just too funny to not share again. You should head on over and see the picture she posted with it.

Humor: 10 Ways To Know if You Have Estrogen Issues

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.

2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.

3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.

4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything
you say.

5. You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: "How's my driving? Call 1-800…"

6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.

7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from "outer space."

8. Um. Number eight is missing.

9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.

10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

Kat Boo-ed me!

Guess What? I've been Boo-ed by Kat at Just a Beach Kat!

Here are the rules: "Go to as many friends as you want and tell them they've been Boo-ed." Have them link back to your blog to pick up their Halloween treat (picture) and tell them to Boo their friends. (Then put the picture in your side bar so everyone knows you've already been Boo-ed and to send the picture to someone else.) Are you scared yet!!??

Gotta run...I've got some booing to do!

Smiles!

Has it really been that long?

I was a little shocked to see that I hadn't posted since last Friday. Wow! Time flies when you are busy. I wanted to let you in on a book giveaway that Lisa @ The Preachers Wife is having.

Go check it out!
Smiles!

Look who's here...

Watching Emily today and she showed up looking so cute this morning...

Free Taco Anyone?

Click on the picture to go to the press release.

Fans can visit any participating Taco Bell location on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (local time) and claim their free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco.

Sounds like a nice surprise snack for the kiddos after school.

Smiles!