I may not have the newest house, or latest things.  I may have thought my house would be bigger and better by now.  I may have clutter in every corner (and dust as well).  I may not have the "things", I thought I would.  I may shop at thrift stores and garage sales, my "things" may not have a label.  But I have learned that the best "things" in life, are NOT things.  I had wonderful pregnancies and 2 healthy, beautiful children.  I was able to nurse them until they were both a year old, I was able to be 100% "theirs" for the first 3 months of their lives,  Their Grandparents have all been a huge part of their lives, going FAR above and beyond the call of duty.  Obviously believing in the philosophy "it takes a village to raise a child" and we couldn't be more grateful, nor would we be able to have this without them.  It has been truly amazing to watch Derek transform into the caring, had-working, fun-loving, gentle, thoughtful, inspiring man/husband/father that he is.  He has taken caring for his family to heart and because of that I am able to be a nurse part-time and be a mommy full-time.  Our kids are happy, healthy, loving, GOOD kids!

      These things I was thinking on the 1st day of volunteering in Ethan's classroom this week.  I was SO incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be involved.  I know I won't be able to make it to all the activities, go on all of the field-trips etc..., but as I sat there in the hallway, in a chair way to small for my rear, I couldn't help but think of all parents who would never know, what I know.  Who would never get to feel THIS!  The Lord has blessed us in more ways then we can imagine, and if we are never able to afford the bigger house in the newer neighborhood, that's just fine with me!!

A big catch up...well, sort of

Sweet Miss Addy

Ethan and his new BFF, Jake, on of our 80 degree early spring days.

Ethan trying to catch his ice cream

Addy and Daddy on Easter

Ethan and Jake at the Tulip Time parade this year

Jake's little brother, Caleb, is one week older then Addison and quite fond of her too!  Maybe...

Our first camping trip May 18-21st at Holland State Park (we wanted to be close to home just in case).  It was a huge success!!  The kids (and Mommy and Daddy) loved it!  Thank goodness the trailer has air conditioning though, I can't believe 90 degree temps in mid May!

Addy wanted to be just like her big brother and REFUSED to put a shirt on!

At the park!

Ethan peeking through the tunnel slot

Happy boy!

Loving the camp fire!

Ethan and Mrs Saur on his last day of pre-school.  So bittersweet.  He had her for 2 years and she was just wonderful!

Addison blowing  bubbles at Ethan's end of the year party

Ethan's preschool class

Best Buds!

So Sweet!

I can hardly believe that it's been almost a year since my last entry!  Time flies!  Well, I've missed a few seasons, but here's my grand attempt at a catch up!

Ethan and Addison are growing up so fast and are just so much fun!  I can hardly stand to be away from them!  Ethan has learned so much in preschool and is looking forward to Kindergarten!  I'm a little unsure with Kindergarten changing to all day/every day now.  I think that's a little too much for a 5y/o, it will be a big adjustment for sure!  His new passion is cooking!  He love, love, loves to help in the kitchen!  He's always asking if he can help me "make" something.  He also loves to watch cooking shows on tv, his favorite chef is Ina of the Barefoot Contessa!  Derek and I really enjoy watching too!

Addison is talking up a storm!  She's just as sassy as she is sweet and boy does she have a mind of her own!  She adores her big brother and wants to do everything like him.  She's fearless as well.  Ethan was always so cautious, not her!!  We took her pacifier away about a month ago and since then she has boycotted her afternoon naps....she actually does really well w/o one, but it was nice to have that down time in the afternoon.  It's also so surprising b/c Ethan would still take naps up to 4!  Oh well, guess our afternoons will be busy, busy, busy this summer!!

Derek and I just bought a camper and we couldn't be more excited!  It's a 31' Jayco, with 2 slide outs and one set of bunk beds.  The kids LOVE it!  We did our first camping trip a couple weeks ago and everything went great!  We can't wait to go again and are busy planning out the rest of the summer!!  I hope to stay on top of our adventures this summer!