1st annual levi day

the idea was first inspired by the fact that our kids' birthdays fall during the wintertime when it is harder to find special things to do. we thought it would be fun to designate a special day for each of our kids during the warmer season and go and do something just with them that they would really enjoy. as we thought it over a bit more, we thought it would be extra special if daddy were to take at least part of the day off and be the one to take them on their special excursion. this year, at least, this will also include a backyard campout with daddy the night before.

levi lives and breathes anything with wheels and a motor. the other day, out of the blue, he came up to me and said, "mommy, i want a motorcycle on my birthday cake." (his birthday is in january.) we considered several different options of things to do along these lines for his special day--the raceway (probably too loud for a 3 year old), a car show (probably not as exciting to him if the cars are just sitting there)... and finally decided on Craig's Cruisers, where he can actually drive in a racecar for himself!

after a night in the tent, the guys first headed off for a donut breakfast, then took a nature walk and even caught a frog along the way, and then went to Craig's Cruisers. levi was thrilled to ride in a racecar with daddy, and was also excited to report that he had won a lollipop and a bouncy ball in the arcade. it was so fun to see his face absolutely beaming from having such a special time with just him and his dad.

we ended the day with a special cake... and it even had a motorcycle on top. :)

one.org

went to church with my sister yesterday, and the pastor was talking a bit about social justice and poverty... two topics that always seem to get my blood flowing... i guess that's why i was a social work major in college. he directed us to a website that i hadn't known of before, but am glad i do now. it is the ONE campaign--please check it out and please consider signing the declaration. until you have been overseas and seen first-hand how other parts of the world live, you may have no idea just how wealthy most of us really are in this country. this just offers a way for your voice to be heard on behalf of the poor.

too cute

background: a few months ago, miriam learned the word "melancholy" while we were reading Because of Winn-Dixie. in the story, the word is used and defined as meaning "sad". (keep that in mind as you read the following story.)

last night, matt was talking with levi and miriam before bed. since levi has to be reminded nightly to stay in bed if wants to avoid being punished, matt was refreshing his memory that that would be "owie"... levi added, "yeah, and that would be sad"... and then miriam chimed in: "yeah, AND that would be LEMON-choly!"

psalm 9:9-10

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

puddle riding & creek wading

i love where we live. it's certainly not the most beautiul neighborhood around, but the location is so great for us right now. we are minutes from matt's work, our church, and the grocery store. there are several parks, Zeeland Schools' nature preserve area, and Zeeland Schools' athletic field complex all within walking distance from our house. on a good day, we can also walk downtown, to the library, or even to Captain Sundae. :) in the spring, the middle school marching band makes its rounds down our street almost daily (practicing). this time of year, the high school marching band starts practicing their half-time show, so sometimes we catch that, too, if we are walking over in that area. we also try to walk over and catch a peek at Uncle John's football games now and then--their season will be in full swing soon. we have great neighbors, having gotten to know quite a few of them over the past two years. and, for being in town, we have a decent-sized backyard with lots of shade. now, if only the house were a bit bigger...!

this morning the kids and i took advantage of a break in the heat wave and walked/biked to the elementary school parking lot at the end of our street. miriam and levi made quite a splash riding through any and every puddle they could find. we then continued on down the bike trail to the creek. usually we just toss a few pebbles in or take a mini-hike down the foot path leading through the woods along the creek. but today, with the waters running a bit higher and swifter after this morning's rain, i decided to let them wade in from a clearing just off the beaten path. they thought it was great, and levi informed me that he wants to do that again very soon! we made it home just before another downpour!

nyco

a couple saturdays ago matt and i drove to kalamazoo to meet up with an old friend, jess, and her new husband, sam. we met and became very good friends with jess and jamie, her first husband, while in australia. just after we left australia, jamie was diagnosed with acute leukemia and died a few months later. jess and their 3 children then returned to the states (they were mid-westerners like us, which is partly why we instantly clicked), and just over a month ago she was re-married. (obviously i am condensing the story QUITE a bit.) they now live in chicago where sam teaches guitar lessons and is in a band called nyco. hence, nyco's new release as my music feature.

matt

may 6, 1985 - august 1, 2001 (5 yrs ago today)

"i have fought the good fight, i have finished the race, i have kept the faith." --2 timothy 4:7

these are the lyrics to a song i wrote last year in my brother's memory.

Until Then (Matt's Song) written February 14, 2005

There’s an empty spot in the picture on my windowsill-- It reminds me of the hole that can never be filled-- Missing a brother, missing a son-- And all of the dreams that are now gone-- Why did it have to happen this way?-- I don’t know

But one thing I know-- Is You never let go-- Even when we can barely hang on---- And one thing I believe-- Is that You never leave us-- To figure it out on our own---- I know there’s a purpose for all You allow-- A reason for all of our pain---- May our tears draw us closer to Your heart-- Until we see him again

There’s an empty spot in this heart that is aching still-- And I’m reminded of the hole that, Lord, only you can fill-- Still missing a brother, still missing a son-- Yet dreaming of him running with the One who knew why it had to happen this way-- Lord, You know

But one thing I know-- Is You never let go-- Even when we can barely hang on---- And one thing I believe-- Is that You never leave us-- To figure it out on our own---- I know there’s a purpose for all You allow-- A reason for all of our pain---- May our tears draw us closer to Your heart-- Until we see him again

Until then--