From the rising of the sun to its going down
the Lord's name is to be praised!



Wednesday, December 01, 2010

An Overview

The reason I haven't been blogging....
...is because we've been much too busy snuggling our delicious new girlie!...keep scrolling to see an overview of the snuggles and a few more happenings.



Two weeksish old

An evening at the park in late September


Three weeks old

Fresh from the bath-she loves 'tubbin'

One Month Old


7 weeks old

Brie had been screaming and then suddenly quiet. Big sister Esmé had quieted her by rocking the car seat.

2 Months Old


A. Marlene made this cozy blankie for Brie. It has her name on it. Brie LOVES it...she loves to snuggle with blankets and this is one of them.
"Take our picture!"
Baptism-Oct 24

Thank you Lord for the blessing and promises of Your Covenant! Are there words for the beauty of God's love shown to His people?!

"So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,
Will give You thanks forever;
We will show forth Your praise to all generations."
Psalm 79:13

Thank you Nana and Papa for hosting and feeding a huge crowd of family and friends for Brie's baptism!!!!! It sure took a load off of us and we REALLY appreciated it!

Brie with her sweet Nana


"Let's get the picture done so we can get this girlie out of her dress!" (the dress was worn by some of my sisters which makes it special. Grandma Zuidema made it when my sister Emily was born. Taunya's kiddos have worn it too.)

A. Becky held Brie for the church service. A. Dani held Chloe which was super neat because Becky, Dani and I go 'way back'.
Great Grandpa and Grandma Zuidema Visit

A special picture of Brie with her Great Grandma Zuidema. Don't pictures with grandparent's say SO much on so many different levels?! They speak of history, love, God's grace...
Church Picnic-Sep 2010










Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Beppe and Tante's Come to Visit!

Last Wednesday my aunts and Beppe came to see Baby Brie. It is a special day when they come to visit! :O) Thanks for coming!!!!


Friday, September 10, 2010

This is Heaven!

You’ve heard it said ‘Now, this is Heaven!’ You may have felt such a thought as you held a beautiful new baby in your arms, or as you relaxed on your front porch with a steaming coffee. The thought may have entered your mind as you delighted in God’s spectacular creation on a peaceful vacation. There are so many pleasant, blissful experiences in this life that may make us think, ‘this is Heaven’.

I was chatting with Dan about our kitchen. He would like to redo it and I said ‘Is it really worth it-are we really going to live in this house long enough for it to be worth it. Will we really not be moving to the country anytime soon?!’ His answer was no. For a second, the image of country life flew through my mind and just as quickly God put a thought there that has stayed with me. “Heaven” He whispered sweetly to me.

Ahhh- Heaven! Who needs the country life when this fleeting world will be finished with, in the blink of an eye? Heaven will be so much more beautiful than the most awe striking country property-and it will last. That’s not to say that enjoying country life or any other pleasant thing is wrong. These things are meant to be enjoyed but in the contentment of knowing there are better things to come for God’s people. Suddenly my longing for the country felt like rags and our town home felt exactly where God wants me.

And it isn’t just the thought that Heaven will have more beauty-although that’s where my human mind can dwell. It’s that we have God’s presence to hope for. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God HIMSELF will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:3-4

Sunday we had a beautiful sermon on the reality of Heaven and this week Belinda has been mentioning teaching her kiddos about Heaven. These things have nurtured some thoughts on Heaven for me. My human mind is fickle and may not be dwelling on the most spectacular thing about Heaven but God will sanctify my thoughts and grow them to a fuller knowledge of the heritage He promises. God blesses us with things in this life that make us long for Heaven and if a simple thing like Micah wondering if we’ll be able to play baseball in Heaven directs our thoughts to the Heavenly kingdom, then praise God for the mundane.

Generally it is the suffering in life that makes us ache to trade this world for Heaven but if God’s Spirit dwells within you, the mundane can point you there, instead of distracting you from thoughts of eternity. Feel free to share things (suffering and/or the mundane) that have directed your thoughts towards HOME! And leave some verses too of the promise we have!

Here is a verse I love about Heaven:
"The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. "
Psalm 16:6
Before She Came...




Brie's First Week

Day 2-we actually ventured out to AnnaMae's adoption party. We did not want to miss this happy occasion!
Cuddles with Daddy
A. Emily
A. Kara
Melissa-who's due very soon! (Brie is hiding her belly)
Ksena's 5th birthday!!! Happy Birthday sweet Ksena!!!!!!!! We LOVE you!
The birthday gift...
Oma Luiting came for Ksena's 'birthday coffee' and got to meet Brie.
Opening her gift from Grandma Luiting.
Grandpa Luiting and Esmé enjoying Ksena's new tent.
More snuggles with Daddy.
Ksena's sporting her new hat from Nana.
Day 5
The midwife weighing Brie at her second home visit. She had dropped from 7.14 to 7.8 and was back up to 7.10.
Day 6

Opening mail from A.Marlene and family who live in Florida. So fun to get real mail! Thank you!!!!! Ksena also got real mail from Grandma Zuidema but I don't have a picture-I actually dropped our camera!!! Thank you Grandma/pa Z.
The VanDyk's from Cambridge
Mia took this pic...Day 8-I week old!