Friday, May 30, 2008

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

What a week

What a crazy week and a half it has been. Last Saturday, the 17th, my Uncle Steve went home to be with his new found Lord and Savior. It was somewhat unexpected to come so soon. He had finished the last radiation on the 15th, then that night suddenly stopped talking and eating. Friday afternoon he went home from the hospital and by 6:30 the next morning he was gone. It was a shock to us all, as we thought the treatments would be giving him more time. Then came the visitation on Monday the 19th and the funeral on the 20th (our anniversary). The funeral, visitation, and burial went great. My dad did the service and clearly gave the salvation message to the room full of unsaved family and tons of kids from the local high school. My mom gave a family memories eulogy and held it together nicely. Steve was more like a father figure to her, moving in when her father left the family, buying her first car and walking her down the aisle. My dad had planned on attending the pastor's conference at Moody Bible Insititute that week, he was able to work it out anyways despite missing the first day and a half. So, I took my mom and sister home from the funeral and stayed with them for a few days up in Pentwater so my mom wouldn't be alone

Izzy and I had a great time up north. We went to Sara's soccer game, shopped, kept mom company, and relaxed. I actually got to read for fun for the first time in a long time! Friday afternoon I left my parent's house and went to Paul's family's cottage which is only about 15 minutes from Pentwater on Silver Lake. I was there with his parents and his oldest sister's family. Then, he and his younger sister came on Sunday. It was soooo good to see him after being apart for nearly a week. We had a great time at the cottage. Sunday was Dad Spica's birthday- we celebrated with a great cookout and a trip to Craig's Cruisers. The boys went on the slick track and it was so fun to watch. I even got in on the go cart action.

We came home Monday morning and it was sooo good to be home! I did 7 loads of laundry (thats a lot for our small family of 3) and grocery shopping yesterday. Paul is a selling agent for a Parade Home- so he has been working everyday until 9pm. It is sad not to see him much- but it has been very productive. He has had nearly 300 people through since Wednesday, and the parade of homes continues through this Saturday- great exposure for the development! Hopefully we'll get at least one sale out of it.

I'm still trying to climb my way out of being away from home for so long. I'm still in somewhat of a grieving stage. It could be a long week- hopefully the weather warms up so Izzy and I can enjoy some outside play time.

On a random note- if you could please be in prayer for my father in law- paul's dad (Fred). Dad S. has parkinson's diesease. He has been diagnosed for about 12 years. He is quite slow at progressing, but has seen considerable change in his speech, sleep, and overall quality of life in the past year or two. He and Mom (Julie) have decided to go ahead with DBS (deep brain stimulation) surgery. It is a two step surgery. The first surgery is Tuesday, June 3rd. It is outpatient and he will be awake. The doctors will be drilling holes in his skull and then stimulating areas of the brain with a probe. Once they find the areas they are looking for they will insert some wires. These wires will then be hooked up to pacemaker type objects in the second surgery on June 13th. These pacemakers will send electrical impusles to the brain. This will hopefully decrease or elimate the symptoms caused by Parkinson's and hopefully eliminate his need for medicines that in their own right have many side effects. While this surgery is not dangerous- it is still brain surgery and has its risks. Dad is ready and excited- while Mom is a little more nervous. We are all hopeful that this will provide dad with a greater quality of life and better relationships with his grandkids. He's hoping it will improve his golf game-haha. We would all covet your prayers.

Well, this post got kind of long and boring- I'll try to add some pictures from the weekend soon.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Wedded Bliss

Three years ago today....



I got all dressed up. Smiled a lot for pictures. Saw a lot of people. Said hello to the man I loved without having to say goodbye (we had spent 4 years apart). Cried a lot. Laughed even more. Married my best friend.

Highlights of our wedding day:
  • Saying hello
  • Pictures on the beach
  • Being married by my dad
  • Our moms singing a duet
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Stinkin' hot groom
  • I looked pretty good myself :)
  • Having his dad cut in on our dance
  • Chasing each other with frosting
  • Not saying goodbye at the end of the night :)


In the past three years of wedded bliss we have:

  • Finished building a condo
  • Traveled to Mackinac Island twice
  • Traveled to Traverse City twice
  • Vacationed in Mexico with his family
  • Picnicked in the park
  • Stayed up really really late having pillow talk
  • Had a baby
  • Found a church home
  • Fallen in love more and more
  • Fought over toothpaste and toothbrush placement
  • Changed jobs
  • Been in sickness and health
  • Been in plenty and in want
  • Spent the night in front of the fireplace
  • Dreamed
  • Cried
  • Laughed
  • Tickled each other silly
  • Never had to say goodbye (for too long anyways)

Happy Anniversary my love. XOXOXOXOX

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Anatomy of a Box House

We had constructed a box play house for Izzy some time ago when we got a bedroom outfit. She has always loved playing with it. Well, she took her box house to a whole new level this week...very funny girl!

In through the window
I think I can make it!

Wohoo!! I did it!

Why not stand through the the window?

For Fun

I found this on another friend's blog and it looked like fun:


Answer using only one word.

1. Where is your cell phone? nightstand
2. Your significant other? selling
3. Your hair? straight
4. Your mother? mourning
5. Your father? helping
6. Your favorite thing? laughing
7. Your dream last night? doors
8. Your favorite drink? creamsoda
9. Your dream/goal? heaven
10. The room you're in? bedroom
11. Your hobby? volunteering
12. Your fear? alone
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? mommying
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you're not? daredevil
16. Muffins? smelly
17. One of your wish list items? minivan
18. Where you grew up? michigan
19. The last thing you did? lunch
20. What are you wearing? comfies
21. Your TV? on
22. Your pets? nope
23. Your computer? lifeline
24. Your life? satisfiying
25. Your mood? sad
26. Missing someone? hubby
27. Your car? broke
28. Something you're not wearing? socks
29. Favorite store? Goodwill
30. Your summer? questionable
31. Like someone? yep
32. Your favorite color? purple
33. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
34. Last time you cried? today

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Graduation

Here come Andi (she didn't trip!!!)








Oh so happy to be done...now on to the wedding!!!





Just another aisle to walk.




Izzy and her uncle to be

Izzy to Andi "hat, hat"







Is this day over yet???

Friday, May 2, 2008

Busy Weekend

I'm looking forward to a busy weekend!

My sister and her fiance are officially graduating on Sunday (they actually finished in December, but are walking as a formality). So I'm treking down to Mishawaka, Indiana to partake in my own alum's commencement ceremonies: Good ole' Bethel College. I'm hitching a ride with my parents and younger sister, with Izzy in tow. Should be fun. We're meeting Jason's (Andi's fiance) parents tomorrow which is exciting. Then after the caps are thrown Sunday afternoon, we're headed to Schoolcraft, MI to visit my Uncle who has lung cancer, which has now spread to his brain.

All in all, it should be a fun, busy time. Hopefully Izzy will like the pool at the hotel and sleep well there too.

Oh, my friend had a "portrait party" last weekend. She invites a photographer over and schedules 15 minute appointments throughout the day. The photographer doesn't charge any sitting fees and just sets up shop somewhere in the house. You are free to purchase or just look at your child's photos online. So, without any risks involved I decided to have Izzy's picture taken (knowing deep down if I fell in love with a photograph, it would be hard to pass up- but the $17 price tag for a 5x7 would help diminsh that temptation). Anyways, despite her being really really grumpy that morning and not at all interested in having her photo taken, some of them turned out really cute! If you are interested in seeing them go to:

http://www.jesschalla.com/

Click on "clients" once you get to her main page
My password is: spica

She was a great photographer and did an amazing job with all of the kids and would highly recommend her if you are in need of her skills!

Have a great weekend!