The Newest Addition...

The Thelen family welcomed their newest little addition to the family about 2:30 a.m. today! And guess what....it's a GIRL!!!!! Jadyn Kaycee (middle name after Brent's mom) was born 7 lb. 9 oz. and 22 in. long with a whole mop of dark hair! Brenda and Jadyn are doing great & she said her boys can't get enough of her! Watch out Thelen house....here comes the PPPPIINNNNKKK!!! Now, does this mean pink dirk bikes?!? WOHOO!!! =)

Honduras!

Family! It has been soooo long since I've updated everyone; here goes! First, the political situation down here is a little shaky, so please be praying:
1- for peace
2- Mel Zelaya (ex-president) does NOT come back to power
3- presidential elections in Nov. go smoothly

We are safe, we haven't been affected by the 'drama', we live far, far away from all the 'action' and are quite happy to be tucked in safe at home. School has been closed for almost 2wks now as a result of 'swine flu' and now the political mess. I have to say I'm not complaining too much, I LOOOOVE being home! The only issue now will be how to make up the missed days :(. But, really, we're safe and sound and just praying things will settle down soon.

Andres is so, so big! WHAT A JOY! His little personality keeps coming out, and I love being with him. He's talking up a storm and loves to be outside! We go for walks every day to pick 'pretties' (flowers). His Grammie taught him well ;). We were able to sneak away for about 4 days to the North Coast of Honduras (La Ceiba) last week, we went to a nice hotel and played in the water the entire time! Andres LOVED the pool and water park, we had such a great time on our mini-vacation thanks to school being cancelled for 10 days for the 'swine flu'. He turned 2 (where does time go???) on Sept. 2 and we had Carlos' family over for dinner and presents. Andres got his first soccer ball...we made the mistake of giving it to him first and he wasn't interested in any other present after that :D. We're thinking about tackling potty training soon...he's really interested and asks all the time, I'm a little intimidated by it though, so we'll see...soon! :)

Carlos is doing great! He finishes his 'trimester' this week, provided classes aren't cancelled. One step closer to his degree...we're in the homestretch! He's working in the technology department at school this year, and he really loves it. Every classroom in the MS/HS has an electronic whiteboard so he's basically in charge of maintenance and training, etc. He does an excellent job- very multi-talented! We were both in one of his best friend's wedding a few weeks ago, so that fun...an interesting experience for me :). We're thinking about Baby #2...so maybe we'll have another annoucement in the near future :).

I'm doing really well...because school has been cancelled so much lately I haven't really felt super busy...which I'm thankful for, because I'm sure it will come :). I love my students again...shocker, I know :). I was a little worried about teaching 8th grade after teaching 11th...but I love it! I was sad to leave my students after 4yrs, but I have completely fallen in love with my 8th graders, they also are a joy to me! I'm thankful for a steady job which I truly enjoy! Although, my favorite part of the day is always picking Andres up from nursery and coming HOME! nothing like it!

I think that's it...nothing too exciting, which is fine by me :). Enjoy Fall for me, that's the one season I miss from home...remember, you're always welcome for a visit ;)! Love you!

Los Valladares' :)

Happy 22nd Birthday Ross!

New Phone Number...

Hello All..
I thought this would be the easiest way to let everyone know our new phone number. It is 616-777-0600. That is a hudsonville number so if hudsonville is local for you your in luck..if not..sorry...cheaper phone service with Vonage....
thanks...Lindy...
this is our landline...adam still has the same cell number.

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY ADAM!

The Stickney's!

Well... hello all yall! I know it's been a long time... but I've finally had two nights in a row where I've gotten 5 hours of consecutive sleep! YES!!!!!

We are as usual, busy. Tonight we only had two people come to the house to look at stuff!! Hehehee... Cory is simply amazing!

The kids are doing really well. I think we are all adjusted now that Uriah is 6 months old. Ava has been moved into a room of her own and the boys share a room. That sure works much better than Ava and Graham sharing a room.

I've received Ava's curriculum for the homeschool year... I just have to review it first. She is so "old" for her age, challenging, smart, loving, nurturing and SO much fun. Graham is sooooooo sweet, cute and just a little firey. He's started his own language... most of which I can translate. :) He also knows the difference between the sound of a lawn mower, jet, Rhino and air plane. Uriah is doing his best to keep tabs on what everyone is doing. He's very social, extremely funny and VERY laid back - God knew that I needed him to be our third child! :) He LOVES his siblings and does his best to move towards or down the hall when we walk away... he's definately my busiest 6 month old yet.

Well, it's fun looking at everyone's postings. Much love from Allendale! The Stickneys!

Hello family and friends! FINALLY we have joined the current world and have email at our house AND i figured out how to post pictures. SO, I wanted to introduce our newest addition to those of you who have not met him yet..this is Nolan Samuel TerBeek, born on the fourth of July. He is a wonderful baby..loves to eat and sleep, probably trying to block out his sassy big sister. Anyway, he is such a joy and we love him very much.
As for our summer, its going fast...we just finished a week up at big star with my whole family, and we lucked out and had beautiful , hot weather, (the only week this summer) and good fishing.
Adam had surgery in July and is all healed up from that. We are all recovering from "pink eye" and some nasty respiratory virus that I have decided was the swine flu because we had it for weeks and weeks.
Isabelle is a sassy almost three year old who is growing up oh, so fast. She gave up her "binky" last week and mailed it to "BUPPA" (my dad) because she thought he would like it and her reward is that big girls get to go to gymnastics ("nastics") so she is signed up and talks about "nastics" every day. Still working on the potty training.....(sigh) I give up.
Me, well, I went back to work last week , just eight hour a week, and thats enough for right now..otherwise just trying to catch a wink here or there and enjoy whats left of summer with my gang. Hope this finds you all well. Love you all.
Lindy

Happy Happy Birthday Auntie Donna!