love.....from the U.P.

I love being a mommy!

hello all,
this is Lindy! Ah, I have gotten out of the house and am back to life in a somewhat "normal" fashion! Thank you Kim for posting the pictures of Isabelle for us, that was much appreciated! Yes, adam and I have a daughter, boy, that is wierd to say, and if I might brag just a bit she may just be one of the cutest babies I have ever come across...not that I am biased or anything. Things are going great! My labor and delivery, although kinda long (24 hours, I was induced) I actually felt little to no pain ( I love the person that invented epidurals) so for all of you gals who have yet to have a baby, its not that bad if you have an epidural, actually, I would do it again in a second....its the weeks following the birth no one tells you about...thankfully your on a high so you don't think about it so much. I was given Pitocin and it didn't work so my Dr. broke my water and I went from four to ten in just a few hours..four pushes and there she was....and we couldn't love her more!
Adam is an awesome daddy and Isabelle is definately a "daddys girl" because when she gets upset he can calm her right down. She is getting so big already. I'll post another picture soon, when I can find a local scanner that I can put the pics on.
Anyway, just wanted to say hi. Ben and Robin, your daughter is beautiful! Hope this finds you all healthy and well.
Lindy

Katie's beau.....

So uncle david. This post is for you. I am dating a firefighter and thought you would like to know that.

His name is eric and he works for the Colorado Springs Fire Department. He is the one on the right by the way. It is kinda fun dating a fire fighter, except today we had a huge apartment fire in the springs and he was working it and you have no idea if they are ok or really what is going on.

Just thought you all would like an update since I don't get to live by ya'll for you to meet him.

love you all and hope you have a great day!!!

katie

Lowell Family Update

Dear ones, if you didn't already know, Vince & Lisa have asked me to communicate with all of you and request prayer concerning their 15 month old son, Ashton. Ashton has to have heart surgery. He has two issues; a 40% blockage in one of his arteries that supplies blood to the lower extremeties and Ashton has a heart valve that should be three parts, but has only two. The valve will require monitoring in the future. It is not an emergency, but it is very serious. They will be traveling to Ann Arbor on February 1st for some more tests, to verify his condition & then he will have surgery on the 2nd to repair the blockage. They will be staying in Ann Arbor for three to four days. So, you faithful prayer warriors, please remember Ashton & Vince & Lisa.
Thank you in advance for listening, caring & praying. If you would like to contact Vince & Lisa their phone number is 616.844.3023.

Love Uncle Jon & Aunt Donna

Traverse City

After a full day of delivering Ross to Northwestern College in Traverse City, everyone is settling in and adjusting . . . Here are a few pictures of his dorm, West Hall, his room and very helpful, sweet girlfriend Ashley helping him unpack. He insisted that he did NOT want to mix his underwear and socks with his shirts. . . . .hello. . have you seen his room at home??? There was lots of 'mixing' going on . . . on the floor!

He has orientation 8:00 Monday morning at the airport and will have his private pilot's license by spring! We are excited for you Ross!

Here is his contact information:

231-995-1662 room phone
rmtb191@hotmail.com (he will have internet on Monday)
616-446-0655 cell phone

Ross M. TerBeek
Northwestern College
West Hall 256
1701 E. Front
Traverse City, MI 49686

Ahh...the joys of a house

So...guess ya can't guess what we're smack dab in the middle of doing up here in Traverse City? You guessed it....we're finishing the basement!!! We're VERY excited to get this project underway, Dan's had the itch for quite some time and now that the funds are in the bank it's finally a go! Me-maw (aka Dan's mom) works for Lowes so we thought she'd enjoy these but also Makayla is just naturally a helper. To say she was excited to get a tool bag like daddy was an understatement.....she thought she was pretty darn cool!!! I keep snapping pics of Dan in action even though I must say he's not always real thrilled about it. I just keep telling him he'll be glad when he looks back on them and can say "look what I built". (guys really like to do that don't they?!?) =)
We finished painting the upstairs FINALLY....talk about another huge project marked off our to do list! We did it ourselves in stages and it actually wasn't too terribley painful. Probably the worse part was the last 2 walls because we'd been painting non-stop and were SO close to being done. That aside....we're happy campers!
In other news we've been trying out a new church and the jury's still out....but we have a good feeling about it. It's the church that hosts the bible study I've been going to so it's nice that we know a lot of people our age which was a big problem with our other church. Last Sunday he preached on following God's plan - not your own - and knowing when to stop and listen to the holy spirit so you follow the right path. In the end they had open contracts out for anyone who wanted them simply stating "I Will Follow..." then signing your name and dating. The idea being you follow Jesus no matter where He leads you. Just imagine all the great (or not so great) adventures you'll be able to fill the blank in!! His paths are always teaching us something, good or bad, always learning..... It was good stuff...
I think that's about it for now. We're heading down south for Dan's work Christmas party (yah I know...isn't Christmas way over?!?). They always plan it after the business of the holidays slows down which actually works out really well. It's always nice to catch up with everybody again.
Love you all, keep on blogging!

The Veldermans

This was our new years eve party there WAS an theme but my cousin kate and meghan were party poopers i was tinkerbell and megan sue was the princess and the pea haha Happy Late New Year!

I am So grown up!!

I finally did it!! Im not really sure what i have to report but i have been reading for a long time on everyones doings and i felt left out so this may not be interesting but thats ok :) I live a pretty simple life i work at Sananda Spa and salon in east kentwood i still live in the farm house with my cousins and my half sister megan sue. I have been dating the same man for a year and a half we met samon fishing hes just a peach, oh P.S yes he loves jesus ! Any way thats about it with out boring you with little detales thanks for listening Loves Andrea Joy

Isabelle Joy TerBeek

Hello To All! Kim here....I took these of Adam and Lindy's beautiful bundle when I stopped in on Saturday. Oh heavens is she just an adorable princess....no doubt her mommy and daddy were still on the "high" from her delivery. They said they could just sit and stare at her for hours and had no idea you could love someone that you just met that much!!! God is good! I'm sure they'll want to post all the details...I just thought I'd share these photos.
I'll post more about the Velderman happenings later - love you all!!!

angels

i have to tell this story, it's a good one.
jason and i were on the way home on suday night and were about and hour and a half from home on M-77 going north and i was going about 73 mph. and if you have ever driven on a stretch of road with no other cars, it's hard to drive 55 or even 60 (73 is slow for me). Well, i saw a car drive by and hit it's brakes, i've been pulled over to know that i might as well pull over now. sure enough, it was a state cop and i was trying to find my licence and for the life of me it was not in my purse anywhere, i dug and dug and pulled stuff out and looked again and it was NO WHERE!!! i did have my old licence with my maiden name (from 2 years ago) and he took that and went back to his car. now here is why i know he was an angel, i have never heard of a state cop not giving a ticket and not even comenting on the fact that i gave him the wrong licence. he just told me to slow down and watch for deer and drunk drivers.
about 15 minutes later on M-28 i was cruizing along at 60 and there she was, a HUGE doe, right in front of my car. I was able to stop in time and just grazed the deer. there are no scratches at all on my car at all. If I hadn't been pulled over I would have been going 80 or so and wouldn't have been able to stop in time. God knows that it takes a little bit for me to listen (like cops)
the other thing that happenedl, is that jason and i got into a HUGE argument that stemmed from me not ever know exactly where my licence is. we needed to have that argument, it was just one of those thing that has to happen in order for growth to happen in our marriage and for us to understand each other.
God has a great sense of humor because after unpacking and putting a few things away i went through everything i thought my licence could be in and finally i tried my purse, i went through all of my pocket and then pulled out my planner on my lap fell my licence. So funny...it was in there the whole time.
not bad for a trip home. i just have to share...God will use anyone and anything to let us know he is still there and he knows how to get our attention, so keep an eye out!!!

Barbara Grace

Hi Fam!! I have just spent the last hour, no kidding, reading up on all the "happenings"I LOVE this blog thing!! We have such a really awesome family. Happy New Year!! Won't it be great to see just what The Lord brings into our lives this year? No pictures from me yet as I have yet to learn how to do that but I WILL learn. Hey just as a side trip, does anyone know how to text message from a BlackBerry?Having a little trouble finding someone who can explain that to me. I can get/SEND EMAIL BUT CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE TEXT THING YET. sO IF YOU KNOW i'D LOVE TO HEAR. wELL BACK TO me. Guess I should look up more often:) I didn't feel like going back to re-type all that so have a laugh, yes I hit the caps lock and didn't know it. So I officially an off the job as of today, no real answer on the next move but I am Thanking the Lord for it, cause I know He knows He just hasn't told me yet. Thanks for all the loving words concerning my Representative days. I feel like I owe MANY of you a thanks. It was you all who helped get me to Lansing, Prayers, Door 2 door, stuffing envelopes, walking in Parades,DONATING, and so much more. Really thanks to each one who has helped. I was so honored to have had the job.
We spent New Years eve over at Brent/Brenda's with Dan/Kim we played games,ate, watched RV(which is a funny movie) and then we all stayed over night. Today of course was Happy Birthday to Kurt 28 and Derek 13.

Tomorrow I am going to be at the airport to be apart of the arrival ceremonies for President Ford's body. What a prevlidge to be able to be a part of history.

I really need to go but love to all .Barbara

IT'S A GIRL!

Good morning;
We have another new granddaughter! Adam & Lindy had Isabella Joy at 9:30 last night. She weighed 7#12 oz. and is 20 1/2 inches long. Everything went wonderful (as told from Adam to Doug); I might get a little different version when we go to visit (just kidding). Lindy says that she has the TerBeek nose and Adams chin. I'll take a picture this afternoon to verify. They're at Zeeland Hospital.

Jessica Joy Polavin got engaged on Christmas day to Gilbert Garcia, they plan on having the wedding in Sept. 2008 when Gil is finished with school. Lots of fun new things happening here in the Polavin family. Yeah!!!
here is our wonderful new little darling, that came into our lives on

December 26th at 9:25 a.m. and weighed 8lbs and was born to

Ben and Robin Polavin

Hello Family

Hello everyone!! Well greeting from Norfolk, Va.
Well I have been informed by my mother that everone has been interested in how I was doing and would like an update. So here it goes. I am currently in the security division onboard the Harry S. Truman and I actually like it better than I do my normal division. In my normal division I carry boxes do a lot of paperwork. The hours aren't too bad for security. I usually work 12-13 hours a day. Long days but I am on a 5 and 2 sechedule. So one week I work 5 days and then next week I work 2. We recently got done with our sea trials and I loved it. We ended up going about 150-200 miles out to sea going around in some circles and then coming back a couple of days later.
Well in the future of my boat/ship we will be out to sea getting qualified in everything to become a battle ready ship for the majority of 2007. I am looking foward to that very much. Not being gone for so long but being able to travel to places like Africa, Brazil, Italy and many others (hopefully).
I am coming home on leave from the 30th through the 7th. Honestly it will be a big relief to be home and see family again. There is nothing like your loving support and encouragement.
That is all for now if anyone has any questions feel free to email me at scottld@truman.navy.mil , keep in mind there are some questions that I may not be able to answer ie. when we are going out to sea again. I love you all and can't wait to be home to see you all again.
Levi

Fearfully and wonderfully made

How amazing is that experince, I know so many of you have had this experience, what a miracle. We had Avary Ann on Dec 26th by C-section, she was 8 lbs on the money, she was 20.5 inches long. She is beautiful, beyond words. Our precious baby girl, we already love her so much.

~Feliz Navidad~

This is Paula and Tashina saying Merry Christmas from Honduras...we celebrated a little early (we all know Paula is SO impatient ;)) no, but really...we have plans to spend Christmas Eve and Day with Tashina's pastor's family...and Paula got Tash a sweet red purse to use for Christmas anyway :). Here are a few pictures of a "Honduran Christmas" for you! We love you all and miss you so much! Be blessed this Christmas with whomever you are spending the day with! Mom and Dad...we'll call, and we love you! Here are some pics of us sharing our Christmas! Feliz Navidad!

Tash and Paula

Just saying hello and Merry Christmas

Dear family,

Merry Christmas from California. I've been here for 7 months, and I've seen a lot, learned a lot, grown a lot--guess that's life. I have vacation for 11 days, and I was going to go to Colorado to ski and be with my friends and people I consider family in that region, but circumstances are such with my current job that I felt it better to stay in the area and look for my next opportunity. I gave my company an opportunity to keep me, but they could not offer a raise without having to offer raises across the board, which would be healthy for the organization--turn over is 100% every year. So, I let them know I would stay with them until they could find a replacement. They have found her and as of the turn of the year she will be coming in to work with me for a few weeks. This is a good move for all involved. I am not afraid, but excited. Many things can transition in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to something new, better pay, and the opportunity to perhaps learn something new.

California, as I look back on 2006, has been good for me in many ways. I've been in MI, CO, and CA this year. This is the longest I've been in one area for almost three years now. I'm very, very happy to stabilize. I feel my heart constrict, expand, weep and settle--shaking off old things to come into something richer, the hues of these colors are not as vibrant as the primary colors of the adventures of the past three years, but they are deep and good and fulfilling.

I have loved someone deeply and lost him, and that has taken a toll on my heart. But he was wise in his decision to move forward, given our differences in perspective. Roree is an exceptional person. I am more...for having known him. I have found a good church and a good Bible study. I am slowly making friends that will mean something to me for a lifetime, not just acquaintences that are here today and gone tomorrow. I love San Diego for the most part. There are some people and some places in this metropolitian area that are so cold and heartless, and I found myself floundering in the culture. But then the Lord kindly directed me to some different areas of the city, different pockets of culture, families and churches and organizations that care. It blessed me and encouraged my heart. I feel like this is where I'm supposed to be, but finding my way in this city is and has been tough. There are a lot of transient folks that come in and out, and when you live that way...as I have for a long while...it creates this cultivated detachement that makes people cold sometimes, unable to be transparent and open and invest in others. I've had to really step back from myself a few times and ask Christ to keep my heart soft.

I find that's where I am these days...hopeful, prayerful, watchful--that my heart would stay open, soft and feminine. Pray for me in the next few weeks please, as I would truly, truly appreciate a gentle shift into something better vocationally. I need the Lord's guidence and ability to open doors for me. I would really like to be married as well, so if you would pray for me this year to meet a good man, a godly man, an attractive man who finds me beautiful and I find him the same in return, a man who loves me and loves this deep heart I've been given... I would really appreciate the combined efforts of my people. I know you pray. I'd like to have children. I'd like to grow old with someone. I'd like to have a home. I'd like to have something normal and good even if it is hard. I pray for something ordinary and magical. God can do that.

I love all of you. I know I don't post things often, but that doesn't mean I don't think of all of you. I do, and I'm grateful to be from such a great family. If any of the cousin's reading this have a myspace account visit me, join my friends list: www.myspace.com/js7887.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jenny

My First Go At This New Technology

Hello all,
This is Lindy TerBeek speaking, and forgive me if this does not go so well for me, it is my first time ever "blogging " before. I never quite understood what it all meant but I seem to be getting the hang of it. It was fun logging on and hearing from everyone and seeing pictures from those of you in other places. It gives me a warm fuzzy to hear whats going on in other peoples lives.(sigh,smile)
So I just wanted to update you all a little on the life of Adam and myself. If you haven't heard, which I am sure most of you have, in September we sold our little house in Wyoming (with much relief) and picked up and moved out to the beloved country back to our roots. (AHHHHH) fresh country air (cow manure and corn) I love it. I had to laugh because not long after we moved to the country Adam called me at work one night and said he had all the windows open in the house for "fresh air"...the farm down the street was spreading manure in the fields across the street. I know what your thinking, that is not fresh...well, coming from car exhaust fumes and city smells it is actually quite refreshing. We moved to a house on one acre our in Beaverdam, which for those of you that are not familiar with the area it is located directly between Hudsonville and Zeeland just off Chicago drive a little jaunt. Beaverdam consists of a fire barn, a church a somewhat well known ice cream parlor.
We are loving it there, us and our adopted "wild cat" we seem to have inherited from the former owners. I say "wild" because the people we purchased the house from said they weren't taking it with them because it was "wild" well, if you call wild laying in the middle of our living room floor the day we moved in because it walked in the open door and made itself at home and the fact that the thing is rubbing so hard on your legs the minute you step out the front door, then yes, perhaps it is wild. She's a good mouser though, so I have given her the name "DeCon".
On other fronts most of you probably know that I am very much with child right now. My official due date is Dec. 30, however, becacause of some insurance issues with my job if I do not have this baby by Dec.28 I am going to be induced before the year is out. I am hoping to go naturally so if I could ask fr all you prayer warriors to go into action and pray I go naturally before that, that would be greatly appreciated. I had a wonderful pregnancy, after a long and rocky start trying to get there, but alas we did get pregnant and after the few months (women are right, you do forget the horrible parts) of all day long nausea and vomiting..I can't complain, I have felt great! We don't know what we are having as the little tyke is quite a modest sort and would not uncross their legs for our ultrasound so we are up for a surprise! We will let you all know whats up asap.
Adam is doing great. Being a wonderful husband and trying to help out as much as his busy schedule allows. He is so excited to be a daddy although, for some reason the baby likes to kick him very hard everytime he trys to rub my belly. I think this kid is going to be very active like his/her daddy. I tell adam sometimes I envision the baby in there riding the placenta and using the umbilical cord as a lasso like its bull riding, because thats how wild it gets sometimes.
Well, I suppose I better run...I hope this finds you all well. Have a very blessed Christmas, thanks for listen'in.
Lindy

HAPPY 27TH BIRTHDAY

JASON SHRONTZ!!!

You'll laugh your guts out!

Hey you guys!

You gotta see this... http://xmas.daileyads.com/

It is so funny! (click on the link or copy and paste it into your browser/address line) :) That was for grampa and grandma and all you OLD people out there....especially Gramps though because...we all know he's a big faker! :)

Love to all. O.G.I.G.
Happy Christmas and Merry New Year!

Jenny