good morning

Good morning all the the TerBeeks! (It's Stacey) I know it's 1:16am why am I so chipper? No clue, absolutely no clue. Actually I'm tired but I can't bring myself to get into into my cozy bed just yet. Soon, very soon. Jason is working on school work in his "office" (spare bedroom) right now. He's getting ahead of schedule so this weekend he doesn't feel like he has to spend the whole time reading books and writing his paper. Plus next week is the last week before spring break starts and I don't think that he can even get excited until he is all done with everything. I am a different story. I can't wait for Spring Break. Today I was already going through the list in my head of what clothes I can bring! We leave for Tuscon Arizona next Saturday! Hopefully we will get a lot of sunning and hiking done and don't worry I will take a ton of pictures. There is not much else going on in the UP right now. They (whoever "they" are) say it's supposed to snow and blow tonight, but currently it's 30's and raining...but we do live in Michigan. We did decide to "give up" TV for Lent this year. It's a time sucker and we wanted to be a little more productive and use our time more wisely. Just today I cut all the pieces for a quilt I am making and I hand sewed one square tonight after meeting with some girls to study. I'll take pictures when it's done. I am so excited it's very bright! I don't mean to be light about Lent but if you want to read more about why I observe it, I just wrote about it on my blog...just click HERE.

Well hopefully everyone else got to bed sooner than I did. Have a wonderful Thursday!-Stacey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACEY! WE LOVE YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

News!

Hi family! I have a hard, but necessary blog to write! So please bear with me as I fumble through this :). About two weeks ago I got engaged! SURPRISE :)! But I also found out I am about 9wks pregnant. Needless to say these last few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions...and still is, to be honest. My fiancee's (isn't he good looking ;)) name is Carlos Valladares. We love each other and do want to get married...as of now we are working through the surprise of a baby and when and how we will get married. And, unfortunately I don't have very many answers for you, because WE don't have answers yet. We work at a Christian school and we have sinned...and will have to face those consequences from the school. I know that we are forgiven in God's eyes...and that is what is MORE important than anything else! But...there still comes other situations to deal with...we have a meeting on Fri to tell our boss a date for when we will get married- which they want to be sooner than later. I am not comfortable rushing into a marriage at this point...I know I want to be with him, I know that it will be hard...on all levels, and these are choices that I made and consequences that I will have to handle. Carlos has been such a support to me from food, to defending me, to just hugging me as I cry. And I know these last few weeks would have been so hard to deal with if Carlos hadn't been here with me. I have wonderful support from church, my family, Carlos's family, and the friends I have told down here. I know this baby is not a mistake...and that God is in control...there's just so much to deal with right now. I don't know when Carlos and I will get married...we both want things to stabilize between us as a couple, but I know we will do what we have to to be a family. This is really hard to write...but I do want you all to know and to pray. Health-wise I have THANKFULLY had no morning sickness...I've just been exhausted all the time. We have a great doctor here who actually delivered Carlos years ago! SO...please be praying for this new life, Carlos and I as a couple, and job situations! Thank-you for your love and support, I'll try to keep you updated as things become clearer down here. I love you all.

Tashina

Ashton's surgery

Dear Ones, Thanks for your prayers. Aston's surgery went beautifully, with no problems. He is such a tough little guy.. he is smiling and running around already. Heart surgery still scheduled for the 9th of March. Toodles. Auntie D

Ashton Lowell

Dearest Ones, Tomorrow @ 10:00am Ashton will have tubes inserted and Adenoids removed at De Vos Children's Hospital thanks to your faithful prayers. It is absolutely a miracle that he has been able to get in this soon . Because of this speed he will be able to keep his appointment for heart surgery on the 9th of March in Ann Arbor Yeah.... Thanks Abba & Family Hugs Donna

A really, really, really long post.......

Greetings Family :)

I hope you all are enjoying your snow and staying warm up in Michigan. We finally got some of your weather down here and as I'm writing it is snowing :) My roommate and I are praying for a snow day tomorrow. (her name is Candace and she's great! She moved here from CA and works for Congressman Doolittle) I think DC is the only place where you still get snow days even though your not in school!! People see snow flakes and they freak out. I actually prefer they don't drive, because they have NO IDEA how to drive in snow!!! Anway, about my living situation, I moved (for the 3rd time since I've been out here!) at the begining of January. I flew home from Christmas break, packed up, and moved on January 7th. And as of this week, I have FINALLY offically lived here for over 1 week :) My Janaury was a blurr!!! I got home from Christmas on Dec. 31st, and as you all are aware, President Ford had passed away so they had all the funeral events starting on Jan. 2nd, after New Years Day. Needless to say we had a few busy days in the office. The cool thing was some of us staff got to go to the funeral at the Washington Cathedral. We got an official escort up to the Cathedral with the other Members of Congress, which I have to say, was probably the hi-lite. There were even black suburans and guys with guns following us, just like on tv :) Anyway, it was pretty humbling to be able to experience part of history in the making. It still amazes me how God works and the places he puts us in life!!! After the funeral events, we had full staff training Tuesday evening - Thursday. Friday I finished packing, Saturday I moved, and Sunday I unpacked. Oh yeah, I went to the Dr. in there and found out I had a viral infection along with a fever....was fabulous :( Monday-Wednesday I worked and then packed Wednesday evening and flew out Thursday morning (6:00am) for Honduras. Which leads me to my trip - I had a BLAST!! There were definitlely some hi-lites, but before I get to those, be forwarned, if you ever fly in to see Tash, the flight in is something else!! You know is going to be fun when the Pilot comes on and tells you that your going to be making a "series of turns"!! You basically go up over a moutain range and drop down into the valley. Only to find that the runway your supposed to land on looks like its a strip of pavement!! I was like, man, where in the world are we going to land (as we're pretty much skimming the tops of houses at this point). Then I see this little strip of tar and I thought, "huh", that CAN'T be it, but sure enough, it was. And the lady sitting next to me, who didn't speak a lot of English, was saying, and I quote, " this pilot is not very good"!!! Needless to say, I was VERY happy to finally be on the ground :) Okay, on to the hi-lites.

1.) Seeing Tash teach. We got to go and sit in on her classes (which we pretty much taught one afternoon because we were "special guests"), and meet her kids. There's not doubt they love Ms. Scott :) Not so great of a hi-lite = she made us come up to school one afternoon and help her correct exams. I told her I was on vacation, but you can only guess how well that went over.....

2.) Getting to see where Tash lives, meet her roommates, and see "her" city.

3.) "Our" smiley dog :) He was soo cute! Paula and I walked by him every time we went up to school.

4.) Laying out in 80 degree weather, swinging in the hammocks at the hotel in Ceiba and falling asleep listening to the oceans crash on the shore every night.

5.) Seeing Tash use her Spanish! This old guy tried to rip us off when we were trying to get a taxi and Tash laughed at him and let him have it in Spanish. After he walked away, a couple of other guys who were standing by us and had heard the whole conversation basically said the same thing, yeah, he was trying to rip you off. Once we had found a taxi at a normal rate and we were walking over to his car, the old guy came back over to us and opened the car doors for us. I think he might have felt a little guilty :)

6.) Going snorkeling for the first time. I kept thinking of the Little Mermaid song, "Its a whole new World" :)

7.) The driver of our boat all of a sudden stopping in the middle of the ocean, jumping out (I'm hoping he's coming back at this point) and then came back to the boat with 6 absolutley beautiful starfish....

8.) The biggest hi-lite of all, being able to hang out with my sisters.

Okay, I know, when I post, its long, but, I have a lot to say (I know some of you are laughing right now!!) I hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Much love to you all,

Leah

Upside Down

"The baby arrives and the world is turned upside down. How utterly irrelevant are things that yesterday seemed vitally important"

Hi Everyone! This is Robin Polavin (Ben's wife). I've so enjoyed this blog and learning more about each of you, so this afternoon Ben taught me how to do this (he is a patient man) so that I could share a little part of me on here as well. The quote above kind of outlines what our life has been like for the past 6 weeks - and we'd never go back. I am not sure if all of you know our situation, but we had been trying to have little Avary for about 3 years. After finally determining that in-vitro gave us the best chance at having a child of our own, we were blessed to have been able to have her on the third (and what we had determined would be the final) attempt. What a miracle she is! I just stare at her and can still hardly believe that she's here, and that she's a part of both of us. What a journey it was to get to this happy ending. I am thankful for the lessons we learned both in patience and in learning that we are not in control. And a part of me is thankful for the "suffering" because it makes you stop and appreciate every single second of the "good".

So for those of you who so faithfully kept us in your prayers throughout this pregnancy - we are so thankful. There is no doubt in my mind that it was because of those prayers that my pregnancy went so smoothly.

On a less "serious" note, I have posted our latest family portrait - taken when Avary was about a week and a half old. Since the only picture posted on this blog of me was "post-birth" (thanks Ben!) I thought it'd be nice if you could take a peak at the 3 of us when I wasn't in my hospital gown. :)

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Much Love,

Robin

Portland News

Hello Everyone! Kim here posting the Thelen news! It's been a while so Brenda thought maybe she should update everyone on what's happening in their neck a the woods! I'll just run down the line with each one starting with Brent. He had some exciting news today and that's that he found out he has an Associates Degree in Arts and Business! You're wondering, as were we, how in the world he didn't know he had this degree and now 10 years later it appears right?!? Well....he was digging through his transcripts and discovered his GVSU papers. After looking through them he started thinking that after 18 credits/semester for 4 years he should've had SOME degree. So he called an Advisor and met with him today. It seems that he's had the degree all along but never knew there was an application to be filled out so they would send it to him. He just figured the college would send him the degree once he finished. Kinda bittersweet in that he's had it all along but is just now able to use that on his job applications! They're all excited about the news and he's even thinking of getting his Bachelors since its only 24 credits away! He's still in the job search so prayer that the right one comes along and BAM! hits him square in the face would be fab!! =)
Brenda is doing swell....no pun intended since she is 28 weeks along now! =) She's feeling "big and pregnant" were her exact words but all in all is feeling great. She's still doing daycare and is busy with that along with the boys obviously!
Onto the adorable boys pictured above! (that was taken New Years Eve by the way!) Gavin is SUCH a smartie pants in school and is doing wonderful. He has such a thirst for knowledge and loves to learn new things. More importantly he remembers them and hauls 'em out when ya least expect it! His 7th birthday is coming up in a couple weeks and he's having his first slumber/birthday party and is extremely excited. He's got 4 friends (along with his Titi!!) that are spending the night. (now honestly folks....it's such a heart melter to hear from Brenda that when he was deciding who was coming he goes "well MOM titi's coming isn't she?") I wouldn't miss it for anything...what a special time together! A little rowdy and loud but treasured time in my book for sure! =)
Caden is....well Caden! He's such a funny kid with a smile that lights up any room! He's gotten really comical and is fun to chase around and play with. He LOVES to read books and ride his new quad he got for Christmas! He also been potty training (he's not even 2 until July 24!!) and sortof initiated that on his own. She told me today that last night he just climbed up on the toilet and went without anyone even telling him! HELLO.....what kid does that?!?! =) He's a hoot to say the least and him and Gav certainly have a very close bond.
I guess that about does it for the Thelen news....they send everyone all their love. And thanks Aunt Renee for so faithfully sending the blog so they can keep in touch even without a computer! Ta ta for now....

walking on the beach

Hello all~

Just an update for you all. I talked to my mother (this is katie by the way)yesterday and her and aunt ruthie made it safe to Florida to have a week vacation walking on the beaches and enjoying the sunshine. They said that grandma and grandpa are very happy down there. So don't feel too bad for them because as I was talking to my mom she was walking on the beach picking up sea shells. Rough life huh? Just thought all of you would like the update.

Here is a pic to boot. I had too much time on my hands. Love you all. Have a great day!

BarbaraGrace

Hi Everyone, Just thought I'd update you all. I will be starting my new job on Monday. I will be working out of Holland employed by LSS: Parent Center. It's a really cool place that has families, parents and Kids at the heart of all they do. So you know I'm gonna be loving it! There are actually three organizations under the LSS roof, Parent Information and Resource Center, a Federal program, Parents As Teachers, we are the state headquarters, and Communities and Schools, which is a state organization as well. So you can see what we do is quite diverse, but it all has to do with kids. I will be working mostly in the area of early childhood education. I will be educating and raising money at the local and state level. I will only need to in my office once a week for my new boss Deanna Depree' and I to connect. She is allowing my GREAT flexibility which means that I can have Fri. off with my hubby, go to the cottage, I can combine my Lansing trips for LSS with other meetings I need to have for a group I am working with on Prayer for the government of Mi., I can go help take care of my two new grandchildren, I can take time to go on a trip with Gramma and Grampa TB to TN. to see Bradley and gang in March, etc. Sounds like a job made JUST for me? WEll it was Deanna created the position for me. As we prayed for the leading of The Lord, and we just weren't sure about this job (only because of the pay), I heard this voice ask, "since you've been praying for me to guide your decisions, do you think the fact that you only have one job offer just might BE direction?" Duh!! So my first week will be spent in Orlando at a conference with Deanna, not too shabby of a first week hey?
I am also starting a new 501c4 with another ex-rep called International Travel Organization (ITO). We are working with The National Foundation Of Women Legislators to organize travel trips for state Reps and senators across the nation. Our mission is to increase knowledge and exchange in Commerce, Culture, and government. I was in DC for two days with her (we stayed with Leah) we made initial visits to the embassy of France, Australia, Japan, and China. It was a really interesting trip!! You can pray it all works out. This is one of those opportunities that came knocking on my door and I'm not so sure about exactly where it's going but I am trying not to figure it all out and let God be God. God idea huh?


Other "jobs" that I am moving into are the Vice-chair of the Ottawa county GOP, I was also appointed to the Ottawa County Mental Health Board which meets once a month. I am helping to organize a group which will focus on increasing the numbers of women involved in the Republican party state wide.

I have said NO to many more "opportunities" I
am TRYING not to get too busy.

Stacey, THANK YOU for organizing this way for our fam to hang more tightly!!! It has been such a blessing to me!!

Love and Prayers to all, Barbara

Ashton Lowell update

Dearest Ones, Ashton did not have any surgery( adenoids, tubes and etc.) on the 2nd of February. The Dr.s have decided to do the surgery at DeVos Children's Hospital instead of North Ottawa because of possible complications. We have no new dates & do not know if the heart surgery scheduled for the 9th of March will be a go now or not. Emotional whiplash to say the least, but we know THE ONE who orders our days and steps so we chose to rejoice, thanks for listening and continuing to pray. O.G.I.G. Much Love Aunt Donna

Grandpa & Grandma Update

Grandpa & Grandma called and have made it safely to Venice, Florida! They love their location and all is well.

Latest Lowell Family update 1/31/07

Dear Ones, Thank-you for your prayers. Please continue to pray. Ashton will be having tubes in his ears this Friday the 2nd instead of the heart surgery because of continuing ears infections. His heart surgery has been re-scheduled for the 9th of March. They will go in for testing on the 8th. We so appreciate all the love & prayers on their behalf. Love Aunt Donna

0 to 14 in 10 hours

Yee hah we got snow in Hamilton. We went from hardley any to about 14 inches overnight. I love waking up and watching(after I put my glasses on) the snow fall and seeing the world bright and white. I am about to go snow blow, which is just plain fun as long as it doesn't happen everyday. wish I had a pitcure of the snow haven't taken one so an updated one of Avary will have to do. Enjoy today and laugh out loud, laughter is carbonated holiness you know.
In that nature I will tell a couple of G-pa jokes.
How do you catch a unique rabbit......? unique up on it.
How do you catch a tame rabbit...? The tame way, unique up on it.

Mystery Bug

Okay so this is kinda gross but necessary so hang in there. I found this "thing" on the wall by Makayla's bed as I was putting her down for her nap last week. Ewww!!

I tried looking it up online already but couldn't find anything that looked like it. I tried ticks, mites, bed bugs, fleas....nothin'.

It freaks me out just a tad knowing it was in my nice clean house....if anyone has any clue post a comment will ya?

Thanks - Kim

Hi-Ya from T.C.

Sooo...does anyone else hate "naming" your blog everytime you post one?!? Not so much likin that step of posting a blog!! =)
We Veldermans have got lots going on here. First and foremost is the exciting news that I'm pregnant with a little miracle!!! Needless to say all 3 of us, especially Makayla, are very excited and anxious already for the baby to come! Dan and I keep laughing to eachother saying it's going to be a long 9 months because Makayla talks about the "baby in mommy's tummy" at LEAST 3 times a day. Then she'll proceed to say that she'll be able to help with the baby's bath, changing the diaper (hmmm...how can mom use that one to her advantage?!?), holding the baby, putting the baby in the wagon, etc.
After rambling on for several minutes yesterday morning she stopped suddenly and said "Mom, where IS the baby?" I explained that Jesus is growing the baby in my tummy and it won't be for quite a while until it's ready to come out and she suddenly burst into tears and buried her head in my legs. She got herself all excited about helping out and then realized it's not going to be anytime soon. I felt SO bad for her and of course scooped her right up and we talked about it. What an awesome big sister she'll be!
She figured out that the room in the basement which is currently the guest room will be her's soon - and the fact that it'll be next to Poppy and Nana's room (the guest room that we're adding in the basement) thrilled her beyond belief. So here's your warning Mom and Dad, once you're both down there together you may get woken up a TAD earlier that you may like!! =)
Which brings me to the basement.....might I just say what a FABULOUS handy husband I have!! Handy Danny .... that's his new nickname! He's got everything framed in and has his boss coming over this afternoon to go over the electrical stuff which apparently is the next step. I have been very impressed with his knowledge of finishing a basement....especially since he's never attempted something like this before. He always get's all embarrassed when I tell him how smart he is, but seriously he was blessed with brains!!! I'll have to take some more pictures on his progress and post those.
I guess other than that, we're just keeping busy with day to day stuff. Barb and Aaron stopped by for a "hello" on their getaway weekend. Always so nice to see family up here. We'll put it out there again that anytime you guys are in the area please look us up. Dan and I both LOVE to entertain and it's really fun to get to know everyone a little better while they're here.
Oh and by the way my due date, which could always change once I get to the doctor (that won't be for a month or so yet) is Sept. 25. Prayer for a healthy baby and pregnancy is always apprecited.

Lots of Love,
Dan, Kim, Makayla and Baby =)

California or Michigan?

Thought I would post a couple of pictures . . . one of the beautiful view from the pier at Pismo Beach in CA looking back at our hotel. . . (if you look closely, you can find a surfer . . .kind of like searching for Ms. Beasley in the White House gardens, however, there really is a surfer . . .Leah)

Anyway, I went with my friend Amy, just for fun, and she couldn't have found a more perfect spot.

The other picture is the snow coming down through the pine trees at home today. So although CA was sunny and NO snow, I have to say that it is quite beautiful here in Michigan.

Other news, Ryan broke his wrist last night snowboarding down his own backyard hill; he went and had it checked out today and is wearing a semi-hard cast until the swelling goes down. Ross hasn't flown yet as the weather conditions and/or mechanical issues have kept him grounded (good flight lingo, don't you think Ross?)

NEW CHANGES!!!

OK obviously this looks a little different than before, but since we're changing...might as well go all the way! Change is GOOD! From now on you will have to sign on to the new blogger, and use the information that I gave you. If you didn't get it. Email me, or post a comment. I hope you enjoy. stacey

Blog Updates

Hello Everyone....I have sent most of you emails about changing the sign in information for posting on the blog. If you did not get the email just email me at staceyshrontz@yahoo.com and let me know and I will get the info to you. I am changing it so that we will have the most current version. I think it will make everything faster, I know my blog does. Anyway...email me or post a comment if you have ANY questions at all.~Stacey