To all the thrifty shoppers...

Hello Everyone!! I wanted to put the word out, cuzz I know how efficient and thrifty this family is, that I"m looking for a few baby items. I would really like a double stroller (definitely #1 on my list), an excer-saucer and a floor jungle gym (something that the baby lays on with toys hung above it). These were all things I borrowed when Makayla was little but couldn't get them this time around. I'm obviously not opposed to used items and have been looking at garage sales but they must be few and far between around here. A little dirty is okay because it washes up but I would like them to be in fairly good condition. Anyhow, if anyone has one of them that I could borrow or knows of a good second-hand place to buy them I'd be grateful for the info!
Everything is well here.....we're all counting down to baby's arrival! =) Looking forward to seeing all your shining faces at the big bash at Stellies! Love you all! Kim

BARN PROJECT

A work day has been planned for anyone that would like to help side Grandpa and Grandma TerBeek's barn. Two days have been scheduled due to weather and/or volunteer's availability.

Saturday, September 22

&

Saturday, September 29

There is also non-building tasks like helping with food and drinks, etc. Please email or call David; dave@terbeekandscott.com; 293-4545 so there is an approximate count on the number of people coming for food and supplies.

Thank you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RENEE!

Carlos Andres Valladares Scott

The newsest addition to our family has arrived! He was born at 1:05pm today, September 2 and weighed in at 6lbs 12oz with a length of 19inches. Congratulations Tash and Carlos! And welcome to the family Andres!

FAMILY NOTIFICATION OF THE COLOSSAL EVENT OF THE CENTURY!

TO: The TerBeek Family

FROM: The Stellemas

SUBJECT: Food, Fun, Fellowship & Celebration of Grandpa & Grandma's 59th Anniversary

DATE: Saturday, September 15, 2007 @The Stellemas

HIGHLIGHTS: Friday night campfire & campout. If you choose to do so, please contact Aunt Donna to let her know of your plans.

OFFICIAL FESTIVITIES BEGIN - SATURDAY 1:00 PM
*BBQ's & Hotdogs
*Rootbeer Floats, Sundaes & Cake
*Swimming (weather permitting)
*Quads, Dirt Bikes, Golf Cart Rides
*Children's Craft Table
*Horseshoes,Bocce Ball, Washer Game

WHAT TO BRING? Bag chairs . . . Also, it has been suggested that you bring a memory to share either publicly or written down for Grandpa & Grandpa to enjoy later.

Please contact Aunt Donna ASAP to let her know that you are coming for both the camping and for Saturday so we know how many people to plan for - mom6996@aol.com

Andrea's Shower

Hi! It's Stacey. I just wanted to post a couple of pictures from Andrea's shower. Thanks to everyone that came out and blessed Andrea and Tim with your gifts.

By the way, the last picture is of Tina at 25 weeks and Tashina at 38 weeks. Hopefully we'll hear something soon!

a mysterious image

Coming home...

Hi. I just wanted to let you all know my brother, because he went to Argentina for 6 weeks this year on vacation, his boss wasn't able to let him off for another several days. He is the general manager of a restuarant in town...and that means he isn't coming. I'm sad because I really wanted him to meet all of you and you him. But, la vie c'est la vie, oui?

I love you all. Life is going good. I will see all of you on the 16th for Grandma and Grandpa's 59th anniversary bash! Wahoo.

Jenny

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO KATIE TOO

kATIE POLAVIN HAD A BIRTHDAY (25) ON AUGUST 4 ALSO ! we were up north so this post is late too. Love you Katie :) See ya next week. Mom

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAYS TO BRENDA (August 2)& LISA (August 4)!

Now but not yet

Jennifer's post made me think about a conversation that I have been sharing in and processing for a few years now. The struggle of living in a society that God calls us to be in but not of, calls us to go to them in love yet not succumb to their temptations, nor judge them because that is not our job. I think of freedom, wealth, security in these contexts, what does it mean for me to feel secure, where do I put my wealth and what does that word mean to me, and am I free. These questions seem to fit in or perhaps continue to spur on this conversation of "now but not yet". Jesus says differnt place that the kingdom of heaven is now, and he refers to the kindgom of heaven many times throughout his time here on earth, and even teaches us to pray for the kingdom of heaven to come here.
The conversation we have had has been what is now but not yet mean to us, as we see the joys and the people helping each other, as we see the faminie, pandemics, war and as we continue to feel the pull in ourselves, the battle that rages within to flip-flop inbetween these realities facing our world.

Today I have spent the day with my daughter, with her laugh at my antics and crying for seemingly no reason and I can't help but think what is her heaven going to look like.
One of Robin's family friends is facing death and he is an avid Michigan football fan. Last week they made an early morning trek to Ann Arbor, to the hospital there, that he has made so many times before to sit in the big house and watch his beloved Wolverines, he ws riding with his wife, which makes up his family having no children, and he looked over in pain but happy and said.
"Do you think this is what Heaven is like?"

Where do you all see heaven on earth, His kingdom come here, His now reality? And how are we helping to bring His kingdom here to earth in a more real way?

I think I am loving my wife and daughter the best I can, loving and being the best friend I can, trying to walk alongside folks and share moments of life with them good and bad trying to grab the moments of wisdom and teachable moments, I spend time in His glorious outdoors and I am reading this blog and continueing to share in your hearts and this community of electronic heaven. I pray for each of you a piece of heaven today and may you share it with another you love.

Thoughts from the West Side

It's peaceful here in my little studio of 250 sq ft. It's cozy and quaint. I really like it. I guess it's home...the closest I've had to home in a long time. That feels good. I can hear the train blaring in the background, the distant sounds of the city and the 5's south bound traffic. It's become gently familiar, like the comfort I find in Barber's Adagio for Strings. My job is going really well. I'm happy and productive in it. I sleep well. I have wonderful friends. I'm finding my way in San Diego. Kind of feels like a bubble...

There is a fragility to life that surrounds me, lives in me. Security and freedom are illusions we try and protect not only as individuals, but as communities and nations. The reality of it all is that those things can change suddenly. I wonder who we would be as a nation if we lost the freedom and security we hold so dear. I don't think most people would survive. I live near an 81 year old woman who lived through the depression in the early 20s. She said people were committing suicide every day, jumping off buildings, didn't know what to do, despair and fear set it in so deeply they did not want to live.

How strange that we are what we buy?

I had a co-worker/new friend in my office today sharing with me the realm of watches. I was looking at watches the other day. I haven't owned one in a very long time. I thought it might be nice to have one. He had sold Rolex watches for a living, and asked me how much I thought an expensive watch was...and I said, $500.00. He said that some of the Rolex watches he sold were over $100,000.00. Yes, count the zeros. Given I grew up in a 3rd world country, those zeros represent to me a small school, hosptial, nutrition clinique, a well for fresh water and several teachers' salaries for a few years....all on my wrist. The grossness of all of it still amazes me. I think I'd have a hard time spending $500 on a watch.

The comment he made that stuck with me...that's rolling around in my head tonight was, "If you have a big diamond in your ear, a Rolex on your arm, Gucci shoes and a BMW, you're successful." I didn't say it, but I thought it... "Or really in debt to placate your insecurities or play a game that's swallowing you whole."

Nice things are not bad, but many times the motivation underlying their ownership is less than wonderful.

Here's to true security and freedom...the kind that if everything was stripped away from you... You'd still rejoice in being alive and capable of utterances of gratitude no matter what because you know what you are and who you are... That solidarity remains a precious possession that exists in places where no one can steal it, unless you let them.

Rest in the intrinsic value of you...as God declared over and placed within you by His breath and His Word.

Be encouraged. You are loved...today and every day.

Jennifer
2341 Irving Ave
San Diego, CA 92113

Marquette

I just read Stacey's blog and what she said is true! We love Lake Superior and Marquette! We had a great time biking/hiking/wading/eating french fries/touring/picture taking/eating french fries/collecting moss & rocks/ and did I mention eating french fries??? My dad ordered some at every place for an appetizer . . . . we've tried every kind offered in the U.P.

We really did have a great time seeing more of where they live, now that they have been there a year and where they both work. If you visit while Stacey is working, she LOVES it when you hit the bell for service so make sure you ding it several times!

We stayed in the campground in Marquette very close to Jason & Staceys and on the way home stayed right off hwy. 2 about as close to Lake MI as you can get (last picture). We couldn't have had more perfect scenery every where we went.

The Eisen family

Well hello my furry friends! I thought i would write and say a great big HELLO. The house is going good, were getting ready for shingles and windows. We have been so blessed with all the help from family and friends. The kids are great getting to big. Eli starts school this fall omg I can't believe it, makes me wanna cry. Lily is almost 1. Jason is busy working, working on concrete and building our house. Me.......... I'm good just enduring this time of construction. Well that's about all for now. toodles from Jason, Audrey and the kids.

update on the canoe trip

hey cousins,
just wanted to update you on the canoe trip. we are still going on aug 4 but are leaving at 10 am from wisners canoe rental in newaygo. as of right now I have matt and courtney, andy and kim, joel and megs, dan and kim and carlos and tash down to go. if you are not on this list and still want to go please call me asap 862-5334.
we are doing the four hour raft trip. if you are on the list and can't go please let me know asap too because i haveto pay for the rentals if we use them or not so I have to give them a definate soon. love you all. lindy

update on the canoe trip

Hello from California

Hello all,

I just went to view the blog I'd written, went back to edit something and lost it all. In a nutshell...

1. In the past three months, I have a new home, a new used car, several contract jobs which I've finalized, and a new job as a Project Manager for a small publishing company, www.weddingsolutions.com. It's a fantastic company, great people and a wonderful boss, decent pay... And no, I don't have a boyfriend. ;)


2. I'm coming home for Grandma and Grandpa's 59th wedding anniversary. I'm bringing my adopted brother from Agentina with me. I lived with him for almost a year. He is one of the craziest, most caring people I know. He was in the Argentinian navy for 15 years--the US equivelant of a Navy Seal. He smokes, cuses and drinks like a sailor, but he took care of me, never broke his word, never lied to me, loved and honored me even when it cost him... I moved out to my own little house, but in leaving it was on my heart to offer him a family in the United States. When I told him I wanted him to be my brother, he cried. "Ess lika...wha you call it? ay...I hah a noodle een my troat, JJ... You know when som-ting ees stuck dare?" He said no one, in particular an American, in the 7 years he's been here had offered him the deep abiding love of family. Isn't that amazing... And he puts himself out there...he'd give the shirt off his back to anyone who asked. It was sad and wonderful at the same time. I felt like it really was a Jesus moment... I hope all of you will make him welcome. He's been giddy about coming home with me since I asked him. He promised to try hard not to swear around the little kids. I told him my family was wonderful, and that he would be and is most welcome. Just look for the black haired Italian with a cigarette in his mouth...attempting to push my brother Matt away from the pig roaster. GG (Guillermo) is a master chef in Argentina, and grilling/roasting happens to be his speciality. He's actually well known in various areas of San Diego for his cooking/grilling. Hilarious. Tease him all you like. He's got a great sense of humor.

I'm sure you'll be at the party for G&G TB (sound electrical, doesn't it?), so we will both look forward to seeing everyone BIG TIME!

3. I'm going to Mexico tomorrow for my first time with GG and a friend of his named Paula. My very own tour guides/interpreters. :) Happy day.

Pic was taking July 1, 07.

Love to all today...and every day.

Jennifer