The whole house thing is turning into madness. I feel as if, in the past year, we have made a complete circle and ended up right back where we started in this matter. Well, we do have land that we'll hopefully keep and pay off, but instead of building on it right now, we're thinking of buying a pre-existing house (or a cheaper new one) and paying off the land over the course of time. Or maybe just saving money. Money, money, money. It's all about money.
So, we've searched GRAR long and hard to see what's out there. We've looked at Holwerda Homes, which we were thinking of building before. We've driven all around the Kentwood/Wyoming/Grand Rapids area looking at houses that are for sale. And I'm frustrated! I wish God would just somehow make the decision for us, and tell us what to do. I mean, send us a letter in the mail or just outright talk to me. I'll listen! I just wish we didn't have to make this decision ourselves. I think it's just so much more stressful because our lease is up in a month and a half, so now we have a deadline for making some sort of decision. Yikes!
There are plenty of 2-bedroom houses that we could get, which are nice enough, even new. But, we want to probably have another baby before we'd move from this house, so I would like to have a 3-bedroom house (with all 3 bedrooms on the same floor) to accomodate our whole family. Or should we just rough it and put Grace and New Baby in the same room for a while? Grrr, I don't know. I wish we could just build the house we love on the land we love, and live in it. But money is always the issue.
Can somebody tell us what to do, please?
-{lkr}
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Monday, May 23, 2005
We made it!
We made it home after a long, yet fun, weekend in Indiana. Yay!
Betsey's musical was absolutely amazing. The drama was touching, the choreography was fun, and the choir was absolutely phenomenal. YAY for Betsey! We LOVED it!
It was just good to visit with the family, too. It's been a while since we've been down there, so it was nice to just relax a little bit with them all. They're all so great with Grace, too. I truly love the girl, but it is nice to get a little bit of a break sometimes, and they're all so willing to play with her. (It's especially nice in the mornings, when Luke and I want to sleep in, but Grace is awake already! Thanks, Mom and Dad for letting us sleep!) Anyway, we'll be down there again in about a week and a half, for Betsey's graduation.
We made it to church last night, almost on time. It was SO good to be back after two weeks away. I love it that we're at a church that we really miss when we're gone. The message was good: "What husbands wish their wives knew about men." And then we stayed after church for almost an hour talking to people we missed. I LOVE it that we're in a church where fellowship is that important to us. God has definitely blessed us with these church people.
So then we came home and watched ABC to see if we won $4000. We didn't. (Darn.)
And then...Grace slept from about 10pm until 8am...YAY!!! Finally, she slept all the way through the night again. It was wonderful. I think it might have helped that she pooped last night, which she doesn't do a whole lot. It probably helped her feel better.
Anyway, I shall go. Just wanted to give an update...
Erin, YOU CAN DO IT! on your exams this week. You're a genious - so go get those A's!
-{lkr}
Betsey's musical was absolutely amazing. The drama was touching, the choreography was fun, and the choir was absolutely phenomenal. YAY for Betsey! We LOVED it!
It was just good to visit with the family, too. It's been a while since we've been down there, so it was nice to just relax a little bit with them all. They're all so great with Grace, too. I truly love the girl, but it is nice to get a little bit of a break sometimes, and they're all so willing to play with her. (It's especially nice in the mornings, when Luke and I want to sleep in, but Grace is awake already! Thanks, Mom and Dad for letting us sleep!) Anyway, we'll be down there again in about a week and a half, for Betsey's graduation.
We made it to church last night, almost on time. It was SO good to be back after two weeks away. I love it that we're at a church that we really miss when we're gone. The message was good: "What husbands wish their wives knew about men." And then we stayed after church for almost an hour talking to people we missed. I LOVE it that we're in a church where fellowship is that important to us. God has definitely blessed us with these church people.
So then we came home and watched ABC to see if we won $4000. We didn't. (Darn.)
And then...Grace slept from about 10pm until 8am...YAY!!! Finally, she slept all the way through the night again. It was wonderful. I think it might have helped that she pooped last night, which she doesn't do a whole lot. It probably helped her feel better.
Anyway, I shall go. Just wanted to give an update...
Erin, YOU CAN DO IT! on your exams this week. You're a genious - so go get those A's!
-{lkr}
Friday, May 20, 2005
La la la la la...
Who would believe it that our sister Betsey is almost a graduate of high school? I swear it was just yesterday that I met her, and she was only, what, fourteen? And now look at her! She's a beautiful girl who is going to college soon...But first, she's singing in the musical, which is this weekend! We're excited to come see her and the rest of the fam (that's Mom-Dad-Emily-Erin-Zach-Elyse-and-maybe-Dano). I'll admit it, I'm not too excited for all the driving coming up in the next month, but I'm excited to be there for the musical, graduation, and open house. Ooh, and her valedictory speech! Those always make me tear up a little bit. I'm so proud!
On the home front, Grace is SO big! She had her 6-month check-up this week. She's 16-1/2 pounds and 27 inches long. The weight is only like the 60th percentile (down from the 85th?), but the height is still up there (90th percentile). I think she's taking after her daddy - tall and thin. Man, I wish I had those genes!
She had four shots in her little legs at the doctor appointment, and she did SO well! She screamed while the nurse (note: ONE nurse, so ONE shot at a time; YUCK) gave the shots. But then, afterward she just looked at us. I think it made me want to cry more than her this time! Wow! And, even better, we had her 6-month pictures taken that night, and she was an angel! She smiled and played with us, and I think the pictures will turn out great. Can't wait to get them back! (Hopefully in a week or two.)
She's finally starting to have giggle attacks, which are SO fun. The other night, in the tub, I dropped a one of her toys in the water and it splashed, and she just cracked up. It is the most beautiful sound in the world to me. I just wish she would do it more often!
Well, we're leaving in an hour and a half (maybe) to come to Indiana, so I must go! I need to clean, pack, make dinner, pack, feed Grace, and pack. Haha, maybe not in that order...We'll see you all SOON!
(Betsey, "break a leg" tonight! Sorry we can't make it to both! Love you!)
-{lkr}
On the home front, Grace is SO big! She had her 6-month check-up this week. She's 16-1/2 pounds and 27 inches long. The weight is only like the 60th percentile (down from the 85th?), but the height is still up there (90th percentile). I think she's taking after her daddy - tall and thin. Man, I wish I had those genes!
She had four shots in her little legs at the doctor appointment, and she did SO well! She screamed while the nurse (note: ONE nurse, so ONE shot at a time; YUCK) gave the shots. But then, afterward she just looked at us. I think it made me want to cry more than her this time! Wow! And, even better, we had her 6-month pictures taken that night, and she was an angel! She smiled and played with us, and I think the pictures will turn out great. Can't wait to get them back! (Hopefully in a week or two.)
She's finally starting to have giggle attacks, which are SO fun. The other night, in the tub, I dropped a one of her toys in the water and it splashed, and she just cracked up. It is the most beautiful sound in the world to me. I just wish she would do it more often!
Well, we're leaving in an hour and a half (maybe) to come to Indiana, so I must go! I need to clean, pack, make dinner, pack, feed Grace, and pack. Haha, maybe not in that order...We'll see you all SOON!
(Betsey, "break a leg" tonight! Sorry we can't make it to both! Love you!)
-{lkr}
Thursday, May 12, 2005
A tooth and some nails!!
Well, I am sure Lacey could fill you in a little better on the details, but Grace's first tooth definitely poked through today!! We were really excited, and it helps explain a lot of her crankiness recently. That little bugger is sharp!
On the home (nails) front, we met with a company called U-Build-It, which helps you do the General Contracting yourself, and gives you all kinds of resources and contacts. We got pretty excited looking at the details of how other people saved money and got instant equity out of their home-building projects. We will be consulting with some real builders, but this could be our new game plan (fingers crossed)!
-Luke
On the home (nails) front, we met with a company called U-Build-It, which helps you do the General Contracting yourself, and gives you all kinds of resources and contacts. We got pretty excited looking at the details of how other people saved money and got instant equity out of their home-building projects. We will be consulting with some real builders, but this could be our new game plan (fingers crossed)!
-Luke
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Still recovering...
...from some busy days...It all started Saturday. We started out by going to C-stone graduation in the morning, which was nice. We got to see lots of friends graduate. Then, we went to an open house for Stacy, a good friend. We ate and ran, because we had to make the trek to Detroit (well, Mt. Clemens) for a wedding...It was Luke's cousin and now-wife, who are super nice. Anyway, after the wedding, we drove all the way back home and didn't get to bed until midnight-ish.
Sunday morning, Luke had to be at church early to play music. So I stayed home to get myself and Grace ready. I was ready to leave when I couldn't find my keys, so Jana had to come and pick me up for church. She was at church with us, then we went out to lunch and came back home to chat. It was SO good to catch up after her 2 months in Vienna...That night, we went to night church.
Monday morning, I had brunch with the Young Moms' group. Then I had to clean house for Luke's men's Bible study that night.
This morning, I got up and had a shopping spree with Sheri (our pastor's wife). We took Grace and three of her kids - Abby, Lydia, and Noah - to Holland Outlet Center. It was so nice to have some quality "girl time" with another mom and someone I really respect. I got a few things at the Carter's outlet, and some summer clothes at the Gap outlet. We had a great time.
But NOW we're tired! It's been a long four days. I'm happy that tomorrow is completely free until evening POD groups. I'll pray that Grace will let me sleep in. (It would be a miracle!)
Looking ahead, we'll spend this coming weekend in Manton with my family, then next weekend in Indiana for Betsey's musical. In the beginning of June, we'll be in Indiana a couple more times for Betsey's graduation and open house. She's the valedictorian. (Valedictorian = smarty pants) We're very proud of that girl. She'll be at Grace College in Indiana in the fall, which sounds like a good school, but it's also too far away! Why can't all of our family members just live in GR? I think it would solve so many traveling problems. Plus, it would save on gas. I wonder if our families would mind moving here? There are plenty of colleges in the area, that's for sure.
Okay, not a related topic at all, but "the pretty sister" is going to dress in Star Wars garb and go to the midnight premier of Episode 3? I can see attending the movie, but c'mon Erin, a costume? That's almost as bad as going to a convention! :-)
Welp, gotta go. It's late, and Grace is sleeping. Time for us to do the same!
{lkr}
Sunday morning, Luke had to be at church early to play music. So I stayed home to get myself and Grace ready. I was ready to leave when I couldn't find my keys, so Jana had to come and pick me up for church. She was at church with us, then we went out to lunch and came back home to chat. It was SO good to catch up after her 2 months in Vienna...That night, we went to night church.
Monday morning, I had brunch with the Young Moms' group. Then I had to clean house for Luke's men's Bible study that night.
This morning, I got up and had a shopping spree with Sheri (our pastor's wife). We took Grace and three of her kids - Abby, Lydia, and Noah - to Holland Outlet Center. It was so nice to have some quality "girl time" with another mom and someone I really respect. I got a few things at the Carter's outlet, and some summer clothes at the Gap outlet. We had a great time.
But NOW we're tired! It's been a long four days. I'm happy that tomorrow is completely free until evening POD groups. I'll pray that Grace will let me sleep in. (It would be a miracle!)
Looking ahead, we'll spend this coming weekend in Manton with my family, then next weekend in Indiana for Betsey's musical. In the beginning of June, we'll be in Indiana a couple more times for Betsey's graduation and open house. She's the valedictorian. (Valedictorian = smarty pants) We're very proud of that girl. She'll be at Grace College in Indiana in the fall, which sounds like a good school, but it's also too far away! Why can't all of our family members just live in GR? I think it would solve so many traveling problems. Plus, it would save on gas. I wonder if our families would mind moving here? There are plenty of colleges in the area, that's for sure.
Okay, not a related topic at all, but "the pretty sister" is going to dress in Star Wars garb and go to the midnight premier of Episode 3? I can see attending the movie, but c'mon Erin, a costume? That's almost as bad as going to a convention! :-)
Welp, gotta go. It's late, and Grace is sleeping. Time for us to do the same!
{lkr}
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Well, the good news is, Grace slept almost all the way through the night last night. YAY! She woke up once (I think she was tooting or pooping), and put herself back to sleep. Hooray! I feel SO much better after a good night's sleep.
But poor little Grace. Her nose is running like a faucet and she has a fever, and she just doesn't feel good. I don't know if she's teething or sick or what. Poor baby.
Just wanted to give an update.
{lkr}
But poor little Grace. Her nose is running like a faucet and she has a fever, and she just doesn't feel good. I don't know if she's teething or sick or what. Poor baby.
Just wanted to give an update.
{lkr}
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Terrible five1/2-monthseses
Remember that one time I was at a Pampered Chef party, talking about how eating garlic makes Grace scream (because I nurse), and I'm sitting there eating these cool dipping sauces? Well, does the Pampered Chef lady bother to tell me that every single sauce she has out contains garlic?! NO! So Grace is fussy already anyways, and I get her home and she'll hardly eat anything before bed. And then comes the fun part...
Luke and I got to bed around 11 or 11:30. Grace gets up (for the first time) just before 2am. I put her pacifier in and fall back into bed. Then, she gets up again FOUR more times by the time it's 4:30am. Finally, she's in her crib screaming and not wanting to sleep. She has a stuffy nose and probably an upset tummy, and I just decide to pick her up. So, I suck the boogers out of her nose (which also makes her scream) and end up nursing her. But does that make her go to sleep? NO! She decides it's playtime, at 5 in the morning! This doesn't make mommy or daddy happy. So I make a makeshift bed on the floor in her room (something I NEVER wanted to do, and never want to do again), put her in her bouncy seat (the angle would help with the stuffy nose thing), and try to get her to sleep. Does she? NO. Luke gets up with her a few times. I get up with her again. FINALLY she falls asleep. I have no idea what time it was. But she must've gotten up again between 6 and 7am, because Luke took care of her until he had to leave for work just before 8am. (He's an amazing husband, by the way.) So, I nurse again and eventually put her back in her crib, and she screams. So I feed her some cereal and put her in her crib, and she screams. So I put her in her bouncy seat while I shower, and she screams. Finally, I put her in her crib again, and she screams and FINALLY falls asleep. That's where she is now. I hope she stays there for a while, 'cause I can't take much more of this. I'll have to make my amazing husband come home from work to watch her while I go away. Anywhere, just away from the screaming.
Luke and I got to bed around 11 or 11:30. Grace gets up (for the first time) just before 2am. I put her pacifier in and fall back into bed. Then, she gets up again FOUR more times by the time it's 4:30am. Finally, she's in her crib screaming and not wanting to sleep. She has a stuffy nose and probably an upset tummy, and I just decide to pick her up. So, I suck the boogers out of her nose (which also makes her scream) and end up nursing her. But does that make her go to sleep? NO! She decides it's playtime, at 5 in the morning! This doesn't make mommy or daddy happy. So I make a makeshift bed on the floor in her room (something I NEVER wanted to do, and never want to do again), put her in her bouncy seat (the angle would help with the stuffy nose thing), and try to get her to sleep. Does she? NO. Luke gets up with her a few times. I get up with her again. FINALLY she falls asleep. I have no idea what time it was. But she must've gotten up again between 6 and 7am, because Luke took care of her until he had to leave for work just before 8am. (He's an amazing husband, by the way.) So, I nurse again and eventually put her back in her crib, and she screams. So I feed her some cereal and put her in her crib, and she screams. So I put her in her bouncy seat while I shower, and she screams. Finally, I put her in her crib again, and she screams and FINALLY falls asleep. That's where she is now. I hope she stays there for a while, 'cause I can't take much more of this. I'll have to make my amazing husband come home from work to watch her while I go away. Anywhere, just away from the screaming.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Cute Kade
I just want to say that my nephew is a sweetheart! He's just under a month older than Grace...They're going to be friends when they get a little older. Anyway, here's a sweet picture of him!
{lkr}
{lkr}
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Mawage is what bwings us togevah today.
YAY! After 3+ years of dating, our wonderful friends Stacy and Matt are engaged! Hooray!
Both Stacy and Matt are involved at Calvary Church, so Matt proposed on stage, at the end of a skit they were doing in front of everyone at the Saturday night church service. We got to see a video of it - it was SO sweet. YAY for them! The wedding will be in October or November, so I get to help Stacy plan it! Fun!
{lkr}
Both Stacy and Matt are involved at Calvary Church, so Matt proposed on stage, at the end of a skit they were doing in front of everyone at the Saturday night church service. We got to see a video of it - it was SO sweet. YAY for them! The wedding will be in October or November, so I get to help Stacy plan it! Fun!
{lkr}
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