Russell's 21st Birthday!

Happy birthday moments...

The Cool Ranch Doritos conspiracy! We were at the store a while back when I grabbed Russell's favorite chips for his birthday. He didn't know I hid them, and when he asked what happened to them several days later I gave him a very vague answer. Just a few days ago we were at the store picking up some groceries when Russell put a bag of Cool Ranch chips in the cart. I told him we didn't need them. He knew from my face that I was hiding something. I finally admitted I knew where they were. When Russell opened his gift and found the chips...weeeeell. You can see what happened. =D

Birthday cake! Russell requested Banana Split Cake, which is the cake Mom always made me when I was a little girl. We enjoyed having Bro. Buddy, Mrs. Chris, Big Daddy, and Grandma over to celebrate.

Happy Birthday, Russell!

A Birthday Poem

The Kamps are our dearest friends on this forgotten mission field. Alisah, one of the Kamps girls, had a birthday recently. I wrote this poem for her, because I think she is a dear sweet girl. I haven't always been the example I should be, and I want to be so much better than I am. I hope that God can in some way blind others to my many faults and mistakes and use me to be a blessing and example, though imperfect, to those younger than myself.

Alisah, I just want to publicly say that I love you and I'm proud of you! Keep on going, girl! =)

You’re blossoming into a beautiful rose

With the personality God individually chose.

He created you with a very special plan;

May you please Him in every single way that you can.

~

Let the fragrance of your life send sweet aromas everywhere,

So with others Christ’s love you can tenderly share.

May the colors of your bud be a live and radiant hope

For some poor and lonely soul who in darkness does grope.

~

May the soil in which you’re planted be ever rich and good,

So with faithfulness and honor you do the things you should.

I pray God’s blessing falls like a gentle rain all around,

For in you a sweet young lady we all have surely found.

~

May you have all the best in the important years ahead;

Don’t wish them away, but treasure each day instead.

Your time at home is short, and adulthood is almost here;

Whatever lies before you, the Everlasting God is near.

~

Your family and friends treasure you, dear girl!

Whatever others think, we know you’re a precious pearl.

From the course God has chosen never turn aside or sway.

We love you lots, Alisah. Happy 14th Birthday!!!

My 22nd Birthday!

I turned 22 today! Wow! That sounds so old, but I feel so young.

Russell had a special birthday card made for me, printed professionally, but the words were his own. Boy...it was hard not to cry. I love my Russell. I don't know how I got such a fine, godly, sweet, adoring young man. The Lord is good to me!

Russell gave me Hannah Bear for my birthday. Now I have Russell Bear from our first visit, Little Bear from our second visit, and Hannah Bear from our third visit! Russell is really starting a trend here. =D He's such a romantic. On our fourth visit we will be getting married! That is an exciting thought!

Russell and Lydia made breakfast and would hardly let me do anything besides open a pack of blueberries, which I am doing in the picture. =D

We drove to Utrecht and went bowling. That was fun, although from the scores you can see I stunk at it. =D I didn't care though. I had the time of my life because.... Well, I'm sure you can guess. (wasntme) =D

I got very nice gifts which are mostly for our house. Mom and Dad gave me a porcelain tree set and little pond (mirror) so I can start my own little Christmas village set. I got a bowl and cup set (it's plastic but looks like paper ware), a red mixing bowl, a tea tin to add to my tin collection, an adorable flowered milk pitcher, a CD of baby lullabies and hymns, a mouse daily planner, pink socks, and a pink and white striped shirt (I'm wearing it in the picture showing the necklace Russell gave me). I got spoiled!!! Lydia got me the heart frame and little red bucket.

Little kids play a game called, "I see something ___" and then name off a color. Have you noticed that there is something RED in just about every picture? Yes. It's a pillow or pillowS. Mom went pillow happy when we were last in the States. We now own a total of 9 pillows for the living room couches. We've had some fun teasing her about that, but they came in handy while Russell was here. They helped us keep from sitting too close. =D

Happy birthday to me!
Having Russell with me was the best birthday present ever! Thank you, Lord!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Mom had a birthday today! At her request we drove to Kijkduin to see the lit-up balls in the sand. It was so foggy you can't even see there's an ocean back there... Oh well. =)

On the way we stopped by one of the few Yankee Candle stores we have here and bought Mom a few additional gifts. Don't you just looooooooooooove those Yankee candles? I'm so spoiled. My guy gets me one at every opportunity. =)

After wandering around trying to find a good place to get coffee and fries, we ended up going to a tiny little snack shop on the waterfront. It was so small it almost seemed like our waiter (the only person there) was playing restaurant. (chuckle) I was kind of afraid of how sanitary the place and food might be, but we were all pleasantly surprised. Talk about yummy steak fries!

WHAT is it??? As we were driving past, I did a double take when I laid eyes on this duck...quail...goose??? What a poor confused creature! =D

Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you!

Josiah's 16th Birthday!

Josiah had a birthday! I can hardly comprehend that my baby brother turned 16!!! It seems like I just had my 16th birthday. Where does time go? We celebrated his special day on Monday, since his actual birthday was on a Sunday...which makes for a too-busy day with church and all.

Loving Apple and Mac and all that stuff as he does, I thought Josiah's gifts might be more acceptable decorated with the Mac symbol--an apple. He is trying to convert everyone to being a Mac user...and he's doing a good job too. It's too bad he doesn't get paid, cause he sure makes a good salesman. (chuckle)

No worms guaranteed...

And that was true! It was a Bible! No worms there! ;)

In a hurry to open his gifts. =D

Awwwww! That is so sweet! Mom's last baby...now 16! Wow!

We spent the evening with the Kamps at their house. We had dinner, went ice-skating, the guys played some racing games, and we had snacks and hot cider and cake by a blazing fire. Nice! Josiah enjoyed spending time with his buddy Josh.

I love my brother!!! Y

Clay's Birthday and Pier Park

Here are the two cool dudes! =D



There is nothing quite like a Florida beach. The sand is white and the water is a clear greenish blue. SO pretty!



Lyd and me! I love my sister soooooooo much!



Looking off into the future... Who knows what it holds? I don't know...but I know Who holds it!

And I think I can go through anything with Russell by my side.



The two love birds!

Admiring the sunset together...



From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.
~ Psalm 113:3




It is finally cold in Florida! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!



Aaron can never be left out of the fun!!! =D

Happy birthday, Clay!!! We sure love you a ton!

Phriends having phun.

Then Russell got bored with talking so he started writing...

He is such a romantic. (chuckle)

Aww! I think it's so cute!!!

Click on the picture. Do you see something?

I put my engagement ring in on my sand hand. =D

Beautiful!

Pier Park is right on the beach. It is so cute with shops and cafes, stores and resturants, a boardwalk, and even a fire pit for warming your hands. There are rides for kids too. It's a nice place to go with people you enjoy spending time with.

This is where we ate dinner.



Clay opened his birthday gifts from us.

The food was good. Russell ordered crab legs and let me have a bite. It was pretty good. I'm not big on seafood, but I guess that will probably changing seeing as I'll be living in FL.

Clay and Josiah...

Window shopping is fun! Lydia has fallen in love with Mrs. Chris's turtles, so she bought her one made completely out of shells. It's too cute! That is what we were all admiring here. What a nice day!!! =)