I'm usually in the middle of some intense REM by now...

This isn't like me...I usually pass out when my head hits the pillow at night (or before then, like on the couch - oh I am just like my mother in that regard). ;-) Yet for whatever reason, even after a long day of some intense work (house projects and yard work), I can't fall asleep. There are some family issues on my heart and mind, and my mind just won't settle down with other things bouncing around up there...

Before Scotty fell asleep (which isn't like him - I always beat him to REM), I told him a couple verses that have been good "anchors" for me this year. Thought I'd post them on the blog as well...

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

This verse reminds me that I'm not living for myself. Jesus, who gave His life for me, is the One who lives through me, (by the Holy Spirit - John 14:15-21). He loved me so much, that He died in my place. Jesus, who had never sinned, became sin for me (2 Corinthians 5:21), so that I could be reconciled to God. The life I live is now for Jesus, as a way to thank Him for all He did for me.

Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

This verse is first of all prefaced by the awesome verses that remind us that we cannot earn our salvation - it is God's gift, called grace (Eph. 2:8-9)! I just have to believe in Jesus, called faith! Secondly, when I freak out about trying to figure out how to live for God, I can be confident that He already planned out how I am going to live for Him. I shouldn't worry, He knows how I can best show Him love and thanks with my life. He'll show the "works" He has for me, b/c He's already planned them all out!

There you have it. God rocks. Jesus rocks. He's got my back, He's got my future all mapped out. I just trust Him and follow His lead.

Micah's Jeep

While Micah and I were in CA, daddy (in MI) assembled Micah's early birthday gift from g'pa and g'ma Ruth. He fired 'er up on Saturday, and has been thoroughly enjoying it ever since. My 2 1/2 year old behind the wheel of a "car." Wow, he really is growing up fast!

Now that's a lawn chair!!

While at the local hardware store, we stumbled across this "King Pin" chair (how could we miss it)? 6 cup holders!! Too funny.

The Graduate!

Rachel's commencement ceremony on Wednesday night, dinner afterward, and then her grad party last night were all great! No time for stories for more photos now (though there are hundreds of pics on my camera and freshly created memories in my mind), because I'll be heading back to Michigan in a few short hours...just wanted to throw another photo or two up before Micah and my travels back home begin (see you soon, Scotty)!

Micah and I are in California!

My sister Rachel is graduating tonight. She has worked her way through 10 years of school, work, school, moving, school, work, school, and travel to get to this point. She will have a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics. How cool is that?

For this long-awaited and momentous occasion, Micah and I flew out to CA for the week (we miss you back in MI, dad)!!! It has already been a jam-packed 30+ hours of talking, laughing, eating, laughing, sleeping (minimally of course, we're on vacation, and there are more important things to do!), hanging out with friends and family...

Micah and I jump-started the trip with a little Express plane from Grand Rapids to Chicago airport on Monday night. Micah and I were in the last row, and due to our carry-ons and nature of the slowness of traveling with a toddler, we were the last passengers off the flight. We thanked the pilot on our way out and said, "good job." He invited Micah into the cock-pit!! I whipped out my camera and watched my little pilot in training (?) :-) as he pushed buttons, steered the wheel, and talked over the intercom.




Tuesday moring started bright and early and we got to have breakfast with Papa Sovilla before he left for work. Then Micah and I went to Joy Missionary Circle with my mom (a precious group of women who faithfully pray for missionaries and meet up once a month). I used to attend back in high school...it was so good to see these women again, and bring Micah along too.

On the heels of Joy Circle, I got together with two of my very dear childhood buddies, Beth and Jennifer. After a bite to eat at the famous In & Out (we don't have those in the midwest), we just enjoyed one another's company! Talking, catching up, speaking of our dreams and goals ahead, and just being thankful to be together. And, as is the case with two boys in tow (Jennifer's son and my own), we found our way to a local park so they could run off some energy while us gals chatted more. The time ended too soon...


Then last night I got to eat out with my sis' Elizabeth at a cute little cafe. We got a chance to catch up on details in life, and just enjoy having gramps and gramma at home to watch our kiddos. Moms out on the town, just the two of us!

Now I'm home with the cousins (Micah, Anne and Lillyann), while grandma and Elizabeth get a chance to attend "Sharing Day" at Bible Study Fellowship today. I'm looking forward to my own "Sharing Day" next week at my class of BSF in MI. God has really used this year studying the Gospel of John to focus my eyes on His Son Jesus more. Jesus is the best, and loves us so much!!




Tonight starts the graduation festivities with the commencement ceremony and a grad party tomorrow night...before you know it, I'll be back on plane...I'm thankful for the time I have here right now. God is good!

Yardwork: a lot of the same, over, and over, and over again

When I stepped into home-ownership, I imagined keeping up the house - that's a given. Little did I know that 'land-ownership' would require just as much time and attention. From raking in the fall, to shoveling snow in the winter, to springtime lawn maintenance, there is a lot to be done outdoors. No complaints, just stating fact!

Here's our most recent spring outdoor project, to try to salvage our weed-run yards...


De-thatch:


De-thatch some more:


Seed:


Water:


Water:


Water some more (yes, Micah is wearing his SpiderMan helmet - he loves that thing):


At least the whole family can join in!

8 adults + 11 kids = a whole lotta somethin'

This weekend Scotty, Micah and I headed out to IL for a "business trip." Fortunately, Scott didn't have to do any work while we were there, we were just able to fellowship as families and believers in Jesus. What a blessing and joy to be all together - eating, laughing, conversing...

The families: Ruths (3), Bartletts (3), Galicinskis (7), Stubbs (6)


Scotty, Justin, Jason, Adam

Mommy, wow! I'm a big kid now.

Micah has grown up this week, and not just because he's on the path to successful potty training (hence the subject line). This growing up has been gradual, but it seems to have accelerated more recently... He now sits next to me during bedtime stories (instead of on my lap), and he's going to big-kid Sunday school. He's talking really well (asking questions and speaking in sentences). He's super on his bike with training wheels. And, just Saturday, we changed his crib into a toddler bed (though he's already fallen out 2 out of the 3 nights, I know he'll get used to it...he just moves around so much while he sleeps)! He's doing real well drinking out of a cup with no lid on at the table. We've upgraded from a diaper bag to a backpack. Before you know it, he'll be getting his license...