anticipation

The title of this post encompasses a couple of things on this snowy Michigan day...the first being a trip with my husband to the Smoky Mountains--aka our honeymoon! :) We will be leaving Sunday to take a road trip down to Gatlinburg, Tennessee where we will spend a week exploring the mountains and all the town has to offer. A little cabin is where will be lodging and cozying up in front of the fireplace. We're both very excited about our little adventure! And I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures to post as one of my Christmas presents was a cute little digital camera. ;)

The second anticipation I have is that of the year 2008. Honestly, in reflection this has been one of the fastest years of my life. I still have to hesitate before I write '07 on my checks! (or maybe that's just old age...) I actually am kind of glad I started this blog one year ago as it will be a good "diary" of the things I've lived and learned in this past year--and in years to come! Worst of 2007? A sad & personally challenging event at work... Best of 2007? Marrying my best friend. :)

Overall? God has blessed me greatly and I am thankful that He decided to call me His Child.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Jason & I are appreciating all the well-wishes on this, our first Christmas together. This has been one of the most relaxing and wonderful holidays that I can remember. With the exception of missing my brother, we are thoroughly enjoying the day(s) of celebration of our Christ's birth.

white christmas

One reason I love Michigan is for the snow at Christmas. I could not imagine having no snow at Christmas time. And right now we've "battened down the hatches" as we get dumped on with about 6 to 8 inches of lake effect snow. (gotta love Lake Michigan!) It's blowing & drifting--making it treacherous for driving, but perfect for staying cozied in the house under a blanket in front of the Christmas tree. It will officially be a white Christmas here--one of my most favorite things this time of year!

christmas traditions

I don't know how long this link will hold out, but I found it kind of a fun little read for this Christmas season. Charlie Brown Christmas is one of my most favorite programs to watch. My favorite part is when they are all dancing to the piano music--the cartoon graphics crack me up!


And, you can't help but love it when they all break into a rendition of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!" at the top of their lungs.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN!! :)

christmas card

So, this year, being it our first Christmas as a married couple (and family) we thought we would send out Christmas cards to friends and family. However, first we needed the perfect picture...so we went for a photo shoot in my mom's backyard. A good time was had by all! ;)

christmas chuckle

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeers grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeers retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost. ;)

*sigh*

At about 8:00pm last night, I began to breathe again! This past week has been so incredibly busy, I wouldn’t even know where to begin relating everything that has been going on! Work has been busy, but I’ve also been at my second “job”—i.e. church—every night this week as well. Our Christmas program begins tonight and we’ve been diligently rehearsing (and memorizing!) the ten songs that are in the program. In addition, I took my final exam in statistics last night.

It is not something I would recommend to anyone trying to be effective in life. Cramming your head full of nursing skills, song lyrics & music, and graduate level statistics information leaves you with a messy house, a neglected dog, and with an overall grumpiness with your husband. ;-)

Therefore, after the exam last night—I seriously felt as though one huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I slept well last night, am thrilled it’s almost the weekend, and am now feeling excited for Christmas. I’m excited to clean, walk the dog, relax, and have fun with my husband!

babies, babies everywhere!

So, babies are being born! It’s like a small parade of them. I really am so excited—and doubly excited for Facebook as I feel like I can have a little peek at watching them grow up as they are spread out across the nation. (See my June 4, 2007 post)

First, we had Braydon Scott who is in Colorado and is now getting cuter by the second according to his pictures! Then, there was Jordan Christopher, who I’m fortunate enough to have “available” to me right here in Michigan. Then, Derek Robert was born in Oregon to my good friends out there. And lastly (for awhile anyway) is Noah David who should be born any day now to friends in California. Yeah!

When I last touched on my thoughts on the “marathon of life” I was feeling like maybe I was a little behind. Well, since then I have gotten married and therefore may be more “caught up” in this race—but I tell you what: I am currently very happy with my pace. I’m thrilled for my friends—as being a parent is probably one of the God’s highest callings, one that I would hope He does even call me to someday—but for now, I LOVE being married and creating a home with (just) my husband. Oh, and having a large dog in your home who thinks he is your baby, can at times probably be just as demanding as having a child. ;)

Advent

It’s that time of year—one of my most favorite times of year! In the Christian church, it is referred to as Advent. At my house, it’s the time of year I can finally listen to Christmas music without getting an eye roll. ;) Over the weekend, I pulled out my Christmas decorations—one of which is an Advent wreath. I grew up with this tradition, of lighting a candle each of the four Sundays prior to Christmas, and then the final candle on Christmas Day. So, I was caught a bit off guard when Jason asked me to explain the Advent tradition and it’s meaning.

Hmmmmm…well…

Honestly, I have to admit I was stumped. So I brought it up in conversation with several friends and family this weekend: what exactly is Advent? What do each of the candles represent? Surprisingly enough, no one I asked could explain it in full detail. My parents actually even remember not having the tradition when they were growing up, it was more or less “recognized” into the Protestant (or maybe just Christian Reformed) traditions about the time they were married thirty-five years ago.

So, I did some investigation. Here is a summary of what I learned and what I feel really kind of clarifies what Advent is:

Advent (from the Latin word advenio, meaning “to come”or “the coming of Christ our saviour”) is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Christians also believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second coming of Jesus. An Advent wreath is made from greens to symbolize continuous life and contains four candles— three purple and one rose. The candle lighting is progressive from week to week, preparing the way for the coming of Jesus. The first Sunday is Hope, then Peace, the third is the pink candle representing Joy, and the fourth is Love. The wreath also has a center white candle that is then lit on Christmas Day to represent the light of Christ.

Jason & I lit our first candle yesterday and did a devotion. I’m so excited to be able to now fully verbalize what Advent is and begin this tradition with my family. May God continue to teach us new ways to honor and worship Him!

in just over two years...

Time to update on my graduate school status. This past summer (yes, in the midst of wedding planning) I took the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). This test is kind of like the A.C.T. of grad school. It is a huge review of verbal, math, and writing skills. All I can say is: OH MY GOODNESS. All those things you learn in high school and know you’ll never use again? Well, retain some of it, because if you ever have to take this test when you’re thirty—you’ll regret not bothering to remember any of it!

Anyway, after passing that with pretty decent scores, it was my final hurdle to cross before being officially accepted into the GVSU nursing graduate program. Up until now I’ve been taking classes that I could get out of the way before being officially accepted. So, yesterday, I met with the GVSU advisor who gave me my official pass to register for grad school classes. And, she mapped out a schedule of the classes I will be taking in the upcoming semesters to complete my masters in nursing. I will be 33 years old when I finish… :)

So, that gives me plenty of time to make a decision: family nurse practitioner or nursing education? Those are the two areas of interest I have narrowed my choices down to. I’ll have to do some soul-searching and praying in the next couple of years to see what God is leading me to. In the mean time? I’m just going to enjoy being a busy student and the opportunity to buy a new three-ring binder each semester. ;)

cutest kid

I just wanted to share one of my most favorite pictures from this fall. My “nephew” William is growing up so fast—and is as smart as a whip. Already in preschool this year, I find it hard to believe that it was four years ago that he was a babe who was just learning to crawl. However, his smile still lights up my heart and I treasure every moment with this cutest kid around!

thankfulness

so, Jason & I have great reason to be thankful this thanksgiving. We are no longer the owners of a second home (& mortgage!) in Holland--the house sold! This is a huge praise and thanks to God as it has only been on the market since shortly after our wedding. I almost feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off of our shoulders--one house alone is enough to worry about--much less two! And, now, it almost feels like we can move on and settle into a routine in GR.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

so fun!

So exciting! I’m an “aunt” again! Jordan was born on November 12 and entered the world at a peanut size of 6 pounds and 2 whole ounces. But he is perfect! And such a babe. I was able to meet him yesterday and he was perfectly content to sleep the whole time in my arms. He will definitely be a big boy with his good size feet and long limbs, but for now it’s fun to have them small and manageable—because it won’t be long and he’ll be running around terrorizing the dog I’m sure! ;)

On another note, my weekend in the woods was perfect. Quiet, serene, and relaxing—all good things to recharge the emotional and mental batteries. I didn’t bring any deer home, but dad got two and my other families members also were able to get a few. A good time was had by all. And now I’m ready for the busy holiday months!

one hundred and one things #8

#8 I am a hunter.

I’m looking forward to a break—a hunting break that is! Yes, I hunt—well, at least I sit in a little blind in the woods with my propane heater and have a gun at my side in case I see any deer…I’ve actually only ever gotten one deer in my short hunting career. :)

About six years ago I decided that what my dad has done my entire life on November 15 looked like fun. I enrolled myself in a hunter’s safety course (required by Michigan law) and endured about four weeks of classes with pre-teenage boys and their fathers. It was quite interesting to say the least—I think they thought I was quite interesting as well. ;)

I know much controversy surrounds the concept of hunting…guns in the house, killing innocent animals, yadda, yadda, yadda…but my perspective comes from one of a family who has great respect for the power of firearms (I didn’t even know where my dad kept his guns for most of my life) and a great respect for the life cycle of God’s creation. My personal perspective on hunting? I honestly just enjoy sitting in the quiet woods and the camaraderie of being with my family. Whether I have a gun in my hands or not is beside the point in my book.

sick & tired

ugh. I HATE being sick--and it's been awhile since I've been this sick for this long. I started not feeling well last week Monday, I was feeling pretty good by Wednesday, and then Thursday morning woke up with my "sexy" voice. (which Jason has assured me is not sexy...) ;) On Friday I literally couldn't talk above a whisper, and Saturday wasn't too much better than Friday. All the while I've had this lovely cough too...but I'll spare you the details of that nastiness!

I'm blaming this all on Jason, as he was sick last weekend--and is still battling a nice cough. This is what husbands are for, correct? To take the blame of sharing such lovely germs? ;) So, today, I have my voice back, but I can't breathe out of my nose and am now literally sick of being sick. Oh, and just to squelch any festering rumors: I am NOT pregnant. ;)

newest pastime

Okay—I admit it. I am hooked on Facebook. (or “myface” as my mother calls it…) I went on it simply because some friends of mine at church were talking about it, only to find out that not only are they on it, but so are a lot of other people from my past and present! My brother even welcomed me to the 21st century… ;)

I was a little hesitant at first because my previous experiences with internet—you never post your last name or any other identifying information. Come to find out that on facebook, it’s actually best to put your entire name so people can find you! Go figure. So, not only do I have my full name (including maiden name) posted, but a link to this blog too—so I suppose the whole world can now know what Rachel is thinking…

in other news...

(In an attempt to "catch up" from this summer regarding things I wanted to update on...)

Earlier in the year I reported that I was to have an article published in a nursing journal—well, over the summer, the issue was printed! Interesting to have not only your name in print, but words that you remember writing are also put into print in an actual journal. All I can say is…very cool. :)

I wish I could post a link to the actual article, but it’s not accessible to the general public. And, because I signed off on a copyright—I don’t technically own the rights to the article either—it belongs completely to the publisher. I can post a link to the journal site, and if any of you out there really want to read it…well, maybe you’ll have to purchase the journal…;)

weddings & such

Big news on the family front: another cousin engaged to be married! My cousin Beth shared the exciting news with the fam yesterday. She is thinking a summer-time wedding—and I already offered to give her my wedding planning notebook…
Actually, I never did have a notebook—it was more of a two-pocket folder that haphazardly collected anything from receipts to my random thoughts written on paper. I wouldn’t turn it over to anyone actually—it might scare them. ;)

Planning a wedding is quite the feat. Looking back on it now—I really am amazed that I did it literally in less than three months. But, on the other hand, I’ve had such ample opportunities in my life to be involved or part of weddings in one way or another, that I knew exactly what I wanted when my time came. I used to joke not only that had I done every role in a wedding besides being a bride, but that I had had my whole wedding thought out—all I needed was a groom!!! ;)

Silliness—but fun. Wedding planning can be stressful—the mountain of details alone could make someone seek professional counseling—but the end goal should be a wedding day that is fun. Fun not only for the family & friends, but for the groom and especially the bride. My mom asked me early on in the planning process, what was my dream wedding? My answer: an outdoor picnic with a minister thrown in. And that is what we had! There were a few bumps in the road of planning—my least favorite part was actually picking out the clothing for the groomsmen, the bridesmaids, and yes, I’ll admit it—even myself. I actually had more fun helping Jason pick out his suit than I did picking out my own dress! I think the whole thing of trying dresses on and not having them be the correct size, color, length, etc, made it really hard for me to fall in love with my dress right away. But my most favorite part of the wedding process was the invitations. My super creative cousin Andy designed them—so, they were original and unique. Then we continued the design onto our CDs and even our frisbees. It was so cool!

Ultimately though, the goal should NOT be the “perfect” wedding---but rather, a great marriage. Whenever I (or my mother!) started getting stressed out about the details of the wedding, I would say: “guess what? Does [this detail] really matter? Jason & I will still be married at the end of that day!” And true enough, we ARE married at the end of every day from that day forward, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health—and that is what really counts.

all is well

Harley is okay! I took him in for his x-ray this morning and everything inside looks ship-shape, with the exception of the UTI, of course. He's back on an antibiotic for awhile, but that's about it. So, aside from the large vet bill, everything is good on Prospect. :)

On a different note, my brother made a brief appearance-less than 48 hours-in the US this week. He was home Tuesday night from Brazil and then off to Korea on Thursday morning. I'm not sure I really had enough time to be emotional about it. It felt so good to have him around the house Wednesday night, but a little awkward too, as Jason & I have gotten used to him not being around. And then I took him to the airport Thursday morning--where I gave him a hug, reminded him that he's loved--and then drove off, leaving him to his international travels. In the car, I had a moment of reflection on the fact that he has been gone before, but somehow this time was a little different. He & I have lived with each other for two years! For brother & sister, I think that's an amazing amount of time--especially for siblings who have differing views on many topics of life.

If I could give him a toast--a cheer, perhaps, to wish him well in this coming year: James--I'm privileged to have been able to be a part of the place you call home in all your many adventures in life. May your well-traveled road lead you back here again someday! love from your sis. :)

sick puppy

poor Harley is currently battling another UTI. This has begun to worry the vet a little as apparently UTI's in male dogs (particularly one as big as Harley) are rarely random occurances. Harley's activity level hasn't changed much--with the exception of being a little more cuddly. :) Friday he will have a procedure in which they inject dye up into his bladder and take an x-ray picture to see what may be causing these frequent infections. Hopefully it will be something easily seen and taken care of!
I share this info for those in my life who understand the joys and sorrows of pet ownership--in particular, dogs. :) I will admit I've shed a tear or two over the situation as the vet even mentioned the word "cancer" as a possibility. I know a dog is not a child--but for now, he is our "baby!" The thought of something being wrong with him makes us both a little nervous and on edge this week...

married life

Everyone’s favorite question as of late is “how’s married life?” Our answer to everyone is “great!” We really are enjoying married life—especially now that things seem to have finally settled into a routine. We’ve had a few bumps—but certainly nothing we haven’t been able to handle. Harley suffered from a UTI shortly after our wedding—so that was a large vet bill right off at the beginning. Then, we worked hard at getting the Holland house ready to sell. And, all the while, we’ve been taking college courses. My brother lived with us for a few weeks as well—but a couple of weeks ago, left for Brazil and then off to Korea for a year.
Then, last week, Jason’s 96-year-old grandpa passed away rather suddenly. A sad time for the whole family, even though it was good to see everyone again, as his family doesn’t gather together very often.
I have to say, life is good. We are healthy, blessed, and in love. :) We are planning an upcoming honeymoon to the Smoky Mountains over our winter break and are looking forward to it.
Our biggest adjustment? (or at least mine!) Getting used to sleeping in a bed with another body. Perhaps because I was used to sleeping in a double size bed by myself, and he used to sleeping in a queen size by himself—for whatever reasons, we are now learning to share space and blankets. A king size bed is looking better and better… :)

passion for statistics

In my slow, but deliberate quest to get my master's degree, I am taking a required statistics course this semester. Not my favorite topic at all. In fact, most of the time I feel like I'm taking lessons in Greek. However, the professor is actually a pretty great guy--but I have to laugh because he fits the personality of one who is proud to have his doctorate in statistics. I truely have never met someone so passionate about statistics! It really cracks me up! :) He gets so excited about the subject that he'll start talking his "Greek" and leave all of us in the dust. One night, I must have appeared confused (as most of us do) and he called on me...I told him my brain was pretty full and he was going to have to rephrase the question...everyone in class chuckled in agreement with that one!
All that being said, I really have to admire someone with such passion for the mundane details of all that statistics involves. It goes well with my strong belief in the wonder of God's diversity of giving everyone different passions in life. If people like a certain professor at GVSU didn't exist, who would ever be excited about statisitcs? :)
It does feel good to get one more class checked off my list of classes toward my masters degree. I finished both my pathophysiology classes and I took the GRE this summer...so, it may be a crawl, but I'll make it to the finish line someday!

summer or fall?

I'm finding it hard to enjoy the fall season here in Michigan...I'll blame it on the 80 degree days and non-sweatshirt wearing weather that seems to be persisting in this beautiful state...but it could also be likely due to the fact that my (our!) life is so busy, that scheduling in fun activities is almost as much work as the grown-up adult activities that need to get done. :)
One of my most favorite seasons in Michigan is the fall: the cool nights where you have to put a sweatshirt on to ward off a welcoming little chill; the smell of crisp, dry leaves lying in beautiful colors on the ground; not to mention the first bite into a crisp apple...yum! I am afraid that we'll wake up one morning and there will be snow to shovel--having skipped fall altogether...!
a look on the bright side, however: no need to rake leaves quite yet!

summer of '07

well, I was away from my blog for so long that I'm not even sure where to start! So, maybe I'll just do a brief summary of my summer and just go from there...

First, Washington DC was amazing! The weather was perfect and I was able to see so many things that I really feel as though I had the best first-time visit to DC anyone could ever have. My favorite sight? Arlington Cemetery. The hardest sight? Holocaust Museum. The funniest story? I visited the National Art Gallery twice without even realizing it til partway through the second visit...it's that big! ;)

Then I went to Alaska. Another amazing trip, but for different reasons. I figured I would be busy all week helping my cousin and the family prepare for the wedding, but we were able to do a bit of sightseeing. A glacier cruise and walking on trails were part of my week. It was also lots of fun to get to know my aunt Joy a lot better and spend some valuable girl time with her! However, my cousin Annie's wedding was the highlight of the week. She was a beautiful bride and the entire wedding went smoothly.

On August 10 I had another cousin get married. Yes, my grandparents have had a very busy summer! :) She, too, was a beautiful bride and the entire evening was a great time.

Jason & I then did an overnight trip to South Manitou Island. We have had our boat tickets for a year (we had to postpone last year's trip), so I didn't want to let them go to waste. The weather was perfect and I learned two things about my future husband: he gets seasick (like me!) and he doesn't like sand in his sleeping bag... ;)

Then, the culmination of summer fun was the best Labor Day celebration ever: a party at Douglas Walker Park with all of our family & friends--with a minister thrown in! ;) Jason & I were pronounced husband & wife by my uncle (from Alaska!) and officially became Mr. & Mrs. Jason & Rachel VanDenBrink. It was definitely a great party to end a great summer!

just in case...

just in case anyone still occasionally checks my blog after this significant absence of mine...I thought I'd give an update. ;) In short: my summer was one of the busiest, funnest, and whirlwind-like summers I think I will ever (hope to!) have. I went from DC to Alaska to South Manitou Island to Douglas Walker Park. I attended three weddings--becoming Mrs. Rachel VanDenBrink at the last one. that one will take some getting used to... ;)

I now am part owner of two houses (Jason calls the one in Holland our "lake" house) and a one large American Bulldog. This fall I am still working as the nurse (and manager of clinic) at Ottawa Hills High School, am taking a graduate course, and am still involved in church choir. My brother currently resides in the upstairs bedroom of our GR house and will be moving out within the month to live and teach english in Korea for a year.

I LOVE my life right now--it is busy, but fun. I wouldn't trade a moment of it!

trip north

I leave for my northern "vacation" today. This is the trip I've been so excited about...and now that it's here, I can hardly stand it! ;) I probably will not do as much sight-seeing as I did the last time I was there--but I'm very excited to be there for my cousin in any way possible as she prepares for her wedding day (friday).

I can't wait to say "hi!" to the moose! ;)

our nation's capital

how cool to be in Washington DC! After a rough time getting here (two cancelled flights and several delays...) I arrived to the hotel at 2am yesterday. So, after a day or so to get acclimated and over my jet lag (so to speak), I've decided that this is really one of the coolest cities I have ever been to. The hotel is beautiful, the city is historical and powerful, and the best part? All the sights are free! this is good for my dutch ego... ;)

okay, I'm off for a tour of the nightlife in DC--I'll update soon!

busy

No, I promise I didn't fall off the face of the planet...it's amazing to me how I can have the entire summer "off" from my regular job, yet find so many things to fill my time. Such as, plan a wedding!! ;) Check on this link to my new wedding website. I honestly can't believe I'm doing one, but I have so many family and friends who are computer savvy, so I figured, hey why not? I have the basic details that have been decided upon for the wedding so far--but if you find a moment boredom, you can always check back for updates. :)

But, my life is not just wedding stuff...I head to Washington DC next week for a work related conference (thanks again to Dave for giving me a tour guide listing--it's awesome!) Then, not too far after that is my big trip to Alaska!! And, to throw into the mix, I am still taking a grad class this summer--how fun is that?!?

No, I'm not crazy...just keeping busy! :)

announcement!

We’re engaged! After watching a gorgeous Lake Michigan sunset at Hoffmaster State Park, Jason asked me to marry him. And quite literally with tears of joy did I answer yes. There was no other place in the world I would’ve have rather been at that very moment—and now I have the privilege of walking through the rest of life’s journeys with my very best friend.

Stay tuned for wedding details!

pictures

So, I have yet to enter the "digital" age as it relates to photography. I wish I did have a digital camera--particularly for this blog. It would be fun to be able to post something and have a picture with which to put with it. But, until that day comes where Dave Ramsey says that I can afford such an investment, I'll have to stick to my 35mm and scanning pictures into the computer after they are developed.

I just added some pictures to a couple of posts...I'll add the label "pic" for any post that has a picture

One hundred and one things #7

#7 I’m 100% Dutch.

Yes, that’s right—maybe one of the very few people you may know who can claim that they are a pedigree. The only other I know of is Jason.

My last name is actually German—but hundreds of years ago, a German man crossed the border to the Netherlands and married a Dutch widower and gave her four children his last name. The rest is my history…

I actually love my last name as it is very unique. There are literally less than 500 people in the United States with my last name—and because of that, we are all related in some distant or not-so-distant fashion. Family trees are really kind of a fascinating thing. I love getting my grandparents (all four of them!) to talk about their growing up and what they remember of their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It’s cool to feel a part of something “historical.”

marathon of life

I spoke with one of my many pregnant friends this past weekend. She lives in Colorado with her husband and is well into her third trimester of pregnancy. She was sharing how last week she was in the hospital for a couple of days, when after a routine checkup, the fetal monitor showed that she was contracting—pretty strongly. She was feeling fine, in no pain at all, but obviously the situation was worrisome since her due date is not for at least another month. She was back home when I spoke to her, still feeling fine, but restricted to light activity and bored out of her mind. I encouraged her to take this time for herself (as this is going to be her first baby)—and enjoy every second of it!

Four years ago, my best friend was pregnant with her first child. Our relationship is one in which that we are so close (and she also is a nurse) that I often literally felt as though I was pregnant right along with her. We still joke that I gained all of the same pregnancy weight with her! This is also why I so often feel that William is the little “son” of my heart.

Now, I literally have four girlfriends who are currently pregnant. They are spread out over the country (Colorado, California, Oregon, & Michigan). I cannot begin to describe how happy I am for all of them—and the fact that I’ll be an aunt four times over—but, I discovered this weekend in talking to the one in Colorado, that it’s hard for me to get overly excited about these babies. Don’t get me wrong—I can’t wait to hear stories and see pictures, etc., but with the majority of them so far away, I think I have to protect my own heart a bit from the sadness of not being able to be involved the way I was with William…

My own busy life doesn’t help the situation either. Before Jason was in my life, I found that singleness suited me well. I could be a part of my friends’ lives in a way that allowed me to be physically and emotionally vested in a way that satisfied me. Now, with most of my friends married and entering parenthood, I joked recently that in the marathon called life, I’m feeling a bit behind. I hope that as I approach the marriage “marker,” there will be a few people left around to cheer me on!

I jest, because I know my friends are ones that will stick with me and share in my joy. Just as I completely and totally share in their joy of being parents. This is why I will always have a phone with nationwide long distance availability, and why I always will know what the exact time differences are between here and the west coast. :)

summer of '07!

Summer is quickly approaching…and as the end of the school year is a week away, I’ve started looking ahead to the fun things I have planned.

For a couple of weeks I’ll be working at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin. I’ve been the nurse there for three years now, and even though I can’t commit to the whole summer this year, I was willing to help things get up and running in the infirmary.

Then, at the end of June I get to go to Washington DC for a work related conference. I’m really excited about this as I’ve always wanted to visit, but have never had the opportunity. Now I get to go—all expenses paid! I’m even extending my trip by a couple of days to give myself some more time to explore and sightsee…suggestions are welcome!

A week after I come home from DC, I get back on a plane and head to Alaska! I won’t go into the long, boring details about how excited I am about that… ;)

Bring on the summer of 2007!

May heat wave

Time to once again comment on the weather in Michigan…previously I was wishing for warm days in which to drive with the sunroof open, plant flowers, and mow the lawn. Well, that time has come! And rather quickly, I might add. I’ve succumbed to turning the central AC on in my home—and it’s only May! The weather has been beautiful for the most part, but when temperatures go above 80 with humidity making it feel like close to 90, and it’s not even summer yet—you know you live in Michigan.

I seriously am not complaining though. I will always choose to be more warm than cold. I would much rather sit in front of a fan with some crystal light, than put on ten million layers and still have cold fingers.

And, yes, I’ve already gone for a bike ride. ;)

Memorial Day weekend

I camped at a new state park this past weekend. I always thought it would be fun to say that I’ve been to all the state parks in Michigan—a lofty goal, I know—but I can add a new park to my list now.

South Higgins Lake State Park is just north of Houghton Lake in Michigan. Jason & I decided to be brave and even take Harley on his first camping adventure. The car was quite loaded down with camping gear to begin with—but then we had to leave space for the 130-pound pup! We also took our bikes and on Saturday had a great time riding and hiking. The weather was beautiful (although the mosquitoes were a little annoying) and it only rained for awhile on Saturday evening. The rest of the time was beautiful blue skies and about 70 degrees!

Harley was the hit of the park—he was so well-behaved. He never barked and people were constantly trying to guess what kind of dog he is (“he’s so big!”) The funniest story of the weekend was due to Harley’s training. He is trained to not poop on while on a leash (Jason never liked the idea of carrying a poop bag around on a walk), so Harley literally did not poop all weekend. By Sunday night, he was acting a little uncomfortable, so after dark, Jason took him over by the beach area, let him off his leash, and within less than a minute, Harley was feeling much better…he came back to the campsite all happy, bouncy, and playful. A good time was then had by all… ;)

Apparently Higgins Lake was named by National Geographic as the sixth most beautiful lake in the world. It definitely is a beautiful lake—also known for its great fishing. Jason forgot his poles, but we’ve decided we will go back someday, and that time we’re bringing a boat.

Cedar Point

So I visited Cedar Point for the first time in over a decade last weekend. I went with friends from church—a small choral group I sing in—after we decided we needed a good teambuilding experience together. And what an experience it was!

We left town late Wednesday night and arrived at our hotel at about 2AM. After sleeping for maybe five hours, we were up by 8 to be in the park at 9AM, where we could be first in line for the Millennium Force. After two consecutive rides on that, we headed over to Top Thrill Dragster, where we got one ride in before it broke down for a bit.

We also hit the Magnum a couple of times in a row (benefits of going in May—no lines!) I was a little anxious about going on this ride as my one memory was riding it with my father when I was about 10 years old. I remember being so terrified that at the end of the ride that the blood had left my hands from gripping the bar so tightly. After this time around, however, I have to say it was one of my most favorite rides of the day. At the end of the day though, I decided my most favorite was Millennium Force. I rode it four times!

I have never done that well on roller coasters. Typically, I can last about a half a day, and then I need to take a break from the adrenaline surges and stomach-churning. So, when I went on a total of about 20 + rides all day—I was pretty proud of myself! Especially since I really haven’t been on a roller coaster in at least five years. I’m now considering it another accomplishment during this my 30th year.

Our weather was perfect all day—maybe a touch warm—but perfect roller coaster riding weather. We left the park at the 8PM closing time—only after a couple people in the group rode the Raptor a record five times in a row! Overall, we had an awesome time together and are already planning next year’s trip.

birthday!

I took my “nephew” William out for his birthday to the Impressions 5 children’s museum in Lansing. It had been years since I had been there—it was much smaller than I remember. But William loved it—particularly the water room where he spent 45 minutes pouring water, floating boats, and making waves. But what cracked me up was how we had just spent two hours playing with every science experiment there, and the one thing he reports to his mom when we arrived home was the last three minutes on the backhoe where he got to pick up balls with the scooper.

And of course, the trip wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to the “chicken nugget store” (this is McDonalds to the lay person).

Happy birthday to the best four year old around!

tulips!

Yesterday Jason & I decided to embrace our Dutch heritage. We spent some time amongst the tulips of the famous Holland Tulip Time Festival. Funny how I’m thirty years old and have never been to this festival, but visiting the Veldheer Tulip Farm was quite a learning experience! I literally took two rolls of pictures—yes, a past time for me that I actually had fun with.

Not only was there a variety of flowers (mainly tulips) but also a variety of people. Jason & I joked that we were probably the only two Dutch thoroughbreds there! They should’ve put us on a display somewhere at Festival. Label reading: “The last of the Dutch line native to Holland, Michigan. Circa 2007.” People could stand with us to have their picture taken.

Craziness. Who would’ve thought that a tulip could be a tourist attraction? Apparently us Dutch people are easily entertained. ;)

nursing

I’m not sure I’ve ever actually mentioned that I work as a school nurse. Most people who read this blog are probably aware…but maybe I should write more about why I consider it to be so stressful right now.

I work in an urban school district, and for the first four years, I was assigned to elementary schools. I loved it. The kids were great—and I love playing a part in making them smile. My job involved a lot of case management between teachers, parents, doctors, getting families access to care, and classroom education. (see my future nursing article for complete list…due out this July...) ;)

For the past two years I’ve been assigned to work at one of the high schools that was opening a brand new school based health center. My job is three-fold: school nurse, clinic RN, and clinic manager. Honestly, it is a job better suited for two nurses—I’m sure of it. Multi-tasking like what is expected of me leads to burn out and a feeling of being ineffective at all roles.

Years ago, I pinpointed that my most favorite part of nursing was being able to help people heal—a whole self type of healing. I like the clinical piece, even the biology of it, but getting to know a person and lead them to healing through education and compassion is truly my calling in nursing. So, to take on this whole being a “manager” role and telling staff what to do and how to do it is not so fun for me. Job satisfaction comes when I have a day in which I am able to deal one on one with students.

As stressful as it is…I know God is using this experience to stretch me and grow me in a way that will play a part in future nursing experiences of my life. I’ve learned a lot about myself and what God may call me to…

All I can say for now is: good thing I have the summer off! :)

baby love

How is it that a 9 month old can totally make your day with just one smile? I tell ya…I’ve had a rough couple of weeks. Finishing up pathophysiology (part one anyway), stressful work (downhill slide to summer break), and church easter program (at church every single night)…it’s been busy!

So, today was a madhouse at work, including a phone call to 911 and a visit from the EMS, that by the time I got home, I was exhausted. I was invited to dinner at my best friend’s house—I hardly every turn down a free meal. I arrive to hear my most favorite almost-4-year-old “nephew” announcing to the neighbors (and whoever else was within ear shot) that his Auntie Rachel was eating dinner with them, which totally put a smile on my face. Then his 9 month old brother, who is definitely finding another special place in my heart, gave me a huge two-tooth, two-dimpled smile.

Then, to top it off, I also got a 9 month old “hug.” *sigh*

Suddenly, the day is brighter. :)

one hundred and one things #6

#6 I’ve had 13 jobs in my life.

Wow. When I actually generated a list of how many jobs I’ve had…I didn’t realize how long it would be! They are, in this order:

Babysitting
Advance newspaper (route)
Russ’ Restaurant (waitress)
Laser Alignment (miscellaneous)
Holland Home (nurse aide)
St. Mary’s Hospital (2 weeks as a nurse aide)
Spectrum Health (infant hearing screener)
Cedar Campus (camp nurse)
Spectrum Health (med-surg nurse)
Holland Home (head nurse)
GRPS (school nurse)
YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin (camp nurse for three summers)
GVSU (adjunct nursing faculty)

A lot of the jobs have overlapped, and it would be tricky for me to go back and figure out exactly when I worked at each place. The worst job I ever had was probably that two week stint at St. Mary’s Hospital. The position was supposed to be a nurse aide on the labor/delivery unit, but when they hired me, they were creating a new position and there was no one to give me clear direction as to how to do anything, much less what I should be doing. It was horrible. Everyone acted as though I should’ve just known what to do…but I didn’t because no one was training me!

The best job I’ve ever had would have to be camp nursing. I do love my job as a school nurse, but too often that pulls at my heart strings, so camp nursing is always a great outlet for me. Patching up scraped knees and elbows, making kids smile again—that is very healing for my soul! Plus, getting to be outdoors as much as possible doesn’t hurt either. ;)

april showers?!

Sheesh! It’s already April! Last week was “spring” break for me…and I say “spring” break simply because for most of the week it was snowing and windchills were in the teens. How pathetic is that? Nothing too interesting occurred on Prospect street. I spent most of my break watching movies and writing pathophysiology papers. It was all very exciting. Actually, the most exciting part to my spring break was not having to wake up to my alarm for nine days straight... :)

Now I literally am diving head first back into my life’s routine. Busy work week with a huge report due by Friday and rehearsal every night at church for our upcoming easter musical (yes, after easter…). I still have patho papers to finish as well. My alarm will definitely be waking me up early every morning to ensure I get my busy "spring" days started on time. Fun, fun for me!

favorite musical

I had the privilege of seeing one of my most favorite musicals today…Jesus Christ Superstar. It was the third time I had seen this program, and I’m to a point that I can actually sing along with the performers. I’m not sure what draws me exactly to loving this musical as it always disappoints me at the end that they leave Jesus dead on the cross. It never surprises me, but it always disappoints me.
I know this musical stirred up a lot of controversy when it first came out—and still probably does. But, if it draws people to find out more about this man named Jesus, then it has done a service for the kingdom of his Heavenly Father.

Chicago sights

I had the opportunity to see the Body Worlds 2 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago this past weekend. The advertisement calls it “inspiring.” After seeing it, I’m pretty sure I would not consider it inspiring, but the word interesting did come to mind frequently. As a nurse, I feel I can already appreciate the complexity of the human body—but this display truly put me in awe of how detailed our Creator was when he formed us from dust. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about the human body and probably has a relatively strong stomach for things of this nature.

funny story

The World's Shortest Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, a girl asked a guy, "Will you marry me?" The guy said "No" and the girl lived happily ever after and went shopping, drank margaritas with friends, always had a clean house, never had to cook, had a closet full of shoes and handbags, stayed skinny, and was never farted on.

The End

;)

moment in time

My brother sent me this picture yesterday. We were both reminded of a time growing up where mom would subject us to photo sessions. Most often they would happen in the fall—as this was the most “beautiful” outdoor backdrop for a sibling shot. This one was taken during just such a season—out behind the church we grew up in—one Sunday evening. If I recall correctly, we were both getting frustrated with the length of time it was taking to for mom to get just the right shot, and James started goofing around by not smiling for the picture. Somehow, that led to my getting a case of the giggles—which turned into hysterics—and mom shot this picture in the midst of that moment. Maybe my brother recalls the moment differently…he did mention that he was impressed with the clothing choice for himself…

Good times…good times... :)

happy birthday to me!

Happy birthday to me!!! I’m officially 30 today. I’ve decided that it shall be a day of great celebration and not mourning. There are days I feel really young, and days I feel really old—but overall, I’m excited to be in my 30s.

I celebrated this past weekend with my closest friends. We all rented a beautiful cottage at Crystal Mountain resort in northern Michigan. And, it was there that I tried downhill skiing for the first time in my life. It was the scariest, most nerve racking, yet thrilling experience I have done in a long time. But, the point is, I DID IT! I kept thinking: “I’m skiing! I’m actually skiing!” I did stick to the easy hills and only fell twice the whole afternoon—however, I honestly can say I was (and am!) extremely proud of myself.

I cannot wait to see what this year holds for me. I feel like I can take on whole new life challenges now that my first digit is a three. ;)

anyplace else...

Do you ever wish you were someplace else? You may enjoy your job, enjoy your life, enjoy your day…but aren’t there times that you just wish you were anyplace else but here? The picture above my profile is a place I wish I could be…and I’ve probably mentioned Alaska enough for anyone to realize that there is another place I wish I could be… :)

I think that those of us who live in Michigan (could be other places as well), we just get sick of winter, sick of “hibernation” mode, and about this time of year just get plain cranky with life. I’m ready to be outdoors without a jacket on, drive down the road with my sunroof open, see green grass, and maybe even go for a bike ride! I’m ready to plant flowers, have the windows in my house open, and yes, even mow the lawn!

No, I’m not crazy…probably just stir-crazy…I hope spring comes early. In the meantime, I’ll picture myself in a warm spot with lots of sunshine!

one hundred and one things #5

#5 I've only ever owned 3 cars.

My very first car my dad bought me the summer before my senior year in high school. We had a deal that he would pick out and buy my first car, but I paid for the gas, maintenance, and insurance. I told him that my only stipulation was that the car needed to be younger than me…
He found an Oldsmobile Omega. A 1983 four door, tan color with red interior, it had AC, cruise control, and I had a tape deck installed. (very high tech!) ;) That car and I did well together—I even watched it pass the 100,000 mile mark. I drove it until nursing school, when I began commuting to GVSU and other nursing clinicals, and needed a newer, reliable vehicle.

Now enter the Saturn. I leased it brand-new in 1999 with 7 miles on the odometer (I thought that was so cool!). She was a cute, four door, dark blue with grey interior. It also had AC, cruise control, and a tape deck. That car and I went everywhere together…from Florida to Chicago to South Carolina to the UP to Chicago (yeah, I was in Chicago a lot). She was always awesome in the snow and handled camping trips like a champ. We spent over 7 years together—it was a great relationship. :)

Now I drive my “dream” car—a Ford Escape. I bought it used, but what an upgrade it was from my little Saturn! A 2002, it’s bright red with grey interior, has power everything, a moon roof, and a six-CD changer. Yep, maybe I’m a bit spoiled now—but the gas mileage (& prices) keep me humble. This car will be around for quite awhile I do believe...

school days

Advanced pathophysiology is going to get the best of me…my class met for the first time since January (our February class was cancelled due to the blizzard) and I seem to be excelling in my minor “degree” of procrastination. There are pros & cons with this:

Pros:
-When I took pathophys as an undergrad (almost 10 years ago!) I barely passed the class with a C. It was a tough course, so needless to say I was a little nervous about taking it this time around. Fortunately, the professor I have now is AWESOME and very laid back and good at making me feel comfortable with the material.
-there are no tests in this class—only papers & a couple of presentations.
-class is simply presentations and discussion—one thing I love about grad school is how everything I learn in class applies to what I know and do in my job.

Cons:
-Because the professor is so laid back, she doesn’t have set deadlines with our coursework—making it my job to set deadlines for myself and sticking to them…tough when you have an undergrad minor in procrastination.
-the material still goes above my head at times—waay to much biochemistry involved.

Overall:
I do enjoy learning—always have. This class is no exception and I’m excited to take a couple more classes this summer.

lion day

The saying of how weather comes “in like a lion and out like a lamb” is definitely starting out true for March of 2007 in Michigan. It’s almost as if spring wants to arrive with above 40 degree temperatures and rain and thunderstorms—yet, I was out shoveling the inch of ice/snow that we received this morning. Craziness! And unfortunately, more snow yet to come this weekend…

I also want to take a moment to wish my brother a happy 26th birthday! Ahh, yes, so grown up now… ;) I was once told that men do not mature until they reach 35. Does this mean that I have 9 more years of putting up with his presence in my home?

I really am kidding. I thoroughly enjoy having my brother around often show my appreciation by doing most of the chores around the house… ;) Hope you have a great birthday, James! I love you!

one hundred and one things #4

#4 I always order the 6-inch turkey at Subway.

yeah, a little boring, I know...but I've always been one to stick with what I like. ;) The toppings I choose are always the same as well: spinach, tomato, pickles, green pepper, onions, and spicy mustard. The coolest thing about this is that a whole Subway meal--my sandwich, baked lays, and a diet coke--is a total of 10 Weight Watcher points. 10 points! :)

another thing I always order...Southwest Eggrolls at Chili's.

hey, predictable may be boring...but makes decision-making a whole lot easier! ;)

published!

During the middle of February, it's often difficult for me to plan ahead for the summer...much less get excited about anything that may happen during that time. But, this week I received some exciting news that will occur later this summer...

I will be a published author!!!!!

How cool is that?!? :) About a month ago I submitted an article to the Journal of Christian Nursing and I learned that they decided to print my writings on school nursing in the summer issue!!! I'm so geeked about it, I can hardly stand it! I've been writing stories, papers, and various other thoughts down on paper for years...my poor mother can attest to this as she was--and still is!--always my unofficial editor. And now, finally to have something actually printed in an official nursing journal............so cool.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the little people that helped me acheive this goal....*ahem* ;) no, seriously--my mom deserves a lot of my writing skill credit as she has always been my biggest supporter, fan, and editor-in-chief. I officially dedicate this article to her!

the park

For those of you familiar with where I live, you probably also know that one of my favorite places to be is Riverside Park. Being the very "outdoorsey" girl that I am, I love the fact that there is a small haven of nature for me to retreat to as I live in the city. A half mile down the road from me, I can find a peaceful bench to read a book or a quiet path on which to walk or even take a jog. Having lived in my house for almost 6 years now (wow!), this park has really become just an extra backyard for me.

As I made a trek down there this afternoon--I love going there year round--I reflected on all the important life moments that have happened to me in that park. Too numerous to mention, but all significant enough to know that park will forever be a part of me...

I believe it's important to have a special place to retreat to...a place to renew, refresh, find perspective on life when it's becoming unclear...

where is that place for you...?

i'm listening!

So, I believe God moves in mysterious ways...but I also believe that sometimes he speaks LOUD and CLEAR to get His message across. Well, this weekend He did that with me...

It all started innocently enough. My dad had a couple free tickets to go to a Dave Ramsey event, and asked me if I would like to join him as my mom didn't want to go. I was mildly interested as I've heard that his message is a good one about how to manage your money and become debt-free. I know my church holds the Financial Peace University, but I've never attended. I know he has authored several books, which I've never read. Honestly, I was a little nervous about attending, simply because I thought it would be boring to listen to someone speak about money for 5 hours on a Saturday afternoon...so when my dad called back to say he had acquired a couple more free tickets to go to a private luncheon with this man before the event even started, I thought, great! let's make the toturously long day even longer! But, I figured, at least I'll be spending time with my dad, which I haven't done too much of lately...so I accepted.

So, we arrived at 11:30am to discover that the luncheon was part of a Platinum ticket package in which we were able to partake in a deliciously catered meal, shake Dave Ramsey's hand, and be part of a small group (50 or so people) who had the opportunity to have a question & answer session with him. And, to my amazement, the ticket also included a free gift bag full of all of the books Dave has ever written! Then, to top it off, we got to special front row seating during the event and special catered breaks up in our very own break room with all of the other back stage pass people!

Seriously, I was feeling a bit guilty as I had barely ever heard of this guy and his message and here I was being treated to a steak dinner and sitting in the front row of his event that had over 7000 people in attendence!

Needless to say...his message is a powerful one and God used him to speak to me about an area of my life that I would rather just ignore at times. There was no mistaking the fact that I was supposed to be there that Saturday afternoon.

Then, just in case I didn't get the message...my pastor spoke on the power of money in our lives today. He not only used the same Bible verses that I heard D.R. speak yesterday, he even referred to D.R.'s message in his own sermon!

Yup, got it, Lord! There is no mistaking this one............time to cut up the credit cards and live like no one else so later I can live like no one else!

One hundred and one things #3

#3 I like Star Wars.

Okay, it's as simple as that really--but it amuses me what kind of opinions of me that statement can often bring about...so I'll clarify for those who may be concerned. :)

My dad is a fan of science fiction and being that as it may, it seemed only natural for him to make sure his children are also fans of the same. I honestly don't remember a time in my life when I did not know the words to all the Star Wars movies. I've read all the books, I've played Star Wars Trivial Pursuit and done pretty well, I even own a Star Wars version of Monopoly. I've seen all six movies in the theatre--even a couple at a midnight opening--and one in an IMAX version. I admit that I probably have a pretty unusual amount of Star Wars trivia in my head for someone my age/gender...

But, having said all that, I also want to say that I enjoy the stories for the pure entertainment value. I don't go to Star Wars conventions, I've never dressed up as one of the characters, and I don't really believe there is a "long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." Fiction stories are just that--fiction. It really is just a fun story.

So, does anyone know how many people fall into the sand pit monster on Tatooine? ;)

lap dog?!

I love this picture...it reminds me of what the phrase "stress-free" should really be like. :)

I would like to introduce you to Jason's dog, Harley. He is a 6 year old, 130 pound American Bulldog who thinks he is a lap dog. He probably has the strength to knock over tall men, yet one of his favorite things to do is cuddle on the couch--even better if there is a blanket to cover him. He loves any toy that squeaks, chasing squirrels up trees, and playing tug-of-war. He'll rumble with the best of anyone who wants to wrestle--yet, I've seen him lick the head of a small baby. He believes it is his mission in life to tear out the stuffing of his toys, yet he loves his pillow bed.

Funny story--and I won't be ashamed to admit it!--but we recently bought Harley a coat and boots for his winter jaunts in the outdoors. For being such a large dog, he really doesn't have a very thick coat of hair--so even though he loves the snow, he would be ready to go back inside much too quickly for our tastes. The first time we dressed him up, I was laughing so hard that I was crying! But, after a couple of runs with it in this very wintery winter, he absolutely loves his new snow gear. He even was complemented on his boots by one of the neighbors down the road!

Dogs really do make me smile. :)

valentine's challenge

so I received my valentine's day present last night...and I have to say, by the end of receiving it...I teared up. Jason took me to see the opera version of Romeo & Juliet. It was definitely a moving experience. The entire thing was sung in French (english subtitles were shown), but just the passion and the emotion in the characters' singing and portrayal of such a tragic love story literally had me in tears at the end.

why is it that we've moved away from such passion and depth of emotion in relationships today? With the divorce rates higher than ever before and the number of single people now higher than the number of married people in the US--it saddens me to think of how few people probably ever get to experience the depth of love that Romeo & Juliet shared.

some may say I sound rather cynical, and perhaps I am...and don't get me wrong, I know this is a fictional story (blah...blah...), but I still think it could present just a small challenge to all of you who love someone: when was the last time you were passionate about the love of your life? ;)

birth order

I've always been fascinated by birth order and how this plays into a person's personality and view on life. By birth, I technically am the oldest in my family; I was born 4 years before my brother. But, in reality, I was an only child for the first 6 years of my life as my brother is adopted and became a member of our family when he was 2 years old.

I found this website that gives the most concise description of birth order.

For me personally, I see many of the first born tendencies within myself. I took this fun little quiz that revealed the following about me:

At your darkest moments, you feel frustrated. At work and school, you do best when you're organizing. When you love someone, you tend to worry about them.
In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic. Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management. You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books.

I often will joke with my parents that I'm thankful for their decision to adopt my brother. (gee, thanks, mom & dad for giving me a little brother!!) Seriously though, I am thankful I have a brother. The sibling relationship is one that is unmatched in any other human interaction. One of my only child friends commented one time how surprising it was to hear comments made by one sibling to another that only a sibling could possibly get away with saying. It seemed an odd comment to hear, but then I began thinking about how true that statement really is...think about it (for those of you with a brother or sister)--has there ever been a time that you said something to your sibling but would never dare say to anyone else? The relationship shapes and molds you in such a way that no other relationship could. From a young age, you learn how to deal with emotions like jealousy & competition, protection & defense, but then let's not forget compromise & teamwork! :)

My parents come from larger families--my dad the second of five, but the oldest boy--my mom the second of four, but the oldest girl. I thought how birth order affected me was interesting until I started reading up on how it affects children in larger families. And then, not only does birth order affect you & your siblings, but it plays a part in your marriage relationship as well! For instance, two oldests will probably have a more volatile relationship (both struggle for leadership), whereas two middle children may have a relationship where neither wants to argue or disagree because both tend to be peacemakers. Ideally, opposites should marry: a first with a middle or youngest, or middle with a youngest, etc....and onlys? Well, I suppose who ever gets stuck with them should be pretty flexible about getting their own way... ;)

But, having said all that...I will conclude that birth order is not the only thing that should be taken into account when choosing a mate or even determining how someone will react in a certain situation or relationship. It is all just a fascinating look at life and how we all move through it! :)

snow day thoughts #2

I almost embarassed to say it...but I have another snow day! As if the one wasn't gift enough, I got another one! Therefore, I'm trying hard to get something actually accomplished today--besides the half-hour nap on the couch... ;)

Today I had a conversation with a fellow co-worker at the gym (she too on a snow day). We began talking about passions in life. What is your passion? What is it you feel God calling you to do with your life? I have to say, I always have had an answer to this question. Without hesitation I could always answer school nursing: working with kids and their families to promote their health and well-beings. But this school year has been a struggle for me. My role as a school nurse has become more managerial and less hands-on with kids. And now with the possibility of a promotion to even a higher management level in school nursing, I suddenly am at a crossroads of what to do with my life. Is my passion changing? Is God calling me to stretch myself or simply stay put? I know I still am helping kids, but I really miss the one-on-one contact I had with them.

There have been many times in my life when I wish God would speak to me through a simple letter in the mail.
Dear Rachel,
Currently I am doing (blank) in your life. It may be a bumpy ride right now, but rest assured we will end up (blank) in the end. The following is an itinerary of what steps I will be taking to get you where you need to be in the end...
--GOD
yeah, I know it doesn't happen like that, but wouldn't that be awesome? :)

well, just more thoughts on a snowy winter day. I do know, from 30 years experience, that God will give me direction. He has never failed to provide a roadmap for me in the past, so as long as I pack my compass--I know I'll always be on the right path.

snow day thoughts

there are definitely some perks to working in a school...the best one being SNOW DAYS! I decided that these days are just a little present--a gift, if you will, for a free day to with whatever you choose. And, no matter what you decide to do with it--you haven't lost a thing because it was a freebie! Therefore, my two hour nap this afternoon was the biggest accomplishment of my day... :) No, I did go to the gym prior to that--so my day wasn't a complete farce.

I also had some time to reflect on the significance of February 4 in my life. I always find a sense of wonder when I look back at past events in my life...how God weaves things together in ways I never thought possible. But, this particular day has some significance that only those who are closest to me will fully understand. Two years ago, on February 4, 2005, I "adopted" a new boy into my life. A little fuzzy, furball of a puppy whom I named Walker. I had never had a dog, so being that it was a step of faith for me, his name was derived from Peter (in the Bible) whom had walked on the water in a step of faith. I found his presence in my life to be a treasure of a learning experiences--both good and bad--but all preparing me (I knew!) for something interesting.


Then on February 4, 2006, I met the man that I do believe I will marry. Another year of learning experiences--and you can call me crazy for saying this--but all experiences I'm sure I probably would have dealt with differently if I had not had Walker in my life. During these two years, I have learned so much about no longer being just an I--but a We. I was always the first to admit that I'm a pretty independent person; but things change--and change is not a bad thing. I love having someone else in my life; someone to be real with, to laugh with, to cry with, to experience whatever God hands your way with, to forgive and be forgiven, and to love unconditionally.


Anyway, life is an interesting thing........February 4, 2007 didn't bring a whole lot of significant changes in my life--but I don't doubt in the least that God will continue to amaze me with his timing and perfect plan!


***I should note here that Walker is no longer part of my life. It's a sad story, one I still can't always share without choking up a bit, but I can tell you he is in a better place--as I do believe that all dogs really do go to heaven!

One hundred and one things #2

#2 I collect children's books

It's a funny thing because I really didn't realize this about myself until Jason asked me one time if I collected anything. No, I replied, I don't collect anything....well, then he caught me this summer. We were in a bookstore and there I was in my natural state of gravitation to the children's book section. I inevitiably end up there in any bookstore--and yes, pretty much always walk away with another book for my shelf. I admit it! I do have a collection--children's books. I could give a full listing of my library, but I won't bore you with those details. Although, in case you're interested in seeing what is so fun about children's books, I will give you one title to start with: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. Start with that one and you'll see why I can't stop reading them... :)

quote for the day

I started thinking about quotes yesterday when I had to come up with my favorite for letter Q (see below). I'm not one who remembers quotes very easily--and maybe then only when the quote seems to be significant to something going on in my life at that time do I actually try to remember it! But, I heard this one about a week ago and it really hit me--hard. And maybe it's not even really an official "quote" as defined by someone famous who said something important. Rather, this is just a statement that got me to thinking about my own life and the lives of the people & family closest to me. The world in general is full of miscommunications, broken relationships, anger, bitterness, and disappointment...so it seems a large task to begin healing these things, but I feel if I can start with those closest to me, I can begin healing my own heart.

"Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for someone else to die."

ABC's of me

okay, Amy tagged me again--here is more about me... :)

A- Available or married? I’m not available anymore as I’ve been dating someone for almost a year now---but marriage hasn’t quite happened yet either…

B- Best Friend? Ann, Shari Lynn, and Emily—all three girls are extremely important to me. But I have several close friends—all over the US now!

C- Cake or Pie? Pumpkin pie with lots of cool whip.

D- Drink of Choice? Diet Coke

E - Essential Item? my calendar!

F- Favorite Color? blue

G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Bears, for sure.

H- Hometown? Born and raised in Grand Rapids

I- Indulgence? Ice cream

J- January or February? January—not quite depressed with winter blahs yet

K- Kids & names? No kids of my own—but my “nephew” William will always be the boy of my heart.

L- Life is incomplete without? A camera to take pictures of specials times with friends & family

M- Marriage Date? Soon???? ;)

N- Number of Siblings? One younger brother, James

O- Oranges or apples? Apples

P- Phobias/Fears? Sometimes afraid of heights (depending on the situation); I’m also not a big fan of flying—although that’s not really a fear...

Q-Favorite Quote? “Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don't do that by sitting around wondering about yourself."--Katherine Hepburn

R- Reason to Smile? Being with friends--& always Jason :)

S- Season? Summer & Fall

T- Tag three people! No one I know has a blog to tag this too—unless my brother wants to do it, but I highly doubt that…

U- Unknown fact about me: I once took classes to become a foster parent.

W- Worst habit? I’m a super bad procrastinator.

Y- Your favorite food? Pizza!!

Z- Zodiac? Pisces—I’m supposed to be artistic & sensitive…

One hundred and one things # 1

my friend Amy has done an interesting thing on her blog that I thought I would try...writing 101 things people may not know about me. granted, those who are closest to me know pretty much everything there is to know about me--but hey, who knows? maybe they'll learn something new too... :) I'll write on this topic when the spirit leads--and today I'll start with number one.

#1 All four of my grandparents are still alive.

I've already mentioned that I'm entering my 30th year on this planet, and I am thrilled to be able to say that both of my parents' parents are still alive. Yes, they are getting older and their bodies may be slowing, but their brains are all there. ;) How fortunate am I to be able to call or visit these wonderful, God-fearing people anytime I want? I observe my friends' families who may have one grandparent, or even no grandparents left, and I know that I am truly blessed to have these special people available to me.

alaskan wedding

so the date for my trip to Alaska has been chosen... :) actually, my cousin picked a wedding date. I really cannot begin to describe how happy and excited I am for her--really & truly! I met her boyfriend/fiance when I was there last summer and now I'm thrilled for the opportunity to be witness to their union in marriage. And, I really cannot deny that I'm thrilled for the opportunity to go to Alaska again--hopefully this time with other family and friends with which to enjoy the experience!

*cheers* to my northern "sister!" I love you! :)

what's in a name?

I wanted to take a moment to explain my blog title...some of you who know me may have already figured it out, but I wanted to be creative with the title. Everyone has a different prospective on life--which truly is a very cool thing at times. So, my hope is that by creating this blog I can share my unique prospective on life and maybe get someone to expand his or her prospective on life. I'm not trying to change peoples opinions or lessons they have learned in life, but simply to create a wider knowledge base with which to experience life.

and then there is the cool coincidence that I live on Prospect street... ;)

interesting facts

My friend Amy posted a "tag" stating that I had to answer the following questions...just some interesting stuff about me, myself, and I!


1. What’s the most fun work you’ve ever done, and why? (two sentences max)
I love being a camp nurse. The combination of working with kids and being outside as much as possible is perfect!

2. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did? (one sentence max)
I ran 3 miles a day at least four days a week—I want to be back in that groove.

3. Name one thing you’ve always wanted to do but keep putting it off? (one sentence max)
I would like to learn how to downhill ski.

4. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why? (two sentences max)
I would like to be better at playing the piano and I would like to be a better student. Both require greater amounts of discipline of which I often struggle with.

5. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn? (two more sentences, max)
I would think that maybe someone like Dr. Phil could help me become more disciplined… ;)

6. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
Compassionate, faithful, reliable

7. Now list two more words you wish described you…
Brave, confident

8. What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes– three sentences max)
I’m passionate about my family & friends and their lives; I’m passionate about my job as a school nurse and working to better the lives of children; and I’m passionate about my faith and how it plays a part in all aspects of my life.

9. Write–and answer–one more question that YOU would ask someone (with answer in three sentences max)
What is the one place in the world you would like to travel to? I would love to visit New Zealand someday…if Alaska is a mere taste of what NZ is—I’m already drooling! :)

winter in michigan...

so, I suppose I have to admit that winter officially arrived to Michigan. I was super bummed that we did not have snow on Christmas--the one time of year I don't mind having snow--and now I'm pretty convinced that we will have snow until April. Honestly, I don't mind the white stuff, but the bitterly cold temperatures is what gets to me. Having to wear ten layers just to keep some ounce of warmth in my body never appealed to me. Although, living in a state shaped like a mitten of all things should have been my first clue...

*brrrr!*

family news!

I learned this past weekend that my cousin in Alaska is engaged to be married...I'm so excited for her! And if I may be so bold, I'm excited for me at the possibility of returning to Alaska--to be there for the wedding of course. ;)

I went there summer of '06 for two weeks and seriously found a place I felt could truely be my home. My love for the outdoors was double--nay, tripled--during my visit there. My "double" cousin and I had fun taking road trips, camping, hiking, napping...;) and just generally hanging out while she gave me the full tour of her home state. It was an experience that has become such a part of me, that I know I will not be able to resist the chance to go once again...and hopefully make it a regular trip with plenty more memories...and pictures!

Congrats to my "sister!" :)

more new things...

more new things in my 30th year....I started my second graduate school course working towards my master's in nursing. This one is scary to me as I begin "Advanced Pathophysiology"---*sigh*---I struggled with "basic" pathophysiology as an undergrad! Must stay motivated...must stay motivated! This shall be my mantra for the next 4 months. good thing the professor seems really cool--and it's always fun to buy a new spiral notebook. ;)