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!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
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! :)
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! :)
Monday, June 11, 2007
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!
Stay tuned for wedding details!
Friday, June 8, 2007
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
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
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.”
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.”
Monday, June 4, 2007
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. :)
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. :)
Friday, June 1, 2007
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!
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!
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