March marathon

This week has been like a marathon. It began Sunday with lots of choir singing for Easter morning services; then onto Jason’s family’s house for an Easter dinner. Sunday night I had to cram in a nursing theory assignment that I should’ve gotten done earlier, and then jumped into a stressful Monday. This is the kind of stress that makes me question, yet again, why I ever decided I could be a manager. I miss being just the school nurse! *sigh* this too shall pass.

Evenings of this week have consisted of rehearsals for our church’s upcoming Easter musical. Yes, it is after Easter, but our community looks forward to it every year. So, with rehearsals every night (with the exception of tonight, where I have to sit through 3 hours of parent teacher conferences), and performances Friday, Saturday, and two on Sunday…life has been literally been a marathon.

The end is in sight though…it’s called spring break!!!

Good Friday

Normally, every Friday is a good one for me as it signals the end of a long and typically busy & stressful week. But this Friday is a special one as it is a day of remembering the hugest act of love one person has ever done for me. My Heavenly Father committed his Son, my Savior, to death on a cross so I could have eternal life in heaven with Him. What wondrous love is this!!

I have spent some time in reflection on this today, and often reflection for me includes music. The following are the lyrics to the song that has most touched my heart and through which I have heard my Savior speak to me today. Remember there is only ONE place to finding true peace--in the arms of Jesus!

Voice of a Savior sung by Mandisa
Some people try to listen to the bottom of a bottle
Some people try to listen to a needle in their arm
Some people try to listen to the money in their pocket
Some people try to listen to another's arms

You and I are not that different
We got a void and we're just trying to fill it up
With something that will give just a little peace
All we want is a hand to reach to
Open arms that say I love you
We'd give anything to hear
The voice of a Savior

Some people try to find it with blind ambition
Some people try to find it where no one else has gone
Some people try to find it in the crowns of victory
Some people get defeated and lose the strength to carry on

Some people try to find it in the shadow of a steeple
Some people try to find it in the back row pew
Some people try to find it in the arms of Jesus
That's where I found it, how about you?

You Tube video of song

SPRING!

It finally arrived!! And with beautiful, sunny weather too! I’ll just ignore the fact that we’re supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow tomorrow…

My house is so dirty right now I can’t really decide where to begin on my spring cleaning. With life having been so busy these past few months, it’s really gotten away from me. And those who know me best (i.e., those who have lived with me), know that I don’t do well with clutter, dust, and dirt in my home. Even Jason commented the other day on the quality of cleanliness in our home. I just pointed out the piles he needs to clean up in the backyard. ;)

I’m excited to tackle some cleaning, it’s always so inspiring to get stuff put away where it belongs—particularly if you are into nicely labeled Rubbermaid totes for your storage. ;) I will be spending some time on this long weekend to vacuum/wash/dust, but I’ll save the bulk of it for my upcoming spring break. Of course, my class isn’t quite done yet, so the key will be not using the cleaning that needs to be done as a procrastination technique…I’m very good at that!

new name

So, yesterday someone apologized because they hadn’t changed my last name on a document. It made me realize that I think I’m not fully used to this new last name of mine. I don’t even have a second thought when I see my full maiden name in print, and when I see my “new” full married name, I still kind of do a double-take and honestly think—wait—who is that again? Oh—it’s me!! :)

Silly, but when you’ve had one name for 30 years of your life, it’s kind of an adjustment to get used to the new one. When we got married, I wasn’t sure if I was going to change it. Jason had no opinion really, and everyone in my professional life knew me best by my maiden name. Options I considered were either keeping my maiden name in the profession realm only, or even possibly the whole hyphenated last name thing. It wasn’t until I was sitting in the secretary of state office that I made my final decision: to change it to VanDenBrink. I knew I had to do it for myself—hanging on to name for sentimental reasons would not have been good for me.

I really loved my last name, it was very unique with very few people actually able to claim that name in the United States. I could “hide” my Dutch heritage behind the name as well—being that it came from across the border of Germany. :) Sure, I always had to spell it for everyone, but I was used to it. Interestingly enough, I still have to spell my last name! It surprises me how apparently difficult it is to spell VanDenBrink; and evidently, not everyone who has the last name capitalizes the V, the D, and the B. What’s up with that?

So, there you have it. A brand, spanking new, Dutch last name, that is looong, AND difficult to spell. Someday I’m sure I’ll appreciate the upgrade. ;) I’m kidding of course; adjusting to this new life path has been amazing!

crunch time

happy birthday to me!! well, as of yesterday, anyway! :) Yesterday I was initiated into the age category of "early 30s" No longer at the milestone of just 30, I'm now 31. I'm surprised at how this suddenly feels so much older than I thought it would be. Good thing I have a best friend who is 32 and a husband who is 28. One reminds me that being older is not so bad and the other keeps me young. ;)

It was a good day all around--I felt I made some good accomplishments at work, then dinner with my family, then a nice walk with husband & puppy in the warming spring air. It was a nice day!

Now, today, crunch time begins. I have a nasty paper due in my nursing theory *gag* course tomorrow. This will make for an interesting day. Luckily, the weather will keep me from being too cranky as it is sunny and suppose to warm up to 50 degrees today! yeah for SPRING!! :)

cracking hearts

I love this picture. About five years ago, two of my friends were pregnant at the same time. Alessa came first, on March 17, and William was two months later, on May 24. Through the years, lives get busy, people move--but we have all tried to stay in touch and revel in the joy of watching these precious children grow. Alessa & William were the first "neice" and "nephew" of my heart. It has been an honor to be dubbed "auntie" by them and their siblings--most likely because of the knowledge it will be a loooong time before it happens for real through my brother. :)

These two don't get to see eachother very often--but when they do, they seem to click and have great fun playing together. According to William's mom, earlier that day she had told him he would see Alessa that night. From that moment on, he carried around his digital alarm clock, hoping the numbers would soon show 5-3-0 (the appointed time). At one point, he couldn't stand the wait anymore--and began crying to his mom: "I can't wait anymore! My heart is cracking!!"


Ah, from the mouths of babes. :) His cracked heart healed, 5-3-0 eventually came, and a good time was had by all.