Cape Hatteras Misadventure

One day last week when we were at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, John and Maria set out on a small adventure to Cape Hatteras to see the famed lighthouse. As you can see, Maria was quite pleased to see it and pose in front of it.

As John was fiddling with the camera (pulling a Judy), Maria grew tired and began to rest on the lighthouse. Suddenly, it tipped over.

Not to fear. Maria picked it up and put it back in place. No one even noticed.

Oh, and then, on the way back from the Cape, John got a $170 traffic ticket for passing in the right lane. This was the real misadventure.

Snapshot Moments

Today in church, our intern talked about Snapshot Moments - these are times in our lives that are frozen in time and nothing afterwards is ever the same. Here is the link to the post I wrote for our church blog.

Hardhat Boy

Yesterday at Calvin College

Edward has been working at Calvin College in the Telecom area of IT for a whole month already! He seems to be enjoying this job which is a good introduction into his field of study - Computer Engineering. He enjoys it even when his dad shows up with a camera!

Flash Back Friday 75

Like Opa... like Great grand-daughters...

Niece & Nephew

Hunter & Paige, OBX, 2008

Aunt and Nephew

Sam with Aunt Marianna, OBX 2008

Mother and Four Daughters

OBX, 2008

Colors of the OBX

Group photo (sans Trey, Tara & Edward) taken on the beach on the last evening, 2008 (The blogger is in bright green.)

Not very many of us had white shirts this year, so we decided to pose in bright colors. I think it would look good if everyone did shades of blue and turquoise and aqua... just a thought.

Home Sweet Home

Sparkles

After a week by the ocean, we have returned home - the sun followed us! We drove 16 hours straight yesterday and I'm feeling un-blogworthy. It sounded so good when a friend at church this morning said "Welcome home". When I get over the funk, I hope to post some pictures in the week ahead!

First Cup of Coffee

You can all relax now - the horizon is straight.

My mom took this yesterday morning of me sitting under the umbrella.

Adventures at Sea

Today,,, I walked along the beach between the ocean and the shining people who were staring at the beauty and I felt their joy. It was amazing.

I later saw the dolphins jumping just off shore and the pelicans swooping low and beating their wings in perfect rhythm. That was amazing too.

I went out into the ocean with John in search of the sand bar to play catch, and with the water over my head for too long (we couldn't find it) felt pulled by a rip current. My body started to feel unusually weak and I was even a little scared. I yelled help to John and he looked a little worried, but something in his eyes told me to relax. I laid on back and floated as best as I could and kicked with my weak legs. After what seemed like an eternity of being sucked into sea with my weak muscles helpless against the force, I could finally touch my toes on the ground only to be hit several times in the back by great waves. I struggled to shore and then walked about 200 yards, gasping, to my chair. I told everyone that they almost lost me. John was so funny and calm and maybe I was a being a bit dramatic, but he said when I was waving my arms and saying help, he thought I said, Throw me the football!

This is amazing too.

The National Cathedral

On our way out to the OBX, we stopped in Washington DC for the Sunday Morning Service at the National Cathedral, aka the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. We went to the early service of the Episcopal church. The part I will remember the most is when we took the Holy Communion. The priests said "The Body of Christ, Bread of Heaven" as you took the wafer which is not new, but what made it so remarkable is that one of the priests had a microphone, so you could hear this phrase being echoed over and over several hundred times through the cavernous building as hopeful people came forward. It was cool.

Beautiful Boy

This morning, we watched Edward run in the Brian Diemer Amerikam 5K race before we left for the OBX. He finished 71st out of 1400 runners for a pretty strong finish.

Flash Back Friday 74

June, 2005, Edward with Opa & Grandma

We're leaving for the Outer Banks tomorrow morning, so I thought I should post a flash back from there. Edward is staying home to work, but he'll be with us in spirit!

Mourning Has Broken

Last Sunday at MCC

We are always excited on Sunday morning to go to the warehouse where our church meets. If you look into the pansies to your right as you go up the stairs to the door, you will see this mother bird sitting on her nest. She is not afraid of any of us - she's more concerned about the 2 eggs underneath her. That's one great thing about her. The other is how she reminds us all that God takes care of us even more.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matt. 6:26

Twentieth Anniversary

June 11, 1988

Things in their most basic form
are the hardest to put words around:
the winged tail of a shrimp.
a freshly washed pillow case,
growing crisp in the autumn air.
The late winter sun
quenching itself on a bowlful
of snow. The half moon
resting, always,
in your right thumbnail.
What I mean is this—
after the long ride home
when the grass is wet, and the dishes
have been dried, and the wrinkles
have begun to set themselves
in lines more broad
than fine, there will be you—
asleep. Your head in its infinite state
of undress. Each hair
set upon another
wrestling against the grains,
that by some unwritten rule,
must form in your blue eyes.
There will be you, again.
You.
Alight, aloft, adrift,
in my arms alone.
There will be you
and me
and we will be
at home. - M.C. Boyes

Netherlands Nuesday 32

Sister Paula with her kopje koffie, Sept. 2007

Singing in the Rain

This past weekend, the Festival of the Arts took place in downtown Grand Rapids. Vintage Grand Rapidian that I am, I went 4 times! Yikes. The first time I was on a walk with a friend but the other 3, John & I went to see someone we know play in their band. The above shots are of MCC's band. They played Sunday and had to fold up after 2 songs, Not to Us and Salvation is Here, because of a thunderstorm. What we heard was excellent!

Peonies in Bloom

Taken out front this morning

Now I know it is June. They are a week late for the open house!

The Weekend!

The girls finished their exams on Thursday & Friday, John & I got through very busy work weeks (we had a speaker at the Family Institute), and Edward finished his first week at his new job at Calvin in the IT department. Needless to say, we are glad the weekend has arrived. My intestines are happy, too.

In the midst of it, I discovered that my favorite singer sings this awesome song:

Flash Back Friday 73

1995, Bridget, Teddy, Eddie, Maria and friends

Walking on the Beach

Maria, June 2006

When the Queen Mother was here for Edward's graduation, she presented Maria with a very special birthday present. Below you can see her watercolor interpretation of the photo above. This is something I think she will treasure for years to come!


Maria with watercolor by Grandma, May 2008

The Path Where You Find Rest

This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

Netherlands Nuesday 31

Dutch Horse Reflections

Scenes from the Best Open House Ever

Yesterday, friends and relatives came from far and wide to give Edward their blessings and well wishes for the years ahead. It was a beautiful day for the occasion and we enjoyed everyone's presence.



Edward standing in front of the "Ed-rospective"


Aunt Paula, Bridget (Aunt Paula, Jr.) and Aunt Marianna cheering him on with the yard signs.


The Aunts posing with the themed tables they prepared out back for the guests. They also decorated 2 tables on the deck and pinned up shirts along the side for a very festive look.


Marianna, Paula & Mom were all champions in helping with the set-up, and my friends Cathy and Robin were so, so helpful with the clean-up. Oh, and I must never forget Sharon who scooped all that ice cream. Thanks everyone!