Sunday cuteness

My kiddos watching a movie together. Katie all dressed up for church this morning - 21 months old.

Holly wearing the same dress - 2 years old.

Flashback Friday

I don't recall quite how the conversation started but earlier this week a couple of my friends and I got into a discussion on which one of the Duke boys was cuter. Duh. Like they were even in the same league. Just to prove myself though, I perused my bookshelf for my official "Dukes of Hazzard scrapbook" that I long ago begged my mom to let me order. You know how those book orders come home from school? My mom never let me order any books and it was always a sad day when all of the other little children received their books and I got none (insert sad music here). Anyhoo, I somehow managed to scrape up enough birthday money to order this gem.... and prove to my girlfriends who was dreamier. Just so you know, I also had numerous posters and his barbie doll.

Look at him folks. He still makes me swoon. It says on this page that (and I quote) "John likes the outdoors. He finds few pleasures in life more satisfying than camping under a clear, night sky, the air clean and crisp in his lungs". ME TOO! That is one of my greatest pleasures in life too! We were meant to be together. And we would have too. Once again this story involves my mother (I'm pretty sure I'm going to need counseling). I wrote John Schneider a letter pouring out my devotion to him and asking him to marry me someday. My mom didn't mail it. She showed it to me some years later, she probably still has it. Who knows what could have happened???

Completely unrelated, my boy got to dress up like a scarecrow today for school.

This past week has been BEAR week....Be Excited About Reading. He was not allowed to watch t.v., be on the computer, or play Wii - this was pretty tough but he made it. He also had some special events at school, today was dressing up like a book character. He came up with "Sam the Scarecrow" all by himself.

I think he's even cuter than Bo Duke.

Thursday Randomness

Yes, I know. This has been a slim blogging week. Since Monday I have been obsessed. With this... I know it doesn't look like much but it contains all of our family memories from 2008. I have FINALLY completed our 2008 scrapbook. YEAH!

Katie Kat has really been a source of amusement lately. She's moving past the baby stage into the pain-in-the-butt-but-lots-of-fun stage. She's starting to talk (when she wants to) and imitates everything her big sister and brother do (this is not always good). Last night she entertained us for a while by doing this...

She's actually trying to back up and sit in this...

tiny dollhouse swing. She was not understanding the concept that her big bottom was not going to fit in this little swing but she did enjoy the fact that we were all paying attention to her.

Holly can pretty frustrated with her sister sometimes but I think for the most part, she's pretty happy to have her around. She usually picks up Katie right away when she gets home from school and takes her down in her room for some "girl time".

I think they are going to grow up to be pretty good friends despite being 11 years apart.

Look, my crocuses are starting to bloom!

We've actually had some sunshine around here lately. I love it...although I am secretly hoping for really horrible weather once I'm on a ship in the sunshine in just a few more weeks.

Katie helped me set the table the other night.

Isn't she a good helper?

And then there is Sam. Sam has had an obsession of his own lately. He has been trying to trick the tooth fairy. First it was this...

That's a rock on his sheet. He found a rock while he was working in the yard with his dad and thought maybe he could fool the tooth fairy with it and get some cash. It didn't work. Last night we had Chinese food and decided to try a grain of rice instead. Still didn't work. That tooth fairy is pretty smart.

Wasn't that just the sweetest picture I had for Wordless Wednesday this week? Just to keep it real, the other 18 pictures John took that day were some version of this...

Happy Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday

Flashback Friday

So, for this week's "Flashback Friday" I went way back. In case you're wondering how I pick what picture(s) to feature, it's very simple...I just pick a photo album off the shelf and peruse it for a good photo. I thought this one was especially appropriate since we I was just telling the "infamous laundry basket" story to friends over New Years. I'm not sure they believed me; it is nearly unbelievable. A long, long time ago, before he was trained correctly, my husband gave me a laundry basket for my birthday. This is how it happened:
One day as I was getting ready to do laundry I mentioned to John that I needed a new laundry basket. Being newlyweds and all we failed to realize that women are from Earth and men are from Uranus (or something like that).
This is what I meant by that statement:
Next time we're at Walmart, remind me to pick up a laundry basket.
This is what John heard:
She wants a laundry basket for her birthday.
I need to interject this because every time I tell this story, John thinks it's important for people to know. It was a wicker laundry basket. I haven't quite ever understood why that's important. Anyhoo, here's me and my birthday laundry basket.
Yes, I loved it. No, he didn't ever do anything like that again.

Hibernation Day

Sam has been studying polar bears in school and today was the long-awaited "hibernation day". When I tucked him into bed last night he told me, "...and tomorrow I am going to get up right away and you won't even have to yell at me." He was so excited this morning! He requested fish and seal for breakfast but I told him we had just run out so he needed to have oatmeal instead. John, Katie and I went over to check out the bear cave this afternoon.
This is the sign outside of his classroom, oops I mean cave. Once they entered their cave this morning, they don't come out the rest of the day (except for bathroom breaks of course).

We came during lunch time. All the bears growled at us when we came in the cave. They were eating on the floor just since everyone knows that bears do not use tables and chairs.

Sam showed us the igloo he made earlier in the day with his sixth grade buddy.

And check out this cool milk jug igloo that his teacher made. We've been sending our empty milk jugs with Sam for the past couple of weeks. His teacher said she stopped counting at 160.

The children, oops I mean bears told me that this was the size of a real live polar bear.

They had a contest to see who could keep their hand in ice water the longest. They could use blubber bags (Ziplocs full of Crisco) to keep their hands warmer.

Here are my cute cubs!

I thought it looked like tons of fun but as we were leaving John said, "If I wake up some morning and tell you that I want to be a kindergarten teacher, shoot me."

Wordless Wednesday

Monday's Musings

* The kids were off school today for Martin Luther King Day. Speaking of which, I have a dream too. I have a dream that my kids won't fight and that my kitchen would stay clean for longer than 45 minutes.

* I will be on a boat in 20 days. You know that diet I've been working on? New approach. I decided that instead of losing my flab I would just tan it. If it's going to be stubborn and stick around then I decided it should at least be bronzed instead of pasty-Washington-white.

* Brooklyn, Sam's friend came over to play. I found this written on the wipe-board downstairs. Isn't it just the most precious? Just so you know...Sam circled "yes".
* We used our new webcam again last night. It's kind of fun. I got to see Susie's new dress for the cruise and then talked to these two cuties for awhile. These girls are not only beautiful but smart too...they both go to Dordt college.

* The pantry challenge is still going strong. Tonight is turkey tetrazzini and tomorrow I am breaking out the crock pot again for round steak. It's really not as bad as it sounds. John even unearthed some cinnamon rolls that had been buried in the freezer - the kids were very happy on Saturday morning.

* Katie Kat has a cold. She's been walking around like this all day.

She just kind of wanders around the house crying. Nothing really makes her happy. I thought she needed a hug and a cuddle from mom but I really don't think she's that into me either.

* What would happen if you substitute cubed steak for hamburger in Hamburger Helper Stroganoff (my personal favorite)?

* Here's a picture of Katie from the other day...she's not always crabby.

Jesus loves me

This morning I caught Sam singing "Jesus loves me". I literally mean "caught" since as soon as he sees I am looking he stops like he's been caught undressing Barbie dolls or something. But before he saw me I just listened and let the words wash over me and bring me a little peace.
It's been a rough last couple of weeks. Some close friends of ours lost their 46 year-old sister, just recently in our community a number of young people have died, the loss and pain and destruction in Haiti is overwhelming. A couple of times this past week I found myself asking God, "What are you doing up there?'
It did me good to hear "Jesus loves me" because no matter what, He does. He's in control of this world that seems so out of control at times. And even if I don't know why, I know He loves me and that's enough.

Flashback Friday

There are many reasons that I married John. One of the major ones is that is was very obvious right from the start that he loved, loved, loved his family. And he's got a big family - he's the youngest of seven and when I met him all of his sibling were married and most of them had kids. I loved the idea of being part of a big family. It was just an added bonus when I found out that they were all loud, crazy, and lots of fun too.
Just three months before Holly was born, John's youngest sister Janet had a baby girl - Rachel. I'll tell you a little secret here....when I was pregnant with Holly, I wanted a girl soooooo bad. When I first held tiny Rachel in her pink sleeper, I remember saying a little prayer that I would have a baby girl too so they could grow up together and become the closest of friends. And guess what? I did and they are. Mike, Janet, and Rachel only lived about an hour away from us in Iowa so we saw each other pretty frequently. Her and Holly were like sisters right from the start - which meant they either played wonderfully together or fought the entire time! I remember when we'd shop together, people would always ask us if they were twins. Janet and I never really thought they looked alike but it was still always fun to get asked.
When we made the "big move" four years ago, one of my regrets is that Holly and Rachel would grow apart and they would have that weird awkward I-know-we're-related-but-I-don't-really-know-you thing going on whenever we got them together again. I shouldn't have worried though. God took care of it. Every time they've been reunited, the girls pick up right where they left off. The only difference is that they are now giggling young ladies comparing songs on their I-pods and asking us to take them shopping instead of tow-headed little girls playing with Barbies and asking us to take them to Chucky Cheese. Okay, I'm crying now.
These pictures were taken at John's folks house at Thanksgiving time, 1999. The girls loved it (still do) when Grampa plays guitar for them, especially when he makes up songs with their names in it!

Getting a ride from Daddy/Uncle John. Love the antlers.

Wordless Wednesday

2 funny not 2 share

My friend and future cruising partner Susie posted this on my Facebook page for my birthday. Isn't she just too witty and creative??
HAPPY BIRTHDAY...My friend, you are cruising right along. Boat don't worry, your ship will be sailing soon!

It's Monday

It's Monday again...amazing how fast the weekends go. This morning I am meeting my friend Julie for coffee. This makes me happy because a. I love having coffee with friends and b. this little beauty is going over to Aunt Sally's house while I'm at coffee... Thanks Aunt Sally...I promise I'll clean up the cream cheese before I bring her over!
I had a great birthday. John let me sleep in and even intercepted those early-morning birthday phone calls that my aunts and uncles in South Dakota like to make. Holly and I spent the whole afternoon at the mall shopping for ME (I need some clothes bad, have I mentioned I am taking a cruise next month?) I would say it was a fairly successful trip - in four hours I purchased a dress, some slippers, and an Orange Julius. John, Sam, and Katie Kat met us at Applebees for supper. I haven't been there in forever and was really craving their chicken oriental salad. So yummy. While we were eating, Sam said, "When we get home we're having birthday cake, right dad?" I could tell from the look on John's face that there wasn't any birthday cake at home so we got dessert too!
Yesterday the family got together at John's brother's house to celebrate me. Sally must have spent hours putting together this delicious fudgy pudgy cake and Edie brought my favorite cheese that I never buy for myself because it costs too much. They even sang to me...and not just the boring "American version" either. I was spoiled.
Last night we tried out one of John's Christmas presents...

He got a web cam so we got to visit with our friends and future cruising partners Doyle and Susie. Doyle and John had a glass of wine and we all laughed and reminisced and planned customized t-shirts to wear in Mexico for TWO HOURS. Lucky for John and I, the Beltmans are night owls. Here they are all happy and chipper at 11:00 at night...

Oh yes, one more thing...in regard to the pantry challenge. Just because a recipe says that certain items in your pantry can be combined to make a goulash doesn't mean certain items in your pantry should be combined to make a goulash. Holly keeps asking me if I have posted a blog about the gingersnap goulash pukemaster disaster yet.

You have been warned.

Happy Birthday to me!

OUCH....another year older!!

Introducing...FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Are you all ready for this?
I consider myself a highly organized and fairly sentimental person but when it comes to baby books, I have failed. I have loads and loads of photo albums and a tub for each kid that has stuff like those teeny weeny bracelets they were in the hospital, coming home outfits, baptism certificates, etc. but I never took the time to write down the good stuff like the fact that Holly was obsessed with the letter "W" when she was little or the time Sam gave himself a time out or how Katie Kat won't say "amen" even if it means she doesn't eat (sorry for the huge-run on sentence there, I'm like that in real life too). Anyhoo, as I was going through photos trying to locate old Christmas cards, I decided I would take a day a week in 2010 to reflect back on and document some memories that I think I will never forget but, in all actuality, probably will. Hence, flashback Friday. Here goes...My sweet, sweet Sammy. He LOVED his Cookie Monster sweatshirt and he loved that Valentine frog too. It was actually Holly's but he laid claim to it when he discovered it played, "You are My Sunshine". Sam loves that song. I remember trying to sing him "Jesus Love Me" before bedtime and he'd always say, "No, the other one." This boy is just going to make the most magnificent husband some day - he is kind, loyal, a good worker, and loves babies. You can't tell from the picture but he is sitting on the potty chair. He did a lot of that. Sam caught on to potty training pretty quick but definitely had some issues with the poopy training. He's the only kid I've ever heard of that wore a diaper during the day and underwear at night. He just flat out refused to poop on the potty. I tried the reward system, the punishment system and the I'm-going-to-take-you-back-to-Walmart-and-get-a-new-kid system. I repeated the phrase, "He will be trained by kindergarten" to myself many times. And you know what, he was...actually he was long before then. Looking back now, it probably didn't take that long but when your talking poop, a moment lasts a lifetime.

Thursday Nuggets

* I love the word "nuggets". There are just some words that are fun to say and "nugget" is one of them. I try to use it often. On the other hand, I don't like "nougat" as in what's in Three Musketeers and some other candy bars. I think that stuff is gross.

* I decided to join my friend Julie (and from what I understand a lot of other gals in the blogging world) in participating in the "Eat from the pantry" challenge. Basically, you need to eat stuff you already have and just buy stuff you that doesn't keep (like milk and bread and chocolate, okay maybe not chocolate). Julie and I are doing it for two weeks. It's been interesting and I'm only on day four. On Monday I tried to use some fish that our neighbor had given us from who-knows- how-long-ago. I was not successful. Did you realize that some fish actually comes with the skin still on it? It just completely yucked me out. Today we had ham and bean soup that I made with a ham bone that had been in the freezer since Christmas. It was surprisingly good and my kids hardly complained at all. Tomorrow it is goulash made from stew meat and gingersnap cookies. I'll let you know.


* A Sammism for you....the other day I overheard him telling this to John. "You know what your schedule says today dad? It says Dad and Sam play pirates".

* In 32 days I will be on a large boat without a winter jacket, overflowing laundry baskets, and children.

* Beth Moore Esther series. Love it. I listened to another excellent video yesterday. It was about fear and courage. Did you realize that the most frequent command in the Bible is "do not be afraid"? Yeah, I didn't either. Personally, I am constantly afraid and I am getting a little tired of it. In this new year, my prayer is to be bolder and accept the courage that God offers me. If you think of it, ask me how I'm doing and keep me accountable on this one.

* I love my husband. He is so handsome and he loves me just like I am. Here is a very artsy picture I took of him.

* I FINALLY successfully crossed the tightrope in Wii. I had been working on it since forever (okay, since Christmas). The only bad thing is, no one was around to see me. I had to celebrate all by myself. I ate a Hershey's kiss as a reward...after all, I did burn two calories crossing the tightrope.

* Sue, I don't know why I'm on your "black list". Your the one who didn't return my phone call and besides, we had a deal to tell each other the genders of our babies and you backed out. So there.

* Have a happy Thursday. Make sure to stop by tomorrow because I have something new debuting....I'm such a tease.

Wordless Wednesday

One of those times

Life goes fast. Everybody knows that. But did you ever have one of those times when you just had to take a picture because things seemed to be changing so quickly? It was one of those times today. My two girls were all dressed up for church and they just looked so old. My babies are growing up so quickly. Sometimes having an (amost) teenager, six-year-old and toddler in the house is not fun and downright exhausting. But sometimes I wish I could just freeze life for awhile and enjoy them before they get all big and leave me.

~ My beautiful girls ~

New year...new look

Check out my new blog look! Pretty cool huh?! Thanks Alyssa - you did a fabulous job! Those stick people still make me smile.
We've been busy celebrating the new year here at the Hiemstra house. It all started Wednesday when I found an "old fashioned" corn popper at the thrift store (love that thrift store). The kids were so excited. We tried it out that afternoon. Take note of my popcorn bowl. It was my grandparents. I have fond memories of my Grandma popping corn and us all sitting around watching "He Haw". The bowl seemed so much bigger at her house - isn't that weird how that happens?
On Thursday night we had a bunch of friends over to ring in 2010. There were 32 of us - 21 of which were kids. It was loud, chaotic, and a lot of fun.
On Friday we went over to John's cousin for ole bollen and lots of laughs. For your viewing enjoyment...