Another Week.....

Here it is, time to post another blog update, I really can't believe how fast time is going! As of today, Bradyn only has 7 weeks left of school! They are all finished with the alphabet and their letters of the week, so now it's just review time. This past week was fairly quiet, but I tend to like it that way!

Monday was our 7 year anniversary. Russ came home from work with a dozen roses.....how sweet! He actually picked up a tax return for that evening (his last one of the season) so we didn't do anything special. We decided to do one big gift for each other for our birthdays and anniversary. We're attending the Weekend to Remember conference in Kalamazoo on April 30 - May 2. It's put on by Family Life Today, and we've always wanted to attend one, well, he surprised me with that on my birthday. We're both looking forward to it!!

Tuesday was just another normal day, we spent most of it at home, and I worked on the new crib set for the baby.

Wednesday was quiet too, I ran a few errands quick before picking Bradyn up from school, and then we were home for the rest of the night. It was a decent night, nice and warm, so Russ broke out the lawnmower for the first time and mowed the lawn, while the boys and I had a fire (they begged and begged for one). My sister Kyndra also came to hang out for a while. The boys liked having someone different to play with.

Thursday was another very nice day, with highs reaching into the low 80's. I spent most of the afternoon garage saling with my mom and sisters at the neighborhood sales at Georgetown Shores. There were a lot of garages with sales, and since it was such a nice day, it was VERY busy!! I found a few things for Russ, the kids and me, I didn't need a lot though. We ended that day with an unexpected visit from Herman and Lindy. They were on their way downtown, and their car quit as they were passing our house, so they pulled into the driveway, as it was more convenient than leaving it on the side of the road. We had a nice visit with them as they waited for the tow truck to arrive. The boys thought it was cool to watch the car get pulled up onto the flatbed truck.

Friday, dawned nice and sunny, but a little bit cooler. I had to run more errands that day, and even stopped by Russ at work for a bit. While I was out, I received a phone call from my sister Chelsea.....yup, they finally had their baby, about 4 days late! Turns out she went after her doctors appt on Thursday, after garage saling with us!! They were blessed on Friday morning with a BEAUTIFUL baby girl! They named her Malaya Lynn, she was 7lbs 14oz and has the most beautiful blonde hair, and a lot of it too! We were able to go and visit them in the hospital on Friday night, and she is SUCH a sweetie. We are so happy for them, that they are finally able to meet their little one, and that all went well. May God bless you both as you raise Malaya in the fear of His name.

Saturday, was a bit of a busier day. Russ participated in the Hudsonville Showcase at Hudsonville High School, with Lotterman Tax Service, so he was gone pretty much all day. We joined him at lunch time and I walked around a bit with the boys. There wasn't a ton for them to do, but the highlight of the day for Bradyn was watching one of the vendors (a magician) do some of his tricks. I was able to enjoy a back massage by one of the vendors too, that sure felt good!! After the show finished, we went back home for naps, and grocery shopping. That night we spent at home, getting ready for the Sabbath day. We turned in early as we were all tired from our fairly busy day.

Sunday, we were again priviledged to spend the majority of our day in worship with fellow believers. In the morning we were able to witness the baptism of two of our new members, and heard a great sermon on Proverbs 22, with a focus on vs 6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." In the evening we were blessed with a sermon on Psalm 119:105, on how God's word illuminates our pathway to heaven. What a blessing it is to be able to worship so freely.

That brings us to today. It is wonderfully sunny again today, although it started out quite cold, we had frost in the lower spots of our lawn. It looks like it will be topping out near 60 degrees or better, and looks that way for the rest of the week, so another nice week this week. We hope that this finds you all doing well and we also hope you enjoy your week and the many blessings that it brings.

Seven Years Ago......

Seven years ago, Russ and I were blessed to become husband and wife. The Lord has blessed me immensely in the husband he has given me, I thank God for him everyday. He has blessed us richly in giving us two healthy boys, and so far, another healthy unborn child. We thank God for all He has,and continues to do for us!!

This past week, was not too busy, but not too slow. It was Spring Break week for us and for the most part, we were blessed with wonderful weather, except for a couple of days.

Monday, was spent mostly at home, getting my normal Monday chores accomplished. It sure was nice to be able to hang my laundry out on the line to dry. It always smells so good, when it's finished. That night we went to Matthew and Chelsea's house for supper,and Russ also did their taxes. Nope, no baby yet for them. It's been a long couple of weeks for them, and we pray their little one will make it's grand entrance soon! I also slipped away for a while to meet with my mom-in-law, and sisters-in-law, to plan Emily and Bethany's shower.

Tuesday we were up bright and early, for my monthly doctor's appointment. We dropped Austin off at Grandma Hassevoort's house, and Bradyn came with me, because he wanted to hear the baby's heartbeat. After a rather harrowing drive downtown in pouring rain, thunder, lightening and hail, we finally made it (only five minutes late) to the doctor. Things are progressing right on target, and she was able to find the baby's heartbeat right away, she said it sounded good and strong. I'm not sure what Bradyn thought of it all, he didn't really say much, except to tell me that I did very good at the doctor....hmmm, I wonder where he hears that from? :-) My blood pressure was a little high again, I chalked it up to the nerve wracking drive in, but it could very well be that we're starting the pregnancy induced hypertension again, she just told me to go and check it every once in a while at Meijer, and let her know if it stays high. I'm beginning to be feel little flutters, and so look forward to the movements getting stronger! That evening, Russ had a quick 30 minute tax return and then we were all able to relax together.

Wednesday, was another day at home, and inside, because it was cool and rainy. I spent most of that day finishing, things I didn't finish on Monday, and also getting started on a new crib set for the new baby. I'll post pictures when it's all finished.

Thursday,dawned bright and sunny, but it sure was COLD! It only reached a high of 42-45! The boys and I went to visit Russ at work, and bring him some coffee to warm him up!! Then it was back home to start packing for our night away.

Friday was also bright and sunny, but still cold. Russ worked until noon, and then we were off to Surfari Joes, an indoor water park/hotel in Watervliet, MI. We arrived at about 3pm, just in time to get into our room, and then headed down to the water park. My mom and siblings along with my sister Erin and her kids, and my brother Joel, and his family came for a few hours to enjoy the waterpark with us. They left at around 6:30, and we spent the rest of the night in the waterpark. The boys had a ton of fun, but they sure were tired!

Saturday,after breakfast at the hotel,a few more hours in the waterpark, and a couple of games in the arcade, we left the hotel and headed to South Haven. We walked the pier for a bit, until it got too cold, and then went back inland, and the boys had fun throwing stones into the channel and watching to see if dad could throw one all the way across the channel, to hit the other side. He did, and they thought he was just the best! (I think they're right, but not just because he can throw far....:-)) We headed home, and arrived just in time for the boys to have naps. They both slept for 2 1/2 hours!! This gave us time to get unpacked, and for me to get groceries. We met Herman and Lindy, and Russ' parents at the village dipper for supper, and ice cream. I love that place! It's so homey, and the people who own it are so nice. We'll definitely have to make the trips back out here occasionally, after we move away.

Sunday, we were able to enjoy going to church again, we had Prof. Hanko in the morning and Prof. Cammenga in the evening, as Rev. Eriks and his family were on vacation. After church in the evening, was Hudsonville Choral Society's annual Easter concert. Russ sings in the choir, so we stayed for that. The boys thought it was neat to see dad up there! It was a very nice concert, with songs reminding us of the unspeakable gift God gave for us, His people.

That about sums up our week. I am enjoying the beautiful sunshine this morning, and waiting eagerly for it to get warmer! It looks like a beautiful week again! We hope you enjoy it, and the many blessings that it brings!!

Changes.....

Wow! I can't believe another week has gone by already! We started out the week with an eye doctor appointment for Bradyn. The last few weeks, he's been getting headaches, but only on the days he goes to school.....hmm, so we took him in and found out he is in fact far-sighted and needs glasses. Oh boy!! This will be something he (and us) will have to get used to. He likes to take them off and put them back on (all the time) so we'll have to work on keeping them on.....Later that night we received a phone call from sister Emily, she and her boyfriend Phil Miersma are engaged to be married!! Their date is in late October. We are so happy for them!! Now begins a busy time for the Lotterman side of the family!! Two weddings to look forward to! How fun!!

Tuesday and Wednesday were fairly uneventful, with Wednesday being the last day of school for Bradyn before Spring Break. I think I was more excited than he was, for spring break! ;-) Russ sang with church's choir at Sunset Manor, that evening while the boys and I met some friends at Drenthe Grove park to pass the time. Later, Russ met us at the Drenthe Village Dipper for our first (of many) outings to get ice cream! Who'd have thought we'd be getting ice cream for the first time on March 31!!!

Thursday was a beautiful day, and the boys and I spent all day outside, I forgot the sunscreen, so I was rather red by the time night fell.....oops!! Thursday night was fairly busy, Russ had a couple of tax customers, but the biggest news of the night is that we signed a purchase agreement with John Pols for the sale of our house!!! We accepted the lower offer, because the full price one didn't work out, so now we wait to see how inspections will go!! We're waiting on God, and His will for us in this matter, and praying that all will go well.

Friday was a busy one for the boys and me, we met my mom and siblings at Huizinga Park in Zeeland to try our hand at fishing, Russell had a good laugh when I called to ask him where the fishing poles were.....it's a good thing he wasn't there to see the real thing, he'd have been rolling on the ground!!! ;-) We gave up after a while because the fish weren't biting, and let the kids play on the giant playground they have there. Meanwhile us grown-ups had a nice time chatting in the beautiful sunshine!! (Don't worry, I remembered the sunscreen that day!) We ended our outing with another trip to the Village Dipper....:-) That evening was our Good Friday service, with a wonderful sermon on Christ's death, and the meaning of the veil in the temple being rent from top to bottom.

Saturday was another busy day for our family. Russ had three tax appointments throughout the day, and I of course spent some of the day grocery shopping........ugh! Definitely not my favorite job. We also managed to make a trip to pick up Bradyn's new glasses....he looks so handsome! (pictures to follow). The evening was spent with most of my family at my parents house for a "watch party" for the MSU Spartans. If you didn't know, MOST of my family are big Spartan fans, so while the guys watched the game (rather loudly) us women escaped to the other side of the house for more of a quiet conversation.....:-) We were also able to celebrate my niece Anna's birthday, she turns 1 today!! Happy Birthday Anna! We love you and hope you have a great day!!

Sunday, we were priviledged to spend the day in church celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour. We were blessed with two wonderful sermons, one on the appearance of Christ, to His disciples, specifically Thomas, to strengthen their faith, and how we too need our faith strengthened, and the other on Lord's Day 52 and "praying for our victory in our spiritual warfare". Makes us realize how blessed we are to have the priviledge of attending church every Sunday.

That brings us to today...we hope you are all having an enjoyable beginning to your week, and we pray that you will all enjoy the blessings of another week!!