Death is not Dying

A Faith that Saves

This a video you need to see. The speaker is a woman who is dying of cancer. Please hear what she has to say. Here is the link: http://deathisnotdying.com:80/

Mail From Michigan!!

Gym Day! :O)

Chillin in the Rain!

This Calls for a Picnic!

A couple of weeks ago we had Study Group at our house. The girls enjoyed the left over food for a picnic lunch the following day...since then, the warm weather has called for even more picnics on the lawn. We have a patio set but the ladies insist on a sheet spread out on the grass.

Crème Moitié-Moitié!

My sweet husband has some strange ways of communicating. If you know him, you will agree whole heartedly. If you are married to a VanDyk, you are likely living the same reality that I am. I have learned to adapt to some of these ways well, and to others, Dan has been forced to adapt because I go into 'shut down' mode.

Maybe this is a male thing but I am assuming that it is a 'Dan' or a 'VanDyk' thing. I'm not even sure how to describe it...perhaps and example is best.

We could be eating supper and Dan might need the ketchup. Instead of saying “Mel, could you please pass the ketchup?” he will say “Can I have the pickle juice”. I automatically reach for the ketchup, pass it to him and wait for his “yep” to affirm that I got it right. Sounds confusing but I think I've mastered it. I basically reach for whatever is closest to me and if I get it right the first time, I feel quite content, and if I'm wrong it becomes a process of trial and error.

Another thing VanDyk men do, is scream strange things randomly. Out of the blue they will say a new phrase or word that they think is cool, look to each other for confirmation and burst into raucous laughter. They all think it's very funny; I usually have missed the joke. Although, I have been affected slightly by this as I manged to give them a word to get glee from. The word is 'surprise' spoken with a Dutch accent (putting the emphasis on the 'SU', leaving out the first 'r', small emphasis on the 'p', rolling the second 'r' and changing the 's' to a 'zzz' ). It's a satisfying thing to say, and I'll be that you have just tried it and now have a smile on your face. Go ahead, say it! SU-PRRRIZE!

One random thing that Dan used to say while making coffee was “Crème de Moitié-Moitié!”. It used to make me smile and I assumed it was just a made up phrase. However, one day as I was making coffee (and probably spewing the phrase with a grin on my face) I noticed the words on the cream carton! I thought I was seeing things. It turned out, my husband was actually speaking French! WOW! He added a 'de' but that just means he was making it more French, right?

The words no longer appear on the cream carton-they have changed it to 'Crème 10%'. Boring and subsequently, my husband does not shout “Crème 10%”. But I bet, if I pointed out to him that the French side also states 'Toujours Fraîche' he might find some delight in that phrase. Since the lovely 'Crème Moitié-Moitié' is no longer printed on the carton, I do not have the pleasure of hearing it spoken by my husband. Truth be told, I miss it.

Do you have any quirky communication stories to share? Please feel free to leave them in the comment box.

Here is a picture of the old carton:
(Dare I admit, that it took me over 5 years of marriage and 2 years of dating to finally see those words on the carton?!)

We Serve a Risen Saviour!!

"See, What a Morning" (Resurrection Hymn)

Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Copyright © 2003 Kingsway Thankyou Music

See, what a morning, gloriously bright, With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem; Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light, As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!" See God's salvation plan, Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice, Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?" As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb; Hears a voice speaking, calling her name; It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again! The voice that spans the years, Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us, Will sound till He appears, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days, Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.Honor and blessing, glory and praise To the King crowned with pow'r and authority! And we are raised with Him, Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered; And we shall reign with Him, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:30-31

Spring Sprouts

March 5
Planting day...

The Sprouts as of today...

Three Little Bundles all in a Row!

Last Tuesday Belinda and I headed for Becky and Scott's house. We dropped all of our children (7 combined) off at Nana's house for the day and had sisters arranged to babysit the following day. We had a blast! In a household of 5 children, three and under, I was amazed at how peaceful the house was. The calm is truly one of God's MANY displays of grace in our daily lives. We did some cleaning and tons of laundry. Belinda helped Becky sort cloths and organized the triplette's bedroom.

When Scott came home, we left! ;O) We ate supper at Café Amour (sp?) and then headed to Becky and Belinda's favorite store-Value Village. After hunting down some great deals we went back to Becky's and ate dessert. Then as the triplette's slept ....

We stood over their crib and took pictures. This lead to a reveiw of the pics on Belinda's camera which was a walk through most of the last year of Micah's cancer. By the time we were done chatting it was about 1:00a.m.!

Before we said goodbye to Becky on Wed morning, we took some pics of the three of us.

Belinda and I then headed to the Dutch store and Ikea. We also made a stop at Costco which ended rather stressfully, as my membership had expired. The cashier was terribly unimpressed and literally starred me down. She then called a manager who very kindly allowed us to complete our purchases without requiring me to renew the memembership!

Finally-A Visit to Rob & Taun's Home in Michigan

We went to the John Ball Zoo on Monday. It was cold but very fun.

The bears were my favorite.

Tiana pushing Esmé

In case you didn't know...

We were not sure if the monkeys were eating food pellets or poop 'recycled' food pellets.

Be Mine

On Valentine's Day, Mia and Ksena hosted a Valentine's party. It was girlie and fun.

The cake-my older and wiser sister suggested mini cupcakes for the event.

All the girls wanted pink...so this is what was left.
The little ladies all decorated their cupcakes.

Painting magnets and treasure boxes

Thank you Danielle for helping!!

Little women...

This is Canada!!

The Triplet's Baptism

Abby and her Dad
Brock all cozy in his new blanket from A.Marlene
The next Becky??? Mia holding Myles

Aunt Leona holding Myles (I think)

Becky and her brothers. Even Cor was there!!! :O)

The Beauty Dan Catches with a Camera...

Dan is thinking "I know she loves me...It's written all over her face!" (I'd put money on the fact that he probably said something along those lines...actually I think it was something more like, "This one's a keeper Mel-don't delete it!"
Dan's thoughts again: "This is why my wife loves me...In fact, it's this side of me that probably attracted her to me in the first place."

Always a good hair day for Esmé

When I grow up, I want to be just like Daddy!

Sweet Sen