Life

I don't know when exactly it hit me, but it did.

A sort of slow-motion-sucker-punch-blow-to-the-gut.

Got my attention none-the-less.

Maybe it was my pregnant shadow starring back at me tonight while Maya and I enjoyed the red and orange leaves crunching under our feet with the cool breeze in our face. Maybe it was the fact that I got to hear my 17 week old babies heart galloping away again today. Or, maybe it was the text I got from my giddy-hearted husband who's "playing farmer" tonight with a good friend that stated the money he earns farming is going in our baby fund. He is such a proud Daddy already. Maybe it was the good reports baby Van Meeteren received at the 21 week ultrasound. Or maybe it was the sweet email I got from a best friend that's literally thousand of miles away yet remains so close to my heart.

Regardless of what exactly it was, it hit me.

You know that feeling in your life when you look around and can't help but smile because you realize you are living the life you've always dreamed of? If I could bottle up that feeling and sell it, Lord know's I'd be a millionare. Anyway, that awesome feeling of pure happiness, contentment, and joy filled my heart today and that is exactly what "it" is.

If I'm honest, before today I had been feeling more anxiety, worry, and "what if's" as the past few weeks have been filled with life changing news regarding my precious nephew Jude. Honestly, I wish I had half the strength and faith his Mommy and Daddy continue to show. I can't help but finding myself thinking about the fact that God works through willing people. Wade and Alissa are the definition of willing. They are exactly the type of people God would use to further His kingdom. I'm not sure they know the impact they've had on me in the past weeks.

I'm learning not to take one day, one hour, or one second of this life forgranted. I'm reminding myself to take a step back, look at the big picture, pinch myself when I realize all the blessings God's given me, and take it all in baby.

Thank-you Wade, Alissa, and baby Jude for showing me the real beauty in life.

The three of you are the reason "it" hit me tonight.

For that I'm so grateful.

Welcoming...

the second trimester

New Adventures

I'm learning to flourish outside of my comfort zone.

And, oh, does it feel great.

God has laid it on my heart to take on some new adventures in my life and I am already loving each and every one of them.

Adventure #1 - teaching first grade Sunday School

We had our kick-off last Sunday and my heart was giddy to meet those littles and teach them about the amazing love of our God. I'm pretty sure they had the same giddy hearts as they can't wait to learn. Children of all ages are such an amazing gift of God. I'm sure they will probably teach me more than I can ever teach them, the faith of a child is beautiful.


Adventure #2 - being a counselor/helper with GEMS group

For those of you who don't know, GEMS stands for Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior and is an all girls church group. GEMS includes girls in 4th through 8th grade. I will be helping with 6th grade. We also had our kick off for this last week and even though it "rained on our parade" (literally, NOT figuratively) we had an awesome kick off that was a huge success. I am looking forward to getting to know these beautiful girls and walking beside them in their life and walk of faith.

Adventure #3 - Brady has joined the praise team at our church

I am so proud to be married to such a talented man of God willing to use the gifts God has given him.

Adventure #4 - Another year of Firm Foundation Couples Group

Last year was our first year joining this group and it went very well. We are excited to get going again this year. We had our kick off Sunday and have chosen to do the DVD series "Love & Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. We meet once a month for bible study and also meet once a month for a fun activity. It is so great to be a part of a caring church group as we can all relate to each other and pray for each other's marriages and lives.


I Corinthians 12: 4-6
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men"

Baby's Second Photo Shoot

My little peanut,

I already love you with a depth that I didn't know existed. Your Mamma was so happy she got to see you again and oh how you have grown. Your beauty took my breath away once again. I think you are going to be quite the little entertainer because you certainly stole the show on that screen doing barrell rolls in my uterus and holding you hand up by your face like you were waving. I couldn't help but think you were saying "Hi Mamma, love you!"

And, oh, my peanut, how I already love you too.
















My prayer for you, little one, is that you continue to grow right where you are.

Your Mamma and Daddy can't wait to meet you in March.

It's been said...

" A picture is worth a thousand words"






And oh, my friend, my heart is brimming with thousands of words.

Words of thanks for answered prayers.

Words of feeling so awestruck that God would choose us for this child, to be his/her Mommy and Daddy.

Words of never having felt more joy in my heart, in our hearts as a couple.

Truth is - Baby, I am already so in love with you.

To date we have had two good appointments and were able to both see and hear the little heart beating.

Oh yeah, and it already has arm and leg buds...simply amazing.



I'm fully embracing and loving all of the pregnancy symptoms I've been experiencing. I haven't made it through one day without a nap so far, and haven't made it through one night without having to get up to pee at least once. Never did I think I would be thankful for nausea, heartburn, or mood swings either, but oh how I am.

They are a constant reminder of this beautiful life growing inside of me and I will embrace that.

We are asking for your prayers for our little one. Pray that God's will be done. Pray that this child continues to grow and thrive inside Mommy and that if it is God's will we will have a healthy little newborn to craddle in our arms come March.

Vacation '10

We were blessed with another fun vacation to Osakis, MN with the Kroeze side this year. The "littles" were all at such great ages this year and Brady and I ate up every moment we could having them around. They are such a blessing. Here are a few highlights.

Live.

Tomorrow we leave for the annual Kroeze MN lake vacation.

Hence our master bedroom looks like this:


And our kitchen looks like this:



... A lot for a self proclaimed type A, everything-has-its-place-perfectionist to handle.

But then I realized, I don't have to have it all-together at all times...God loves me at my weakest, just as I am, just as He created me to be.

And that my friends, is beautiful, and that makes life worth living.

The following Point of Grace song 'How You Live' lyrics came to mind when I was having the above thoughts. I challenge you to listen to lyrics and make this your prayer as well.

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress, use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes

And have what you want
but want what you have
And don't spend your life looking back

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it

Lookin back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what ya did, it's how you live.

So, go to the ballgames and go to the ballet
Go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children, dance with your wife
Tell you husband you love him every night

Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away, oh no
Just face it and you'll be okay

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances and let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it

Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it not who you knew
And it's not what you did it's how you live

Oh wherever you are and wherever you and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

So, give to the needy and pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So, think of your fellow man

And make peace with God
And make peace with yourself oh yeah
'Cause in the end there's nobody else

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it

Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did, it's how you live

'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did, it's how you live



Life is beautiful,
dress accordingly.