Sunday, July 29, 2007
It was a time to remember. On Friday we as Abbey's family gathered to remember the day that God called her home. We brought balloons and sharpies and each wrote a message to our little angel!! As we sang 'Jesus loves me' we released the balloons with the prayer that God would open a little window so that Abbey could see how much she was loved and still missed to this day! We were also able to release a dove as we did the day of her funeral. It brought back memories of having to release her into the arms of Jesus. This day however brought us some laughter as the kids chased down the dove to bring it back to it's flock!! God has given us some healing and we are able to smile again when we remember Abbey...and on this day we laughed because we know that Abbey was laughing with us.
Friday, July 27, 2007
It doesn't seem possible and yet it's true...it's been four years since Abbey left us to enter her eternal home. I've been thinking about what I would write about, but as usual no words can truly describe the love I have for this little girl or how much I miss her!! She had a way to brighten a room with her smile and had a gift of compassion that not many two year old posses. I am grateful that God blessed me with such a child and even though I don't understand why she had to leave so soon I do know that God had a purpose for Abbey in life and in death. She taught me; the power of forgiveness, the reason for love and the hope in forever with Jesus. I was proud to be Abbey's mom and would do it all over again even knowing the pain that would go with it. We don't have any control over how much time we have but we do have control over how we use it!! Abbey used it to the fullest and I hope that's what I am doing too!! Thank you for remembering her and feel free if you have a Abbey memory to share it in the comments!!
'I love everyone...and God loves me!!' ~abbey mae poag
Monday, July 23, 2007
Busy little bee!!
I'm not a slave driver I assure you, she wanted to help and I think I have found myself the perfect match....I can make the mess and my sweet, cute little Kali can clean up after me!!
'Help you mom' this is what she said as she was dragging the chair across the kitchen!!
She grabbed the wash cloth and went to town!!
She scrubbed every little thing, and no she's not for hire....not yet anyways!!
'Help you mom' this is what she said as she was dragging the chair across the kitchen!!
She grabbed the wash cloth and went to town!!
She scrubbed every little thing, and no she's not for hire....not yet anyways!!Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Catching up!!
Wow!! I'm back!! Actually my computer is back...it decided that it needed a break but now it's back and we are ready to catch you up in the VanDalen Clan!! Below I have done a pile of slide show's for ya!! So I will now give you a little dialog!!
Wedding Pictures- A few of you have requested some pictures from Ben and Emily's wedding. So I put together some pics of the wedding and of our fabulous family all dressed up!! We had so much fun hanging out and of course supporting Ben and Em as they pledged to spend the rest of their lives together!!
Jake & Taiji's Tournament- As you have had to read over and over again we were in Ellensburg for the 10U State Tourney! They had a great run and ended up 3rd in State. We were so proud of them and the way that they carried themselves in victory and in defeat!! We look forward to many more state tournaments to come!!
Trumans State Tournament- We had a few days to recoup from Ellensburg and then it was off to Wenatchee!! The boys were part of a new league that moved from 60ft bases to 70ft bases and stealing. They did great. The semi-final game proved to be pretty tough and it took us 9 innings (normally 6) to beat the #1 seed. The championship game followed only a half hour later and the heat (100) and the previous game proved to be to much and we ended up 2nd!! Nothing to sneeze at!! After the game we decided to spend one more day in Eastern Washington and head over to Levenworth for some fun with the Reimers! We stayed at a very nice bed and breakfast and had some fun with the boys doing a little putting.
I think that catches us up...and the funny thing is that it has only been 10days since I last blogged so as you can see we've been a little busy. The boys are enjoying a little down time and I was finally able to get some groceries for the frist time in 3 weeks!! Hope all is well and I promise I will try to keep things a little more current!!
Wedding Pictures- A few of you have requested some pictures from Ben and Emily's wedding. So I put together some pics of the wedding and of our fabulous family all dressed up!! We had so much fun hanging out and of course supporting Ben and Em as they pledged to spend the rest of their lives together!!
Jake & Taiji's Tournament- As you have had to read over and over again we were in Ellensburg for the 10U State Tourney! They had a great run and ended up 3rd in State. We were so proud of them and the way that they carried themselves in victory and in defeat!! We look forward to many more state tournaments to come!!
Trumans State Tournament- We had a few days to recoup from Ellensburg and then it was off to Wenatchee!! The boys were part of a new league that moved from 60ft bases to 70ft bases and stealing. They did great. The semi-final game proved to be pretty tough and it took us 9 innings (normally 6) to beat the #1 seed. The championship game followed only a half hour later and the heat (100) and the previous game proved to be to much and we ended up 2nd!! Nothing to sneeze at!! After the game we decided to spend one more day in Eastern Washington and head over to Levenworth for some fun with the Reimers! We stayed at a very nice bed and breakfast and had some fun with the boys doing a little putting.
I think that catches us up...and the funny thing is that it has only been 10days since I last blogged so as you can see we've been a little busy. The boys are enjoying a little down time and I was finally able to get some groceries for the frist time in 3 weeks!! Hope all is well and I promise I will try to keep things a little more current!!
Saturday, July 07, 2007
An update from Ellensburg....
Just wanted to let you know what we have been up to. On Wednesday July 4th we loaded up the car and headed over to Ellensburg WA. for Jake and Taiji's State Baseball tournament. Our first game of pool play was at 11:00am and we won, we then had to wait until Friday at 11:00 for the next game and won that one too...WOW! We weren't quite expecting this so on Thursday afternoon when we won that one too and ended up the #1 seed in the Tournament play we were quite excited!! So tonight starts the real stuff and I will keep you up to date on what happens! The boys are just all peeking at the right time. Jake has hit 5 for 6 and is proving that he is a real gamer!! We are having tons of fun and trying not to blow away or over cook (temps are high 90's low 100's with tons of wind) Hopefully I will report good news tomorrow!! Until then....let's play ball!!
Just wanted to let you know what we have been up to. On Wednesday July 4th we loaded up the car and headed over to Ellensburg WA. for Jake and Taiji's State Baseball tournament. Our first game of pool play was at 11:00am and we won, we then had to wait until Friday at 11:00 for the next game and won that one too...WOW! We weren't quite expecting this so on Thursday afternoon when we won that one too and ended up the #1 seed in the Tournament play we were quite excited!! So tonight starts the real stuff and I will keep you up to date on what happens! The boys are just all peeking at the right time. Jake has hit 5 for 6 and is proving that he is a real gamer!! We are having tons of fun and trying not to blow away or over cook (temps are high 90's low 100's with tons of wind) Hopefully I will report good news tomorrow!! Until then....let's play ball!!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Michigan Trip...commentary!
Michigan Trip Part One
Well as you can see we are back in WA. We had a wonderful trip to Michigan. We started the vacation a little rough with the red eye....Kali thought it was her duty to let the seat in front of her know that she was there by a kick every now and again. So that meant no sleep for mom as I protected this stranger from my daughter. We did make it non the less and were welcomed in to the home of my friend LP and her family. We had a great time catching up (laughing, crying & just remembering). She also took me on some adventures, one to her parent house on the lake and one touring the town I used to live in 100yrs ago. Both were great!! So thanks Guikema Gang for showing us a great time...for the home cooked meals...the wheels...the clubs and the crib...you guys rock!!
Michigan Trip Part Two
The next part of the trip began with a 3hour car ride north to a golf course just north of Traverse City, A-Ga-Ming. This would be our home for this leg of the trip, it was also the site for the wedding, which brought us here in the first place. We arrived at 4pm and with in 1/2 hour the rest of my family rolled in. (mom, dad, sisters, nieces, nephew & two nannies). We had two full three bedroom condos that had an adjoining deck with a beautiful view. Once everyone settled in it was happy hour with the Holtvluwer Gang. What a great time catching up and visiting. The next morning we hit the course...golf course that is!! Sara and I playing with Dad and Uncle Jack the first nine and Nick and Mike the 2nd nine. We had a blast and ended up tieing!! Friday night we spent a little time with my mom's uncle Ken & aunt June. Then it was up at seven for a little more golf. That means it's Saturday now and time to get ready for the wedding...I ended up doing 6 heads of hair for the wedding...and still got my self ready just in time! The Wedding was beautiful, the weather was perfect and God was definatly in this place. We are so excited for Ben and Emily and were so glad to be able to share this moment with them. That brings us to the end of the trip and a 3hr drive back to GR, 2hr at the airport, 1hr in the plane to cleveland, 51/2hrs in the Cleveland airport, 5hrs in the plane back to Seattle. Long day, but all worth it. We had a great time and have great memories that will last a lifetime!!
Well as you can see we are back in WA. We had a wonderful trip to Michigan. We started the vacation a little rough with the red eye....Kali thought it was her duty to let the seat in front of her know that she was there by a kick every now and again. So that meant no sleep for mom as I protected this stranger from my daughter. We did make it non the less and were welcomed in to the home of my friend LP and her family. We had a great time catching up (laughing, crying & just remembering). She also took me on some adventures, one to her parent house on the lake and one touring the town I used to live in 100yrs ago. Both were great!! So thanks Guikema Gang for showing us a great time...for the home cooked meals...the wheels...the clubs and the crib...you guys rock!!
Michigan Trip Part Two
Monday, July 02, 2007
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