The Wedding.

I love weddings. The way the groom looks at the bride as she is walking down the aisle. The way the bride's face glows, beams with love. The tender looks exchanged between the new husband and wife. The excitement of weddings guests, buzzing around as some haven't seen each other for years and are able to use this moment in time to re-connect. I love the way little girls admire the bride, and can remember the time when I did the same. I enjoy watching the kids storm the dance floor, stealing the show from the bride and groom while the innocently show off their moves.

And my sister's wedding? Well, it was such an honor to be standing at her side. To watch from the front of the church as she walked down the aisle while I held back tears. Tears of pride for the woman she has become. Tears of joy to see her so happy and tears of hope for the lifetime of happiness ahead of her.

First there was the rehearsal. I love rehearsals too. Perhaps because to this day, I can still remember how exciting mine was... and going to others brings back a flood of memories. The long months of anticipation are finally over and you know you are GETTING MARRIED the next day. It is like Christmas Eve times a million. It is also a special time for the closest of family and friends to laugh, talk, reminisce and even get to know each other.













Because most of Jenna's friends live out of town we did a low key bachelorette party after rehearsal.. at an uber cool location, The Urban Wine Company. It will definitely our new go-to this summer. (Thanks for the recommendation Ashley!) Upscale lounge meets laid back neighborhood joint with amazing customer service, wide selection of wine and awesome architecture. An example of their amazing customer service? Being in desperate need of caffeine, I asked the server if they served lattes. His response was a "no" followed by a "but they serve them down the road, I can go get one if you want." Ah-mazing. For the record, I politely declined his offer and sipped on a plain ol' cup of Joe instead.



That night I had a hard time falling asleep because I was so excited for my sister. But soon enough it was time for our hair appointments and for the ladies to do their makeup at our house. That morning was nice... the calm before the storm in a way. (Only a good storm, of course.) It was peaceful and relaxing.



Off we went to the church. Jenna got in her dress, making everything seem all the more real. She looked beautiful, absolutely gorgeous.



The Mr. and Mrs. were introduced and off we went to the reception! You know what I love about receptions? I just know you were wondering. Everything. The sigh of relief from the wedding party that everything went off without a hitch yet with the couple finally being hitched. The grand entrance of the bride and groom and the sheer excitement that radiates through them. I love the music, the tea lights that twinkle on the tables. The guests dressed up, chatting away and catching up with old friends. I love it when everyone clinks their glasses signaling the bride and groom to kiss. Oh, and the cake. Obviously I love, love, love the cake.



Even among all the celebrating, it is hard not to look around the room and remember who is missing. John wasn't there, nor was my brother. And every time I thought about it I got a little sad... until I forced myself to look at who was there and dwell on that instead. This year my grandpa was unable to make it and it just seemed so strange to have my grandma there without him. But, I was thankful she was able to be there. For every special person who isn't there... there are a handful of those who are.



Kaleb was there though... sporting a suit and rocking his headphones.



No family party is complete without Donny. If there was ever an award given to life of the party, it would most certainly go to Donny. He knows how to get a crowd moving, that is for sure.









The wedding day is over, but a new life together is just beginning. It brings a smile to my face every time I think of Jenna and her new life with her husband. Weddings are good for all of us, married or not. For the married ones, it is good to remember our own special days... to cling on to every emotion surrounding it. It is good to use it as yet another opportunity to recount the covenants we have made before God and to refresh the excitement, the passion in our own marriages. For the single ones out there, it is a good reminder to wait for the right one, the one God has designed just for you.

Congratulations once again Matt and Jenna! We love you both.

My little Valentine.

This was my latest attempt at uploading photos from my iPad and thankfully I was finally successful! I was making it more difficult than it should have been, imagine that. So, a long overdue photo from Valentine's Day. Since John and I were apart I took Kaleb to the Olive Garden for lunch, pretty sure I had the best looking date in the restaurant. ;)

Randoms.

I sitting here at our living room table with the sun shining directly in my face while Kaleb naps. I actually took some time for myself today to do things like, use self tanner and pluck my eyebrows. Things that really don't take very much time, but things that I usually forego in the attempt to get other things done. So, while we hosted a dinner party for ten last night and I should have used my time to, oh you know, clean the pots and pans in the kitchen, I didn't... and I am fairly certain I feel much better because of it.

We are struggling with technology over here. One computer's hard drive went kaput. Another one won't allow me to log in to the administrator account and in an attempt to better secure our computer I think I lost our photos. Our back up hard drive isn't working either. When it rains, it pours. I am trying *not* to freak out about it. So... bear with the lack of photos for a few more days. I have managed to upload new pics to our iPad, but am having troubles getting them to the blog. I am sure it is easier than I am making it seem. Advice anyone?

Kaleb and I went on a walk yesterday only to discover new evidences of life (a.k.a. tiny little blades of grass popping through the soil) meaning that Spring is just around the corner! I couldn't be more excited for nice weather, play dates in the grass outside, and walks in the fields. I am immediately reminded of spring days in Hagen last year, walking the hills with my little guy still in my belly. And now he is here, smiling away... weighing in at 23.5 pounds and measuring nearly 30 inches in length. My how he has grown!

Sidenote, just to keep with the random theme: While on my trip home a lady in the airport commented, "Your baby is just as big as you are!" Which of course, made me laugh. Kaleb has a way of making friends everywhere he goes... as do most children. The older gentleman behind us saved his cookie from lunch on the airplane to give to Kaleb. I had to explain that he had just started eating pureed veggies. ;)

And finally, I think we are over jet lag! Praise the Lord, I didn't know how much more I could take. I think most moms out there would agree that their child's crying has to be harder on them than on their little one. Thank goodness for a waterfall soundtrack, headphones, and a well rested daddy who kept a listening ear for a not-so-well-rested mommy.

Back in Holland!

Sometimes I feel as if my life could be a game show, you know...like Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Kale and I just returned a little less than a week ago to Holland after two weeks at home in the States for my sister's wedding. As you can probably imagine, the past few weeks have been one big blur. I have tried to stop and take it all in, but somehow I am still left feeling as if time is going by faster than I can breath. Really, it is MARCH already!

I will admit that the past week has been pretty rough, trying to get kale adjusted ton jet lag. It seems to be much harder this time around, and although we have had a breakthrough, I think I have had to endure more crying the past week than I have Kaleb's entire life. Okay, that is probably a bit of an exaggeration, but my little guy has really been THAT easy. (Unless it all just seems easy because my brain blocked out the tough parts.)

I will be back ton my blog posting ways in no time, but for now... Just wanted you to know I haven't fallen off the face of this earth. And if you see any funny words in this post I blame it on the iPad, sometimes it has a mind of its own.

Until next time,
Suzanne