Hold the fleet angel fast til he blesses thee

I'm back....with a big long post

2009-03-05T15:56:00.003-05:00

OK...so I have forsaken my blog for many a month for a couple reasons. First, Facebook is just so much easier and there is less pressure to be profound. Second, I frankly haven't felt like writing about all that's been going on because it hasn't been very fun, let alone something I want to relive in words.

But...

Something just dawned on me as I was cleaning the bathroom. (I know...weird. But my brain just never shuts off so when I'm doing something that doesn't require much concentration I tend to have small epiphanies.)

Over the past couple of years I've been struggling a lot with my "spiritual walk" as they say (I don't really like that term as it is so overused, but anyway). It perhaps began when I got pregnant with Betsy, simply because I was tired and sick for so long that I just gave up doing much besides surviving, and then, once she was born, it was back to just surviving again since we weren't sleeping, EVER.

Then, just as I was starting to come out of the new mom fog, my grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and we lost her only 11 months later. Then we decided to move from Grand Rapids, where we'd lived and set down roots for 10 years, and resettle in the Cincinnati area for Myron's new job. This wasn't a bad thing, but it was stressful and another loss....of familiarity, of our church and church family, etc. It also meant 3 months of single parenting while we tried to sell the house in GR and Myron worked in Cincy. More simply surviving.

We were barely settled when we had another difficult loss. Myron's father passed away suddenly. On the heels of that we decided to stop dragging our feet on having another child, feeling that new life was what we all needed right now. We got pregnant right away and were so excited. We were able to tell Myron's family all at the same time at our big Detweiler reunion. Betsy was excited and was already trying to communicate with her new sibling through my belly button.

Then came another hit. At 11 weeks, I miscarried. It was horrible and gut-wrenching, but we tried again right away, feeling it was a fluke. Then, Halloween weekend I miscarried again, at only 5 weeks.Frankly, by this time I was a little...no...a LOT upset with God.

I know intellectually that God didn't DO all this TO me and that a lot of people have a lot worse things happen and are still sure of God's love. But emotionally, I was, and to some extent, still am, kind of numb. It's hard to let myself feel because when I do it all just hurts too much. It's easier to go through the motions and pretend to be okay. It's easier not to engage with God because I'm not sure what to say to Him.

Okay, all that to say that I heard a bit of that still, small voice today while I was cleaning the bathroom. (Guess He's still talking to me, even if the only time He can get my attention is when I'm scrubbing toothpaste splatters off the mirror.) I have one of those little flip things with quotes on it in the bathroom, mostly because it matches the decor. The quote said something about realizing that our life's purpose is to be transformed into being like Christ so that even crisis can be a welcome thing, if it helps us accomplish that purpose. Now, I am not suddenly thrilled with all that has happened in the last few years. But as I thought about that quote I heard that verse, "You are not your own. You were bought with a price, so honor God with your bodies." Then I realized...that verse doesn't say, "Only if your body is well and healthy and full of energy and sure of God and yourself and all is well, amen." It just says, "honor Him." Period. Which is a relief, because right now, body, soul, and mind, I don't feel like I have much to give. But that doesn't mean that God isn't still working in me or growing me and it doesn't mean that I can't still honor Him, even in my weakness. Actually, I think He says something about Him working BETTER in our weakness. Oh yeah. I forgot.

It also made me realize that even the sick bodies of Grandma and Dad D. honored God, both in their lives and deaths. My body can continue to honor God, and be shaped by him, not only in spite of my struggles, but also BECAUSE of them.

Anyhow...

This is a nice big ramble to come back with, eh? But I'm hoping that by taking the first step to write even when I don't feel like it that God can help me get out of this funk. I'm seeing small glimmers here and there, more than I have in awhile. So here goes nothing. We'll see where it takes me.

And if you've read this far, thanks for trudging along with me. I can use all the friends I can get right now. :)

At Nowhere Farm Under the Betsy Moon

2008-08-20T11:24:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday we spent a beautiful evening with Auntie Karin and Uncle Linford at their farm. Betsy has really come to love them now that we see them more often. She especially latched on to her Aunt Karin and later in the evening asked her to come sit on the swing with her. While they sat on the porch swing, (Karin told me later) Betsy had a heart-to-heart with her Auntie:

Betsy: Our baby died. And I'll never get to hold it. But Mommy and Daddy are going to make a new one and it will probably peek around the door when I'm going potty. It will probably watch me doing it.

Now how's that for poignant and hilarious and random all at the same time! We all had a pretty big laugh over that and also thought it was so precious that she would take Auntie Karin off by herself and talk this over with her.

Chatting on the swing

Watching the full pink moon rise over Nowhere Farm. Auntie Karin dubbed it the Betsy Moon in honor of seeing with Betsy Boo.

Under the light of the Betsy Moon...

Betsy just looked at this picture and sang "We're seein' the Betsy Moon!"

What a precious time. We feel so thankful to have such wonderful family and to finally live close enough to visit like this! :)

I love my girl...

2008-08-14T20:25:00.004-04:00

Betsy just saw a spider way up on one of our living room windows. Here's her reaction:

B: "Look there's a spider WAY up there! There's spiders all over the place!"

Me: "How do you think it got all the way up there?"

B: "I don't know! [A look of deep thought on her face] It's a clue!"

Me: "Is it a mystery?"

B: "Yes! Maybe it climbed up some stairs? It has really strong legs to get all the way up there!"

She's really into clues and mystery right now...the other day she said she was a "ta-tech-tive" (detective). :)

The first ponytail she ever left in for more than 15 mintues...she actually kept it in for a good hour!

My Own Special Place

2008-08-14T11:54:00.000-04:00

For Betsy, her own special place seems to be this laundry basket. She likes to put it over her head and sit in it while she watches TV. Funny, funny girl!

Cooking with Betsy

2008-08-13T13:35:00.002-04:00

Betsy likes cooking with us so much that today she asked to play with flour. I gave her a little and some bowls and spoons. She said she was making muffins and was adding baking powder, etc. She got embarrassed when I started filming her so I didn't catch her really cute baking instructions, but it's fun anyway!

Some Betsy Happiness

2008-08-13T11:17:00.003-04:00

Here are some recent Betsy antics...it's hard to be too sad with this funny gal around!

Crazy face!

Finding out what the big blue frog sounds like at the Newport Aquarium

Riding the blue frog!

Playing Legos with Uncle Joel

Mmmmm...I love smoothies

Betsy in her very first carnival ride...the spinning apples. She loved this but screamed in terror the entire time we rode the "Crazy School Bus."

I love my Daddy!

My Precious Little Girl

2008-08-07T11:37:00.002-04:00

More from Betsy on our loss...I want to record these so I don't forget...

The baby's Mommy and Daddy really miss it.

I said, Yes, we really miss the baby and we don't understand why it happened. Sometimes it just happens.

With a quiver in her voice she said, "I'll never hold the baby."

She really does understand more than we know.

Just now she said, "I'll find another baby." She found a dried bean on the floor (from some we let her play with awhile back) and said, "It's the size of a bean now."

She wants so much to make things better...sweet girl.

Betsy's Perspective

2008-08-05T22:18:00.003-04:00

I talked to Betsy today about the miscarriage, telling her simply that something happened and the baby died and went to heaven to live with Jesus. She's been processing this all day and here are some of her precious little gems:

After telling her the baby went to heaven: "But it will be back soon." Then she picked a flower outside and said, "I picked a flower to help the baby come back."

I told her that we would pray that God would send us another baby. After I had been in the kitchen and came back in the room she said, "Is there a new baby in there yet?" (This one actually makes me laugh pretty heartily.)

Tonight she piped up out of the blue and told Myron, "Mommy said the baby died." We talked about the baby being with Grandpa Detweiler and that Jesus was taking good care of it.

At bedtime I prayed with her and we prayed that Jesus would take good care of the baby. She said, "But it's not here. We'll make another one. We'll make it's toes and it's head. When the sun comes up I will draw a new one."

I'm glad she's working through it in her own way...she obviously feels comfortable enough to talk about it with us, which is really good and she seems to feel sad in her own way, and yet is also very positive about it too. She is such a healing presence to us right now...you can't stay too sad with those sparkling eyes and giggles around. We thank God for her...our precious little gift that we are even more thankful for now.

t

The Club I Never Wanted to Join

2008-08-04T11:37:00.002-04:00

This weekend we were initiated into a club that we never wanted to be a part of. Thursday afternoon I began spotting and just as it seemed to be stopping it began again. Early Saturday morning I began having terrible cramps that felt like labor. We spent from 6:30 to 11:30 am in the ER where they confirmed our worst fears. I had miscarried. The ultrasound indicated that the baby had stopped growing around 9 weeks.

We are full of so many mixed emotions. We are terribly sad. We are so thankful for our little Betsy who has been so loving and encouraging, although she doesn't know what has happened. We are unsure of what to tell her so that she will understand. We've been surrounded by so much love from our friend and family and our Father in heaven. I go from wanting to stay in bed and cry all day and wanting to get up and go enjoy the rest of my summer and have fun with Betsy and try to move on. Part of me longs to get pregnant again as soon as I'm healed and another part of me is terrified of the possibility of going through this again.

What else do you say. "God's grace is sufficient for me." That's what we will cling to.

Snapshots of July

2008-07-31T11:28:00.004-04:00

Just a few highlights of our July for your viewing enjoyment....

Betsy in her brand new ladybug sandbox.

Sandy toes

Found this guy crawling out of our drain on the side of the house. Then I startled him and he slipped down inside. I felt bad....hope he could crawl back out!

Betsy's sidewalk chalk ladybug drawing. She found a ladybug and studied it carefully and drew it's portrait. I think she's going to be an artist.

Daddy showing off his muscles during a hike at the forest preserve.

Betsy at one of her favorite places...the playground.

Betsy and dandelions in the back yard.

Basketful of cuteness

A game we like to call "Big Fish." Myron says, "Look at this huge fish I caught." Betsy yells, "Get the camera!" :)

Enjoying an evening jog around Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.

Sunning herself at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Taking a ride, sporting my Thomas the Tank Engine shades.

Official Blog Announcement

2008-07-30T19:53:00.003-04:00

Most of you who read this already know this, but here is the official Fleet Angel Blessings announcement:

We found out in early June that Betsy is going to be a big sister! (Sorry, I stole the t-shirt picture idea from my sister-in-law Wendy who is expecting too!)

Official due date is February 20. Betsy's cousin Jake is scheduled to become a big brother around March 6 and Betsy's cousins Luke and Lauren are going to have a new sibling around the same time too! New cousins all around!!! How fun!

Full House

2008-07-10T14:14:00.008-04:00

A week and a half ago the Detweiler Reunion Extravaganza 2008 converged on the greater Cincinnati area. We had 18 out of the 20 people attending sleeping in our house the first night!

Two on couches
Two on the living room floor
Two on a blowup bed in the office
Three in one guest room
Three in another guest room
Four in Betsy's room, including Grandma Ruth in her walk-in closet (She WANTED to be in there, I promise you!)
And us in our big ol' king size bed that we offered to everyone else but no one would take. They are all way too nice! :)

It was a really great time. The Detweilers are one of those rare families that really enjoys getting together and doesn't have a whole bunch of nasty tension and whispering behind each others' back...you know...the stuff that makes us glad that holidays only come once a year. As brother-in-law Linford said once, "We are not a perfect family, but we are a beautiful family."

On Friday everyone arrived and hung out at our place, eating a big pot of soup in shifts as they arrived and enjoying getting caught up.

Saturday we dodged storms and ended up with a lovely, but muggy, four hours at the forest preserve picnicing, playing frisbee, hiking and foraging for blackberries and mullberries. Betsy rode on Uncle Conrad's shoulders for awhile (which was a big deal...she really warmed up to her aunts and uncles) and picked mullberries from the trees. She had juice all over his head. Wish I'd had my camera. Then the sky got dark, the wind began to blow and the thunder rolled. Myron decided we better pack up. Just as we got the last of the stuff loaded up it began to pour like a monsoon...whew...good timing.

On Sunday we caravaned over to Linford and Karin's Nowhere Farm for another lovely day of picnicing. Jonathan conducted a little church service for us and we took some time to remember Dad with tears and laughter, wishing he could be there too.

We had a really precious and fun time...it went so well we're considering having Christmas here too! :)

Here are some pics:

Grandma Ruth and Conrad chatting on the couch,while others gather around the table and the kids play.

A few of Betsy's cousins (she said for three weeks before they came, "My cousins are coming any second now!"): Michael, Jon, Seth, Hannah, and Jesse.

Betsy dressed in her cute overalls and ready for a day at the park with her cousins.

Betsy and Katie enjoying some Saturday morning cartoons together.

Kathy, Donna and Peter chatting after Friday supper.

Katie and her Daddy, Jon

Two of Betsy's best buds, cousins Rachel and Katie--on our way to Nowhere Farm (Uncle Linford and Auntie Karin's house)

The oldest cousin, Michael, investigating some leaves with the youngest.

Stayin' cool in the shades

Grandma, Kathy and Donna chatting after our picnic lunch.

Betsy surveying the land at Nowhere Farm.

Caught Michael eating...

Uncle Peter resting his hurt foot.

A lovely picnic under the sheltering shade of ancient trees.

Auntie Karin preparing a grand feast

Auntie Donna and cousin Katie

There were monkeys in them there trees!

Betsy admiring Auntie Karin's pretty necklace.

Three out of four Detweiler brothers posed for this picture: Myron, Jonathan and Linford

Seth and David high above the world.

Betsy popping bubbles with Rachel

Betsy loves Linford and Karin's kitty Saul...she and Jesse were hanging out with him after lunch.

Playing the big ol' grand piano.

Maybe she'll take after her uncles?

Jesse, Hannah, Conrad and Kathy enjoying some of Linford's art books.

Random Moments

2008-06-21T11:36:00.003-04:00

No overarching theme here...just some random pictures. :)

New apple pjs

Sweet gingham dress (although she's so tall now it's pretty much a shirt.)

"Take a picture of me in my hat."

Like father like...puppy. :)

Lovely Evening

2008-06-08T22:27:00.002-04:00

We spent Saturday night with my best friend Rachael and her husband Jonathan and her cutie little boy Benjamin. They have a beautiful house they've built mostly with their own hands on several acres in the wilds of Southern Indiana. Her two brothers, parents and grandmother all live in the same area...they own about 200 acres between all of them. It was a great time...and so great to know that they're only an hour away now!

Relaxing in the sunny dining room. Rachael's parents Charlene and Paul joined us too. It was fun to catch up. (Rachael and I have been best friends since kindergarten so her parents have known me most of my life!)

Benjamin making Betsy crack up.

Fast friends

Cute boy

Betsy getting to know their bunny Cinnamon. Cinnamon left a few little "gifts" on the carpet and Benjamin quickly scooped them up in his little hands and offered them to Myron. (Myron threw them in the bunny's litter box.) Myron explained to Betsy that they were rabbit pellets. Later she told me, "Daddy helped put those things in the box." I said, "He picked up the rabbit poos, didn't he." She said, "Those aren't poos, they're rabbit pillows."

Stop with the xylophone already before I strangle you! (I think he's actually trying to hug her, but it certainly looks like he's fed up with her playing!)

Posing--isn't he a handsome little man!

Bubble Blowing Betsy Boo

2008-06-06T11:53:00.002-04:00

Betsy has just become an expert bubble blower. And check out those humidity-induced curls. If only my hair looked BETTER when it was humid!

My Sweetie in Summertime

2008-06-06T11:39:00.002-04:00

Summertime is here and we were able to break out the sundresses for church last Sunday. This particular dress was actually mine...looks pretty good for being 30 years old!

Turtle

2008-06-05T21:29:00.003-04:00

Gideon went running into our side yard tonight and began circling something that I feared was a dead animal that he would try to make a snack. When I went to check it out I found this:

A snapping turtle about as big as my two hands was just hanging out in the grass. Gideon got too close and got a good nose snap. Betsy was smarter and kept a safe distance. :)

Last weekend we were walking at the forest preserve and I nearly stuck my face into a five foot long snake that was stretched out on a branch that was hanging at eye level.

We got wildlife down here in Ohio! ;)

More Funny Stuff from Our Gal Betsy

2008-06-04T12:23:00.002-04:00

Here are some recent gems from our funny little girl:

Betsy does some funny pretending when she doesn't know you're listening...it's quite entertaining. The other day she was in the bathtub and I sat outside the door and wrote down what she said:

"Little girl? Little girl named Betsy, where are you? Here I am, over here, making tea for your birthday. Wow! That's a lot of tea for me!"

"For this recipe I need more blueberries. It's a yummy blueberry pie."

"Red crayon, go up ahead and see some more fish! Whee! Whee!"

"My buggy-wuggy wants to teach us a dance! Step one--wooo! Great job!"

Singing: "I'm the est-i-best!"

**********************************
Betsy found a penny in the front yard.
Me: You're really good at finding pennies!
Betsy: I know! It's like magic, actually!
**********************************
Betsy folded a piece of paper in half and dropped coins through the fold. She showed me and said, "I have to teach you something. It's pretty cool."
**********************************
She said that she was the cow jumping over the moon. Then she said, "I falled on it. I smushed it. I better make a new one."
**********************************
While taking a walk in the woods Betsy said, "This is fantastic!...Fantastic is Spanish for hello."
**********************************
Betsy gave me a big hug and said, "And the story is, Mommy and Betsy lived happily ever after."
**********************************
Her marker wasn't working so she held it up to me and said, "I don't think this marker is feeling very well today."
**********************************
She was leaning on the side table and lifting her feet off the floor and she said, "I'm good at pretending to fly like an angel."
**********************************
While at Home Depot buying paint: "That sign says, 'Do not paint the bathroom black.'"
**********************************
While I was praying before supper Betsy interrupted me in a whisper and said, "And thank God for the caterpillars."
**********************************
Betsy asked for Life cereal for breakfast. "Life jacket and Life cereal...they rhyme!"
**********************************
I said something to Gideon and Betsy thought I was calling her Gideon. She said, "I'm not Gideon. I'm Betsy. I have a blue shirt...and a face...and a nose."
***********************************
And finally...
Last night we spent a good half hour sitting underneath the basement stairs listening to the tornado sirens blare while some really nasty thunderstorms came through. Betsy was pretty scared. Once it had passed and we got her into bed Myron went to say goodnight. She was nearly asleep but said to him, "Thank you for keeping me safe from the storm."

Precious little gal.

Sign of the Times...

2008-05-29T14:45:00.002-04:00

Betsy and I just got back from the playground (where we met a bunch of cute kids who readily introduced themselves and told us all about their favorite everything...while their moms didn't even say hi. I actually tried to strike up a conversation with a couple of the moms but they just sort of smiled uncomfortably and went back to chat with their own friends. Sigh. Do I stink?!).

I had to crack up as we were sitting there playing in the sand in the shade of the slide and nearby two preschool boys were having this conversation:

Boy 1: I'm allergic to grass.
Boy 2: Yeah, me too.
Boy 1: My cousin is allergic to peanut butter AND grass.

I know that I NEVER had a conversation about what I was allergic to when I was 4 years old!

Betsy is probably going to be allergic to swings now...she fell off of it twice. Thankfully there was lots of sand underneath, but she landed pretty hard on her back and bumped her head the second time. Nothing a cool washcloth, some ice cold apple juice, and cartoons can't heal though.

Just a few more...

2008-05-27T11:24:00.002-04:00

Pretty girl

New yellow flowers

Smiling at the butterflies

Betsy's watering can

A Rose By Any Other Name...

2008-05-27T11:05:00.002-04:00

Our roses started blooming this weekend! Isn't God amazing...what beauty!

Pizza making with Daddy

2008-05-27T11:00:00.003-04:00

Betsy loves cooking with Daddy. And he's so patient with her. What a great Dad! :)

Squeezing on the sauce

Sprinkling the cheese

Welcome, Summer!

2008-05-27T10:45:00.003-04:00

We had a lovely Memorial Day weekend with my parents. On Saturday night we watched Uncle Linford and Auntie Karin perform the debut show at the new National City Pavilion. It was a great show, but would have been more fun if we'd had a babysitter. Betsy did pretty well all things considered, but halfway through she was declaring, "I'm just very, very tired!" and "Are we done yet?"

Sunday we went downtown to see the butterfly exhibit at Eden Park. It was neat, but packed! Here are a few pics...

My dad is not going to be thrilled with this picture! :P
It was really warm and bright as you can see from Dad's squinting and Betsy's eye-shielding! And look at how color coordinated they all are...completely a coincidence...is that crazy or what?!

Poor Betsy...getting tired and hot.

Grandma, Mommy and Betsy amongst the butterflies (hey...Dad actually got in the picture too...holding Mom's purse. What a good guy!)

The lovely flowers in the butterfly exhibit...I think there's a monarch hiding in there too.

Spring Saturday

2008-05-19T09:55:00.003-04:00

Here's how Betsy spends her spring Saturdays at home...

Practicing her fake smile for the papparazzi...

Looking at things from a new perspective...

Marveling at the beauty of God's creation...

Soaking up some sun with a good friend...

Looking really, really cute...

Giggling in the garden...

Jumping for joy...

And again...

And once again...

And finally...taking a rest in the green grass with the yellow dog

Gideon enjoyed himself too...Good boy! :)

Home Improvement

2008-05-19T09:44:00.003-04:00

Here are the results of our first painting project in our new house. We painted the half bath a sage green. The pictures don't really do it justice...it looks quite nice! (Except for the white patch behind the toilet that we missed...gotta touch that up!)

Before: (plain white...it looks peach in this picture but that's just the light)

After:

Next we're going to do the upstairs full bath in the same color. It's fun to have a neutral colored house that I can decorate the way I want!

Mother's Day 2008

2008-05-14T11:40:00.006-04:00

I managed to see both my Mamas this Mother's Day week! Betsy and I made a quick overnight trip to my mom's to go to the Mother Daughter Banquet with her at her church (I hadn't been to one of those since I was in high school, probably!)

Mom, Betsy and I

The best Mother's Day gift ever.

Betsy's new favorite toys...a rubbery lizard and frog from the Dollar Store. Grandma knows what our girl likes!

On Saturday we all headed over to Orrville, OH to spend the weekend with Mama Detweiler. We had a really nice time. On Sunday Myron and his oldest brother Conrad cooked a wonderful dinner for us moms and we shared it at the community center at Mom's retirement village. We had a delicious glazed ham, mashed potatoes, a gourmet mix of green beans, asparagus, yellow peppers and black olives courtesy of Conrad (who really should be a chef...he's makes some amazing food!). It was delicious and I stuffed myself!

The whole gang chowing down!

Betsy, Grandma Ruth and I before church.

Betsy all dressed up for church and doing some drawing.

Oh, Grandma! Happy Mother's Day!

Grandma Ruth with sister-in-law Kathy's parents, the Witmers.

Kathy reading her Mother's Day card from her 5 wonderful kids.

My pretty girl

Conrad and Mom relaxing after a big meal.

Pretty niece Hannah...I caught her making a funny face!

Handsome nephew Jonathan

Where's Waldo (the White Tail)

2008-05-06T15:31:00.004-04:00

Can you spot the deer in this picture? I tried to sneak out into the backyard and get a better pic but Waldo (or Wilma, probably) saw me and slowly made her way deeper into the trees.

All you can really see is one leg...

I love having wildlife right outside my back door! :)

A few more pictures...

2008-05-06T15:19:00.002-04:00

Here are a few more random pictures for fun...

Betsy's deer impression...

Both our kids are tuckered out after a day at Uncle Linford and Auntie Karin's farm

Picture by Betsy's pal Eli

Betsy's First Crush

2008-05-06T15:12:00.002-04:00

Myron's boss Bill and his sweet wife Cindy and their fourth grader Eli came for dinner last night. I think Betsy officially has her first crush...she wanted Eli to go everywhere with her and to show him all her toys and books and her best dance moves. He's a great kid who takes a real interest in her and really plays with her. He will soon be the big brother of a little girl from China and she's going to be a blessed little girl to have such a great brother (Eli has two older brothers too so she'll be protected and watched over her whole life, I'm sure!)

The cute "couple" :)

The Sweetest, Cutest Illustration of Child-like Faith Ever

2008-05-02T13:23:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7LXgGGNPuA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wge08Wqh6aA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stq7CLytk6s

Visit to Grandma Ruth

2008-05-02T11:36:00.004-04:00

We made a quick trip last weekend to visit with Grandma Ruth. Those of us that live close are trying to visit often to help Mom as she grieves the loss of Dad and adjusts to life alone. She's doing well...she has a great network of church friends and family that are loving her and keeping her busy. While we were washing dishes together one day I said that it was hard to believe that Dad wasn't going to come in the door any minute and she began to cry saying, "I know, the tears are always right there, ready to come." I think it's part of her personality to put on a brave face and not get too emotional in front of people. We're all trying to give her space and permission to really grieve though. If you think of it, send up a little prayer for her today.

Betsy and cousin Rachel...she's one of Betsy's favorite cousins!

Betsy and Grandma enjoying cake and ice cream at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Conrad's house

Betsy cuddling her new fawn...thanks Aunt Sherry for the special gift!

Our spring beauty in the green, green grass

Enjoying the warm breeze

Running barefoot in cool, soft grass...now that's the life!

Catching Up

2008-05-02T11:17:00.004-04:00

I was having some trouble getting pictures to upload for awhile so I haven't posted for a long time! Things have been busy too...Betsy was sick off and on through March and part of April and then we were traveling. So, for any of my fans that are still out there, waiting with bated breath for an update, here you go... ;)

"I will call you Anty Ant." (Actual quote...Betsy loves ants, worms, beetles, slugs, bees...pretty much anything small and crawly!)

She gets this look from her Daddy...I've gotten it from him a few times too! :)

All dressed up in her spring outfit...looking about 5!

The new hot fashion for spring...colanders and diapers!

Time to break out the sidewalk chalk!

Betsy is an expert at drawing smile faces!

The artist at work

Cute in her very first baseball cap

Spring!!

2008-04-16T10:33:00.002-04:00

The trees are blossoming!

Love is everywhere!

The deer are steppin' out to find a sweetheart!

I love spring! :)

Ladybug

2008-04-11T10:26:00.002-04:00

Betsy just found a ladybug on our coffee table. Now it has climbed up onto her crayon box. Betsy said, "I want to teach her colors." She got a red crayon and colored and then looked at the ladybug and said, "Ladybug, this is red."

She also said, "She's brown...like my brown pants!" (It is one of the those brown-orange ones and not the pretty red and black ones. What ever happened to those? I haven't seen one in years!)

Luckily for Betsy, we seem to have a bit of a ladybug infestation in one of the upstairs bedrooms...lots of friends to teach about colors!

Springtime Fun

2008-04-08T21:26:00.005-04:00

We're enjoying some real spring weather here is Southern Ohio and we've been making the most

of it!

Sunday after church we had lunch with some of our new friends and then we all walked over to Voice of America Park for Kite Fest!

Our little supermodels...Audrey and Betsy...hanging out after lunch.

Tracee's mom Kandy showing that she is very young at heart. She ran all over that field trying to keep the kite in the air!

Oops, Kandy and Manny got tangled!

Daddy and Betsy watching all the kites.

Capturing the moment just before Betsy bursts into tears because "the shark kite is going to chew me up!"

The definition of true friendship--sharing drinks. Joel and Carter must be best buds!

Today we actually planted some flowers! Back in Grand Rapids you don't dare plant anything until Mother's Day, but I decided here I could take the chance on some pansies, tulips, hyacinths, and New Guinea impatiens. Betsy was a great helper. She helped scoop top soil and watered everything with her very own little watering can.

Happy Spring! Hope it's warm wherever you are too!

Visitors at Mid-Morning!

2008-04-08T11:45:00.003-04:00

Last week when the Carlaws were here we had 4 deer in our backyard again and they came right up to our fence! Abi Carlaw looked at them and said, "Horsies!" :)

Betsy in Buttercups

2008-04-06T22:47:00.005-04:00

Spring is here in Southern Ohio and our backyard is a carpet of buttercups! Betsy can't quite remember whether they are buttercups or daffodils so she uses both names alternately just in case. ;)

Here are some pictures of our little Buttercup playing in the buttercups...er...daffodils...er...buttercups...

We found a stump full of tiny ants...Betsy spent a half hour picking flowers and "peas" for them. (The unopened buttercup blossoms look like peas!)

Dear Friends

2008-04-06T22:23:00.003-04:00

Our dear friends Bryce and Carolyn Carlaw and their kids Nathan and Abi visited last week. They are missionaries in Ireland so we only see them every couple years. Last time they visited Nathan was 11 months old and Betsy was still just a bun in the oven. It was so nice to hang out, play, and catch up. Here are some highlights:

Betsy waiting for some burgers and fries at Johnny Rocket's (they have the same restaurant in Ireland, only it's called Eddie Rocket's).

Cutie Nathan and his new hat.

Checking out the fish at the Newport Aquarium...the Carlaw kids were SOOO excited about this place.

Carolyn and I in front of the Ohio River (outside the aquarium). It's so sad that I only get to see her every 2 years! :(

The daddies and big kids perching above the river.

Abi the little cherub

Bryce, Carolyn and Nathan enjoying a chocolate malt.

Abi LOVED Gideon and was really gentle with him. He was a good boy and was very patient with all the extra attention he was getting from the little ones.

Our three monkeys hanging out on the loft.

Nathan listening to Thomas stories before bedtime (Thomas stories just sound so much better when read in an Irish accent!)

Bryce lounging by the fireplace, catching up with email. We had a relaxed time...it was wonderful.

Grandpa Goes Home

2008-04-06T20:35:00.003-04:00

Three weeks ago, Myron's dad passed away suddenly on a Saturday evening. We got a call in the afternoon that he was on his way to the hospital with what they thought was a heart attack. He was then airlifted to another hospital, but passed away around 7:30 pm. Myron was on his way to the hospital in Canton, OH, about 3 hours away, when his sister called me and let me know that Dad had gone to be with Jesus.

Perhaps the most difficult thing I've ever done is to call Myron and tell him that his dad was gone.

In the midst of this flurry of phone calls laced with tears, my dear little girl watched me with wide, worried eyes. She brought me tissues, gently rubbed my back and asked if she should get me some lotion to make me feel better. After she heard me break the news to her Daddy on the phone with the words "I'm really sorry," she looked at me tenderly and said, "I'm really sorry, Mommy." When I tried to explain what was happening to her, telling her that Grandpa was really sick, and then that he had gone to heaven, she said, "I want Grandpa to see me." Oh, how I wish he could, sweet little one.

Myron spent the night with his mother and older brother at his parents' house and came back home Sunday night to help get Betsy and I packed up and ready to head back to Orrville. That afternoon in the midst of the junk mail and bills was a little note addressed to Betsy Detweiler. It was a letter from her Grandpa written just a day before he was taken home. Myron and I held each other and cried.

Within two days all five of Myron's siblings and their families had gathered in Orrville to mourn together and say goodbye to Dad. In spite of the sadness and loss we all felt, the week together was rich and full of sweet times. We all worked together to plan a service that would honor Dad, but that would honor his Lord Jesus above all. We shared meals, laughs, tears, and lots of hugs. "I love you," was said over and over. We watched the children play and felt thankful for the legacy Dad left us. We heard stories from Dad's Amish childhood and met relatives from far off for the first time. There was so much joy in the midst of the sadness. We miss Dad. We cry when we hear a song he would like or a songbird singing in the spring breeze. But we do not despair. For Dad is where he always longed to be, with the Friend he loved so well. There will be a great reunion one day and until then we will remember Dad and smile through the tears.

Bubble Buddies

2008-03-13T12:53:00.002-04:00

My pal Jodi and her boys stopped by to visit for a while last weekend. Betsy, Eli and Isaac had fun popping bubbles that Myron blew for them over the loft rail. (I told you that the loft is a constant source of entertainment for us!)

Funny Faces

2008-03-13T12:49:00.000-04:00

Happy Now?

2008-03-13T12:39:00.002-04:00

I think she's done performing for now....

The Cutest Nephew. Ever.

2008-03-13T12:26:00.003-04:00

Yep. Jake wins hands down. Cutest nephew anyone ever had in the history of the world. I'm not biased or anything. It's just a fact.

Visitors at Daybreak

2008-03-11T11:11:00.003-04:00

Yesterday morning when Myron let Gideon out there were four visitors in our woods out back! They didn't even run with Gideon out there...just looked at him. Maybe they thought he was one of them...he's sort of deer-like. We may live in the suburbs, but at least we have a little patch of the country too! :)

Baking with Betsy

2008-02-29T14:03:00.006-05:00

Betsy and I made Molasses Crinkles with confetti sprinkles to welcome Daddy home from California yesterday. Betsy is getting to be a great help! She can pour in the ingredients and mix and she helped roll the dough in sugar and sprinkles and made the little fork criss-crosses on top of the cookies. Here's a little photo story showing our baking day!

How do you like that cooking outfit? An apron and a diaper! :)

Making criss cross marks with Daddy before we put them in the oven.

Look at that determined face!

Here they are, fresh and warm from the oven!

Mmmmmm....delicious!

I hope you enjoyed Baking with Betsy! :)

I want to be my niece when I grow up...

2008-02-28T14:03:00.002-05:00

To see why, check out her latest college project. Wow. She makes me so proud! She also makes me wish I could go back to college...HER college! What thought-provoking ways to learn!

Cuddly Creatures...

2008-02-28T13:45:00.002-05:00

our house is full of them...

Some are stuffed....and some just lay around so much you think they're stuffed!

The best one, though, is this cutie right here.

When she's not cuddling she's playing and dancing. :)

Performing Puppy

2008-02-27T20:30:00.003-05:00

Since we took a picture of Mr. Cardinal "thinking" Betsy asked to take a picture of Pluto "singing" today. Think of it as a photo series: "How Betsy's Stuffed Animals Spend Their Time"...

That's one brilliant bird

2008-02-26T18:47:00.002-05:00

Betsy recently picked out a Beanie Baby Cardinal while on an outing to the mall (I am such a sucker when it comes to her and stuffed animals. She has a million of them, but I have a hard time resisting buying her new ones when she falls in love with them at the store. Guess it's a hold-over from my own childhood when I had a similar fondness for stuffed friends!) Plus, we've recently had some real cardinals showing up at our bird feeder so I thought it was kind of fun for her to have one of her own.

Anyway, she very much loves Cardinal. The first day she got him she was playing with him on the couch and she began to laugh and said, "He's thinking! Look, Mommy, he's thinking!"

When I went to see what she was talking about, this is what I saw:

I love that girl of mine. She keeps me laughing!

Tonight I was kissing all over her cheek like I always do and she grabbed my face and started doing the same to me...it was the first time she showered me back with kisses like that. So cute and sweet!

The Hallway with a View

2008-02-26T18:36:00.002-05:00

Our living room has a two story ceiling and the hallway upstairs between the bedrooms is a open loft. It is a constant source of entertainment for Betsy, who likes to throw things over the railing and yell down to us from upstairs (OK...I'll admit it...it's a great source of entertainment for ALL of us!) A couple weekends ago we spend Sunday afternoon blowing bubbles over the railing onto each other. Here was my view from the loft:

Check out that living room floor! Junk mail, discarded little shoes, Legos, laundry, TWO packs of baby wipes, a nearly deflated balloon...and a happy little girl and a big yellow dog cuddling with Daddy. We wouldn't have it any other way (actually...I would have it a bit tidier, but you can't have EVERYTHING!) ;)

Old Friends and New

2008-02-25T22:02:00.004-05:00

Our good friends Chris and Brigitta came for a visit this weekend. We hadn't seen each other since before Betsy was born so we had a lot of catching up to do! Chris is an art dealer specializing in Indiana artists and he was delivering a painting to a client in town. (Check them out at indianapaintings.com!)

Chris and Brigitta have two handsome boys, Gregory who just turned 3 and Philip who is 2 1/2 months. Betsy and Gregory became fast friends...it was fun to see them play together happily all weekend. Here are a few pics from the weekend.

Here are Gregory and Betsy getting acquainted over drinks (apple juice, straight up).

Gregory giving Betsy some tips on how to build a sound, quality Lego house. (He's quite good at building!)

Cute Gregory spilled the beans! (I got some dried beans out for the kids to play with. Messy. Yes. Good fun. Absolutely. Worth it to get this smile? Most definitely!)

Two tired kids, sad that they'll soon have to part.

Chris and his "Mini-me"--Baby Philip

Brigitta and Little Philip

Bright eyed Mr. Philip Anselm Powers--what a handsome boy!

We had a great time getting to know Gregory and Philip and catching up with Chris and Brigitta...hopefully it won't be another 3 years before we catch up again! :)

Girl in Pink, circa 2008

2008-02-24T11:58:00.002-05:00

Museum by dumpr.net

I TEACH Sunday School....

2008-02-16T16:17:00.003-05:00

OK...Whatever you think of Stephen Colbert, you gotta hand it to him...he knows his theology here! [Disclaimer: There is one bleeped expletive at the very end. You can't hear it, but you know what is said.]

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T17:11:00.005-05:00

We started our Valentine celebration yesterday:
We played outside in the snow (actually in the the snow-covered ice crust...close enough)....

Gideon played too...he loves having a woods in his own backyard!

Then we got dressed up in our cutest Valentine-y colors....

Then Betsy fell asleep on the floor just as we were getting ready to go out for dinner. We made it to Olive Garden and had a really nice dinner...just a little later than we had planned. Oh well...at least she was well rested and in good spirits! :)

Today we got gussied up and bought treats to take to Daddy's office. Betsy wore her very stylish new "Love" shirt from Uncle Joel and Aunt Wendy and Cousin Jake, along with her patent leather Mary Janes. We had fun spreading some Valentine cheer at Daddy's work!
Then, Betsy and I went to our new favorite restaurant, Flavors, and had a yummy lunch (portabello chicken wrap for me, baby turkey sub for Betsy). Then we shared a giant (and I do mean GIANT--the size of a dinner plate) chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and whipped cream! I still feel slightly sick from that, but it was fun anyhow.

Hope your Valentine's was full of sweets to eat and sweet ones to hold!

A Red (Brown?) Letter Day for Betsy!

2008-02-08T11:52:00.000-05:00

Betsy used her potty for the first time today! We've been trying for a month with lots of sitting and false "I did it!" declarations....

But TODAY Betsy suddenly said she wanted to go sit on her potty and ran into the bathroom. We got her set up and I went to throw away her diaper when I heard, "I did it!" I expected for it to be another false alarm, but when I ran back into the bathroom there she was standing proudly over her "creation" and pointing. She had indeed, done it!

Few times in your life does poo make you this excited. ;)

She is now happily munching on her smiley face shaped fruit snacks, proudly wearing pull-ups, and declaring "Fruit smiles are so delicious!"

What a good girl. We're so proud. :)

Funny Girl

2008-02-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

Here are some more funny moments with Betsy that I've written down lately. She cracks me up every day!

She told me a bedtime story one night: "There were angels in a beautiful castle and there were butterflies and moths flying in the sky!"

One of our new neighbors had a really over-the-top Christmas display with every character even slightly associated with the season. Betsy loved it and asked every day to "Go see Baby Jesus and the candy canes!"

She was drawing at the kitchen table with the sunshine streaming in on her and she smiled and said, "It's fun to color in the sunshine."

A shopping center near us has big water fountains at the entrance that Betsy loves. A couple days after we went there we went to the grocery in another shopping center. Betsy kept pointing out the fountains (that weren't there). Myron said, "There's no fountains here, you're silly."
Betsy said, " 'At's not silly, I jus' 'tendin'." (That's not silly, I'm just pretending.)

While I was changing an especially stinky diaper I said, "Whew, that's a nasty one!"
Betsy said, "Poo is nasty, but kissing is great!"

She was pretending to talk on the phone:
"Hello?" [Pause]
"Uh-huh. Yes." [Pause]
"Wow, that's pretty cool." [Pause]
"Yes. Okay." [Pause]
"I love you. Bye."

We've been teaching Betsy what state she lives in. We asked, "Where do you live?" She promptly declared, "In a barn!"

Betsy had a straw while we were eating at a restaurant and she placed it sideways to her lips and said, "I'm playing the picciolo!" [We read an alphabet book a couple times where P was for picciolo and she remembered and even observed the right way to hold it!]

For some unknown reason Betsy calls the chocolate truffles we got for Christmas "Leekin, Lockin, Looks."

Betsy likes to savor her candy and will hold it and lick it for an hour. I asked her once, "Are you going to eat that candy or just hold it?"
Betsy: "Hold it." [Pause] "I'm a silly, silly girl."

She asked for a snack by saying, "I need something for my mouth."

A few days after visiting the aquarium she layed down on the floor with her feet and hands in the air and said, "I'm a sea nem-o-nee!" [anemone]

Betsy spontaneously piped up after dinner last week: "B is for Betsy...and buffalo!" She knows the sounds that these letters make now and can sometimes name a word that starts with that letter: B, F, G, J, K, L, M, P, Q, R, S, T, W

Yesterday while typing an email I hit a wrong key and said, "Shoot." Betsy looked at me and said, "Mommy, are you lost?" (She's been in the car with me too many times when I said the same thing because I was lost!)

Betsy asked me to take the paper wrapper off of her crayon. Then she held it up with a wry smile and said, "This crayon is NAKED!"

It's a laugh-a-minute here! :)

Am I Cool By Association?

2008-02-01T14:12:00.000-05:00

All I know is that I'm so very proud of my brother- and sis-in-law!
Check it out!
WNKU Top 89 of 2007

Way to go Aunt Sissy and Uncle Linford!

We were cool enough to make the latest Over the Rhine news, at least! ;)

"I love to get all cozy!"

2008-01-29T18:09:00.000-05:00

Aaarrrghhh! Ahoy, Maties!

2008-01-20T16:10:00.000-05:00

Betsy is growing up so fast. She's already entering that complicated and wondrous "Growing my first pirate mustache" stage. Sigh...where does the time go?

[Thankfully, this was just dry erase marker and it came off easily. It would have been embarrassing to show up at a new church today with a mini-Jack Sparrow. Hee-hee).

The Art of a Ordinary Day

2008-01-15T14:59:00.000-05:00

Back Online

2007-12-22T13:52:00.000-05:00

Just got wireless service in our new house yesterday so I can resume my blogging ventures. We're getting settled in here in Southern Ohio...enjoying the much warmer weather too (it's flirting with 60 today!) I met another stay at home mom with a little girl only a month older than Betsy that lives just a few doors down which is cool. Got to meet some of Linford and Karin's friends at a lovely party last night. It's great to start meeting some people and getting some recommendations on places to go and things to see.

Found a kennel for Gideon for the holidays...we had forgotten about it until yesterday and most kennels are full. This one sounds like a great place, but is nearly an hour away. But at this point, beggars can't be choosers!!

Here are a few pics of Betsy at her new house. She likes it!

Drawing on the big pieces of packing paper that we have in abundance now!

I love to draw and drink juice.

Playing on the deck in the snowstorm...it all melted within a few hours!

Merry Christmas from our Snowbunny!

We're Movin' On Up

2007-11-30T19:40:00.000-05:00

Well, on down, to Ohio...
Movers came today. Man, two guys can sure do a lot of packing in one full day...praise the Lord that the company is paying to have professionals move us. It would have taken me a month to do what they did today!
The house will be empty on Monday, we head down to Indiana Tuesday to stay with Mom and Dad and o n to Cincinnati on Wednesday to close and our stuff comes Thursday. Next week at this time, Lord willing, we'll be spending our first Friday evening at our new home! Crazy.

Ok, wrap me up, I'm in my box and ready to go.

Helping...

Time to tape up the boxes...

Boxes, boxes everywhere...even one to play in courtesy of the nice mover guys!

Sorry, Mommy

2007-11-27T20:40:00.000-05:00

Betsy was coloring with her Color Wonder markers tonight while I was fixing supper. I had mentioned to Grandma and Grandpa over Thanksgiving that she was finally old enough to color with those without biting all the tips off like she did the first time I bought her a set.

Then tonight...

"Sorry, Mommy," she calls from the dining room table where she's coloring.

"Why are you sorry?" I ask as I walk in there.

"Sorry, Mommy. I ate the markers." She proceeds to hold up two markers...with the tips bit off.

"Why did you do that, honey? They don't taste good, do they?"

She smiles at me and says, "Maybe you put them away."

Way to recognize when you don't have self-control, Bets. ;)

Potty Humor

2007-11-25T09:26:00.000-05:00

Last night in the bathtub Betsy had a rather lengthy gas passing that created a lovely fountain of bubbles. Her eyes got wide and she giggled and declared, "I made bubbles with my toots!"

Bodily functions...the joke that never gets old. ;)

Hey, Jealousy

2007-11-16T20:25:00.001-05:00

Tonight while we were eating supper Betsy said, "Mommy hold Baby Jake," evidently thinking about our Sunday visit to Joel and Wendy's.

"Yes, Mommy held baby Jake."

"That was bad."

Oh-oh. Someone is really having some jealously issues.

We talked about it and she went on to say something about Jake crying so I think that was part of the problem too. She doesn't quite know what to do with a crying infant...

Hope she gets over this before we decide to add a sibling!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Gideon Puppyhead

2007-11-12T20:27:00.000-05:00

Gideon is six years old today....here's a retrospective...

Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Gideon's first weekend at his new home...such a cutie.

Betsyisms

2007-11-12T20:01:00.000-05:00

Here are some random Betsyism that's I've been meaning to write down for awhile:

The other day we were watching some kids play soccer in the park and Betsy said, "Those kids playing Oscar!" Soccer, oscar...pretty close!

Tonight she pressed a circle into her playdough and showed it to me in amazement. Then she said, "I love circles" and held it to her face and hugged it with her eyes closed. Then she handed it to me and said, "For Mommy! A beautiful present." Talk about melting your heart!

She was asking for "nimps" the other day and I finally figured out that she meant "mints," which she can say, but I guess the sounds get a little mixed up in her brain sometimes.

She pulled a Kleenex out of the box the other day and shredded it (a habit she gets from the Detweilers--they have a paper tearing thing for some reason). Then she stuffed all the pieces back into the box and said quietly, "Good night, boogers."

Everytime the commercial for Animal Planet's Wild 100 comes on Betsy has to do this funny dance...she is quite the dancer these days!

I'm sure there are many more I'm forgetting...she talks all the time and I wish I just had a tape recorder with me every waking moment (or even at night...she slept with me one night while I was at Mom and Dad's and she talks quite big in her sleep as well!)

Yesterday we visited with my brother and his wife and Baby Jake for a few hours and after getting over her initial jealousy that Mommy and Daddy were holding someone else she had a very cute bonding moment with her new cousin. I was holding him and she sat on my lap facing him and they touched each other's hands. Jake smiled at her so big and she kept hugging him over and over. So cute.

Just now she put her hands in the front of her diaper and said, "I have to go potty." That's a first. We haven't started trying to potty train yet since we're moving, but I think she's going to be ready when we start.

That's all for Betsyisms for now! :)

Ah...to be a kid again...

2007-11-07T21:08:00.000-05:00

and to see this huge pile of leaves in our yard as big fun instead of a big job! :)

After playing out in the cold fall air a girl just wants to get into her pjs and cuddle with her kitty...

After living in the garage for 9 days or so while we were gone, Phoebe was happy to be mauled by a toddler. Anything for some love!

I'm old...

2007-11-07T20:28:00.000-05:00

I spent last weekend at my alma mater, Grace College, in Winona Lake, IN, running around campus with my best buddies from back in the day (Jodi and Juli). Unlike 10 years ago we were not talking about boys or classes...mostly we were just trying to corral the 5 children we were dragging along with us! Oh how things change.

We spent the week before the reunion weekend at Mom and Dad's house. Here's Betsy cuddling with Grandma and Grandpa.

Betsy walking down the path to my old dorm and dining hall...surreal!

Betsy checking out all the letters on the rock...I bet if you scraped all the paint off it would be about half this size since it's been painted on for a long, long time!

Betsy in front of my old home, Alpha Hall, holding an "orange" (it was a walnut but she insisted that it was an orange).

Enjoying a swing in the beautiful fall sun. What used to be the slums of Winona Lake when I was in school is now a beautiful artist's village with pottery and woodworking shops, little cafes and coffeehouses. I would have gotten a lot less studying done if this would have been around when I was there!

Our combined gang posing on a sculpture down by the lake. Isaac and Eli Dodd (Jodi's boys), Beau and Tyler Eckel (Juli's boys) and the lone gal, my Betsy.

Betsy and Eli reading some books together. We found a bookshelf full of kids' books in the hallway of the Education/Art building.

Cookies and milk after swimming at the hotel (the staff at the Holiday Inn Express in Warsaw was great ...stay there if you're going to Warsaw!)

Betsy chatting with Eli and Isaac's Grandma Rose who joined us for her 40th reunion!

Posing for Aunt Jodi

Beau, Juli and Tyler

Cuddling

Betsy settling in for the night with some raisins, Pink Kitty and Thomas on her new portable DVD player (but she's not spoiled or anything...) ;)

Beautiful Butterfly Bonnet

2007-10-22T22:19:00.000-04:00

Myron's kind new co-workers blessed Betsy with this adorable hat last time we were in Ohio. She rediscovered it tonight and happily posed for a few pictures wearing her butterfly bonnet. :)

Fall Fun

2007-10-21T21:12:00.000-04:00

Here's a few more pictures...I'm trying to keep up a little better with posting new pics so it doesn't take an hour to do it when I finally get around to it!

Betsy serving dinner in the diner car of her new pop-up train. Daddy found it for her at a garage sale!

All aboard!

Popping her head out of the roof for some al fresco dining.

I'm having fun...can you tell!!

Cute picture...if she was looking at me instead of the horses going by.

A little better...

The joy of autumn!

What a sweet smile

Family hayride

I love the orchard!

Cuddles

Enjoying kettle corn with Daddy and our new huge pumpkin.

This was yummy kettle corn...she's been talking about it ever since!

Checking out the world with my "in-auk-u-lers"

Our week in Ohio with Daddy

2007-10-19T21:04:00.000-04:00

We spent a lovely week in Ohio with Daddy, househunting and exploring our soon-to-be new home. Except for one nasty bout with carsickness on Betsy's part and the interesting logistics of living in a two room hotel suite for 9 days, it was a good time...

Betsy catching a ride on our walk at Kehneer Park...a place I'm sure we'll go to a lot when we move. It's got a beautiful little stream and path through the woods.

Mommy and Betsy enjoying the warm fall day (it felt more like July than October)!

Walking in the leaves

Betsy's favorite thing...swinging!

Looking at the water with Daddy

My best college buddy Jodi and her cute little guy, Isaac, playing at the children's museum with us. (She used to live in Oregon and now lives in Lexington, KY so we'll now only be 2 hours apart!)

Brave Betsy going through the net tunnel high above the aquarium full of fish!

Betsy's favorite part of the museum...a room full of balls!

Jodi having fun too!

Isaac liked the ball room too.

Betsy enjoying the whirlpool tub!

Betsy's favorite part of the hotel room...a vase full of beads!

Betsy trying to feed the big horse in front of P.F. Changs.

Practicing with her chopsticks.

This is a little out of order...Betsy sleeping on the way home from the airport with the new teddy brought for her.

This is where Betsy slept.

I love this drawer! (But I didn't really sleep here...silly Mommy!)

Beads, glorious beads!!

Betsy Flies

2007-10-19T20:55:00.000-04:00

OK...so it's been two weeks since Betsy's first plane ride but here are some pictures... She did great during both rides, but going through security was another story. She started to go through the scanner that blows air on you looking for traces of explosives and then threw a fit when they questioned me about her sippy cup of water and eventually had to throw it out (as she screamed, NOOOO....my WATER!!!) Not fun.

Anyway...here are a few pics...

Waiting in the GR airport...eating some crackers.

Mmmm...crackers.

OK...I'm all strapped in! Arms and everything!

This is fun!!!

Don't You?

2007-10-08T19:58:00.000-04:00

Betsy and I are eating some Beef Lo Mein and Betsy said, "I love noodles!" I laughed and said, "You love noodles?" She looked at me and said, "Don't you?"

I love this kid.

Catching Up

2007-10-08T10:40:00.000-04:00

With all the madness of house-hunting trips and keeping the house up for showings (of which we've had very few...sigh) I haven't kept up on my blog. Here are a bunch of pictures from the past few weeks...

Playdate with Devin. They were farming in the mulch with a truck and tractor that were Myron's when he was little. :)

Our dear friends who threw a wonderful farewell party for us. Sniff. It's going to be so hard to leave this gang.

Barefeet, sidewalk chalk, and Go, Dog, Go...it doesn't get much better than this.

Yep, when I was a young whipper-snapper...oh wait, I'm still a young whipper-snapper...

Jake at one month old

2007-10-08T10:34:00.000-04:00

Is that a beautiful baby or what? My bro and his wife do good work! :)

My Baby Brother has a Baby Boy

2007-09-10T19:13:00.001-04:00

Jake William Smith
born to my little brother Joel and his awesome wife Wendy
Saturday, September 8, 2007 at 8:40 am
8 lbs, 14 oz
22 inches
Adorable as adorable can be

OK...so now I'm addicted to these things...

2007-09-06T19:35:00.001-04:00

Not like we needed a meter to tell us this...

2007-09-06T19:29:00.001-04:00

Really?

2007-09-06T19:20:00.001-04:00

More pictures

2007-08-31T16:34:00.000-04:00

Running prettily

Pretty girl

She said that these were her goggles for swimming underwater....

Laughing at Veggie Tales

My cute girl and cute man after the wedding....

Clapping for the bubbles

Gotta love lacy socks and patent leather Mary Janes!

Just haven't had the time or energy...

2007-08-31T16:09:00.000-04:00

to blog for awhile....

Grandma passed away on July 12 and I have been wanting to write down my thoughts about the whole experience, but it's just been too hard to do. I think I'll let it sit for awhile until I have a little more perspective.

Secondly in a whirlwind series of events we made the decision to move to the Cincinnati, OH area! We worked every waking minute for about 2 weeks on our house and it's been on the market for two weeks now. We've made one house-hunting trip to OH so far. Myron starts his new job down there on the 10th so we'll be living apart except for weekends for awhile. Sigh...I am NOT looking forward to that.

Anyhow...thought I'd at least post a few recent pics for those of you who care and have been annoyed by the lack of activity! I know there's probably a whole 2 of you! ;)

One of my favorite pics of all time...such a pretty girl

Betsy and her cousin Alexa looking at flowers

Betsy hanging out with her favorite guy besides Daddy...Grandpa!

My beautiful cousin Miranda and her new husband Ben

I'm Two!

2007-08-28T21:19:00.000-04:00

Betsy officially turns 2 years old in about 30 minutes from now.

It is nothing short of a miracle when you think that only 2 short years ago she was brand new to the world and couldn't even hold her own head up.

Today she chatted and ran, played on the swings and slide at the playground, cleaned her plate at lunch and dinner, and had a birthday ice cream cone at Jersey Junction. She hugged and kissed her Mommy and Daddy and told us that she loved us. She sang. She jumped. She made funny faces. She learned to hold up just two fingers so she can proudly show her age.

What a gift. Happy Birthday, Little Love!

P.S. I have many, many pictures to post from the past month and a half and lots of news...just been too busy to do it!

For all the wonderful women in my life

2007-07-31T12:09:00.000-04:00

It seems that God's true heart toward women has been distorted by our society in horrible ways. I love what John and Stasi Eldridge have to say about how God truly sees women. I hope this helps you see the true beauty that you are and how much the world needs you!

God has a beauty to unveil. There’s a reason that a man is captivated by a woman. Eve is the crown of creation. If you follow the Genesis narrative carefully, you’ll see that each new stage of creation is better than the one before. First, all is formless, empty and dark. God begins to fashion the raw materials, like an artist working with a rough sketch or a lump of clay. Light and dark, land and sea, earth and sky—it’s beginning to take shape. With a word, the whole floral kingdom adorns the earth. Sun, moon, and stars fill the sky. Surely and certainly, his work expresses greater detail and definition. Next come fish and fowl, porpoises and red-tailed hawks. The wild animals are next, all those amazing creatures. A trout is a wonderful creature, but a horse is truly magnificent. Can you hear the crescendo starting to swell, like a great symphony building and surging higher and higher? Then comes Adam, the triumph of God’s handiwork. It is not to any member of the animal kingdom that God says, “You are my very image, the icon of my likeness.” Adam bears the likeness of God in his fierce, wild, and passionate heart. And yet, there is one more finishing touch. There is Eve. Creation comes to its high point, its climax with her. She is God’s finishing touch. And all Adam can say is, “Wow.” Eve embodies the beauty and the mystery and the tender vulnerability of God. As the poet William Blake said, “The naked woman’s body is a portion of eternity too great for the eye of man.” (Wild at Heart , 36–37)

The story of Eve holds such rich treasures for us to discover. The essence and purpose of a woman are unveiled here in the story of her creation. These profound, eternal, mythic themes are written not just here in the coming of Eve, but in the soul of every woman after. Woman is the crown of creation—the most intricate, dazzling creature on earth. She has a crucial role to play, a destiny of her own. And she, too, bears the image of God. But in a way that only the feminine can speak. What can we learn from her? God wanted to reveal something about himself, so he gave us Eve. When you are with a woman, ask yourself, What is she telling me about God? It will open up wonders for you. First, you’ll discover that God is relational to his core, that he has a heart for romance. Second, that he longs to share adventures with us—adventures we cannot accomplish without him. And finally, that God has a beauty to unveil. A beauty that is captivating and powerfully redemptive. (Captivating , 26)

Betsy's Playdate

2007-07-10T18:51:00.000-04:00

Betsy had a fun playdate this morning with Lauren (and Mommy had a nice visit with Lauren's sweet Mommy, Andrea). We had a great time getting to know our new friends!

Little vacation

2007-07-09T10:49:00.000-04:00

We had a nice little family reunion at a state park near Toledo this weekend with the Detweilers. It was a nice, warm, sunny day and it was so nice to see everyone...we haven't seen most of them since Christmas.

Betsy and her new best friends, cousins Hannah, Rachel and Katie.

Cousin Andrew (who just graduated from high school!), Grandma Ruth, Cousin Michael, and Donna's mom Pat Schaefer.

Uncle Linford trying out cousin Jonny's iPod.

Betsy's first swimsuit!

Betsy LOVES her big girl cousins (although she's not showing very well here as she points a stick in Katie's face!)

Grandpa John, Cousin Jonny, Auntie Grace and Cousin Maria chatting.

Sweet Auntie Donna visiting all the way from Seattle.

Cutie Auntie Karin

Grandma Ruth and Aunt Karin getting ready for some food.

Betsy's just one of the gang now...hanging out with her cousins Rachel, Hannah, Jesse and David.

Pretty in pink Katie

Talking with Katie, Rachel and Hannah

Uncle Conrad manning the grill

Grandpa John and Uncle Jon fixing some smoked salmon hors d'oeurves from fish that Uncle Jon caught. He's quite the fisherman!

Princess Ponytail

2007-07-06T13:36:00.000-04:00

This stayed in for all of about 10 minutes, but it was cute while it lasted.

You look mah-va-lous, dah-ling!

Our funny girl

2007-07-06T10:40:00.000-04:00

Here's a run-down of Betsy's funny sayings and doings for the past couple months. This is mostly for Grandma Karen and Grandpa John since I don't know if anyone else is interested enough to read all of this!

June 17, 2007
Myron and I were sitting close on the couch and Betsy climbed up and pushed our heads together and said, “A picture!” (she thought that would make a good picture). She even started looking around for the camera. Then we kissed and she kept pushing our heads together so we would kiss again.
She laid on the floor, covered herself with a blanket and started calling, “Dad! Dad! I can’t sleep!” She was imitating a little sketch on Sesame Street where a little girl couldn’t sleep. Then she would start singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star because the dad on the show sang that to the little girl.

June 18, 2007
Watching Signing Time—the kids on the show were waiting for the school bus and when it arrived Betsy declared “All Aboard!”

June 19, 2007
She had an entire cup of yogurt with added strawberries and when I was wiping her off she asked, “More yogurt?” I said, “You just ate a whole thing of yogurt!” She answered, “Oh my!”
She was throwing a fit because she was tired and didn’t want to leave the park and so I gave her a little swat and told her that she needed to listen and that she wasn’t being nice to Mommy. She immediately threw her arms around my neck, turned my face toward hers and kissed me on the lips and said, “I yuv oo, Mommy.”
She saw a baby on tv and reached out her arms to it and said, “Want some?” which is what she says when she wants something. Then she said, “jus piture.” (I’ve explained to her when she wants something in a picture in a book that she can’t hold it because it’s just a picture.)

June 28, 2007
Eating supper tonight Betsy piped up and said, “It’s delicious!” and “It tastes good!” and “Yum-yum-yum delicioso!” It was chicken, stuffing and peas.
July 3, 2007
She just started praising herself. After she names something correctly or does something right she exclaims, “Good job, Betsy!”
When we walk the trail through the woods with Gideon she says that we are walking in the “jungle.” She’ll look at me with big eyes, like she’s listening and say, “I hear som-fun. What animal is dat?” Then she puts her finger to head and says “I fink it’s a….” until I name an animal and then she does that animal sound. She made up this game all on her own!
Last week when she was in the bathtub I accidentally knocked some of her toy animals off the edge into the tub and she exclaimed with a smile, “Oh, crap!” Oops...Mommy needs to watch her mouth!
Sometimes I’ll hear her sitting by herself saying “Poor mother, poor me. Asleep.” From the Jack and the Beanstalk story when Jack goes to sleep hungry and that’s what he says.
There is a farmer in one of her books that talks about grown-up’s jobs so recently she’s been saying that she’s a farmer…especially when she’s outside. She’ll dig in the dirt or water the plants and say she’s a farmer.

July 6, 2007
Last evening we were outside and Betsy found a leaf on the ground. She put it on my head and said, “A hat. You a princess.” We haven’t been talking about princesses lately so I don’t even know where she got that. It was really cute!

Day at the Zoo

2007-07-05T21:52:00.000-04:00

We had a lovely family outing to the zoo last week...

Checking out the spider monkeys

Meeting a new friend. This little girl was almost three...she and Betsy are the same size! It's so sweet how little kids will hug each other as soon as they meet. I love the openness and trust of little ones.

Not sure she's all that excited about sitting on the metal bear statue.

The best part of the whole day for Betsy...the wooden train playground (until a little one-year-old gave her a little push and she decided to put her whole 35 pounds behind a push of her own and sent the little guy tumbling down onto his face. Fun time on the train came to an abrupt stop).

Happy July Fourth

2007-07-05T21:10:00.000-04:00

We had a lovely July Fourth evening at Reed's Lake with Wendy and Joel!

Here are the cute parents-to-be...only 9 weeks until Baby Jake makes his debut!

Betsy enjoying the pre-fireworks snacks.

And still more snacks...

Time to put on my shades...

This isn't a great picture but I thought it was funny because it sort of looks like one of those action shots where some brave fireman rescues the cute baby. In this case it was the brave Daddy rescuing someone else's stuff from our roaming toddler.

Waiting

Dancing to the community orchestra.

Look Uncle Joel, pops! (We were afraid that Betsy would be scared of the loudness of the fireworks. She loved it...she called them "pops" and kept saying, "Here come more!")

Major breakthrough...sitting on Uncle Joel's lap and not freaking out! For some reason Betsy is afraid of her very nice uncle. We're working on it. By the end of the evening she was warming up to him quite nicely.

Betsy really warmed up to Aunt Wendy...she sat on her lap for most of the fireworks! Here they are all oo-ing and ahh-ing together. :)

Getting a better view on Daddy's shoulders.

Boo-boos

2007-07-05T20:58:00.000-04:00

My poor baby girl looks like she's been in battle. Tuesday evening she fell and skinned both knees and yesterday morning she fell face first off the back steps and scratched her nose all up. Daddy is proud...she's his rough and tumble gal. Mommy just feels sad that her sweet little baby is covered in scabs!

Bathing Beauty

2007-06-16T19:37:00.000-04:00

Forget the lake, the ocean, or even the neighborhood swimming hole...all Betsy needs is 4 inches of water in an inflatable plastic pool!

Making Her Way in the World

2007-06-10T22:34:00.000-04:00

Strolling with purpose on the boardwalk at Millenium Park

Corn on the Cob

2007-06-10T22:25:00.000-04:00

Yummy!!

Betsy makes a friend

2007-06-07T11:01:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday we headed down to Hobart, IN for my brother and sister-in-law's baby shower and Betsy made friends with beautiful little Olivia, Wendy's niece. They were so adorable together. It will be so fun to see how she and little Jake become friends when he arrives!

Joel and Wendy and Baby Jake William

Betsy LOVED Olivia's toddler bed...easy to climb in, easy to climb out (which is why she will not be getting a toddler bed anytime soon!)

Auntie Wendy, Baby Jake (in process), and Olivia

Betsy liked this cash register so much that Grandma Karen found out where Olivia's grandma bought it so she can get one for Betsy for her birthday!

Uncle Joel grabbing some food before heading out to golf with Daddy.

Grandpa John enjoying the lovely weather.

Playing store with Grandpa.

Betsy with two of her favorite people!

Convincing evidence that Joel and Wendy are going to be great (and fun) parents!

Betsy riding Olivia's "ca-er-piyar"

Betsy and Olivia...new best friends. (They kissed and hugged each other over and over...it was so cute.)

I'm a Bible Scholar!

2007-06-01T10:54:00.000-04:00

You know the Bible 100%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

OK...so it's not that hard to be a Bible scholar when the question is "In Jesus' parable, who stopped to help the man in need?" and the choices are (a) Don Knotts (b) Donald Trump (c)Donald Duck (c) the Samaritan.

Call Upon the Lord

2007-05-23T16:26:00.000-04:00

Today Betsy bumped her head on the table corner...it was right before naptime so she was rather fragile and burst into tears that the bump didn't really merit. I picked her up and she began wailing, "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" Thankfully she only hears the name of Jesus in the right context or I would have thought she was cursing! I had to laugh, but it also made me feel good that she's equating Jesus with comfort (I think she was saying that because we've been singing Jesus Loves Me at bedtime and so she associates that with being cuddled and comforted.)

We've been working on weaning her from her bedtime nursing and the other day when she was upset about it she whimpered for Daddy and then after a moment when he didn't come, she whimpered, "Jesus." She was hoping someone would come and make Mommy give in! ;)

Ah...out of the mouths of babes.

Lori does it again...

2007-05-21T22:46:00.000-04:00

I keep telling her...she needs to go pro!!

She took this tonight when we happened to meet up at the park with both kids and dogs in tow. Betsy and Devin had a great time running and rolling in the grass. So cute!

Heartbreakingly beautiful

2007-05-21T08:44:00.000-04:00

My wonderfully talented friend Lori took this picture of Betsy on Saturday at the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis walk. It leaves me speechless!

Tulip Time

2007-05-15T10:40:00.000-04:00

We spent a perfect Michigan spring day in Holland at the Tulip Time Festival on Saturday. Betsy saw her first parade. She liked the drums and the various pretty girls in tiaras (Miss Asparagus Festival, Miss Pre-Teen USA, etc.). She DID NOT like the giant dragon balloon that had to be abruptly pulled to the ground to go under the trees right in front of us. She leapt into my lap and said, "Scared, Mama!" It was a little scary, I must admit! In spite of this it was a fun day!

Sniffing the pretty tulips

Daddy with a homemade caramel...not a cigar!

Still recovering from the dragon encounter.

In front of the pretty flower-covered fountain

Daddy and Betsy checking out the goldfish pond

Made in the shade with a Tootsie Pop