Apple...

which has nothing to do with my post, but Barend (my son) just came up to me and said Apple and took the apple core that I had sitting on the computer desk and went to join his dad, sitting on his lap watching him play video games and laughing at all the little people on the TV screen.

It's been awhile for posts with much substance...so much has happened these past few months that's its really hard to put it all into words.

Please pray for some friends of mine as well as my family! Two friends of mine, they lost their babies one at 6months of pregnancy and the other at 7, and then another one of my friends mother in law has stage 4 brain cancer and then my aunt has stage 4 bone cancer. Yuck!!

We're still in Kazoo and our house is still unsold in Lansing. We've lowered the price to 102,900 (so any takers??). I'm not sure what to think of it...feeling somewhat torn between two places, unable to settle. I've got friends that I miss greatly in Lansing....and family here (Kazoo) that I would miss if we left. I know my mom would prefer us in Lansing (easier drive for her). I just wish God would write our story in a book. Tell us where we need to be, when, and how, so all this back and forth stuff would end.

Barends been on a decent schedule when his teeth aren't bothering him. He sleeps for three hours straight, wakes up, nurses for a minute, and goes back to sleep. The cycle repeats until 8 or 9am when he decides its time to wake up for the day. It's been a blessing knowing that Trav and I have some alone time after we put munchkin down. He's extremely active. Following his grandpa everywhere and mimics what he does. "Hammers" nails into the wood using sticks or rocks, of which he has a great assortment as he walks into the house ; ) Wants to constantly ride the tractor, be outside in the dirt (rolling around in it), help grandma "weed" the flower beds pulling up some of the flowers (hasn't learned the distinction between them yet). Basically, whatever you are doing whether it be washing the dishes, cooking, yard work, he wants to help.

Favorite words: rock, stick, poopoo, tractor, dirt, berries, eggs, toast, book, daaadeee, mama, cole (uncle Cole, Travs brother), grandma (both used for Travs parents), juice, fries, cook, bath, gosh (Trav taught him that one), horse, house, truck, car...just to name a few. His run is like a scamper....adorable...a must see. Growing very tall...he's outgrown some of his 18month stuff and into his 2yr clothes (can it really be?) He has similar personality characteristics that match mine when he's tired. He'll get all happy, giggly, and then he gets kinda weird....then starts headbutting, biting (gets frustrated at things easier). So if I don't get him down soon enough, watch out! He's just changing so fast...still cute as ever : )

My sister in laws are both expecting! Emily (Coles wife) is due in October with their third and LaShara (Trav and Coles sister) is due in November with their first. Very excited...Sharas pregnancy is a major answer in prayer. They have been trying for 1.5yrs. Two more babies...added to the few others that I know that are on their way (Nicole in December, my cousin Nicole due in August)

Me, well, I'm still enjoying being a stay at home mom, although I miss the work that I did with MDOT and the people there. I also really miss Lansing every time we go back to check on the house....it's really hard, cause I love being able to take Barend outside on my inlaws 10acre yard and let him roam and discover, without fear of cars and traffic...I enjoy the noises around here, the frogs, birds, whereas you hear the noise of sirens and boom boxes outside our living room window in Lansing...Here I can take Barend up to see his grandparents most anytime.....but I miss our family in Lansing...friendships that have been developed since we moved there back when Trav and I attended MSU.

Faith that God has us in this present position for a purpose and that he will provide understanding and contentment with what he's given us and Hope that he will continue to help us grow and learn in love and compassion for each other and others.

So, Barend has placed the somewhat eaten apple core back on the desk and is currently laughing his head off at a toy bird house that his dad is making a bird pop out of....i guess i should get going!