Wally World

Exercising

2011-02-09T16:05:00.000-08:00

I'd love to be running, but with the weather and limited time I find myself confined to our house. Consequently, I have started doing exercise videos. Tonight I was exercising and Lizzie asked if she could join me. She promptly told me she needed her shirt off b/c I took off my longsleeve shirt (unlike her, I had a t-shirt on). With that said, I began exercising with her next to me. After some time, she was gone. I didn't think much of her absence until I heard Ryan laughing. He said, "Kelly have you seen your daughter?". She came around the corner in the above outfit. Her response, "I wanted to look like all the other girls on TV." Hehehe. I love my girls!

Happy 3rd Birthday Lizzie!

2010-10-15T11:28:00.001-07:00

Due to the busyness of life, I've neglected to post Lizzie's 3rd Birthday party pictures. We did celebrate her birthday on her actual birthday, October 6. One of the highlights of her birthday was the fact that Uncle Jason flew into Grand Rapids from Alabama for work on her birthday. What a wonderful gift!

Lizzie, you are such a special girl. We love you more and more each day that we spend with you. Your quiet demeanor and your caring spirit are such wonderful traits that mommy and daddy enjoy immensely. We love your infectious giggle and your constant desire to read and learn new things. As of late you have been so sure to tell both of us that you love us. You know how to touch our hearts. We love the fact that you love to sing songs like - Jesus Loves Me, Deep and Wide (sung by you as "Wide and Deep"), This Little Light of Mine, and Twinkle, Twinkle. Additionally, you are such a great big sister. Talie looks up to you so much. She tries to copy every little thing that you do. You are always looking out for your sister and everyone else. Thank you for being such a sweet, loveable little girl.

You will always be one of our two favorite Princesses. We praise God for the great gift of Joy that he gave us three years ago on October 6.

Dear Lord,

Please watch over our little Lizzie. Bless her and keep her. Make your face to shine upon her and be gracious to her all the days of her life.

Amen.

Lizzie is ready to open her presents before daddy heads off to work.

One of our little princesses on her 3rd birthday.
Lizzie enjoying her "new" house.

Princess Birthday Cake!

Lizzie and her dollar from Oma Doctor.

Natalie Faith - 1 Year Pictures

2010-08-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

This past Friday night, my sister took Natalie's 1 year pictures at Douglas Walker Park. I love that she has access to a nice camera ---oh how I wish that I did. Although, my kiddos probably wouldn't like it b/c I would always be making them be my models. At any rate, a good number of them turned out very well. I am currently in the process of touching them up so that I can get them developed. Can't wait!

Random Photos

2010-07-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

I promise, this is my last post of the day. It is Friday, my house is clean, the girls are sleeping and I really have nothing else to do. So, I thought that I would be a good mom :) and update what seems to be my girls photo book - our family blog. These are random pictures of our family from this summer, but I thought that they were cute. I had to include one of me and the girls b/c it is so rare for me to get included in the photos.

Nap Time

2010-07-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to start decorating Lizzie's room, I mistakenly hung her name above her bed. I say mistakenly because as you will see below, she has decided that rather than taking a nap she should rearrange the letters. Some days I find them backwards (as below) other days the letters are facing the right way but totally rearranged. So the real question is: "Is she outgrowing her nap time, or is she just preoccupied with her new decorations"?

I guess time will tell. I kind of think she is outgrowing her naps (rats) because she is also trying to find many other reasons as to why she needs to get up.

Playin' On the Deck

2010-07-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

Lizzie decided to dunk her head in the bucket we have by the back door that we use to wash off the girls feet.

Lizzie and Natalie were playing in the sandbox together like they were best friends.

All I can say is that Natalie LOVE, LOVE, LOVES the sand!

Did I mention that Natalie loves the sand so much that she likes to EAT it.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY NATALIE FAITH

2010-07-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

One Year Ago - 7/21/09 -Our little Natalie Faith joined us at 7:58 am

Celebrating her 1st birthday - a few days early.

She really enjoyed her watermelon cake!

Playing with her sister Lizzie and her doggies just before bedtime.

Only 1 and already getting into trouble...but we LOVE her to pieces.

Natalie -

Mommy & Daddy pray for you every day. We pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you. That he will make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. And may he give you his peace always.

Many hugs and kisses!

Mommy & Daddy

Tadpoles, Dragonflies, & Tomgirls

2010-07-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

In our backyard we have a small creek that runs along the back of it. Today we brought the girls out to fish for tadpoles and dragonflies. The girls loved it as you can see from the pictures. I think we have two tomgirls on our hands.

Natalie wanted to touch the dragonfly.

Lizzie holding on to one of the tadpoles.

Lizzie carrying her tadpoles to the garage to "keep". I told Ryan that I think she is going to have a hard time with the concept of "catch" and "release". For educational purposes we agreed to let her keep them in the bucket until later this evening.

Unfortunately, Ryan just informed me that 1 of the 3 tadpoles has already died. Lizzie was showing the neighbor kids her tadpoles and they were a little rough in their handling of them.

Early Summer Updates

2010-06-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

Wow! Time flies. Natalie is now 11 months old and she is walking behind her toys (although not always the most stabile). She has also learned how to quickly find the stairs and climb up them. She is currently getting her molars - not fun.

Lizzie is mailing her pacifiers (aka - "pipes") to baby Carson, her cousin. For over a year Lizzie has only used her pipes while sleeping, but we thought that since she will be 3 in October that we should get rid of them altogether. The first night was great, but lately she has been putting up a fuss during her naps and bedtime. Hopefully her fussiness will soon pass.

Lizzie and Natalie (Talie) have been playing very well together. Lizzie loves to read to Talie.

Lizzie and Talie love dollhouses, so when I found this "old" dollhouse at a garage sale for $4 I couldn't pass it up. Most of the new dollhouses are $70+ ---crazy!

And we shall not forget ----Lizzie is now potty trained (with the exception of nighttime). Yay!!!!

Spring 2010 Random Pictures

2010-06-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hanging out with Mom & Dad.

Natalie learning to roll.

SLEEP...oh so important!

Natalie - 10 Months - clapping, waiving, trying to stand up.

My Girls

2010-03-24T05:22:00.000-07:00

6 Month Stats and Valentine's Hat

2010-02-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

Sorry that I haven't posted in a bit. I just haven't found anything more entertaining and endearing than Lizzie playing hid-n-seek.

Well, today Natalie had her 6 month check-up. She currently is getting over bronchilitis (this is what the Dr. called it, not bronchitis) and she has her first ear infection (not fun).

At any rate, she is a little smaller than Lizzie was at this age, but she is still up there on the charts.

Height - 27 and 3/4 " - >95th%

Weight - 17# 5oz. - 80th%

Natalie and Lizzie look a lot alike. Today she visited my work after her appointment and they said that the two of them could be twins.

Enjoy the pictures! Lizzie made the Valentines hat at my sister's house yesterday and she won't take it off. She wore it to Natalie's Dr. appointment, to my office, and the store. They are both so much fun. God has truly blessed us.

Hide and Seek

2009-12-16T10:47:00.000-08:00

My Two Girls

2009-11-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

Oh, how time flies! My little Natalie is not so little anymore. She is already over 3 months old. She is smiling and trying to sit up (although, I know this will take some time). We love her so much and cannot imagine our lives without this little girl in it.

As I say, and Lizzie often repeats, "My two girls!"

Lizzie and the Children's Museum

2009-11-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

Lizzie absolutely loved the children's museum. We took her for the first time on her birthday. (Yes, these pictures are a bit old, but I've been busy :)) If it weren't for flu and cold season I think that I would probably take her every other week b/c it is a wonderful place for children to explore and grow their imaginations!

TRICK OR TREAT

2009-10-31T18:07:00.000-07:00

Do I really have to wear this?

Natalie - Our Tigger

Lizzie - Our Zebra

The Whole Gang (minus Gavin, we missed you) at Grandma and Grandpa Griffen's House

Trick or Treating at the Neighbor's House

Pumpkin Carving

2009-10-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

Happy "2nd" Birthday Lizzie

2009-10-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

These pictures are a little late, but that is because we've been waiting for all of her birthday parties before posting. I can't believe my baby girl is already 2!

Birthday morning at home. She was soooo excited.

Birthday with the Griffen Family

Birthday with the Wolthuis Family

Itsy Bitsy Spider Soprano Style

2009-09-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

Lizzie sings a lot of Nursery Rhymes, but she has a bit of stage fright. This is her best performance on camera.

Random Pictures of Late

2009-09-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

Lizzie loving Natalie

Griffen Family grandkids - the best pic I could get.

Lizzie & Daddy having a picnic while watching football (my girls will become sports nuts by default).

Our Sweet Peas

2009-08-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, we have two girls. They are both adorable to us and so much fun!

Natalie went in for her two week appointment last week and she is already outpacing her sister. She weighed an ounce more than Lizzie did at her 3 week appointment and her height and head circumference was the same as Lizzie's at her 3 week appointment.

Natalie Faith Wolthuis

2009-07-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

Natalie Faith Wolthuis was born via c-section on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 7:58 a.m.

She was 7lbs. 13 oz. and 20 inches long.

Finally an Update

2009-07-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

Dylan & Lizzie are getting along really well these days.

4th of July at McLaren Lake

Lizzie loves to paint!

Well, life has been crazy. As of last week Wednesday I was able to get off from bedrest after an unsucessful attempt at turning the baby. We are now scheduled to have a c-section next week Tuesday, July 21st at 7:30 in the morning. I like surprises, so having a scheduled c-section is a little bit of a bummer. Oh, well.

There has a lot that has gone on since my last post....way too much to write on this blog...so lucky for you all I am just going to post a few recent pictures of Lizzie. Lizzie is exploring her artistic abilities and as you will see, it takes a lot for me to let her do this as the end result is a lot of work for me.

Couch Potato

2009-06-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

You have to start being a couch potato. What? That is what my OB told me yesterday when I went in for my 32nd week doctor appointment. She informed me that although I am not dialated, I am 40% effaced. So, now I have to start going to the doctor weekly to make sure that I don't dialate. If I dialate they plan on giving me steriods to help develop the baby's lungs because they anticipate that it will be coming early. Ryan has a bunch of work obligations (i.e. a week long trip to Philly) and personal time (golf trip) coming up very shortly. The doctor told me that Ryan didn't plan things very well (I just laughed)...not much that he can do about it. Additionally, she mandated that I stay with somone while he is gone (b/c of my preterm labor with Lizzie, this was already in the plans). With this said, I have to shout out a huge "THANKS" to my parents and sister as they are already helping me out a lot by allowing me to crash at their homes while Ryan is gone. Also, for the days Ryan is around, a big thanks to him too as this will surely mean more for him to add to his already crazy schedule. I feel guilty about all of this but I am reminding myself that I am not in control.

The Dr. asked me if I understood what it meant to be a couch potato...I said, "I guess it means I can't do much?" She said, well, it means that you get to lay on the couch and sleep and read during the day - although you can pick up Lizzie and cuddle with her (not sure how that works). She said that my fingers will get the workout but not my legs. She didn't say that it meant I could eat any more than normal...so I'm guessing that is not part of the recommendation! Additionally, she said no housework - "Do you know what my house will look like after 4+ weeks of no cleaning?" Ahhh. I guess I am going to have to mentally reevalute the value of a clean home and tell myself not to worry. The health of my baby is very important to me, so if you stop by and my house and it looks like a pig sty....now you know why.

I promise less ranting about my pregnancy situation and more pictures of Lizzie real soon!

Lizzie's New Used Bike

2009-05-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

Lizzie enjoyed spending time outside on her new used bike. Garage sale deals are great! Especially for toddler toys that will soon be outgrown. At any rate, she was having a lot of fun. As you can tell from the pictures, she even shared her "funny" face with the camera.

Strawberry Shortcake Anyone?

2009-04-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Does anyone remember the Strawberry Shortcake Dolls from the '80s? Well, my mom pulled out all of my old dolls and gave Lizzie my Strawberry Shortcake Doll (along with what seems like a million others) to take home. If you had this doll, you won't forget the "yummy" smelling strawberry scent that would come out of the dolls mouth when you squeezed her tummy. Much to my amazement, the scent still smells like strawberry.

I've included a picture of Lizzie wearing Strawberry Shortcake's bonnet (the doll is on the floor next to her). It made me laugh when she thought that the bonnet was for her instead of the baby.

Drawers, Birdies, and Horsies

2009-04-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

The other night I was making dinner and I turned around to find Lizzie in our Tupperware drawer. She typically plays in this drawer, but she has never climbed into it like this. I love how she can always find something to do that makes me laugh.

Lizzie loves looking out our front window for "birdies" and kids playing basketball. She had to take her doggie to show him the birdies in the grass and the kids. When she sees sees birdies she often says, "birdies int he grass - chirp, chirp" and when she sees the kids playing basketball (or even just a hoop in someone's yard) she'll say, "shoot it".

Daddy and Lizzie going for a ride on the "horsie" at the mall.

Mema & Papa W. - I Love You!

2009-03-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

Mema (Lizzie's name for Grandma Wolthuis) and Papa (her name for both Grandpa's) are on vacation. Oh how we wish we were on vacation again too! At any rate, we attempted to let them know that Lizzie Loves them through the attached photos. They brought their laptop with them so that they could stay connected with Lizzie - so this is our attempt to keep them in touch.

Enjoy the warm weather Mema and Papa. We hope you bring some back with you so that we can enjoy it together. Love, Lizzie.

Praying for Your Husband

2009-03-16T12:57:00.000-07:00

Many of you who read my blog are wives, so I thought that I would share the following information that I found online with you. Ryan has been going through a lot lately, so I've made it a major priority to spend time praying for him on a real regular basis throughout my days. I have to confess that I typically do this while I'm going to the bathroom (sorry for the details) because as you other moms know that is ususally our "free time". Lately I found myself in a prayer rut - so I thought that this might help me and others too. Let's lift our husbands up in prayer; they deserve it. Hopefully they're doing the same for us!

I love you Ryan and May God Use You and Bless You!

Day 1Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)
Day 2Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)
Day 3Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8 )
Day 4Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)
Day 5Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)
Day 6Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)
Day 7Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)
Day 8Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character—persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58 )
Day 9Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)
Day 10Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)
Day 11Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)
Day 12Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)
Day 13Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)
Day 14Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)
Day 15Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)
Day 16Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)
Day 17Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)
Day 18Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 90:12)
Day 19Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)
Day 20Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)
Day 21Pray that your husband will learn how to relax in the Lord and, in his greatest times of stress, find joy and peace in his relationship with God. Pray that he will submit his schedule to the Lord. (Neh. 8:10; Prov. 17:22; Ps. 16:11)
Day 22Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)
Day 23Pray that your husband will be a good father—disciplining his children wisely and loving them unconditionally. If he is not a father, pray that he will find a young man to mentor in the things of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)
Day 24Pray that your husband will have a balanced life—that he will balance work and play. Pray that he will fear God, but also gain favor with people he knows at work and church. (Luke 2:52; Prov. 13:15)
Day 25Pray that your husband will be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice, and that he will stand for the truth. Pray that he will protect you and your family from Satan’s attacks. (Ps. 31:24; Eph. 6:13; Ps. 27:14)
Day 26Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)
Day 27Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)
Day 28Pray that your husband will be a man of prayer. Pray that he will seek and pursue God in purposeful quiet times. (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 22:46; James 5:16)
Day 29Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home. (Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)
Day 30Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)
Day 31Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

Rosy Cheeks and Crazy Hair

2009-03-07T07:28:00.000-08:00

I love this picture - so I had to share it with everyone.

Grandpa W. caputured Lizzie's rosy cheeks and crazy hair while she was taking a bath at their house a few weeks ago.

2009-02-24T11:56:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Mommy Lizzie

2009-01-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

For all of you who know Lizzie, she loves her baby dolls (but only those with hair). As you can see from the pictures, she carries her baby by their hair. The baby that you see in the picture with Lizzie was a Christmas gift (so just over a month old). Poor baby, she looks like Lizzie has had her all her life. The baby's hair is a ratted mess. When Lizzie got the baby its hair was nice and straight; but after many days spent with Mommy Lizzie her hair is no longer straight. It actually looks like it has dread locks. Lizzie is a great "Mommy"; she loves to carry her baby wherever she goes. Lizzie sleeps and eats with her baby (she feeds her baby food and gives them bottles). She also puts it in its stroller, carseat, wraps her up and puts her to "nigh night". When baby #2 comes along in July I'm sure that she'll be a big help. We just hope she doesn't try and carry it by its hair!

My New Nephew

2009-01-07T10:47:00.000-08:00

Gavin John Griffen entered this world on Saturday, January 3, 2009. He was born at 3:21 p.m. and he weighed 8 lbs. 13 oz. and is 21 inches long. Baby, mom, and dad are doing well. We praise God for the new addition to our family. We cannot wait to meet him in person!

Christmas 2008

2009-01-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve Ryan and I opened presents with Lizzie. Typically we open presents as a family on Christmas Day, but we didn't have anything going on on Christmas Eve. Lizzie enjoyed playing on top of her presents.

Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa Griffen's House. (We have more pictures but many of them are blurry b/c someone messed with the setting on the camera and I had no clue until we were almost done opening presents).

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Wolthuis' House.

Our Christmas Elf

2008-12-16T11:12:00.000-08:00

Grandpa W. took this picture of Lizzie during one of her weekly visits to their house.

Lizzie is our perfect little Christmas Elf!

Words to Make a Mom's Heart Melt

2008-12-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

Lizzie made my Thanksgiving Day. On the way to church in the morning, Lizzie was securely strapped in her carseat with a pipe in her mouth and her doll in her lap. Out of the blue, Ryan said, "Let's start a family tradition and on the way to church each Thanksgiving morning go around the car and tell eachother what were thankful for." Ryan told Lizzie she could go first (like she understood - besides, she had a pipe in her mouth). So, I proceeded to say, well Lizzie is thankful for her pipe and babydoll. At the mention of "pipe" she took out her pipe and handed it to me so her mouth was free and she could "talk". Ryan once again said, "Lizzie, what are you thankful for?" and without hesitation in her cute little Lizzie voice she said, "Mommy!"....Oh, my goodness, it was like her and Ryan had practiced it. It was so perfect! So, that was my perfect Thanksgiving that made my heart melt. I really don't think I'll ever forget it. I hope that yours was great too!

(Sorry, no new pictures lately, so I'll use a picture taken by Katie DeBoer!)

Style

2008-11-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

Grandma W. is teaching Lizzie about style early on in life. Tuesday I went to pick her up from Grandma's house after I was finished working and she was decked out in a fur vest (the one in the picture) along with matching leopard print shoes. In my opinion, she looked very adorable. Well, Lizzie has taken a liking to the vest. The last two mornings she has requested to wear the vest overtop of her PJ's (thus the attached picture). She needs a few more lessons from grandma on style and how to match an outfit - don't you think?!

Enjoying the Fall Weather

2008-11-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

Lizzie loves the leaves in our backyard. I'm glad that she does, because I know that her father and I are not too fond of them. Don't get me wrong they are beautiful, but after filling 80+ extra large leave bags full of "beautiful leaves" they no longer look so beautiful. (Yes, that is 80+ bags every year!)

My Little Pumpkin

2008-11-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! No candy for Lizzie, just a book from Grandma & Grandpa Griffen. We'll put off the candy for another year or so.

Dylan was dressed up as a fireman. He was the only one who was allowed to have candy. Although, he got a book from Grandma & Grandpa too.

Even though she didn't get any candy, she thoroughly enjoyed watching all of the neighborhood kids come to the door all dressed up.

1 Year Photos

2008-10-31T06:11:00.000-07:00

We had Katie Deboer take Lizzie's one year photos and a few pictures of our family. Katie does an amazing job. Originally we had planned on taking pictures outdoors but the weather did not coorperate. Lizzie had a few less smiles this time around too; but the pictures still turned out great! You can check out Katie's work at http://www.katiedeboerphotography.com/

Fall Apples

2008-10-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

I love fall! Apples are synonomous with fall. I guess that is a good thing because Lizzie loves apples right now. She likes them even better now that I let her eat them whole rather than sliced up into small pieces. (Of course, I keep a watchful eye on her as she takes her big bites :) ).

You might be wondering why I am blogging about Lizzie and apples, so here you go (it may not be the most interesting story...but the Wolthuis family is pretty common folk these days and that is okay with me).

I have a bowl full of fake apples on my table. Every time we would walk past the table she would say, "ball". After a number of times with her saying "ball" as we walked by the table, I finally realized that she thought the apples were balls. I mistakenly gave her one of the fake apples to help her understand that they weren't balls and she tried to take a bite out of it (hence the new teeth marks in my fake apples). Due to her frustration with not being able to eat the fake apples, I decided it was time that she could start eating real apples. She loves it!

1 Year Dr. Appointment Visit

2008-10-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

Lizzie had her 1 year Dr. appointment today. We met with Dr. Whalen because Dr. Rauwerda is off on maternity leave. Ironically, Dr. Whalen was the first pediatrician that Lizzie saw after she was born - Alger Pediatrics has a number of doctors, so when you give birth you get the pediatrician that is on call for hospital visits.

At any rate, Lizzie was once again off the charts in almost all of her milestone measurements.

Head Circumference - 95% (not sure of the measurement, she forgot to write it down).

Height - 95% - 32 inches

Weight - 90% - 24 1bs. 2 oz.

Lizzie received 3 shots, which were met with her normal crying and breath holding - she probably will never grow out of that. Ryan and I will have to remember to tell her future husband (this is a ways off) not to make her mad or else she will hold her breath for a VERY LONG time. The nurse was laughing at how long she could hold her breath.

We praise God for a healthy 1 year old - still our baby girl, even though she is officially a toddler!

First Birthday Party

2008-10-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Today we celebrated Lizzie's Birthday with our family. It was so much fun. She is so loved. Lizzie's birthday is not until Monday, but today was the date that worked for everyone. Lizzie had so much fun that she went to bed early. THANKS to all of our family for being such a huge part of Lizzie's life. We are so blessed to have such a loving family.

Climbing

2008-09-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week for Lizzie. She is taking a lot of steps on her own, but she is not officially walking. I have a feeling she will be walking in the next couple of weeks. She has mastered climbing. She can now climb onto the ottoman which brings her to the chair. We have to keep a close eye on her because as Ryan and I like to say she likes to "dive-bomb" off the side of it (she has no fear). She also likes to climb into infant car seats (her cousin Cassidy's car seat) and exersuacers. And as you can see from the attached picture, she has attempted to climb into empty bathroom drawers. To keep her occupied while I'm getting ready I taught her to throw her bath toys in and out of the drawer. Yesterday, while I was getting ready, I looked down and saw her yellow "fishy" in the drawer - nothing new. The next time I looked down I saw her sprawled across the top of the drawer trying to figure out how to join her yellow "fishy". After numerous attempts to fit into the drawer accompanied by yelling and screaming and bumping her head, I helped her sit in the drawer. This was probably not a great idea, but I was finished listening to her tantrums and I didn't want her to hurt herself...so I caved.

Real Life & A Real Step

2008-09-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

"The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s “own” or “real” life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life—the life God is sending one day by day: what one calls one’s “real life” is a phantom of one’s own imagination. This at least is what I see at moments of insight: but it’s hard to remember it all the time." C.S. Lewis

This is the day that the Lord has made.

And he’s orchestrated every unpleasant interruption—um, sovereign delivery—for our good. Let’s pray that God will help us to remember this truth. Because Mr. Lewis was right: it’s easy to forget.

This is a little tidbit that I took from - Navigating the Interruptions and Busy Seasons of Life by Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, and Janelle Bradshaw.

Additionally, I've attached a picture of Lizzie taking her first step - or should I say, her falling from her first unassisted steps. I was not quick enough to get her first steps. But, last night she took some more steps, so it is confirmed, she is trying to walk unassisted. The very cute sweater she is wearing in this picture was made by Grandma Wolthuis - she is so lucky!

Just a few pictures

2008-09-10T09:55:00.000-07:00

Hitting daddy with Mr. Lion. I couldn't believe that I got this action shot with my "slow" camera...so I had to post it. Besides, it was really funny to watch her hit Ryan with her favorite stuffed animal.

This other picture is so typical of what Lizzie likes to do during the day...look out the front window and wish that she could spend her entire day outside crawling around.

Highlights from Lizzie's Week

2008-09-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, in a month Lizzie will turn one. Where does the time go? She is growing up so fast. If I think about it for too long I'm going to cry...so I better finish my post.

She seems to be having a lot of fun growing up (as you can see from the pictures and video).

Daddy thought it would be funny to help Lizzie pretend to be either a "hippie" or rambo with his tie after he got home from work one evening this week.

Lizzie not wanting to go to bed - "Oh, you're talking to me? I'm supposed to be going to bed. No way, playing with my toys is much more fun than sleeping."

This video shows Lizzie playing her version of hide & seek. She thinks that it is so much fun to "hide" one of her toys from Mommy & Daddy - pretending that she has no clue where it is. It is so cute, after she hides it and we ask her where it is she says "oh" and then she finds it.

A Beautiful Day on the Deck

2008-08-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

It has been a week since I've last posted, so I thought I would post some pictures that I took earlier this week that I thought were cute. Lizzie loves spending time on our deck looking at the trees, leaves, birds, neighborhood dogs - basically anything that moves.

Fun at the Zoo

2008-08-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Ryan and I took Lizzie to the John Ball Park Zoo here in Grand Rapids. Even though it was pretty hot and humid outside, Lizzie really enjoyed the zoo. Lizzie loved looking at all the different animals. The only thing she didn't care for was the loud noises made by the Pygmy goats.

Gerber Baby

2008-08-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Today I was messing around with my photo software and I came across the embossing technique. The attached photo is the end result. When I looked at the picture, I thought to myself, those people who keep telling me that she looks like the Gerber Baby are right. In this picture, she does in fact kind of look like the Gerber Baby to me.

Sprinkler Comparison

2008-08-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Oh the things we let our children do.

Last night after we came back from our evening walk, Ryan said that he needed to fix one of the sprinkler heads. In a moment of comparison, I decided to let Lizzie explore the concept of a sprinkler. Moment of comparison? What do you mean? Well, last year when I was pregnant for Lizzie, Ryan and I were watching Dylan one evening and we thought it would be great to show him the sprinklers and see if he liked them. He hated them. Hence, my moment of comparison. The pictures pretty much speak for themselves - she loved them. The consensus at the Wolthuis and DeVries households is that she is pretty much the complete opposite of her cousin Dylan.

Pictures from this week

2008-08-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

My four top teeth are almost in - mommy's had a lot of fun at night!

Daddy and I look a lot alike when we wake up!

I love Mr. Lion!

Growing up

2008-08-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

Daddy & Lizzie all tuckered out - the day we can home from vacation.

We took Lizzie with us to vote this past Tuesday. I told her that I am going to teach her at a very young age that it is important that she votes b/c we are blessed to have the opportunity to express ourselves in a democratic system of government (I'm sure she doesn't understand our political system yet...its a little complex, but that is why I plan on starting young!)

The other night I was making dinner and this is where Lizzie ended up. She became a prisoner of the kitchen table. I'm not sure how she got under the chair b/c it took a lot of work to free her.

Grandpa and Grandma W. are on vacation and will not see Lizzie for 3 weeks, so we are in the process of keep them updated via our posts (so for those of you who visit our blog regularly, you may see more posts than normal).

Lizzie is very excited because she is beginning to stand unassisted for short periods of time (seconds) and she can also walk behind her toy unassisted. I can't believe how quickly she is changing.

Summer Vacation 2008

2008-08-06T18:45:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Vacation

2008-08-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

We're home. It is a little disappointing. Honestly, it feels like we just packed the car to head off on vacation at Robinson Lake and now we're back home. This is the first year that Ryan and I had to worry about packing for another human being and boy was that different. Not only did it make our checklist longer, but it also made the Honda Accord seem that much more packed to the gills. We (I) really need to become more efficient packers. The first few days seemed rather long, but I think that was because we had to get acclimated to the new, slower vacation routine. The last half of the week was anything but slow. Each day seemed to go by quicker than the last, until we found ourselves packing things back into the Honda to head home. There were so many wonderful things about our vacation that it seems only fair that I share my list with you: Robison Lake, the weather, play area for kids, decent cottages (although I will say they are just cottages - not as clean as home), cousins to play with, husbands who play with their children, aunts/uncles - sisters/brother-in-laws, friends, food, conversation, fishing, warm lake water (Lizzie loved it)...and the list could go on. It was great to share our vacation with Uncle Matt, Aunt Kim, cousins Dylan and Cassidy, as well as Mr. Nate & Mrs. Lisa Burgess. Mr. Nate & Mrs. Lisa are expecting their first baby in November, so they thought that it would be a good idea to get some real life experience by spending a week with kids who range in age from 4 months to 2 1/2 years old. I think that they had a fun time and are still excited about having their own little one to run around...at least that is what they told us. Lizzie did so well on vacation. She absolutely loved the water and being outdoors. Ryan and I were so amazed at her ability to adapt to her new surroundings. We praise God for a wonderful vacation!

Rose Color Glasses

2008-07-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

Don't you wish that you could look at the world through rose color glasses?

Lizzie's Birth

2008-07-20T11:22:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Sewn with Love

2008-07-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks Grandma Griffen!

Grandma Griffen is back in her glory sewing baby clothes. She has been on a 20+ year sabbatical (ever since her kids grew out of the baby stage). I don't understand the joy that she gets from sewing baby clothes (that is probably why I don't sew very often or well), but I am grateful for her willingness to sew clothes for her grandkids.

Yesterday I ran a number of errands with Lizzie and I got nothing but ohhs and ahhs over her cute outfit. So, thanks mom for making such a cute outfit - you get all of the credit!

FYI...Grandpa Griffen says - get rid of the hat. He says he'd rather see her cute hair than her crazy hat.

Grandpa Griffen must've influenced Dylan to take his side, b/c when we went outside with him he pulled the hat off Lizzie's head and said, "leave it inside."

Lizzie's Laugh

2008-07-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

Lizzie's laugh changes with her level of excitement. The attached video depicts her "very excited" laugh. With that said, it is a bit tame because we had to keep her going until we got the video camera. It seems like the video camera and digital camera are always on the opposite side of the house when you really want to capture a special moment.

I hope you enjoy her laugh as much as we do!

A Recycled Hoop

2008-07-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to one of my parent's neighbors we now have a real basketball hoop, not just a little tikes hoop. Originally, Ryan did not want to take the hoop. The fact that Ryan did not want the hoop surprised both me and my parents (they picked it up while he was gone at a conference in Philidelphia for a week). Even though Ryan said he wasn't really that interested in the hoop, since we took it home, he has been shooting hoops quiet regularly. As you can see from the pictures we have already introduced Lizzie to the real basketball and hoop. She really loves to play with us.

The hoop is very forgiving, both Ryan and I admit it. The first day we had the hoop I made 7 of my first 8 shots - I almost convinced myself that I should've kept playing highschool basketball instead of running cross-country and track.

Lizzie & Gus

2008-07-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Daddy, can we get a dog like Gus?

Ryan and I have a difference of opinion on what size dog, if any that we should have as a family pet. When I was young (& older), I grew up with small dogs that did not shed. When Ryan was young (& older) he grew up with medium size to large dogs that did shed. So, as you can see, we have a difference of opinion just based on our family history. Needless to say, we do not have a dog. Why? Probably because we can't agree on the size and type of dog. Who looses? We all do, because we actually really love dogs.

So, I was very excited when Gus, our neighbor dog came over to play with Lizzie. Gus is exactly the type of dog that Lizzie and I think that we should have as a family pet someday. Yes, even though Lizzie cannot talk, her actions - nice, gentle petting, giggles of glee, mezmerising stares at

Gus - tell me that she agrees.

So, I will ask one more time on Lizzie's behalf - "Daddy, can we pleaaasee have a dog like Gus?...Pretty Pleaaaseee."

Hoekwater's Cottage

2008-06-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

Today was our first trip to the lake. Lizzie really seemed to enjoy it. Drew fired up the boat and all the dads took the kids out for a ride while the mom's stayed back and chatted. Ryan said that Lizzie really seemed to enjoy the ride, which is a good thing, since we will be spending some time at a cottage with my dad's boat near the end of July. Lizzie also liked the water, although, she would've enjoyed it even more if the water was a little warmer and the wind wasn't so strong. All in all, she seems to really be an outdoor type of girl - mommy and daddy are thankful for that.

Cousin Dylan enjoyed the water too, especially the sea doo. He said he likes going fast, but he doesn't like having the water splash in his face!

It's Time to Bake

2008-06-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Even though we were "pretending" to bake, Lizzie had a great time. As you can see, she even attempted to lick the "pretend" cake batter. Can you imagine how much more she will enjoy making a real cake. I told her when she turns 1 I'll let her help make her birthday cake. That's fair isn't it? Her cousin Dylan never stops talking about cakes, cookies, muffins or anything else sweet...so I figure that the longer we wait to introduce her to these types of treats the better!

A Typical Day in the Life of Lizzie...

2008-06-16T18:27:00.001-07:00

SMILING...

(Please excuse my hair...Lizzie's favorite pastime is pulling it, so I have to throw it up quickly!)

PLAYING PIANO - Lizzie is practicing the piano. She is pretty good!

happy father's day

2008-06-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

Happy First Father's Day! We love you and think you're the best!

Love, Mommy & Lizzie

"Remember You're Her Daddy"
Remember you're her daddy
when she's crying late at night,
when she needs a little loving
to know that it's alright.
Remember you're her daddy
when dolly's lost an arm,
when you take the time to fix it
because you can't resist her charm.
Remember you're her daddy
when she's had a real rough day,
when school's been pretty tough on her
and nothings went her way.
Remember you're her daddy
when she goes on her first date,
when you tell her to be in by ten
and she's not home 'till late.
Remember you're her daddy
when she makes you very proud,
when in a very awkward way
she stands out in a crowd.
Remember you're her daddy
the first man she's ever kissed,
and when you go away
you'll be very, very, missed.
Remember you're her daddy
remember I'm your wife,
we know that you'll love us
for the rest of your life.
Copyright 2002
Christine Michaels
www.WelcomeBaby.com

Six Years

2008-06-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary! Ryan and I have been married for six wonderful years. I am so thankful to be married to such a wonderful man. Ryan is a wonderful husband, awesome "daddy", great friend, man of faith, and our provider.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me. I am looking forward to spending the next 50 + years enjoying life and making memories together.

THE PARK

2008-06-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is our first video, please don't mind the narrative. I've decided next time that I need to remember not to talk...

For Those Who Feel Average - Remain Faithful

2008-06-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

I read this today and I thought how true...there are a lot of people who can be added to this list...stay at home moms come to my mind right now.

Faithfulness - what a great attribute.

Much of our attention and praise is directed toward highly visible and successful people. But occasionally we read about an ordinary, obscure person being honored for many years of faithful service. It may be a school custodian, a cafeteria worker, a handyman, or a clerk in a store who has served others in a dependable and unselfish way.
That kind of reliability often goes unnoticed, but I believe it's a powerful picture of how we are to live. Although consistency may not be flashy, days add up to a life of great significance to God.
Paul wrote, "It is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2). If we live faithfully for Christ, God has promised to reward us at His appointed time. When the Lord comes, He "will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God" (v.5).
When we long for success, God says, "I will reward you."
When we ache for recognition, God says, "I see you."
When we are ready to quit, God says, "I will help you."
Whether our service is public or private, our responsibility is the same—to be faithful. —David McCasland
In all the little things of life,Yourself, Lord, may I see;In little and in great alike,Help me to faithful be! —Anon.
God doesn't ask us to be successful but to be faithful.

Random Life Occurences

2008-06-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a collage of random thoughts and things that have been going on in our household during the last few weeks.

1) Lizzie is VERY close to successfully crawling. Everyone who already has children continually warns me that I should not desire this milestone in Lizzie's life as much as I do. I'm sure they all know what they are talking about, but I am so excited for her. Additionally, it would seem like I might be able to get more accomplished around the house if she could crawl - right now she just whines when I leave her for any small amount of time.

2) Lizzie is continually spoiled by all of her Grandparents. Grandpa and Grandma Griffen gave her her first taste of playing in the Tupperware drawer and being allowed to bang pots/pans/Tupperware together. She loved it! So, as any good mom would do, I moved all of my Tupperware into the drawer closest to the floor so that she could enjoy the same giggle inspiring activity at home.

3) Lizzie's two bottom teeth have pushed their way through her gums (THANK YOU!). Now she spends a lot of time pushing her tongue back and forth over her teeth - it is so cute.

4) I planted an herb garden along with two tomato plants. I really wanted to plant a real garden but our yard does not get enough sunlight for the garden to be successful.

5) Last, but not least, I've included a picture of my niece Cassidy wearing the beautiful dress that Ryan's mom knit for her (Ryan's mom also made the same dress for Lizzie - its just much larger and a different color).

Our Family Picture

2008-06-02T08:04:00.001-07:00

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

Enjoying the Outdoors

2008-06-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

Lizzie absolutely loves the outdoors! Whenever she gets crabby all we have to do is put her next to the window and talk to her about the birds and the trees and she is quiet.

The other day I decided to see whether she liked the touch of grass on her toes and fingers (because Dylan hated it). To be honest I was surprised to find out that she really seemed to enjoy it. She is very much a girl who likes to feel different textures. So, if you ever drive by our house and wonder why we are always sitting out in the front or back lawn on the ground it is probably because she is patting the grass or pulling it.

You'll also notice that I've included a few pictures of our recent trip to the park. Lizzie giggles with glee when she swings. It reminds me of Psalm 8 "From the mouths of infants and children you have created praise."

Piano Prodigy? Maybe.

2008-05-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Ryan's dad is a wonderful pianist. Ryan is often asked if he can play the piano like his father. To the surprise of many, Ryan responds by saying, "no, I've never played the piano before." I would love for Lizzie to be able to play the piano, even if she could play half as good as her Grandpa W. I would be thrilled. So, as you can tell from these pictures, we are delighted to see that she actually seems to enjoy the piano. Do we have a piano prodigy in the making? I'm not sure. As I said earlier, it doesn't really matter. If she enjoys playing the piano, she will be better than both Ryan and I as neither of us know how to play.

I think we'll start her off slowly...we'll let her plunck away for the first few times and then we'll start with Middle C. I imagine that she could figure out the names and locations of all the keys before she learns to crawl, walk or speak...that isn't asking too much is it?

Lizzie's 6 Month Pictures

2008-05-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

Lizzie is almost 8 months old, but I thought I'd share her 6 month pictures with you. Katie Deboer took the pictures of her. Katie did such a wonderful job that we had a very difficult job choosing which ones we wanted to get developed into larger pictures. I would recommend Katie to anyone and everyone; check out her website at http://www.katiedeboerphotography.com/

Our Basketball Star in the Making

2008-05-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

About this time last year I went to a garage sale and found a Little Tikes basketball hoop. As I thought of Ryan's love of basketball and our yet to be born baby, guilt set in as I tried to walk away and leave it for someone else to purchase. The current owner was only asking $5. The hoop was way too large to fit in my Honda (or so I thought), so I purchased the hoop and asked if I could come back for it with my husband. Unlike other garage sale purchases, Ryan did not have a problem with this one.

Lizzie is now 7 months old and Ryan has already introduced her to the little basketball. She is almost set to crawl, so I am sure that he will soon try to introduce her to the actual hoop.

Behold the Future of Lizzie and Sophie

2008-05-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

I thought this was so cute. It made me think that this will be a picture of Lizzie and Sophie in about a 1/2 a year to a year.

The heading on this picture was as follows:

'Aggghhhh! Someone dial 911, I'm being mauled by a troll!'

Thump - Thud by Max Lucado

2008-04-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

Another great bit of inspirational wisdom to ponder from Max Lucado. Read it. Ponder it. Enjoy it.

Thump-Thud, Thump-Thud

by Max Lucado

When a potter bakes a pot, he checks its solidity by pulling it out of the oven and thumping it. If it “sings,” it’s ready. If it “thuds,” it’s placed back in the oven.

The character of a person is also checked by thumping.
Been thumped lately?
Late-night phone calls. Grouchy teacher. Grumpy moms. Burnt meals. Flat tires. You’ve-got-to-be-kidding deadlines. Those are thumps. Thumps are those irritating inconveniences that trigger the worst in us. They catch us off guard. Flat-footed. They aren’t big enough to be crises, but if you get enough of them, watch out! Traffic jams. Long lines. Empty mailboxes. Dirty clothes on the floor. Even as I write this, I’m being thumped. Because of interruptions, it has taken me almost two hours to write these two paragraphs. Thump. Thump. Thump.
How do I respond? Do I sing, or do I thud?
Jesus said that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks (Luke 6:45). There’s nothing like a good thump to reveal the nature of a heart. The true character of a person is seen not in momentary heroics but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living.
If you have a tendency to thud more than you sing, take heart.
There is hope for us “thudders”:
Begin by thanking God for thumps. I don’t mean a half-hearted thank-you. I mean a rejoicing, jumping-for-joy thank-you from the bottom of your heart (James 1:2). Chances are that God is doing the thumping. And he’s doing it for your own good. So every thump is a reminder that God is molding you (Hebrews 12:5-8).
Learn from each thump. Face up to the fact that you are not “thump-proof.” You are going to be tested from now on. You might as well learn from the thumps—you can’t avoid them. Look upon each inconvenience as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence. Each thump will help you or hurt you, depending on how you use it.
Be aware of “thump-slump” times. Know your pressure periods. For me, Mondays are infamous for causing thump-slumps. Fridays can be just as bad. For all of us, there are times during the week when we can anticipate an unusual amount of thumping. The best way to handle thump-slump times? Head on. Bolster yourself with extra prayer, and don’t give up.

Remember no thump is disastrous. All thumps work for good if we are loving and obeying God.From On the Anvil:Stories On Being Shaped Into God’s Image

Bath Time

2008-04-22T11:16:00.000-07:00

Some day Lizzie is not going to be happy with us for posting this picture of her for others to see, but that is what parents are for. We all know that parents don't always do what their children want. Besides, I couldn't resist showing all (or at least most) of her very adorable features. She is such a ham in the tub; she loves drowning her duck. Bath time is a family affair. Mom gets to get wet, keep Lizzie from face planting in the tub, and be the bad one who washes Liz up. Daddy gets to dry Lizzie up - make her into a burrito as he calls it; put on her diaper, and put her in her PJ's.

THIS is the day that the Lord has made.

2008-04-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

Did I ever mention that Max Lucado is my absolute favorite author. If you've never heard of him, which I can't imagine that you haven't, check out his website: http://www.maxlucado.net/.

I recently read the first chapter from his book, "Everyday Deserves a Chance" and it was exactly the thing that I needed from God to get me through the day. Lucado's imagery and explanation of God's word always cause my heart to flip and say, "ah hah".

In reference to a bird taking a dump on him while he was writing on a beautiful beach, Lucado says the following: "Birds have a way of messing things up, don't they? Count on it: into every day a bird will plop.

Traffic will snarl. Airports will close. Friends will forget. Spouses will complain...And what about those days of crisis? You never leave the hospital bed or wheelchair....who has good days on these days?

Most don't but couldn't we try? Such days warrant an opportunity. A shot. A try. An audition. Doesn't every day deserve a chance to be a good day? After all, "this is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24 NKJV).

Lucado goes on to say that the word This doesn't just refer to vacation days, wedding days, Christmas...you get the point. This is the day includes every day. The days that you pay taxes, get a rotten phone call, send your first child off to college etc. God made this day and ordained each hour of it; so he calls us to rejoice in it. When rejoicing in it, especially during the difficult times we need to remember that "You no longer have yesterday." "You do not yet have tomorrow." "You only have today." This is the day that the Lord has made.

I leave you with Lucado's final thoughts:

Saturate your day in his grace - "I tell you in solemn truth," replied Jesus, "that this very day you shall be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43)

Entrust you day to his oversight. - "Give us day by day our daily bread" (Luke 11:3)

Accept his direction. - "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me" (Luke 9:23)

Grace. Oversight. Direction ...see it G-O-D

Lizzie's first ear infection

2008-04-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took Lizzie to the walk-in doctor appointment because she had been pulling on her ear and not sleeping through the night. Unfortunately, Dr. Addy said that she had her first ear infection. In some regards I was happy to hear that she had an infection because she was not acting herself, so it was nice to know that we could get some antibiotics to help make her feel better. We are on day 2 of 10 with the medication and she is already acting more liker herself. As you can see she seems happy in the picture that Grandma G. took of us today.

Made in God's Image

2008-04-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

As of this past Sunday, Liz is now 6 months old. I can't believe how quickly time passes. It seems like just yesterday we were waiting for her to be born. Now she is sitting up on her own, rolling over, saying "dada", giggling, making faces at us, loving her tongue, and exploring anything she can get her hands on. God is good. When I think of all that Liz has accomplished in her short life I can't understand how someone could look at a baby and not believe that we have a creator - God, whose image we are made in. Praise God for all of his blessings!

It's a girl!

2008-04-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

It's a girl! Kim called me this morning to tell me that they had their baby by way of c-section at 5:30. I guess she went to Marshalls last night to pick up a few things (probably baby clothes for the girl that she was sure they weren't having) and she started to feel contractions come on. Kim was hoping for a girl, but they didn't know what they were having. Kim wanted a girl so bad - partly so that she could buy cute baby girl clothes.

At any rate, her name is Cassidy Ann and she was born at 5:30 weighing in at a small 6 lbs. 4 oz. I will post a picture when I get one, but I wanted to let everyone know Elizabeth has a new baby girl cousin. Dylan is now outnumbered 2 to 1. I guess it is time for Jason and Julie to try and make the number even - no more dogs, just babies :) (sorry Jason and Julie...I'm not trying to pressure you guys...I know that it will be a few years before this could be reality).

Waiting Patiently

2008-03-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Not a lot of new things to report at our house other than the fact that Liz has a pretty bad cold. This Sunday Lizzie will be 6 months old - Time Flies!

We did just get a phone call from Aunt Kim saying that the procedure she had done to try and flip the baby did not work. Consequently, she will be scheduled for a c-section sometime next week. Of course, we are praying that all goes well. Aunt Kim was a little disappointed about the failed procedure, but is more concerned about doing the right thing to ensure a happy, healthy baby. Now we will wait patiently to see if it is going to be a boy or a girl.

As you can see from the picture above, Lizzie is waiting patiently - she looks like such an adult with her arm on the armrest. When I took the picture I had to laugh when she put her arm up on the armrest.

Pictures with Aunt Kim

2008-03-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

Aunt Kim is ready to pop any time with her new little addition to their family. To help pass the time, she spent last Friday morning taking pictures of Lizzie. She just sent these pictures to me . I thought they were so cute that I had to post them.

It's been an exciting week!

2008-03-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

It has been a week of great accomplishments at the Wolthuis household. Lizzie has learned to roll (everytime we lay her down) and sit up.

Lizzie finds much pleasure in her new found abilities.

As you can tell from the last picture, she is very excited about seeing the sun. Lizzie had to try on mommy's sun glasses. She wants her Grandpas and Grandmas to know that she is more than willing to join them on their trips to Mexico and the Caribbean - especially since she found out that sunglasses make her look so cute.

Monkeyin' Around

2008-03-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the Sun!

2008-03-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

It has been such a blessing to be able to see the sun. We can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can see if Lizzie is going to enjoy running with Mommy and Daddy in her jogger.

With regards to the sun and warm weather, we want to wish Grandpa and Grandma W. safe travels as they leave on vacation tonight. We are all very envious of them (including Lizzie, she told me so as she stuck out her tongue this morning).

I thought that I would include a picture of Lizzie and Grandpa W. from last night. We had a farewell dinner with Grandpa and Grandma. It is amazing how grandchildren immediately find a special place in their grandparents' hearts. We are so thankful for such a wonderful family that gives us so much love and support.

Elizabeth is celebrating her 5 month birthday today!

Enjoy the sun!

Tongue Discovery

2008-03-02T15:04:00.000-08:00

We were gone for approximately 26 hours and this is how Liz welcomed us home. Much to Liz's delight, she has found her tongue. We are wondering if this is some new trick that Grandpa and Grandma Griffen taught her.

Additionally, we were very excited to hear that she cried very little and slept much for Grandpa and Grandma Griffen. Surprisingly, they had to wake her up to get her ready for church and then she didn't make much more than a peep in church. Just like her dad.

Picture Time

2008-02-26T10:53:00.000-08:00

Just a few of the MANY pictures that we have taken during the last few days.

Daddy and His Little Girl

2008-02-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

I often find Ryan in the bathroom with Lizzie peering into the mirror asking, "Doesn't she look like me?" He isn't really asking me to tell him "yes", rather he is telling me that Elizabeth looks like him. I laugh and say, "Yes, she looks just like you." Ryan is such a great Dad!

The other day I was listening to WSCG and overheard one of the hosts saying that he takes his daughter on a monthly date. The purpose of the date is for the dad to show his daughter what "true love" looks and acts like. I told Ryan that he is going to have to start taking Lizzie on daddy daughter dates ...what a great idea. Eventhough she is just shy of being 5 months old, as Christian Parents we are already praying that God is preparing a god fearing man to be her husband (although we have already told her she can't date until she is almost 30 :)).

"Walk a Little slower, Daddy." said a little child so small.I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.
Someday when I'm all grown up, You're what I want to be.Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!!
~author unknown

Elizabeth, Lizzie, Liz, EJW...You Choose

2008-02-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it. Lizzie is almost 5 months old. Last night after I put Liz down for the night, Ryan and I spent some time reflecting on the changes that have occured during the past few months. One of the things that I asked Ryan was whether he still thought we picked the right name for our precious little girl. Both of us still love her name, which is a good thing, since we don't plan on changing it anytime soon. One thing we did realize is that she really has a lot of different names. My dad loves the name Elizabeth and he can't stand the name Lizzie, so he calls her Elizabeth. My mom calls her Lizzie, but I think that is because she knows that we try to call her Lizzie as much as possible. Our friends often refer to her as Liz. That is what we plan on calling her when she is all grown up! Grandpa W. has refered to her as EJ in the past, but I haven't heard that in a bit. And last but not least, one of our pastors calls her EJW. He says that EJW is the name of a future famous author...I guess we will wait and see.