The week before Christmas

The week before Christmas...in pictures and a few words. The kids started getting sick last weekend. They have just gotten worse and worse the last few days and all three or coughing up a storm, watery eyes, runny noses, low fevers and Christmas is quickly upon us. I'm not sure if our Christmas plans will have to change; I'm praying for a little miracle that they are all healthy enough to at least make it to church. I'm trying to adjust my expectations to be different than what was planned, but that is not easy for me. So, it's been a hard couple of days. However, there have been so good times too! It started out with Hadrian and his school Christmas program. You can see from the pictures that he seems a little tired, or maybe now I can look back and say he was just starting this cold...it was a fun 30 minutes, I was so busy watching Hadrian that I didn't catch any of the other funny children. Hadrian was in a bit of daze, especially after he fell off the stage - yes he just tumbled right off. Jair calmed him down and Hadrian went back on stage; all the while looking so serious - so McDonald.


Over the weekend we got to get away Jair & I and went with the family to see the Narnia movie, the voyage of the dawn treader. It was good, I enjoyed it. And always nice to be out! After the movie we got the kids and headed to dinner with the family in celebration of my SIL's birthday. We went to Ruby Tuesday's and it was the absolute worse experience we waited, and waited, and waited and we were practically the only ones in there. I think we were there for 2 hours and the majority of the time....waiting. The kids were absolutely incredible! What a blessing to have such wonderful children. They sat in their seats, they weren't loud or obnoxious; they were very well behaved.

Later in the week, as Hadrian & Hadassa were taking naps Matthan and I sat down and made a few button wreaths. Let me tell you, this was another highlight of my week! To sit down with my baby; who has a hard time doing this and seeing in him the growth he's had to be able to thread buttons on a string was a huge blessing and just a joy - to do something creative with him.


With the button wreaths done, I started getting a crafty feeling inside and at the same time wanting to clean and organize the kids' rooms. Which for Hadassa's meant changing her bed in to a toddler bed as well. It looks great in her room now; she is getting so big. But, here's one other crafty thing I did for her room I made her this hair bow hanger. I had all the stuff just here and there in my craft box.


Later still in the week in preparation for Christmas Eve & Christmas I thought it'd be fun to make Matthan a few goodies of his own that he could enjoy too. So, I made chocolate cupcakes for him and he decorated it with the snowman. Another very fun moment with just him!

So, although sicknesses lurk here and are quite discouraging; I can see looking back that my week was good. Praying for a healthy Christmas Eve & Day.

Merry Christmas.

Christmas Parade

Spontaneously my mom & I took the kids to a Christmas Parade in downtown Olympia. It was a lot of fun. I packed with me some rice krispie treats and hot cocoa with marshmallows and we enjoyed ourselves watching the parade. I hope next year is a nice dry day like it was this time; it'd be fun to go again.

Thanksgiving

We had a great thanksgiving! It was fun in the week prior to talk with the kids about being thankful and trying to teach them about thanksgiving. On thanksgiving day we took the kids to see a movie; which was a lot of fun - minus the wiggly 18 month old :) Then we went over to my parents for the afternoon/evening. Always so good to be all together. There are times especially during holidays, and birthdays but even on an everyday day that I wish we had more time with Jair's family too. Often, here friends and sometimes family will say how lucky we are we don't have to share a holiday and go from one place to the next since Jair's family isn't here. We often tell them, that we'd much rather share holidays than seem them occasionally. We tried to take family pictures with our camera on a timer - that was fun :) Challenging and a test of our patience and the kids' but here are a few of those pictures.

The First Snow

It's snowing here - a real winter wonderland. We ventured out for a short time this morning. Matthan enjoyed it the most. Hadrian was his moody self upset that he had to wear multiple socks to go out side; he finally cheered up a bit while we were out there, and then he got hit by a snow ball so that sent him back into his mood. Hadassa wasn't too sure about the whole experience; she pretty much just stood in one spot the whole time :)

Time For A Party

The kids and I are all sick with an awful cold. We are home today enjoying our time in our jammies and watching movies. Just about lunch time; Matthan says "we should have a party" and of course Hadrian jumped right on that idea! I said "okay lets have a party with our toast, hot cocoa and grapes. You can wear your hats" (one Hadrian made at school; and I threw one together for Matthan). They were excited! Of course you can't have a party with out candles, so they each got one candle in a piece of toast and they sang happy birthday to themselves. These are the moments that are so sweet and treasurable!

The Pumpkin Patch

A couple of weeks ago we made it out to the pumpkin patch. It was a beautiful fall afternoon. Everyone had a great time!

Back To School

Fall has arrived and school has begun. Last week was the first week back to school for Matthan; and Hadrian just starting preschool. Somehow, I haven't gotten pictures of Matthan yet (I'll have to do that this week :). They were both really excited to get going to school. Matthan is attending preschool 4 days a week all day. He did VERY well his first day back! Hadrian, is loving his school. When I took him his first day he just couldn't wait for me to leave - I was waiting for the teacher as well as just observing for a few minutes and I think in 5-10minutes time Hadrian asked 4 times when I was leaving and what I was doing there still. He finally came up to me and gave me a big hug and kiss and said "see you later mom". So independent!





I'm really looking forward to this school year. I have high hopes for Matthan as he goes all day and am looking forward to some individual time with the kids.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long for colds to set in. All 3 of them are sick with an awful cold and the start of the 2nd week of school are home. I hope and pray that get well soon and that this won't be an awful cold season.

Summer Time Fun

We have been having a lot of fun this summer. Starting off with the 4th of July.


Then on the 5th of July Oma en Opa arrived! The boys were so excited to see them and are really enjoying their company.


The boys also have had their first fishing experience....


We just spent 3 nights in Lake Chelan, had a great place to stay, awesome warm weather, and a lot of fun.

The place we stayed

The view from the place we stayed




While in Chelan we spent a day at the water slide park. It was so fun, we all enjoyed it and it is such joy to see your children experience new and fun things. I loved going down the slides with Matthan & Hadassa - Hadrian stayed close with Opa & Daddy.

All Things Summer & More

Summer is in full speed ahead now! The 4th of July is only a few days away and we are going to the beach for our usual family celebration. I'm really looking forward to it, food, campfires, beach walks, fireworks and most of all being with the family.

On the 5th we have yet another great event planned. Mamma en Pappa are coming! Yes, Jair's parents are due to arrive the evening of the 5th and we are so excited to receive them and be with them for the rest of July! We have a few fun adventures planned, but again I most of all look forward to being with them, drinking a cup of coffee with them, seeing memories being made with Oma & Opa and the kleine kinderen (small children). We have a small house, it's even small for the 5 of us - so this time around we've got a very special setup for Jair's parents - in a way it reminds me of the story Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory - where all the family; parents, and two sets of grandparents live in one little house...We'll be nice & cozy that's for sure. Or as they say in YWAM sleeping under each others armpits.

Matthan has been doing really well on his diet and his supplements. He is such an amazing child, watching him take these vitamins (15-20) a day that are pills he has to swallow is just incredible to me - he does it! Some days he doesn't want to, but he still does :) His time in therapy (speech & occupational) are going well - at least today! He still has good days & bad days. Since school got out 3 weeks ago now, we have officially ditched all pull-ups and are toilet training (again), he is doing the best he has thus far and I am praying that by the end of summer, he will be well on his way for the coming school year.

I continue to pray for Matthan's healing. That Jehova Rapha (the God who heals) would touch his body, his brain in a miraculous way. I was very blessed by an incredible evening at church tonight - worship and praising Jesus. In that time of worship I received a verse: Psalm 139:5

"You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me"

The power of the Word is incredible. I love it when the words jump off the page at me! The Lord has his hand on Matthan, yes on me too, and my family - but I really felt strongly a reminder to me, for Matthan. His healing hands - the great physician - is touching my baby boy and I will continue to knock & to seek Him in all things!

Hadrian is a wonderful little boy, who loves to play, be the "boss", and is unfortunately quite the "middle" child. It is hard to remember sometimes that he is only 3. He has got an older brother who takes and requires a lot of help and a baby sister who is simply the baby, the princess. There are times that my heart is heavy for him and I ask the Lord to help me protect his "childhood", to not make him grow up too fast and to remember to treat him special too.


And yes our little Hadassa is growing up. She is doing very well and loves being with the boys and doing what they are doing. It is so fun having a girl ;) She is often in my shadow (as most children are at this age) helping me, doing what I do - laundry, dished, groceries, etc...


In only a few short weeks - Jair will be turning 30 - We are planning on a little gathering of family and close friends for kayaking & dinner out!



And that my friends is a little update from The Dutchies

May

Fun in the Sun with bubbles & mud.




Hadrian loves helping his daddy. He is our little worker. He reminds us so much of my brother, Chris.



Our sweet lil' angel....



The kids love their swings - I'm so glad to have them it keeps them occupied for a good while, although I have to push still, it's okay :)

Beach

Our baby girl is 1

This is Hadassa's birthday invitation Jair & I created.