One of my favorite Blogs is called "My Charming Kids" and their newest child, Stellan, is in ICU with RSV. He is hanging on at this point, but it is very scary for this sweet family. If you see this, please say a prayer for Stellan to pull through this without any problem. During pregnancy, his parents were told that he would die from some type of heart problem but the Lord had other plans for him. He was born completely healthy! So now, with an unrelated illness, there is this threat again...that something could go wrong. But we believe that God did not save him from his heart condition so that he could die of a serious cold! No way!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed 2009!!
~Bethany :)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Blended Thanksgiving Festivities!
Happy Thanksgiving!
This our 2nd Thanksgiving as a stepfamily and plans are now underway! Actually, while Mark and I were dating, we celebrated once, but this is our official 2nd Turkey Day!
This year, we are doing things a little different. Seems that EVERY holiday that we've had in Michigan have been celebrated at my Uncle and Aunt's house. And we always have a wonderful time together! My dad is there as well and sometimes my cousin and his wife. Well, this year, my cousin and his wife have a brand new baby girl! She was born on November 6th...which will be easy to remember since Gabe, my youngest, was born on November 8th. Anywho....they will be at my Aunt and Uncle's but we decided to have dinner with Mark's brother and his wife this year. Then, on Friday, we will go visit my family and see the baby and such. We thought it would be a good idea for my Uncle and Aunt to have some time with the baby this year, since she is so new and all. It does get a little hectic with all the children running around crazy-like :) Sooner than not, she will be running around with a runny nose like the rest of them!
We're excited to go to Brad and Kathy's to eat together and play Killer Bunnies :) My cousin introduced us to this awfully fun card game....you should check into it! My only problem is trying to figure out what to cook :) Sweet potato pie, sweet potato casserole....corn casserole....what??
I told Kathy not to be concerned with what the kids will like. They are all way too picky! Mark and I decided that we don't care what they eat on holidays anyway. Who wants to stress about that on a day of thanksgiving? Not me!!
If someone by chance happens to read this, I pray that your Thanksgiving is blessed and stress-free!!!
~Bethany :)
This our 2nd Thanksgiving as a stepfamily and plans are now underway! Actually, while Mark and I were dating, we celebrated once, but this is our official 2nd Turkey Day!
This year, we are doing things a little different. Seems that EVERY holiday that we've had in Michigan have been celebrated at my Uncle and Aunt's house. And we always have a wonderful time together! My dad is there as well and sometimes my cousin and his wife. Well, this year, my cousin and his wife have a brand new baby girl! She was born on November 6th...which will be easy to remember since Gabe, my youngest, was born on November 8th. Anywho....they will be at my Aunt and Uncle's but we decided to have dinner with Mark's brother and his wife this year. Then, on Friday, we will go visit my family and see the baby and such. We thought it would be a good idea for my Uncle and Aunt to have some time with the baby this year, since she is so new and all. It does get a little hectic with all the children running around crazy-like :) Sooner than not, she will be running around with a runny nose like the rest of them!
We're excited to go to Brad and Kathy's to eat together and play Killer Bunnies :) My cousin introduced us to this awfully fun card game....you should check into it! My only problem is trying to figure out what to cook :) Sweet potato pie, sweet potato casserole....corn casserole....what??
I told Kathy not to be concerned with what the kids will like. They are all way too picky! Mark and I decided that we don't care what they eat on holidays anyway. Who wants to stress about that on a day of thanksgiving? Not me!!
If someone by chance happens to read this, I pray that your Thanksgiving is blessed and stress-free!!!
~Bethany :)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Trick or Treat!!
I was thinking....I'd LOVE to make a sincere effort to maintain this blog. I haven't even told anyone about it (well, except for Mark of course). I was waiting to decide on what I should focus.....
It MUST focus on our stepfamily!
There are many times when I would like to know how other families deal with issues that are created with a family like ours....a non-traditional family if you will :)
The fact of the matter is, there are many, many, MANY step-families. We need to support eachother and know that we are not alone!
So, for now, I am officially making it known (again, I realize no one has really read this blog yet!) that I have changed the blog title in hopes to pursade others to take a peek.
*Regarding the picture: We had such a fun time together on Halloween this year--yes, Mark and Alex are wearing kilts!
~Bethany :)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
My Birthday
On July 9th, I had my 38th (38th!!) birthday. I must confess.....it's getting a bit harder to 'celebrate' being almost 40 :) Not that 40 is a bad thing. It's just strange. I don't feel my age.
Several times in the past few years, I've noticed little girls running around in tiaras. Meaning, they wear them for playing dress up or for their birthday. I've even seen women wearing them at a nearby downtown-type festival. I guess it was 'ladies night' and one of the stores gave out tiaras for a special prize. Anyway, I've never had a tiara!
Until now! Mark gave me one for my birthday :) It looks almost like this picture. I should have shown you the picture he took of me with the kids...but I haven't downloaded it off my camera just yet. Now I have my very own tiara. I have NO idea when I will wear it! I guess I can for each birthday....maybe again for a costume party of some sort.
Mark is the best husband I could ever ask for. He's absolutely perfect for me. And yes, he spoils me a little (okay...a LOT). Thank you Lord for giving me the best gift EVER--my husband!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Our Family Mural
A few weeks ago, I had the kids make a 'family mural' of sorts. I took brown packaging paper and rolled it out onto the sidewalk and I painted lines to divide the paper into sections. We called the kids outside and put them to work.
It was interesting to watch them....Mark and I have 7 children together and we like to see how they interact with one another, especially when we do a group project. The two littlest boys went down to the far end of the paper, the youngest girl took the biggest space/division she could find, one middle son took, well, the middle....the two oldest were next to him and the other middle son stayed close to Mark and I (we shared the last space...the one you can see clearly in the picture! If you click on the pic, I believe you will see all of it better!).
It is so amazing how well our children get along....I mean, sure, there are times when some aren't getting along so well...or there is the occasional bicker. Honestly though, God has blessed us with some really great kids!
Being in a stepfamily is a challenge.....in fact, there are moments of complete chaos! There are also times, like the time we made making a mural, that we work together as a family. Sure, it's a non-traditional, crazy-at-times, family with 7 children....but we do alright I think. I'm pretty sure we are one of the best stepfamilies I've ever met :)
-Bethany :)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Life....and death
Life is fleeting....we seem so fragile!
I know that no one reads my blog yet, but my heart is heavy for several families right now and I must write about them.
The link at the bottom of my blog goes to Angie Smith's blog. Her husband is in the band Selah. Angie's blog is basically about her daughter, Audrey Caroline, who went to be with the Lord just two short hours after her birth into this world.
Sadly, this family has been hit with death again...Todd Smith (who is Angie's husband) has a sister named Nicol Sponberg (who used to be in Selah). Nicol and her husband Greg just had a beautiful baby boy this past March. Nicol went to check in on him the other night and he wasn't breathing....they think he may have died from SIDS but they are not sure. I cannot imagine....
Another family I am thinking of and praying for is the Steven Curtis Chapman family. Oh my goodness.....their youngest daughter was outside playing and their 17 year-old son accidently hit and killed her with an SUV. She had just turned 5.
My heart is heavy for these that are grieving their precious little ones. I know that, as Christians, we are not immune to these horrible trials....but it is impossible to understand why God allows it. It's mighty tough to trust God in these circumstances...only He knows the reasons.
If you happen to stumble upon this blog for some reason...please say a prayer for these families.
And if you have children....go kiss them and thank the Lord you have them today!!!!
-Bethany :)
I know that no one reads my blog yet, but my heart is heavy for several families right now and I must write about them.
The link at the bottom of my blog goes to Angie Smith's blog. Her husband is in the band Selah. Angie's blog is basically about her daughter, Audrey Caroline, who went to be with the Lord just two short hours after her birth into this world.
Sadly, this family has been hit with death again...Todd Smith (who is Angie's husband) has a sister named Nicol Sponberg (who used to be in Selah). Nicol and her husband Greg just had a beautiful baby boy this past March. Nicol went to check in on him the other night and he wasn't breathing....they think he may have died from SIDS but they are not sure. I cannot imagine....
Another family I am thinking of and praying for is the Steven Curtis Chapman family. Oh my goodness.....their youngest daughter was outside playing and their 17 year-old son accidently hit and killed her with an SUV. She had just turned 5.
My heart is heavy for these that are grieving their precious little ones. I know that, as Christians, we are not immune to these horrible trials....but it is impossible to understand why God allows it. It's mighty tough to trust God in these circumstances...only He knows the reasons.
If you happen to stumble upon this blog for some reason...please say a prayer for these families.
And if you have children....go kiss them and thank the Lord you have them today!!!!
-Bethany :)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Interpreting
I figure since I am at work (again) that I could at least explain what I do :)
I am a nationally certified Interpreter for the Deaf. At this time, I am a video relay interpreter...which is essentially a phone operator. Deaf individuals call us on their videophone and we can see them on our computer screen (and they can see us)...they will give us a phone number and we call it. After we are connected, I say my line ("This is Interpreter # ____ and I have a video relay call for you") and if they don't hang up (smile), I will interpret the call for the Deaf individual. It's quite exciting!
Use this link to find out more: http://www.sorensonvrs.com/?gclid=CMXr6snRyZMCFQUNIgodWScxhg
Actually, I was going to put a video on here, which would be even better...but I couldn't figure out how to do it! Dang...
I like my job...for the most part. There are stressful times, just like any job I figure. I love the Deaf community, so that helps :)
-Bethany
I am a nationally certified Interpreter for the Deaf. At this time, I am a video relay interpreter...which is essentially a phone operator. Deaf individuals call us on their videophone and we can see them on our computer screen (and they can see us)...they will give us a phone number and we call it. After we are connected, I say my line ("This is Interpreter # ____ and I have a video relay call for you") and if they don't hang up (smile), I will interpret the call for the Deaf individual. It's quite exciting!
Use this link to find out more: http://www.sorensonvrs.com/?gclid=CMXr6snRyZMCFQUNIgodWScxhg
Actually, I was going to put a video on here, which would be even better...but I couldn't figure out how to do it! Dang...
I like my job...for the most part. There are stressful times, just like any job I figure. I love the Deaf community, so that helps :)
-Bethany
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The First Day...
So, this is the first official post on my blog. I'm so excited!!!
Actually, I am at work....so I can't say too much. In fact, I should probably go.
I'll write more soon!
-Bethany
Actually, I am at work....so I can't say too much. In fact, I should probably go.
I'll write more soon!
-Bethany
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