sweet baby myles

My sister, Tara, and her husband, Mark, made the big move to Cincinnati this past weekend as Mark has started his residency. Because they couldn't move into their house right away and Mark had already begun working, Tara and Myles spent last week here in Michigan. While they were here, were were able to spend a lot of quality time with them and we loved every minute although we missed you Mark! Myles is the sweetest baby we'ver ever met! It's impossible to be in a bad mood around him because his smile is never ending and he just lights up the room! Here are some pics of the precious baby boy!


Aunt Brooke loving on Myles.
Sun bathing in his new (big!) hat.
Baby Kenny Chesney.
Myles and his Mama
Myles and Oma
Flying high!
I'm ready for my first boat ride, Opa!
Hanging out with Opa.
Snoozin' with Auntie Andee
Mama and Myles reading "Miles the Crocodile."

Race Of Their Lives!

On June 9th, my sister, Jess, participated in a special kind of triatholon. Here's a little excerpt about her experience as well as a video link with a slide show. It's a must see! Tim and I had the privilege of watching and cheering her and Kamrie on! It was so fun and the way that Jess has been using her gifts to bless others is so inspiring!

"On Saturday morning, June 9th, I got be part of one of the coolest things ever! I participated in the “Race of Their Lives” at the Lake Macatawa Triathlon. About 7 of us were paired up with a special-needs child from the Ottawa Area Center to compete in a swim (.5 mile), bike (22.8 miles) and run (4.8 miles). We got together three weeks ago to meet our kids and practice at Dunton Park before the big race day. I knew immediately when I saw little Kamrie that she was going to be my lil’ buddy!

We arrived early morning race day to very chilly air temps and very warm, post-e.coli infested waters (ewww…). The day turned out to be gorgeous, though, and the “race” was an absolute blast. Kamrie got to ride in an inflatable kayak behind me on the swim, in a trailor behind my bike and then I pushed her in a jogging stroller on the run. Seeing her dance and giggle with uncontrollable excitement the whole morning was so much fun. Whenever we’d go downhill on the bike, she’d lean waaaaay forward, close her eyes, her little face peeking under her helmet and let the wind whip through her hair. I knew that for that moment, she got to experience the freedom and exhilaration of soaring…It was a sight and an experience that has truly moved me and one I’ll never forget….I’d love to share it with you! - turn up your speakers and enjoy this little photo video! :) ~Jess

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

smulligans!

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. Life has been busy but full of good things!

*Tim will be finishing up his long term sub position at Hudsonville High School next week. Although it's been a blessing, we are looking forward to it being done so we can fall back into a more normal schedule and spend more quality time together. He's been working 13-14 hour days plus every weekend for the past couple of months as he does his lawn care business after school until it gets dark. I am so proud of him and his hard work!
*My sister, Andrea, stayed with us for a week as she was in a transitional stage between having to move out of her old home and into one in GR that she will be renting with some of her girl friends. We had a great time and Bailey misses the company during the day. :)
* My brother-in-law, Mark, graduated from Med School at USC! My sister, Tara will graduate from Fuller Seminary next weekend! We're SO proud of them! They'll be moving to Cincinnati on June 11th as Mark will begin his residency there. Keep them in your prayers!

*Corrie's getting married!! Corrie is a good friend from Hope who is set to marry an awesome guy named Phil on 7/7/07! It was so fun to get together with the old gang (Gilmore/Zwemer girls) and celebrate with Corrie by throwing her a personal shower. Here are a couple of pics from the shower...there are a few pictures from some games that we played that I chose not to post and will just send to the girls privately. Let's just say that the Gilmore/Zwemer girls aren't as naive as they use to be. ;)



*We planted a garden! We're eager to see how our carrots, peppers, green beans, tomatoes, corn, pumpkin and watermelon turn out! We also did some more landscaping and took advantage of a great sale at West Olive Nursery (it also helped that Tim owns a lawn care business b/c we got an even bigger discount!). Bailey and I did a good job of supervising the whole tree planting experience. :)




*My parent's home on Spring Lake is completed and is SO beautiful! It's in the Parade of Homes which is going on now until June 9th. Check it out!!

the irresistible revolution

I'm almost finished (sorry it's taken me so long, Rich!) with a book by Shane Claiborne called, "The Irresistible Revolution: Living As An Ordinary Radical." If you haven't read it already, it's a must read! Shane discusses what it means for Christians to live like the early church, to step out of the comfort zones that our western culture has told us we need to stay in and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a broken world. He documents his journey to Calcutta, to Iraq (has some interesting thoughts on war) and to the streets of Philadelphia to live among the poor in an intentional community called "The Simple Way.". This book will "comfort the disturbed, disturb the comfortable, and invite believers to change the world with Christ's radical love."

it's a beautner!

For those of you who haven't heard of the word "beautner," one of the Oosting coined descriptions for people or things that are well, interesting in their own "unique" way, here's a good example of one. It's my sister, Andrea's, 1995 oldsmobile Achieva, her mode of transportation that just never gives up despite recently hitting a deer, going through 2 flat tires in a few months and getting backed into by a suburban. Even more, along with having to hold onto a shaky steering wheel, Andrea has had the privilege of watching a mouse climb up from the hood and onto the windshield...while driving!

Tim helping Andrea fix her flat tire.


The plunger method....almost worked if it weren't for those darn creases!

Tim just wouldn't give up. Is that poo on the beaut?


Maybe it'll work if I take the whole door off! Nope.

monster baby

Check out this hilarious video to see what a 3 year old is going to do to a monster! :)

Congratulations Andee!

My "little" sister, Andrea, graduated yesterday from Hope! She is an amazing woman and we're excited to see how God is going to continue to use her gifts to impact this world!