My Hero

This post is being written to give props to my hero, my husband! As most of you know, Tim is a part time, volunteer firefighter for Park Township here in Holland. Most of their calls involve more minor things like CO2 alarms going off for no reason, pulled fire alarms, small electrical fires etc. so when they get called for a residential fire, like they did today, it's a big deal and an opportunity the firefighters do not want to miss.

Tim got paged out around 1:30pm for a residential fire not too far from our house and he returned around 6:30pm (yes - my "planned" day was altered and I ended up spending most of it sitting anxiously at home with no clue when he would be back or what was happening). Proudly, Tim and his "teammate" were the first two on scene and the first to enter the house and fight the fire. Listening to his stories now, I'm so thankful that God has equipped Tim with the kind of strength and intelligence needed to be "in the moment" and do intense physical work amidst such stress! Thankfully, the family was not home at the time but sadly, the house is being considered a total loss. You can check out the news story here:

Please keep the family in your prayers as they face the depth of this devastating loss.

November is National Adoption Month

As most of you know, I have the privilege of working part time as an Intercountry Adoption Social Worker at Bethany Christian Services. Over the years, while working in the child welfare system, my heart has been affected by the need for children to be raised in safe, loving families. Since Teagan has been born, this passion has only grown to the point where it hurts sometimes! I have understood not only the importance, but the necessity for a child to be loved in the permanancy of a family. The importance does not just mean stability, commitment, and opportunities for physical, spiritual and emotional growth of a child, but in some cases, it means life or death (my sister-in-law's blog gives you a snip bit of what I'm talking about). My heart will never forget the 13 year old boy I worked with in Grand Rapids for over a year who's death due to neglect still pains me. Or the face of a precious little angel who's picture came across my computer screen as a child available for adoption until HIV stole her life a few months later (did you know that HIV is no longer a death sentence? With proper medication and nutrition, children with HIV can live a long and healthy life...much like those with diabetes or high blood pressure). Please watch this video of her. It is likely that her death could have been prevented if she had a family to help her access proper medication. I'm not okay with the fact that she didn't...are you?

Did you know that there are 143 MILLION orphans in this world? I know that this number is so big, it's really unfathomable....and because it's unfathomable, it's often easy to ignore. Strange how that happens.

That's 143 million children who don't have a mom and a dad to hug them when they are feeling lonely, to hold them when they have a bad dream at night, to play tickle monster with them, to go "home to" on the holidays, to smile at them, letting them know that they matter more than anything in the world to them. That's 143 million children who's development will most likely never reach full potential because no one is there to give them the kind of attachment, bond, and attention that is necessary for their physical, mental and emotional growth.

Did you know that over 6,000 of these children live right here in Michigan?

Sadly, one of the biggest things that people associate with adoption is money. This is true on some levels (domestic adoptions range from FREE to approx. $20,000 while intercountry adoptions range from $20,000 - $30,000), however, there are so many resources out there to assist in these costs. While still a lot of money, I will remind you that people in America often spend more than this on a car. I'll leave it at that. :)

While the reality for some of us is that we aren't going to adopt tomorrow, there are still so many things you can do to care for orphans in this world TODAY...something that for those of us who are Christians, know is close to God's heart (to say it lightly). Things like prayer (for orphans, for foster families, for the child welfare systems, for adoptive families....), sponsorship and orphan care ministries can all make significant differences in this tragedy of children without forever families.

I know that some of you who read this blog have expressed interest in the idea of adoption at one time or another. If you want more info, I'll be thrilled to pass it along! In the meantime, here's a list of some upcoming events that Bethany (in Holland) is holding (most of which I am helping lead so let me know if you would like more details) that you may be interested in!

November 11th at 5:30 p.m. "A Cry for the Orphan" - This event will advocate for orphans overseas who have special placement needs and are waiting for their forever families (we have pictures and profiles of over 200 of these children!). It will take place at the Prince Conference Center at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. A light dinner will be provided and local medical professionals will present. Adoptive families will also be available to share their personal stories and answer questions.

November 13th at 6:30 p.m. "Discover Adoption" - A general adoption information meeting which is excellent for families who are trying to discern which adoption program is right for them. All of Bethany's adoption programs (Domestic Infant, Intercountry, Embryo, and Older Child) will be presented and a panel of adoptive families will share their stories. This event will take place at the Herrick District Library in Holland (300 S. River Ave).

December 1st at 6:00 p.m. Foster Care and Older Child Adoption Orientation - An opportunity to learn about the children available in the State of Michigan and the process involved in becoming a licensed foster parent or adoptive parent. This orientation will take place in the East building of the Holland Bethany Christian Services office (12048 James Street).

December 11th at 6:30 p.m. Intercountry Adoption Information Meeting - Come learn about the different country programs, the adoption process, fees, and resources available to you before and after the adoption is finalized. This information meeting will be held in the East building of the Holland Bethany Christian Services office (12048 James Street).

"SPEAK UP FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES..." Proverbs 31:8

"I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU AS ORPHANS; I WILL COME TO YOU..." John 14:18

"Somebunny" ...

HAD A FUN HALLOWEEN!


We've had a lot of bunnies in our backyard over the years but the one we found today is by far the cutest! :)


Unlike past years, the weather outside was actually nice, however, we opted to meet up with some friends to go trick-or-treating at a local rest home that some of our friends work at. Although Teagan didn't partake in the actual taking of candy, we were able to say "Happy Halloween" to the residents who look forward to this day for a long time! We had a great night!



One of the residents who was trying to convince me that Teagan should eat the Nestle Crunch bar. :)


Teagan's friends: MSU cheerleaders (sisters), a cowboy, Teagie bunny, Bob The Builder, and Raggedy Ann and Andy (twins)!

Fall Happenings

Fall is one of our favorite times of the year and although it's going by too fast, we've had the opportunity to do some fun things. Here's a recap of a few of them:

CRANE'S U-PICK
It's our tradition each year to go to Cranes Orchards in Fennville and pick apples and we loved watching Teagan experience her first time doing this! After trying to fit it into our schedules over the last month, we finally had some time today to go. It was a beautiful Fall day and we had a great time!









HOPE COLLEGE 5 YEAR REUNION!
It's been five years since I (Brooke) said farewell to college life at Hope (and six years for Tim!). We had the opportunity to re-live some of the good 'ole days by meeting up with friends at the reunion party at New Holland Brewery and then hanging out at the Dieleman's home. Tim also played in the alumni soccer game that morning. It always amazes me how he can just jump right back into the game like he never left. I wonder what it would look like to have an alumni track meet...actually, I don't want to know how long it would take me to get around that track right now. :)

After the game (Teagan is sporting her Hope College onesie - thanks "Aunt" Stacey!)


Teagan finally got to meet her future college roomie, Clare (Phil and Corrie's beautiful baby girl)! :)


Our tradition "girls picture."


The guys finally agreeing to do a "guys picture" (in mockery of us, I'm sure)

NEW LIFE

I had the unique privilege to support a young woman I've been mentoring over the past 5 years as she gave birth via C-section to a beautiful baby boy, Jayceon, on Friday. I enjoyed the "new" perspective of this procedure, sitting in the chair next to the operating table rather than on it! It was truly an honor to be able to witness this incredible miracle of new life and makes me even more in awe of the awesome God we serve!

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!

Tim ~ You are an incredible husband and father and we love you so much!

big day!

Teagan took her 1st STEP today!! Tim and I were in the kitchen finishing dinner and watching Teagan play in the living room with Bailey. All of a sudden, she stood up (this is a new thing within the past couple of weeks), balanced longer than she normally does (with Bailey's blue "baby" - his stuffed animal - in one hand), and moved one foot forward! It was awesome and we were so geeked! :) She had a glimmer in her eye and a big smile on her face as we were praising her and hugging and kissing her.

Speaking of kissing, she ALSO learned to kiss us back! We discovered this right after she took her first step. We were in heaven! She will lean towards us and hold her mouth slightly open with her lil' tongue sticking out just a bit. One of the neat things about this is that she gaining those receptive skills...she understands what we mean when we say things like "give Daddy kisses!" It's really cute! :)

Here are some recent pictures of our lil' babe who is growing up way too fast!!


A few moments after the big step!




Our wild one! This is the day she fell into my plate of baked beans (at a picnic) and stained her shirt. :) Because it was already ruined, I didn't put a bib on her when I fed her later that day....and this was the result. :)


Playing with her friend, Ella.


Caught ya! I was making dinner tonight and turned around to find this! :)


After a bath


Taking a walk on a beautiful Fall afternoon!

Mississippi Wedding

We had a fabulous time in Corinth, Mississippi last weekend as we celebrated the wedding of Matt (Tim's brother) and his beautiful wife, Kelly! Tim was honored to stand up for Matt as his best man. Matt and Kelly live in Chicago but Kelly is from Corinth so we were all able to go down there and get a taste of her southern roots. We stayed in a beautiful Bed and Breakfast and enjoyed learning about the history (Civil War) of this small town full of charm and hospitality!

Tim, Teagan and I enjoyed our time together during the 12 hour road trip (thankfully, Teagan slept most of the time so it went fairly smoothly....she was definitely ready to be out of her car seat by the time we arrived though!). Kuddos to my hubby who drove the entire time (I offered!) and let me sleep a little bit!


Matt and Kelly


The Bed and Breakfast (we stayed in the one next door to this main house). The tables outside were for the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.











Tim with his brother, Matt, and sister, Sara


Tim with his brother, Matt, and step brothers, Dirk and Andy